Looking into an IT career

[Keyser0804]

Hi, I am 24 and have built a few computers. I don't have a background in IT, but I am very interested. I was thinking networking, but have no experience. I have 2 yrs of undergrad credits, but was hoping to get certificates while I work my full time job.

I guess my first question is, can I get a decent job with just certificates?
I am looking to find a company that would be willing to help me pay for college and earn my degree down the road as I work.

My second question would be, what certification should I be looking into?
I know there is A+, microsoft, and cisco.

 

[Langford]

Cisco will probably score the best job. A+ and Network+ have the advantage of not expiring. Certifications mean less and less lately, but they sure beat nuthin'.

 

[itsmikey]

you need real world experience not certifications

start off with building small networks using a 1-2 routers and 2-3 switches from solaris/unix/linux

i'm studying for my CCNP and using the cisco press eSim collection right now, fantastic collection. it's extremely indepth to the point of listing common cisco hardware and having front/back/side pictures of it all
it also has videos of different people explaining things. i really like it. expensive.

i have my ccna and dont feel remotely confident using the skills i got from it to do networking, so i constantly study study study everything i can

this job is CONSTANT learning, its not something you learn and your set for 10 years.. not at all. there are so many different facets of IT and networking its just amazing

 

[nonameo]

I am also interested in increasing the competition for people already in the biz :-P

From what I understand, though, there's not a whole lot of room for people like me, who have little or no professional experience. I only have my A+, and from what I understand, that is pretty much worthless I doubt it would take me long to get CCNA. I have a lot of experience just fixing "home user" issues, but those are all house calls and I wouldn't really call that 40/wk either. I wouldn't even call it 10/wk... it's really just here and there, but I've been doing it since I was 15(that's when I got my A+. I thought I was hot shit. Ha.)

 

[itsmikey]

you guys need to realize that routers and switches run off of a command line operating system..it's nothing like a linksys home router

home user computer experience doesnt help at all.. it's like learning unix, albeit far less commands of course.

stop "wanting to learn" and jump in head first..

most of us start at the bottom level, tech support, system support, desktop support, etc, and move up from there. any company that hires a fresh off his termpapers and spring break in cancun NA is just asking for doom IMO

 

[Zamboni]

The certs won't get you the job by themselves, but there are several companies that will require them on top of their other qualifications. They're just for marking off boxes on HR's checklist.

 

[Keyser0804]

Thanks for all replies. Lots of stuff to think about.
I was also wondering what job would be a good entry point into IT to gain experience?

 

[nonameo]

you guys need to realize that routers and switches run off of a command line operating system..it's nothing like a linksys home router

home user computer experience doesnt help at all.. it's like learning unix, albeit far less commands of course.

stop "wanting to learn" and jump in head first..

most of us start at the bottom level, tech support, system support, desktop support, etc, and move up from there. any company that hires a fresh off his termpapers and spring break in cancun NA is just asking for doom IMO

I've built several linux systems and have gone through the "teething" process with earlier distros(you know what I mean... they never really just "worked"). I've worked with the command line in DOS, 2K/XP, Linux, and OS X

I wouldn't say I'm a pro at the command line, but I'm certainly not afraid of it.

 

[itsmikey]

Thanks for all replies. Lots of stuff to think about.
I was also wondering what job would be a good entry point into IT to gain experience?

IT is all about networking (socially).. most jobs seem to come from connections within.. every business needs IT whether its inhouse or outsourced

everyone i know that got into SA/NA with low experience works for a small company that probably had to have an "it" guy quickly so my friends were reccomended and hired

most IT guys, and this is the way im going, begin with desktop support for a few years.

luckily, although its stressful quite often, the system support i do is all encompassing.. from installing the computer systems to the networking to the credit card processing etc etc.. point of sales for restaurants.. i was your typical supercomputeruser, and im staying at this job as long as i can handle it just due to the amount of experience ive gained in the past several months working it

a friend of mine just went from brighthouse (cable company) tech support to network administrator..

you need the years of callcenter/support experience to prove you know how to fix computers

 

[itsmikey]

I've built several linux systems and have gone through the "teething" process with earlier distros(you know what I mean... they never really just "worked"). I've worked with the command line in DOS, 2K/XP, Linux, and OS X

I wouldn't say I'm a pro at the command line, but I'm certainly not afraid of it.

ah, good

IOS isnt bad, its the easy part actually.. the rough stuff IMO is the theory behind the actual network architecture

 

[Zamboni]

IOS isnt bad, its the easy part actually.. the rough stuff IMO is the theory behind the actual network architecture

I have the opposite problem. I can build the networks and subnet them in my head, but I forget the IOS if I spend too much time on non-Cisco gear. I haven't touched a Cisco box in years, so I'd probably need a read a textbook to get through the login page by now.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I wanted to get into computers years ago...and sort of "fell into" the field I'm in now...which I really like. Consulting for SMB networks (Small - Medium Business).

