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My Career

T

The Donut

2[H]4U
Joined
Jan 28, 2003
Messages
3,122
Hi Guys,

I'm at the stage where i'm looking at my prospective career and i'm looking at what courses and certifications to study for and complete.

I agree and am a full believer of "Experience is better than certification" however, as i'm sure alot of you know, the certification is usually the thing that gets you the foot in the door to show off your experience.

I have a natural brain for computers and find I can learn pretty much any software (Windows based) without any help at all, just simply by trying it all out, i'm fluent in Windows 9X, NT, 2000, XP/03, aswell as most Microsoft products.

I'm looking for something that's in demand, I know that recently the MCSE/MCSA positions have been flooded with people and that's probably not the best route to go down.

I personally have a vendetta against networking and find myself struggling with it.

I thoroughly enjoy working with computers and in 3 months I will be able to work since my Permanent Residency here will be finalised and I want to be ready to enter a nice job, even if it's at the lower level.

I was hoping to get some of the [H]'s opinions on where I should go, what I should study, what I should learn and any areas to stay away from.

As I said, i'm pretty fluent in Microsoft products, I thoroughly enjoy working with computers, both hardware & software, including troubleshooting. I'm based in Ottawa, Ontario.

Any help or opinions would be very appreciated, however please keep this from becoming a certification is better than this certification flame fest. I'm simply looking for advice from people that know.
 
Experience is great, certification is the KEY. Now not key as in 'the key to sucess' buy KEY to the door of that employer! You will need some sort of education to get in, unless you have a good network on contacts.

Do you have any certification to back the experience?

Cheers,
 
Well i decided to go ahead and get two degrees while im in college so that i can be plenty flexible for whatever i decided to go into whether it be work for a company or if i wanna start my own business.

Right now im finishing up my major in Computer Networking and then im going into Computer Engineering. I may also get a degree in business as a minor or something.

Get all the education and training you can now before you ever start :).
 
Currently the only certifications I have are through BrainBench, which apparently is well known throughout the larger companies.

With BrainBench i'm certified in:

Masters: Typing Speed & Accuracy
Masters: ITAA Information Securty Awareness
Masters: Windows XP Administration
Masters: Windows 2000 Administration
Masters: Windows 98 Administration
Masters: Windows 95 Administration
Masters: Windows 2003 Administration
Masters: Business Communication
Masters: English Vocabulary
Masters: Web Designer: Page Layout
Masters: Computer Industry Knowledge
Masters: Internet Industry Knowledge
Masters: WWW Concepts
Certified Internet Professional: Web Designer

Granted, they aren't totally huge certifications, however with the few interviews i've been to they were definately interested in the fact I was "well certified" as one employer put it.

I have 2-3 months, someone point me in the right track, please. :(
 
If you only have 2 to 3 months, you won't find much to fit in. And I can honestly say right now companies are not looking at certs any more than actual knowledge. A good company will send someone technical into the interview to ask you questions about what you know. The high certs that actually mean something, are usually too expensive for the average person to pay for anyway. Learn as much as you can by playing on some spare systems. Get as much education as you can, and you should be alright. As said before, degrees and experience are what is most important. Certs are loosing importance all the time, but honest practical knowledge of a topic, like server admin, is never undervalued.
 
Well, what you have knowledge of is good, but its the same knowledge as everyone else. To really stand out you need to find something speicific that sets you apart from everyone. Pretend you were in HR and put an ad for a helpdesk type position. Not only would you recieve hundreds (thousands?) of resumes, they would all look pretty much like yours - good with windows and pc hardware.

My advice, get past your issues with networking and learn it good. At the same time, start learning Linux. If you can run a Linux box there will always be jobs for you because the price point of Linux in business is so tempting. Lots of companies (like mine) want to run Linux, but don't have anyone knowledgeable enough to administor it.

Lastly, don't be afraid to start at the bottom - you're going to need to do help desk. But those year(s) at helpdesk aren't wasted. They help give you the experience to move on and up the corporate ladder.
 
