How to get started in IT

[xtremeclowny]

Hello, I've been working different jobs for a while, mostly dead ends. Finally decided to quit and give IT a try, however, I can't seem to know how or where to get started.

I have a B.S. In Biology which won't really help. I've been using different OS and troubleshooting my own computers since 2004. Also know some assembly since I've been building my own systems for a while now. Also know some html and css which I learned back in 2004. The problem is that most of that stuff doesn't count as professional experience.

Been looking around for certs but word is that they are only of use if you already have experience on the field. I could go learn a language but I am not sure if simply saying I know X language will land me a job.

Read online that a good way to gain experience is to volunteer but I am not sure how that would work.

The main problem is that I don't have a job right now which means I have to move fast. I'm thinking of picking up a job at microcenter and trying the volunteer thing but I don't know where to do the volunteerting. Also, assuming I can get a job at microcenter, will that count as IT experience?

I could really use some insights on this, any help will be appreciated, thanks!

 

[ToineF]

Hey that's a really good question. I am currently looking to move my field into more serious IT myself. I am lucking enough to have a job which is 50% Pre-press and 50% technical support. So I can play on that. I am taking night classes for certifications and I believe it will help me complete the transition down the road.

Now that being sad, as for your project, it does seem a bit tricky since you come from a completely different background. I think the question you have to ask yourself is what are you good at?

Are you good with programming languages?
Are you good with OS configuration?
Are you good with Design? Photoshop for example
Are you good with networking? Hardware?

There are a lot of sub categories with computers. I think you should try and figure out in which branch you are interested first. Or do you already have a good idea?

 

[ajhockey3]

I just recently retired from IT. I don't really know on how to get a job asap but ill give you some tips. First getting a job at any computer related store is great. Interviewers may ask questions on it. Don't feel the need to go back to school to get degrees in IT. Most the people I worked with didn't have one. and you can say whatever you want in an interview but the volenteering thing is VERY true. Working with computers is a very hands on experience and they will love it if they can see you doing work. In IT something I learned as much as you like staying with one company if you switch every 3-5 years you will move up quicker and make a larger amount of cash. Working for high profile companys is great to. I used to work for AMD a long time ago (In french customer support) and RIM (Aka Blackberry) it really helped getting me a job.
Also if your good with Linux it will help you a TON! Most servers run linux and I would say CENT OS is probably the more common ones. any other questions I can help you with let me know.

 

[avarice]

I would suggest that you consider some more education. Biology isn't a bad field of study - but it hasn't quite led you to a career.

If you would like to do programing and database work - you might want to get a masters in Comp. Sci. (or a second bachelors); if you would rather deal with the management side - perhaps a master in Information Systems.

If you want to learn a language - which will help with your critical thinking/logic and give you something for your resume - I would suggest learning Java.


As far as your Biology degree - don't worry too much. Many employers are simply looking for a degree to prove that you can learn and complete a task. Sad to say - but true. In other cases - they are looking for specific domain of study - like a BS in CS.

Good luck.

 

[R4lNM4N]

I got a gig as a tech at Staples - did that for over a year, got a CompTIA A+, now working on IBM helpdesk and working on other certs/troubleshooting here at Tom's between calls. I've been landing plenty of interviews in the nearest large city. The biology degree will help you because it's still a degree. Certs WILL help you get work so find something you like and get certified. They also PROVE that you KNOW current tech.

You could volunteer at non-profit org's most of them will at least pay you something. If you're doing repair/building at microcenter/BestBuy, etc. - YES this is absolutely I.T. experience.

 

[R4lNM4N]

Also, don't let anyone tell you that you NEED a comp sci/IT degree. The job postings that say it's required is bs also - apply anyway. My uncle is a Cyber security consultant/Certified ethical hacker bringing home $200K/year. He started in I.T. when he was 40 - in the same Helpdesk role at IBM that I'm in. He did have a masters degree however - IN AMERICAN HISTORY 😀

 

[mudpuppet]

Microcenter might be a good place to start but keep in mind they will still be looking for people who know a little bit about computers and how they work. Someone who could listen to a customers question and try to help find a solution that might work. That said im sure it's also a lot of people wanting to get in and out while you pitch upgrades and add-ons to them.