It's a field that's in absolute insane demand. Drive around town. All around you, you see businesses, right? Offices of all sorts, law firms, accounting firms, healthcare agencies, yacht brokers, insurance companies, hair salons, real estate, non-profit organizations of all types, florists, dentists, manufacturing plants, architect firms, construction/contractors, etc etc. Any type of business you see or can think of...they all have computers....from the small peer to peer, to the large ones with a server or more.

And they need help in setting up, maintaining, providing product, etc.

I target clients that have say between 10 - 100 computers. I do have a few small peer to peer client, but I generally try to target a network with a least a server. Businesses that have a decent amount of computers...but aren't large enough to have their own IT staff/department....so most of my core clients are those between a dozen and fifty PCs.

What I love about this specific IT field? Meeting different people all the time. I don't have to report to some office cubicle and answer to a time clock....I start my work at home...do some remote work, check in on clients servers, check e-mail, prepare quotes, ordering, etc. Then as I get through the later morning...I'll head out on the road to do some onsites, swing by the office if expecting any deliveries, etc. Very flexible time schedule. Also....it's always different things....it's not doing some cookie cutter job like many IT jobs end up being. Different people, different software, different setups, different locations...all the time. It's nice...for me anyways.

Certs? Eh..in this job...on the job/hands on counts....you learn more through this and by hitting forums and tech website. I slowed down on certs year ago. Not to remove credit from those here who do honest cert seeking...I've just seen far toooo many kids come through trying to show off all their certs.....when in fact they only crammed at braindump sites to pass the exams...which really leads to a product that's utterly clueless.

Anyways...this part of the IT field..SMB consultant....I love it. Huge demand for this out there, and hey...one bills (around my area) from 100 - 125 an hour...so it's $$$ rewarding too!

 

[twwabw]

Consulting for SMB networks (Small - Medium Business).

It's a field that's in absolute insane demand. Anyways...this part of the IT field..SMB consultant....I love it. Huge demand for this out there, and hey...one bills (around my area) from 100 - 125 an hour...so it's $$$ rewarding too!

QFT

IT is all about networking (socially).. most jobs seem to come from connections within.. every business needs IT whether its inhouse or outsourced

Also, QFT

If you want to pursue the Corporate IT ladder, then you need experience and Education. If you have the balls to go out on your own, you can pursue the SMB clients and work for yourself. But, like any small business owner, don't be fooled into thinking you'll have a 9-5 job, or thinking that every hour you work is billable. You need to hone your skills all the time, because they're paying you to KNOW what you're doing, not to be learning it on their dime. Target your market, and target the skill sets for that market. YOSC and I serve the same type of clients, and as he says, the work is almost limitless. If you prefer the structure and predictability of the corporate world, then this is not for you. But if you can multi-task until your eyes pop out, and be willing to work some long, strange hours occasionally, the $$$ rewards are VERY nice.

 

[Ezekial]

I wanted to get into computers years ago...and sort of "fell into" the field I'm in now...which I really like. Consulting for SMB networks (Small - Medium Business).

It's a field that's in absolute insane demand. Drive around town. All around you, you see businesses, right? Offices of all sorts, law firms, accounting firms, healthcare agencies, yacht brokers, insurance companies, hair salons, real estate, non-profit organizations of all types, florists, dentists, manufacturing plants, architect firms, construction/contractors, etc etc. Any type of business you see or can think of...they all have computers....from the small peer to peer, to the large ones with a server or more.

And they need help in setting up, maintaining, providing product, etc.

I target clients that have say between 10 - 100 computers. I do have a few small peer to peer client, but I generally try to target a network with a least a server. Businesses that have a decent amount of computers...but aren't large enough to have their own IT staff/department....so most of my core clients are those between a dozen and fifty PCs.

What I love about this specific IT field? Meeting different people all the time. I don't have to report to some office cubicle and answer to a time clock....I start my work at home...do some remote work, check in on clients servers, check e-mail, prepare quotes, ordering, etc. Then as I get through the later morning...I'll head out on the road to do some onsites, swing by the office if expecting any deliveries, etc. Very flexible time schedule. Also....it's always different things....it's not doing some cookie cutter job like many IT jobs end up being. Different people, different software, different setups, different locations...all the time. It's nice...for me anyways.

Certs? Eh..in this job...on the job/hands on counts....you learn more through this and by hitting forums and tech website. I slowed down on certs year ago. Not to remove credit from those here who do honest cert seeking...I've just seen far toooo many kids come through trying to show off all their certs.....when in fact they only crammed at braindump sites to pass the exams...which really leads to a product that's utterly clueless.