One thing I don't see much talk of, but I foresee a demand is computer security. I see this as a legitimate accredidation to pursue. The SANS Institute offers various training courses in computer security.
My personal opinion on other computer fields is to look into a technical college as opposed to the standard 4 year college. You'll get hands on knowledge to go along with the schooling, plus avoid having to take all the classes you don't need. The only thing I think a 4 year college would be good for is if you want to pursue programming.
Also a lot of companies now hire computer related jobs through consulting firms. Be prepared to work on a contract basis through a consultant at first. Look at it as gaining knowledge and experience.
 
Originally posted by Mister Natural
My personal opinion on other computer fields is to look into a technical college as opposed to the standard 4 year college. You'll get hands on knowledge to go along with the schooling, plus avoid having to take all the classes you don't need. The only thing I think a 4 year college would be good for is if you want to pursue programming.
Click to expand...

I agree. I started out in a large EXPENSIVE 4 year college for Computer Science and i hated it badly so i transferred out within a week into a well known technical college in the area that specialized in computers. I'm still having to take several electives just like you would in a 4 year college but not as many. I also found out that i hated computer software and my love was for computer hardware so now im doing networking and engineering :).
 
Learn networking - at least enough of the concepts that you understand what is going on. You don't need to be a CCNA, but if you don't have enough knowledge of networking basics you are limited to end node support.

You could probably start as a help desk person, repair tech, or general IT support. If you are saying 2003 knowledge is that extending to working with an AD structure or just an individual box?

I know one person mentioned security as a focus area. Maybe consider that in a year or so when you have a broader knowledge of networks and are very in depth on a system or two.
 
I know *Basic* networking, enough to setup a small network, internet sharing via hardware and software routers, port forwarding etc etc,

As far as 2003 goes, I have an MCSE book here which I've yet to get to as I was told the area is flooded with people and it would be a waste of time to get it right now, i'd be better of focusing on something else?

But no, it's pretty much individual box administration, no Active Directory experience as of yet.
 
If you can get your hands on VMware or a few other boxes to practice with for your administration, that is a good start. Doing the small LAN with a few servers, real or virtual, and manipulating how they interact and propagate information will give you a huge amount of real world experience. Reading about EFS and how it works is one thing. Locking yourself out of some files because you did a rebuild wrong is another. Those learning experiences will benefit you more than the cert or most other things in the near future. The building a LAN at home and working with it shows a level of dedication and interest in the technology that will do a huge amount for getting you hired.

There are a bunch of MCSEs, that is correct. The reason for having them is that it is the most common software in business use. you could head down the *nix road, but that may take longer than the path you have started with MS. There are few people that can do an AD migration on a large scale successfully.

Either way you are looking at entry level support or maintenance type roles initially. Pick up the certs as you gain experience. you may need to hop jobs if the company you are working at doesn't have a solid internal progression path.
 
I have an MSDN subscription and have access to all the Microsoft operating systems (legally) aswell as "VirtualPC".

If I run multiple instances, what sort of things should I play with to practice interaction etc? Server functions?
 
Originally posted by The Donut
I have an MSDN subscription and have access to all the Microsoft operating systems (legally) aswell as "VirtualPC".

If I run multiple instances, what sort of things should I play with to practice interaction etc? Server functions?
Click to expand...

Personally I find virtual machines to be a bitch to work on. I have about 10 different OS loaded onto VM's which I power on if I need to do something OS specific. Other than that Im not a fan.

I would go the cheap beater box route myself. Grab a managed switch, maybe some 2500's and just play...

I know myself I've learnt about 0.99% perfect of my knowledge from school, books or other people. I just cant learn unless you put me in front of it and let me play.
 
I started out not knowing a single thing about computers a little over 2 years ago and picked up a ton of knowledge pretty quickly just from living on the internet and reading lots of PC magazines. However simple they may be, MaximumPC and CPU can really further your knowledge by backing up the basics for you.

Its not easy going from a highschool varsity jock to a computer nerd but im getting there lol. Its sorta strange how basketball was my life then and all i did and then all of a sudden i turned into a pc gaming and hardware freak over night.

