Looking to start work in entry-level IT

[Mpstyler]

Hello everyone. My name is Michael and I have a couple questions.

To start off, I'm stuck in a rut. I'm looking to start work in a beginning or entry level position (technical support kind of work) in IT. In the past couple months I just went through an online training course with a company that taught the basic fundamentals of DNS, the Linux command line, how to use PHP, FTP, SMTP, POP, IMAP, and a large host of other processes and applications used in a web-hosting environment. I never had experience in the Linux command line and was completely new to DNS, so the course was extremely helpful. Unfortunately, right when I went for the interview, about a dozen other (experienced) applicants were interviewed as well, and I was ousted by the competition. It sucks because I spent a little under 6 months learning all the material for this company, and was dismissed. I'm not entirely discouraged though because the information I learned WAS valuable and I can use it in the future. Shucks, I can build a website for my wife's photography business from scratch now, sot that's pretty cool.

So here's my question: Where do I go from here? I've uploaded my resume on monster, indeed, careerbuilder and dice.com. I live in Virginia Beach, VA and I see a TON of IT jobs in my area, but I would venture to say 95% of them require some kind of degree in computer science, prior experience, certifications, or all of the above, with mandatory experience taking the cake. I just want to get in somewhere so I can learn and get my hands dirty. Should I pursue certs at this point and just find some random part-time job, and what certs should I pursue (are most desired in the industry right now)? As well, what is the best pathway to get a cert? Are there online courses I should take, or should I just buy a book? I should note: I also have 10 yrs+ of experience of building and troubleshooting PC’s (which I put on my resume) but again, no formal workplace experience.

What should I do? How can I set myself apart? I’m open to all suggestions.

Thanks

 

[utgotye]

Honestly, you can go either way. Certs are more important to some while other prefer education/experience. I went with the education route and spent three years securing three associate's degrees in System Administration, Network Administration and Computer Security. I figured that one degree would take two years but given the overlap of the curricula, it made sense to spend the extra year and walk away with three instead of just one. I was not having a good time of it with the interview process before I graduated but got a graduation present of sorts when I was offered a position in tier II support with a regional health system, a position I am still at.

By the sounds of it, you have a decent breadth of knowledge but it seems to be focused in particular areas. Web-hosting and coding experience as well as familiarity with Linux will definitely open up avenues that are closed off to some. To be honest, I'd say most of the opportunities lie in networking and security at the moment. The two kind of go hand in hand but endpoint security knowledge is almost more important. The other area where I have seen growth is in virtualization. If you are familiar with VMs and/or ESXi, that is definitely something that can set you apart. Microsoft Exchange also falls in that category.

As far as certs go, A+ is something most computer nerds could pass in their sleep. Network+ and Security+ are noticably more difficult but not overly so. CCNA opens a lot of doors because it is difficult and requires many extra hours of study, something employers may think shows that you are willing to put in the extra work. I chose not to to go this route as I wasn't overly confident after I completed my degrees and was able to secure a position without it.. The way everything has gone wireless, the CCNA Wireless curriculum might not be a bad supplement to some of these other certs but it does assume a certain amount of previous knowledge about networking. The final for that course was the actual test and I did pass but wasn't in a position to take the actual test at that times for distance and cost reasons. Finally, there are a number of Microsoft certifications that most seasoned Windows users could pass without much extra studying, at least at the MSCA level.

The biggest reason I haven't bothered with certs yet is that they weren't required for the position and many times employers will be willing to cover some or all of the costs involved. To become HP hardware certified, for example, you are often sent somewhere on an overnight (or more) trip that is covered (mostly) by the company. When you return, you are certified to work on HP hardware that is still under warranty.

Many times employers will accept an mix of education and experience, however, since you don't really have either at this point, the biggest thing I can recommend is merely appearing confident and competent and demonstrating such. When it all boils down to it, there are people out there that know more about this stuff that don't have any letters behind their name. That's all they are is letters. Don't confuse credentials with competence. What do you call a doctor who finished last in his class? You call him "Doctor", but that doesn't make him a good one.