For entry level IT, helpdesk positions are pretty much the basic of the basic: Answer phones/emails about issues, escalate/forward issues to others, deploying computers and phones, troubleshooting basic issues, printer maintenance, etc. For something like this an A+ certification can be helpful. Even without the cert, look for a study guide to help pick up on some of the helpful tidbits that you can carry in to an interview with you. Questions like what does TCP stand for, how do you ping another computer, where are bookmarks stored, whats the difference between vga and dvi plugs (physically).

Look at IT websites like Dice.com to post your resume. Make sure to get your application in there for a number of places you'd like to work for and know a little bit about what they do. Don't apply for a helpdesk position at Xerox and then not know what they do. Dont BS your resume too much, especially about what you can do. Most places can see right through your BS, my company is an exception... hence my coworker who put down he was CCNA certified only to be hired and he knows jack about it. That said, take your experience and put a professional spin on it. If you took any computer courses in college, throw them on there as experience. Have you used Office much over the years? Add that as well as your experience. It may not be much but you want to show that you have relateable skills and they aren't looking at someone who's never made a sandwhich before and asking them to cook for the president. You said you have some experience with HTML and CSS, you can put down that you have some familiarity with those if you like (if you actually remember anything about them at least).

If you're looking at IT, I would also look at what some different career paths are like, ie networking, database management or Information security. Going back to my coworker, he doesn't want to be here and his work ethic shows it. It's beyond me he still has this job but I don't have the pull to do anything about it. He wants to work in IT, but he doesn't act like he cares about this job even. You want to show that you want this position but you want to show that you have ambitions and goals, especially if they are IT related. Some companies promote within so a helpdesk role could turn in to a systems admin after a while, and from there you can go in to a few different paths. If you can't take a few classes, get a few books and see whats out there. Personally I loved my Security+ course and I'm working to get my certificate in the coming months. Eventually I'd love to work my way to a Security Specialist position or director of information security. There isn't such a position in this company but as the company grows, so must policy enforcement etc, so in another 2-3 years, who knows.

Just my thoughts though ;-)

 

[mudpuppet]

I got a gig as a tech at Staples - did that for over a year, got a CompTIA A+, now working on IBM helpdesk and working on other certs/troubleshooting here at Tom's between calls. I've been landing plenty of interviews in the nearest large city. The biology degree will help you because it's still a degree. Certs WILL help you get work so find something you like and get certified. They also PROVE that you KNOW current tech.

You could volunteer at non-profit org's most of them will at least pay you something. If you're doing repair/building at microcenter/BestBuy, etc. - YES this is absolutely I.T. experience.

I did 1.5 years at OfficeMax, thinking id get to work on the computers that came in for repairs and virus removal... I was wrong... and worked in the printcenter the whole time. I was the only person with any experience inside a PC and I had my A+ cert, yet it was all really outsourced or they let techs remote in and work on it. The printcenter at least had experience troubleshooting the printers and working with various programs on the design PC. I thought the retail at a place like that would be worthwhile, but honestly, it wasn't. I am where I am and I'm happy doing this work now, but I look back at the retail experience and cry a little at night.

To the note of repairing and building PCs.. while it may not be much in the way of professional experience, if you've worked on a computer for someone else, ask to put them down as a reference, especially if it was more than "it wasn't plugged in". I've worked on a few laptops a number of times for someone my mother worked with and that required opening up the laptop and really getting in there to replace drives and keyboards. They were Dells too, and they were some of the worst designed laptops I've been inside. Oh you want to take the HD out? Well you'll need to disconnect everything else out first, and make sure you keep track of the 25 different screws and which holes each came from or you'll get screwed in the end. *shakes fist in anger* DELL!!!!

 

[ToineF]

Also, look on job sites and look for jobs that you like and look what they are asking for. It will help you a lot.

 

[xtremeclowny]

Hey that's a really good question. I am currently looking to move my field into more serious IT myself. I am lucking enough to have a job which is 50% Pre-press and 50% technical support. So I can play on that. I am taking night classes for certifications and I believe it will help me complete the transition down the road.