Anyways...this part of the IT field..SMB consultant....I love it. Huge demand for this out there, and hey...one bills (around my area) from 100 - 125 an hour...so it's $$$ rewarding too!

I so agree, it's not even funny.

I should really do this myself, but getting started, can take a lot of work/effort. I am new to the area and don't know anyone here. I would need to advertise, etc, etc, and it probably would take a good year to build clientel. Currently working for an international advertising company, doing IT support at some remote offices.


As for the original topic at hand...
companies normally look for experience. However, there are plenty of newbie jobs out there as well. A bit harder to find, but they can be had. Lots of times companies want to bring in some cheap labor, and train them for their systems. This is good, as you will be starting from teh bottom up. They will not be expecting much out of you, right away. And you will not have ot worry about underperforming off the bat. Do their training, show them you're good, and you will be able to move up. If not, you'll have some experience to move out and onto something else. Getting a "good" job with only certifications are EXTREMELY rare. You should plan to start out at low pay. Depending on your location that could be anything from $7 to $20 a hour. I would say the normal pay would be hovering around $10 - $15. You won't be realing in the dough, and you won't be starving either. But you must go through this teething process like everyone has to get to where you want to go. I worked for 3yrs at $7-7.50 a hour not more than 2 years ago while earning my bachelors. It was a small town, limited IT work available, but I found a position for me and stuck with it. I ended up taking a second job for 6months during that time, but I never gave up my IT positon until I graduated. I wanted that experience, and guess what... it has paid definetly paid for itself at this point

Getting the certifications will definetly help you. Don't expect that by having those, your salary is doubled... it isn't... what it does do, is give you the edge over other people that don't. As you get more experience they will continue to set you apart as well. The more of "everything" you have, the better your chances at landing jobs and holding your own through the selection process. By everything, that includes: certifications, experience, education, and prior companies you worked for.

Good luck.. and I dont' mind answering any questions you may have. We all started out somewhere.... for me ... I started with a office support job doign minor IT stuff on the side. Since then I have held a position in IT of some sort of flavor. The more you can do, the more you can learn, is the best thing to do your yourself and career.

Good luck

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I so agree, it's not even funny.

I should really do this myself, but getting started, can take a lot of work/effort. I am new to the area and don't know anyone here. I would need to advertise, etc, etc, and it probably would take a good year to build clientel. Currently working for an international advertising company, doing IT support at some remote offices.

Just takes some time...invest in "networking"...get your name known to local businesses.

I had been into computers years ago....got out of them...then got back into them in the Win3.x ==> Win95 days. I had no training, no certs. A local software company was advertising for an entry level guy to install their point of sale/accounting software on computers...setup the network, the whole shebang...then box it up and ship it to the customers stores...basically a "turnkey network". Entry level job, advertised as "experience preferred, but will train the right person."

The only experience I had, with computer hardware, was adding memory and a graphics card to my system. I sold myself on being "a fast learner". I was hired...knowing I wanted to get into the field....my change in job fields to this entry job brought me a 50% cut in pay...but I knew I'd move fast. I gained a lot of valuable experiece in this job...learning the details of getting DOS running on Windows networks, early versions of PcAnywhere, Artisoft LANtastic networks (ugh), config.sys and autoexec.bat files....custom making shortcuts.

I worked this job for exactly 1x year...on the exact 1x year anniversary of my DOH, the boxx pulled me in...said he loved my work..and I'd be getting a 20% payraise. (Woowoo....I'd be over 20k/year now LOL ) I said "I appreciate it..but I just accepted an offer from another place....getting more into varied networking and hardware."

A few weeks prior..I had met a network engineer from a local "ComputerLand" franchise...who heard I knew about Artisoft LANtastic...needed help with some hotel chain client of his...I worked overnight with him.....he offered me a job.

So now...I got rid of my first cookie cutter entry level job...got into a place that did not only lots of "break fix-it" type work for walk in clients...but also service quite a few larger corporate clients. I worked alongside of some of their senior network engineers on many projects..gaining myself lots of experience...NT 4 server, large WANs, learning about all that networking stuff, etc. I got to travel around to many of their clients...getting to know them on a first name basis...getting my name known. Pay was getting pretty decent too...nothing huge, but starting to get decent.

Then that company split...the core of it opened under another company name...I remained with them...became one of their main engineers. Now my focus was solely on doing small-medium business networks...another couple of years there...getting my name known some more. Left them, now doing a partnership thing with one other colleague.

Take care of your clients. Best advertising? Not advertising in the newspaper or radio or TV...but "Word of mouth".

 

[PopeKevinI]

I was also wondering what job would be a good entry point into IT to gain experience?