Network with people as well. Many times this isn't the strong suit of people in this field but that's changing for sure. If you can't communicate, buh bye. Gone are the days where the IT guy sits in his closet office tinkering and meta messages his way through a conversation, making everyone feel like an idiot and treating people like crap (ala Nick Burns).

It's a who you know world.

 

[Mpstyler]

Thanks a ton. That was an exhaustively helpful answer that I wasn't expecting.

From what I've read, Security+ certs are valuable, but they usually want that coupled with a degree, given the seriousness of security. Network+ looks like something I could get into. Overall, I want to get a decent cert ASAP so I can show it off in an interview.... but herein lies the problem, I can barely find an entry level position anywhere. I'm going to look into an A+ cert and try some sample questions. And btw, going to school isn't an option because honestly, I'm not smart enough for the math (calculus kills me) and I don't have the money.

Do you have any recommendations on where or how to study for a Networking+ or MSCA cert? Should I buy a book? Or take an online course? I was also thinking about getting a Linux+ cert and dual-booting Linux on my PC.

I have 7 years of customer service experience from waiting tables, so friendliness and interpersonal skills are no problem.

Thanks again.

 

[utgotye]

The book, from what I have heard, isn't bad for most CompTIA certs. Not great but not bad. I can't speak to the classes.

Honestly, the only math there was a bit of algebra for electronics and subnetting, neither of which is particularly difficult.

The biggest issue is making yourself marketable and marketing yourself. Easier said that done obviously and I feel like a whore whenever I have/had to do it. You say you see tons of IT jobs, (that's good) but the requirements for degrees/certs/experience mean people like you that know things but don't necessarily have the piece of paper to prove it, don't bother applying in the first place. The thing is, there's pretty much no job in IT that you are going to walk into day one and have more than a fleeting idea of what is going on. I know I didn't and I have heard that from others. Sure I was very familiar with Windows and Active Directory and imaging and such but 90% of the productivity software/systems I had no clue what they were let alone what they did/hope to fix them. The organizational structure was tiring to learn and the ticketing system was completely foreign. Truthfully, the company will likely train you on the exact systems and how they use things, or at least they should. The good companies will. Honestly, so far, I would say most of the things I have done at my job I learned "on the street" or on the job as opposed to in school, aside from some networking and security know how.

Ask to speak with hiring coordinators or managers about the exact things they are looking for and what priority somethings take over others. Job descriptions rarely have any connection to reality. Don't be afraid to apply for something that, based on the job description, you are underqualified for. Who cares? Maybe you'll score and interview, maybe you won't. The point is that you will be no worse off than you are now.

 

[Mpstyler]

Nice man. I'll go ahead and apply at some of these jobs then. Very good insider information, of which again, I greatly appreciate.

I had a friend who was a programmer who told me the same thing about entry level IT, and he said it was TERRIBLY easy to get a job (he started in the 90's). He said almost all his friends who work with him/work IT would say how "laughably easy" it was to get inside. The one thing he DID say though, is just get some sort of certification so you can put it on a resume..... it didn't matter what, it could be a cert on how to use a Canon printer, just put something down.

I wasn't totally convinced when he told me, but now I'm hearing relatively close to some of the same information from you, so I'm bound to believe it. I'm going to apply for every job I can and see where it takes me. Beyond that, I think the first step would be to get an A+ cert and work from there. I took an A+ test with some practice questions and surprisingly there was a lot I didn't know (technical questions about the motherboard, wireless connections and such).

Thanks again for all the help man.

 

[utgotye]

The key is finding a relatively recent version. I remember looking online a couple years ago and finding that the practice tests still has questions about IRQs, which I hadn't thought or heard about in years.

Apply, apply, apply. You might be surprised that you are informing people that you are unable to take their offer because you have accepted another. Here's hoping anyway.