Now that being sad, as for your project, it does seem a bit tricky since you come from a completely different background. I think the question you have to ask yourself is what are you good at?

Are you good with programming languages?
Are you good with OS configuration?
Are you good with Design? Photoshop for example
Are you good with networking? Hardware?

There are a lot of sub categories with computers. I think you should try and figure out in which branch you are interested first. Or do you already have a good idea?

As of right now, I am really interested in learning prog. languages and a few other things like networking, servers, and the such. However, it seems I'll have to do some other kind of work before I can get a job there. I'm thinking maybe I could get a job at a call center?

 

[xtremeclowny]

I just recently retired from IT. I don't really know on how to get a job asap but ill give you some tips. First getting a job at any computer related store is great. Interviewers may ask questions on it. Don't feel the need to go back to school to get degrees in IT. Most the people I worked with didn't have one. and you can say whatever you want in an interview but the volenteering thing is VERY true. Working with computers is a very hands on experience and they will love it if they can see you doing work. In IT something I learned as much as you like staying with one company if you switch every 3-5 years you will move up quicker and make a larger amount of cash. Working for high profile companys is great to. I used to work for AMD a long time ago (In french customer support) and RIM (Aka Blackberry) it really helped getting me a job.
Also if your good with Linux it will help you a TON! Most servers run linux and I would say CENT OS is probably the more common ones. any other questions I can help you with let me know.

I've been trying to learn linux for a while but work was always getting on the way. I have two systems running Ubuntu and was trying to learn bash for while. Right now, I am thinking of studying for the A+ and maybe continue learning to bash? What do you think?

Also, any tips for places that might take me as a volunteer? I am not sure of where to look.

 

[xtremeclowny]

I would suggest that you consider some more education. Biology isn't a bad field of study - but it hasn't quite led you to a career.

If you would like to do programing and database work - you might want to get a masters in Comp. Sci. (or a second bachelors); if you would rather deal with the management side - perhaps a master in Information Systems.

If you want to learn a language - which will help with your critical thinking/logic and give you something for your resume - I would suggest learning Java.


As far as your Biology degree - don't worry too much. Many employers are simply looking for a degree to prove that you can learn and complete a task. Sad to say - but true. In other cases - they are looking for specific domain of study - like a BS in CS.

Good luck.

Well, you see, I spent all of last year in school trying to get this medical cert. and do you know what every single interviewer told me? This is just a piece of paper, you have no experience! I actually managed to get a job with the piece of paper but they were paying me much less than those who didn't have a cert.

Yes, I do plan on going back to school, wanting to do computer engineering but I don't have the money.

 

[ToineF]

My advice here is that you should start with CCNA 1 to 4. They offer those classes at night in my city. It's probably similar in your area. It gives you a very good base of command lines on cisco hardware which are almost the same as linux. Also it will give you a very good idea how networking works. you can also do the certification after.

As for programming, I am not so familiar with that. I remember taking some classes and I wasn't so good at it. But if you are into it, start by learning your command lines - windows powershell and linux. After that try to see where you want to program. If you want to do some web programming you should jump on PHP (Maybe real web programmers can validate that). If you want to do some windows programming maybe you should be looking into C++ and all the C languages.

 

[xtremeclowny]

Microcenter might be a good place to start but keep in mind they will still be looking for people who know a little bit about computers and how they work. Someone who could listen to a customers question and try to help find a solution that might work. That said im sure it's also a lot of people wanting to get in and out while you pitch upgrades and add-ons to them.

For entry level IT, helpdesk positions are pretty much the basic of the basic: Answer phones/emails about issues, escalate/forward issues to others, deploying computers and phones, troubleshooting basic issues, printer maintenance, etc. For something like this an A+ certification can be helpful. Even without the cert, look for a study guide to help pick up on some of the helpful tidbits that you can carry in to an interview with you. Questions like what does TCP stand for, how do you ping another computer, where are bookmarks stored, whats the difference between vga and dvi plugs (physically).