I started at a small PC repair shop that did a lot of small networking. Those jobs are getting harder to find...big stores have jumped into the market (Best Buy with Geek Squad, etc) and PCs are becoming more disposable with sub-$500 systems. After that I went on to working for a server OEM, then taking a job as an admin for a small company. Now I'm working for a school district, which puts me in a much larger network environment.

Some younger friends of mine are getting their starts in IT working entry-level jobs at smaller IT departments. That's probably your best chance of getting a start these days. If you come across as competent, interested, and wanting to learn the job, there are plenty of admins looking for people like you.

I'll be honest...one problem you might run into is your age. Just getting started at 24 might give some people the impression you're not interested so much in the work as you are the money. People like that don't make good employees, I know Given that, my most important advice to you would be to be honest in interviews about what you do and don't know, and what your goals are. I've gotten two jobs because I admitted to them what I didn't know that was relevant to the job and stated that it was something I specifically wanted to learn.

 

[Ezekial]

Just takes some time...invest in "networking"...get your name known to local businesses.

I had been into computers years ago....got out of them...then got back into them in the Win3.x ==> Win95 days. I had no training, no certs. A local software company was advertising for an entry level guy to install their point of sale/accounting software on computers...setup the network, the whole shebang...then box it up and ship it to the customers stores...basically a "turnkey network". Entry level job, advertised as "experience preferred, but will train the right person."

The only experience I had, with computer hardware, was adding memory and a graphics card to my system. I sold myself on being "a fast learner". I was hired...knowing I wanted to get into the field....my change in job fields to this entry job brought me a 50% cut in pay...but I knew I'd move fast. I gained a lot of valuable experiece in this job...learning the details of getting DOS running on Windows networks, early versions of PcAnywhere, Artisoft LANtastic networks (ugh), config.sys and autoexec.bat files....custom making shortcuts.

I worked this job for exactly 1x year...on the exact 1x year anniversary of my DOH, the boxx pulled me in...said he loved my work..and I'd be getting a 20% payraise. (Woowoo....I'd be over 20k/year now LOL ) I said "I appreciate it..but I just accepted an offer from another place....getting more into varied networking and hardware."

A few weeks prior..I had met a network engineer from a local "ComputerLand" franchise...who heard I knew about Artisoft LANtastic...needed help with some hotel chain client of his...I worked overnight with him.....he offered me a job.

So now...I got rid of my first cookie cutter entry level job...got into a place that did not only lots of "break fix-it" type work for walk in clients...but also service quite a few larger corporate clients. I worked alongside of some of their senior network engineers on many projects..gaining myself lots of experience...NT 4 server, large WANs, learning about all that networking stuff, etc. I got to travel around to many of their clients...getting to know them on a first name basis...getting my name known. Pay was getting pretty decent too...nothing huge, but starting to get decent.

Then that company split...the core of it opened under another company name...I remained with them...became one of their main engineers. Now my focus was solely on doing small-medium business networks...another couple of years there...getting my name known some more. Left them, now doing a partnership thing with one other colleague.

Take care of your clients. Best advertising? Not advertising in the newspaper or radio or TV...but "Word of mouth".

good story

I totally agree on word of mouth... but I just moved 1500 miles away, and no family or even aquaintences are here... so I gotta start somewhere if I do this lol

maybe I will pick up something in the future... right now I am doing good in this position... just went full time last week after working 3 months as a contractor through an employment agency place.. really though... I want to move into a managment type of roll and look over people like me, and take on deparmental projects adn the like.

 

[Techx]

To the OP I'd recommend that you get in touch with a few agencies if you are having a hard time landing the job you want, I got my current IT job through an agency and had very little prior support experience. This company had no IT staff at all before me so it was a bit easier since they had noone to compare me to, regardless of that I've done wonders for this place and now manage multiple buildings with over 150 pc's, 3 phone switches, a dozen servers, 4 websites, etc. You really need to know what your doing, and be able to handle very stressful situations (IE-internet is down, and you have 150 grumpy employees up your ass to get it fixed ), and be able to constantly improve your skills with research and learning. But what I'm trying to say is I most probably would not have gotten this position on my own and was perfect for me as it allowed me to not have a lot of experience and use my home taught pc skills to get started in the position. And once your in the door you will begin to learn a lot either from co-workers or by having to do your own research when trying to resolve issues you don't know how to resolve on your own. I'm also finally graduating with my BS in comp. sci this week and am studying for my MCP.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I just moved 1500 miles away, and no family or even aquaintences are here... so I gotta start somewhere if I do this lol

Yeah that's the one thing that's keeping me from moving down south yet...I'm wanting to move to Florida or one of the Carribean islands.....but I'd have to dump my briefcase full of clients that I've taken years to build up.

<==In Connecticut..sick of taxes up here on insane real estate.