I think it had something to do with the fact i finally realized there is no real career in sports unless your black and 6'6" lol.
 
If you are preparing now ... learn database/application development and security... but if you want to get in now ... take what you can get ... there are still available jobs for the good and lucky ones ...
 
Originally posted by burningrave101
I started out not knowing a single thing about computers a little over 2 years ago and picked up a ton of knowledge pretty quickly just from living on the internet and reading lots of PC magazines. However simple they may be, MaximumPC and CPU can really further your knowledge by backing up the basics for you.

Its not easy going from a highschool varsity jock to a computer nerd but im getting there lol. Its sorta strange how basketball was my life then and all i did and then all of a sudden i turned into a pc gaming and hardware freak over night.

I think it had something to do with the fact i finally realized there is no real career in sports unless your black and 6'6" lol.
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Struth buddy. Mirror image of myself.

Basketball was my life. Played for the under 17 australian team. Around 18-19 I got a sudden hit of lazyness. Now my new home is my computer chair. lol

I gotta say.. The old lifestyle was much better for the chicks..
 
Originally posted by SKiTLz
I gotta say.. The old lifestyle was much better for the chicks..
Click to expand...

I've got my girlfriend still from highschool and plan to keep her so that part is taken care of lol. I think after highschool and after girls grow up they dont care anything about sports and popularity and all that crap any more and just think about money and a family anyways.
 
Originally posted by burningrave101
I've got my girlfriend still from highschool and plan to keep her so that part is taken care of lol. I think after highschool and after girls grow up they dont care anything about sports and popularity and all that crap any more and just think about money and a family anyways.
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Well I'll agree that they go from carring about popularity to money... City I live in is nothing but gold diggers... and Im not really in the family age bracket yet... thank god.. :D
 
If not doing virtual machines, ghosting the boxes so you can restore when really torquing something is advisable. You have a good chance of getting proficient in a few months, at least enough to get the entry level job so you can eat while increasing your skills.
 
You said it yourself in your first post. Experience is everything. Microsoft recently came out with a Desktop technician certification. As much as it sounds like you dislike networking, you should angle yourself towards some sort of support tech. The money might not be great (25-35k) but you can get experience and go from there. A+, Network+, and then your MSDT.

Also, if you are a database person, then I also suggest checking out the database certifications offered.



The problem a lot of people have is this IMO: They have very little REAL experience and high end certifications. They walk into a business expecting the business to flip over backwards that a MCSE just walked in the door and wants to work for them. WRONG. You have to get out from behind your 2000+ post account on HardForum and learn how to make yourself known, noticed, and remembered. Then, you might get a call back. Just my $0.02
 
Originally posted by SKiTLz
Struth buddy. Mirror image of myself.

Basketball was my life. Played for the under 17 australian team. Around 18-19 I got a sudden hit of lazyness. Now my new home is my computer chair. lol

I gotta say.. The old lifestyle was much better for the chicks..
Click to expand...

I used to be a pretty decent TB and powerlifter. Had to quit football due to recurring hand injuries, and while I was recuperating, I started playing with hardware. Pretty soon, I was hooked LOL. Now I make fairly decent money (for a 17 year old) building systems for friends/relatives. It sure beats working at a fast food restaurant or going through practice.
 
Originally posted by MemoryInAGarden
I used to be a pretty decent TB and powerlifter. Had to quit football due to recurring hand injuries, and while I was recuperating, I started playing with hardware. Pretty soon, I was hooked LOL. Now I make fairly decent money (for a 17 year old) building systems for friends/relatives. It sure beats working at a fast food restaurant or going through practice.
Click to expand...
I've never worked fast food thankgod. I always refused. They pay minimum wage, so if Im going to earn peanuts I can basically earn that at any job. Why would I choose fast food?

Injuries are what did me in to. My coach had lined me up a scholarship to North Carolina (he use to coach there) but I popped a ligiment off the bone on my right knee... something like that any ways... bloody doctors and their fancy words....

now my knee creeks everytime i bend it.. should hear me going up/down stairs.. lol (i can laugh about it now.. wasnt too funny few years back)
 
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