Look at IT websites like Dice.com to post your resume. Make sure to get your application in there for a number of places you'd like to work for and know a little bit about what they do. Don't apply for a helpdesk position at Xerox and then not know what they do. Dont BS your resume too much, especially about what you can do. Most places can see right through your BS, my company is an exception... hence my coworker who put down he was CCNA certified only to be hired and he knows jack about it. That said, take your experience and put a professional spin on it. If you took any computer courses in college, throw them on there as experience. Have you used Office much over the years? Add that as well as your experience. It may not be much but you want to show that you have relateable skills and they aren't looking at someone who's never made a sandwhich before and asking them to cook for the president. You said you have some experience with HTML and CSS, you can put down that you have some familiarity with those if you like (if you actually remember anything about them at least).

If you're looking at IT, I would also look at what some different career paths are like, ie networking, database management or Information security. Going back to my coworker, he doesn't want to be here and his work ethic shows it. It's beyond me he still has this job but I don't have the pull to do anything about it. He wants to work in IT, but he doesn't act like he cares about this job even. You want to show that you want this position but you want to show that you have ambitions and goals, especially if they are IT related. Some companies promote within so a helpdesk role could turn in to a systems admin after a while, and from there you can go in to a few different paths. If you can't take a few classes, get a few books and see whats out there. Personally I loved my Security+ course and I'm working to get my certificate in the coming months. Eventually I'd love to work my way to a Security Specialist position or director of information security. There isn't such a position in this company but as the company grows, so must policy enforcement etc, so in another 2-3 years, who knows.

Just my thoughts though ;-)

Those are rather though questions for deskhelp. Might have to actually study for the A+ in order to land that job. Suppose, I'm going to try to grab a job at microcenter, do some volunteering and try to get my A+. Should be able to get a helpdesk job after that. Suppose I could work on other certs while I do helpdesk.

 

[xtremeclowny]

My advice here is that you should start with CCNA 1 to 4. They offer those classes at night in my city. It's probably similar in your area. It gives you a very good base of command lines on cisco hardware which are almost the same as linux. Also it will give you a very good idea how networking works. you can also do the certification after.

As for programming, I am not so familiar with that. I remember taking some classes and I wasn't so good at it. But if you are into it, start by learning your command lines - windows powershell and linux. After that try to see where you want to program. If you want to do some web programming you should jump on PHP (Maybe real web programmers can validate that). If you want to do some windows programming maybe you should be looking into C++ and all the C languages.

I looked into the cisco certs. most forum users claimed that certs would hinder my ability to gain a job due to the lack of experience. I do not want to kill my self getting certs only to find out I can't get a job. But, yes I do plan on spending some time on linux trying to learn some language. I'm not sure of where to start. Might give powershell a try as well.

 

[ToineF]

My advice here is that you should start with CCNA 1 to 4. They offer those classes at night in my city. It's probably similar in your area. It gives you a very good base of command lines on cisco hardware which are almost the same as linux. Also it will give you a very good idea how networking works. you can also do the certification after.

As for programming, I am not so familiar with that. I remember taking some classes and I wasn't so good at it. But if you are into it, start by learning your command lines - windows powershell and linux. After that try to see where you want to program. If you want to do some web programming you should jump on PHP (Maybe real web programmers can validate that). If you want to do some windows programming maybe you should be looking into C++ and all the C languages.

I looked into the cisco certs. most forum users claimed that certs would hinder my ability to gain a job due to the lack of experience. I do not want to kill my self getting certs only to find out I can't get a job. But, yes I do plan on spending some time on linux trying to learn some language. I'm not sure of where to start. Might give powershell a try as well.

Well, if you don't want to go too deep into classes, you can always browse websites like Lynda.com and get some sort of training. But to be honest at some point you will need to show something. Either some actual work experience or some certification.

I dont think you need a lot, but you need to start somewhere like you said. Read about all the certifications and get the one that is right for you. I felt CCNA was the path for me and now I am taking windows server workshops and a linux classe. i take those classes at night or during the weekend.

