how to get a job in IT?

[TitusRaven]

So i havent gone to college at all, but i did get Comptia A+ Certified. after passing that cert, people were encouraging me to get an IT job to get on my toes, but it's been really hard! Most IT related jobs require that you have expert-level work experience and I dont have that. while A+ may've taught me a lot about different technologies, i still have never done any hands-on work (aside from a friends laptop or so); i wouldnt know the first thing to do if i was told to take care of a Company full of computers. but i bet that even if i did finish college i'd still have only head knowledge and no actual professional experience. aside from that, it seems like most IT jobs want you to know ludicrous amounts of software and programs and it seems like the only way to know these things is to have had a similar job.

Am i missing something? It seems a illogical to me; how can a IT job expect a person to have this much work experience if the only way to get that kind of work experience is to have a IT job? Where do beginners get this experience and how are you supposed to transition into better IT Jobs?

 

[Wolfshadw]

First off, go to school and get your degree. Trust me, you'll be in a much better position. College should give you some hands on experience as well as book knowledge. Certifications are nice to have as well as they show a certain level of commitment. Aside from that, look for entry level positions.

-Wolf sends

 

[4745454b]

I was shocked. It wasn't until my last class in college that the students got any time working on the inside of a computer. How can one take programming classes and what not without knowing what a CPU even looks like? It was at that point I realized what a leg up I had on people. I've been inside computers working on them since I was 8 or so.

I'd start by getting hands on in any way you can. For my class they sent us to a place that "refurbed" Gov computers that were then sent to grade schools that needed computers. I did a one year internship with my local city. Because I was dual option I spent 6mo in the finance dept (BORING) and 6mo in their IT dept. I'd also look for any other way to get hands on experience. Even if you are just picking up dead computers and taking them apart. I'd also start spending a lot of time reading sites and forums like this one, Anand, etc. Read the articles, ask questions. Hardware is really simple. It's the software that's tricky so it shouldn't take long to pick it up.

 

[Kewlx25]

I see IT interns quite often at my work, some recent high school grads. When I was at my Uni, I got an IT job as a student employee.

I don't think they advertise intern job positions the same as regular full time positions. You may need to call around.