I know a lot of people in my CCNA class started to by working for the cable company going to homes connecting people to the internet and installing their modem. You dont need lots of experience for that and the company might actually give you some paid training about networking and configuration.

 

[mudpuppet]

I wouldn't wait to apply for a help desk position, there are a lot of companies that dont expect you to have much knowldge or experience and will still start you off around $15 an hour. The worst they can do is pass you over, so better to try and maybe get lucky!

 

[utgotye]

Just to be clear, more than half of IT work nowadays, unless you are a server engineer or database admin, that sort of thing, is dealing with PEOPLE, not computers. You can know all of your stuff but if you can't deal with (stand) people, the job will get really old, really fast.

Your story sounds similar to mine. Been building an troubleshooting systems and OS since my early/mid teens, just as a hobby. Graduated college with three bachelors (BS Bio, BS Microbio, BS History). Looked into Comp Sci while I was there but the first few classes, all required, had me wasting my time being taught the long way to do simple things in Windows and Office...complete waste of my time. Meanwhile, the economy takes a dump and proceeds to bend over most recent graduates even more than usual because now not only is no one hiring, those that are have their choice among the more experience people that were let go for cost reasons. Basically got it from both ends. So I tread water for a year and a half working in an insurance office. It being a smaller operation, most people wore multiple hats. Eventually I ended up doing a sizeable chunk of the IT work in addition or filing duties and mail/supplies. My coworkers as well as others convinced me to start looking at something in the IT field. Since I had no experience besides personal and helping family and friends and I had nothing to show a hiring manager as far as a cert or degree in a relevant field, the going was tough. I got a couple interviews but nothing beyond that despite having some experience beyond personal. Eventually my choice boiled down to going back to school…but for what? As much as a Masters is Bio/Microbio sounds like a good thing, it’s a lot of time, money and work for potentially little to no gain as a Masters in a science field is good but you top out as a middle level researcher unless you go for a doctorate, neither of which sounded appealing at the time. So I enrolled in the local technical school and was able to get AS degrees in Security, Systems Admin and Network Admin in three years and met some cool people in the process. First place I applied out of school, I was interviewed and got the job.

Certs are just pieces of paper, just like degrees. The degree shows, to some extent, that you are willing to go to some effort and some cost to get what you need. A degree and even prior experience is all well and good but each place has different setups and ways of doing things. I still don’t know what’s going on with some things, even things I feel I should because in this sort of field, it’s not often you get a mentor to follow and learn from. Usually they throw you to the wolves with a flimsy stick to try to beat them off. How you respond and manage this will dictate your level of success. There's less worry when you realize and accept that management is incompetent and is probably trying to screw you over if they can.

I went for all three paths so I was able to say that I had my finger in every pie and know something about everything. You show me the details of how you do it and let’s go. At the moment, I’d say the top three things to go for are security, networking (passing the CCNA should pretty much guarantee you a job, but not always, depends on local market) and Linux administration. Having coding and/or web design skills as well are a big plus. If you don’t have a background in any of these fields, then not only does passing the cert exams become much more of a chore, it’s also less effective since you can’t even point to your education as a form of experience.

Most experienced Windows users can pass the A+ exam no problem. Security+ and Network+ are far more difficult and will require additional study outside of an education. I have passed the Wireless+ exam and it’s pretty difficult though that was partly because I was late on deciding and had to cram last minute. Cisco is hard. That said, it makes you learn. The downside is that not everywhere uses (only) Cisco products and that’s basically what the curriculum is. Frankly I found the unit tests easier than some of the packet tracers because the "daily work" often threw you curveballs whereas the tests were fairly comprehensive but rather straightforward. Linux is an interesting one. Building and configuring Linux servers can be difficult but once they are up…set it and forget it. Maintenance is usually a breeze. Frankly I think I’d get bored.

Do what you can to get your foot in the door. Don’t tell people, show them. Demonstrate what you know, what you can do and a willingness to learn and you should be fine. Talk is cheap and while the pieces of paper aren’t, I believe what I see with my own eyes rather than what is effectively hearsay in the form of a cert or degree.

 

[mudpuppet]

^ to add to utgotye, passion is another thing. I like computers... I love my computer... and I do more than say it, I practice it. The coworker I've referenced a few times had never built his own PC before (and he was 20 at the time he was hired). I wouldn't knock him for having never built a PC before, but when he decided he wanted to build a computer and was trying to buy everything off craigslist and reddit, well, he ended up with parts that wouldn't work. "I thought all intel boards and intel chips worked together" was his excuse to which I could only hang my head in shame. If you're a computer nerd, get out there and nerd it up! *the last part was just for motivation, but good luck!*

 

[utgotye]

^ to add to utgotye, passion is another thing. I like computers... I love my computer... and I do more than say it, I practice it. The coworker I've referenced a few times had never built his own PC before (and he was 20 at the time he was hired). I wouldn't knock him for having never built a PC before, but when he decided he wanted to build a computer and was trying to buy everything off craigslist and reddit, well, he ended up with parts that wouldn't work. "I thought all intel boards and intel chips worked together" was his excuse to which I could only hang my head in shame. If you're a computer nerd, get out there and nerd it up! *the last part was just for motivation, but good luck!*

For sure. The people I work with, they know the hardware they work with and not much else. Talking to the about the differences between Intel chipsets or why Intel has the lead on AMD...they look at me like I'm either boring them or nuts. Like why would anyone care about that stuff? Well when you build systems for yourself and others, it's kind of important.

Edit - speeling 😛

 

[mudpuppet]

We're a PC shop, we dont have macs on the floors, and we dont have AMD PCs, so while it may not pertain to my job at hand, if a more powerful system is available out there and saves us 250$ per endpoint, I may have found a way to save the company millions. That said, I would have to make sure the inhouse software would work without a hitch blah blah blah, but you get the point that it's good to keep an open mind and have an actual interest in it. Hell my downtime is spent either here or various other tech type sites... 3d printers... printing out human organs... new case mods... Dells new line of workmachines, etc.

 

[ToineF]

^ to add to utgotye, passion is another thing. I like computers... I love my computer... and I do more than say it, I practice it. The coworker I've referenced a few times had never built his own PC before (and he was 20 at the time he was hired). I wouldn't knock him for having never built a PC before, but when he decided he wanted to build a computer and was trying to buy everything off craigslist and reddit, well, he ended up with parts that wouldn't work. "I thought all intel boards and intel chips worked together" was his excuse to which I could only hang my head in shame. If you're a computer nerd, get out there and nerd it up! *the last part was just for motivation, but good luck!*

For sure. The people I work with, they know the hardware they work with and not much else. Talking to the about the differences between Intel chipsets or while Intel has the lead on AMD...they look at me like I'm either boring them or nuts. Like why would anyone care about that stuff? Well when you build systems for yourself and others, it's kind of important.

I feel the same lol

 

[xtremeclowny]

I wouldn't wait to apply for a help desk position, there are a lot of companies that dont expect you to have much knowldge or experience and will still start you off around $15 an hour. The worst they can do is pass you over, so better to try and maybe get lucky!

Any suggestions for companies to apply for?

 

[xtremeclowny]

Just to be clear, more than half of IT work nowadays, unless you are a server engineer or database admin, that sort of thing, is dealing with PEOPLE, not computers. You can know all of your stuff but if you can't deal with (stand) people, the job will get really old, really fast.

Your story sounds similar to mine. Been building an troubleshooting systems and OS since my early/mid teens, just as a hobby. Graduated college with three bachelors (BS Bio, BS Microbio, BS History). Looked into Comp Sci while I was there but the first few classes, all required, had me wasting my time being taught the long way to do simple things in Windows and Office...complete waste of my time. Meanwhile, the economy takes a dump and proceeds to bend over most recent graduates even more than usual because now not only is no one hiring, those that are have their choice among the more experience people that were let go for cost reasons. Basically got it from both ends. So I tread water for a year and a half working in an insurance office. It being a smaller operation, most people wore multiple hats. Eventually I ended up doing a sizeable chunk of the IT work in addition or filing duties and mail/supplies. My coworkers as well as others convinced me to start looking at something in the IT field. Since I had no experience besides personal and helping family and friends and I had nothing to show a hiring manager as far as a cert or degree in a relevant field, the going was tough. I got a couple interviews but nothing beyond that despite having some experience beyond personal. Eventually my choice boiled down to going back to school…but for what? As much as a Masters is Bio/Microbio sounds like a good thing, it’s a lot of time, money and work for potentially little to no gain as a Masters in a science field is good but you top out as a middle level researcher unless you go for a doctorate, neither of which sounded appealing at the time. So I enrolled in the local technical school and was able to get AS degrees in Security, Systems Admin and Network Admin in three years and met some cool people in the process. First place I applied out of school, I was interviewed and got the job.

Certs are just pieces of paper, just like degrees. The degree shows, to some extent, that you are willing to go to some effort and some cost to get what you need. A degree and even prior experience is all well and good but each place has different setups and ways of doing things. I still don’t know what’s going on with some things, even things I feel I should because in this sort of field, it’s not often you get a mentor to follow and learn from. Usually they throw you to the wolves with a flimsy stick to try to beat them off. How you respond and manage this will dictate your level of success. There's less worry when you realize and accept that management is incompetent and is probably trying to screw you over if they can.

I went for all three paths so I was able to say that I had my finger in every pie and know something about everything. You show me the details of how you do it and let’s go. At the moment, I’d say the top three things to go for are security, networking (passing the CCNA should pretty much guarantee you a job, but not always, depends on local market) and Linux administration. Having coding and/or web design skills as well are a big plus. If you don’t have a background in any of these fields, then not only does passing the cert exams become much more of a chore, it’s also less effective since you can’t even point to your education as a form of experience.

Most experienced Windows users can pass the A+ exam no problem. Security+ and Network+ are far more difficult and will require additional study outside of an education. I have passed the Wireless+ exam and it’s pretty difficult though that was partly because I was late on deciding and had to cram last minute. Cisco is hard. That said, it makes you learn. The downside is that not everywhere uses (only) Cisco products and that’s basically what the curriculum is. Frankly I found the unit tests easier than some of the packet tracers because the "daily work" often threw you curveballs whereas the tests were fairly comprehensive but rather straightforward. Linux is an interesting one. Building and configuring Linux servers can be difficult but once they are up…set it and forget it. Maintenance is usually a breeze. Frankly I think I’d get bored.

Do what you can to get your foot in the door. Don’t tell people, show them. Demonstrate what you know, what you can do and a willingness to learn and you should be fine. Talk is cheap and while the pieces of paper aren’t, I believe what I see with my own eyes rather than what is effectively hearsay in the form of a cert or degree.

I really can't afford to go back to school for another 3 years for an AS. I am going to try to grab the A+ and maybe networking and security. Will take a look around for CCNA but for now A+ seems to be the one that can get me started. I can always get CCNA later once I am in the industry.

 

[mudpuppet]

I wouldn't wait to apply for a help desk position, there are a lot of companies that dont expect you to have much knowldge or experience and will still start you off around $15 an hour. The worst they can do is pass you over, so better to try and maybe get lucky!

Any suggestions for companies to apply for?

What area are you in, who is around you? Just as an example, I'm in the Omaha area and there are tons of companies that could have positions available like Yahoo, Conagra, PayPal, Gallup, Mutual of Omaha... the list goes on from there. With the Air Force base in the area, there are a lot of contract positions such as Locheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Bluecross has a large office here and there are a large number of top hospitals in the area (ie:UNMC and Creighton) which would all need IT support. Like I said, take a look at Dice.com and get a resume up there. Browse through there and other help wanted sites to see what companies are hiring in the area. Maybe you have a Microsoft store near by or even a local newspaper that has a small support team of their own. If you're near a major city, chances are there's a data farm somewhere that might have some support openings.

Truth be told, I had my resume up on Dice for about 3 months with a few calls from third party staffing agencies, and nothing panned out (would have been temp to hire/contract work), but then I got a call from a recruiter for my current company. 2.5 weeks later I was starting here and I'll have been at this job for a year Oct 26th.