General / Off-Topic IT Career Advice

Master Delgado

Master Delgado
It's probably a good bet that many of you Commanders out there work in the wonderful world of IT. Be it Helpdesk, Sysadmin, NOC, web or software development, IT is a very big field.

Late last year I decided to change what I do for a living. A couple of years ago I used some of my savings, did a bit of online research, and built my first gaming PC. I actually had fun doing it, and thought to myself, I could get certified in this and maybe work in IT. It's also a field where not having a degree isn't the career handicap that it is elsewhere.

So late last year, I bought a huge pile of computer books (a book shop was having a closing down sale) including cert guides for CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA, an Ubuntu Starter Book, Windows Server 2012 R2 book and a huge PC repair manual. So far, I have Ubuntu on a (dual-bootable) laptop and am studying for the A+ (making paper notes and watching Professor Messer's YouTube videos). I also started watching Microsoft Virtual Academy's series of Introduction to Networking videos.

Getting my A+ won't magically get me hired on a Helpdesk, so I plan on getting at least the Net+ as well as a Microsoft cert before applying for entry-level jobs online (both agency and direct employer) and volunteering my IT services to get some real experience on my CV/resume. I also plan on joining some IT-centric Meetup groups in my city and might have to look at jobs located outside where I live, simply because that's where the work is.

For those of you already working in the field, is this the right approach or should I be doing other things? Also, I'd like to hear some examples of other people who made a career change like me into IT and how they got on.

Thanks for reading. :smilie:
 
Last edited:

Jason S

J
In IT the most important thing is knowledge and experience so in the part of IT that you pursuing gaining knowledge like you have may get your foot into an entry level job in the field where you can then get the experience.

Good luck to you.

Also important in IT is a belief in yourself and being persistent as IT problems can at times require massive persistence to get it done.

I am in software development and have been for over twenty years and the industry changes quickly.
 

Jenner

I wish I was English like my hero Tj.
Jenner
I've worked in IT for 12 years now.

I think you're on the right path with regards to self-training. Keep in mind that just about any IT question can be answered by Google faster than a book nowadays. :) Stackoverflow.com and the like will be your friend. lol.

Also don't forget that for end-user facing IT jobs it is just as important to have good people skills as tech skills. Developers can get away with being troglodytes, but not the help desk.

And above all, it's more important to display for prospective employers that you are a motivated self-learner who is not afraid to take the initiative in finding a solution. In an interview if you're asked a question you don't know the answer to you'll score points if you can say "well, I don't know, but here is how I'd find the answer..."
 

sabrex449

sabrex449
I changed my job from Chef - to IT
I had no formal paperwork. Only a C in computers at school. Only gaming experience and the dos commands. windows 1.3 /amiga/bbc model b.
so pretty bad but i got interested in the hardware side. Do a course i think mine was a mcp (i didnot finnish it i only did the 2 modules but you need to put something on a cv it will help) i landed my first job in slough building pc builds on a factory line!! I only did this for 6 months got made redundent - it was like oh no back to chef - but if you keen enough within you and will is strong enough the universe will provide.

I lived out of a caravan to get this it job in berks and ive been i IT for 14 years straight. Im now a IT guru that can cook a killer omellette too

and google is your friend :D
 
Last edited:

Asp Explorer

Asp Explorer
Get a degree, learn COBOL, SQL and some Java, apply Stateside - a couple of my clients are absolutely desperate for devs, and will do the whole visa thing.

U.S. colleges are putting out kids with no skills business needs, so they are hiring foreign talent.

I can't name names but Google will fill you in. The only downside is that winters in Illinois are decidedly unpleasant lol.
 

davelister

D
As Jason said knowledge and experience and the "Mac Gyver Gene"
allways have a Plan "B"
i did Helpdesk here in Germany and I am now a Sysadmin mostly focused on Backup.
 

Hootmon

Hootmon
About 25 years in IT, mostly working for state government.

I cant speak for the router guys, but Active Directory and Exchange is what we do mostly, as well as Enterprise Virus Scan, Patch MAnagement and Spam blocking. We have about 10,000 users.

A two-year degree or equivelent experience is typically required for Entry Level outside of the Help Desk. A current A+ would get your foot in the door without a degree.
 

Rog

Rog
Asp Explorer said:
Get a degree, learn COBOL, SQL and some Java, apply Stateside - a couple of my clients are absolutely desperate for devs, and will do the whole visa thing.

U.S. colleges are putting out kids with no skills business needs, so they are hiring foreign talent.

I can't name names but Google will fill you in. The only downside is that winters in Illinois are decidedly unpleasant lol.
Click to expand...
COBOL that much in demand over there?

Used to do that a 'while' ago.

Hmmm. Food for thought.
 

Asp Explorer

Asp Explorer
Rog said:
COBOL that much in demand over there?

Used to do that a 'while' ago.

Hmmm. Food for thought.
Click to expand...

COBOL, PL1, JCL etc are in huge demand at the moment. Maybe a dust-off is in order :)

The thing is - most newer IT peeps have no clue what these things are, and a lot of the existing coders are nearing (or reached) retirement.

Certain businesses absolutely depend on these - hence the need to hire people from out of the country who possess these skills. It's not cheap, but there is little alternative.
 
Last edited:
  • Like (+1)
Reactions: Rog

Patrick_68000

Patrick_68000
In IT, it is better to be good in a speciality, that to want to make everything and badly to make. The announcements of certain employers, do to laugh me
 

Riedquat

Riedquat
Whilst knowledge is needed, experience is everything, as you will learn quicker 'on the job' than from reading books or courses.

Self studying is certainly a good thing to do though, it can only help.

I only have experience in the support arena, so can only speak for knowledge of that area, but showing a willingness to learn, being able to work well in a team and bags of enthusiasm will help you get that first foot in the door.

If you were going for a support role in the first tier (1st line support), as an employer I would rather employ someone who showed the right social and team skills for the job rather than the technical skills -technical skills would be a bonus though, if you have the aptitude then you will learn anyway.

Anything above that (2nd,3rd line), I would be looking for on the job experience and knowledge over a degree, the best engineers I have employed have been guys with lots of experience who also have the social skills.

A Degree will open more doors for you though, thats for sure. ( I don't have one :eek:)

Good communication skills are essential if you want to stand out in 1st/2nd line, I used to compare being a 2nd line support engineer to being a doctor :), you have to be able to deal with all kinds of different personalities.

I have over twenty years in IT support, some of that as a contractor, all support roles, more recently in management.

There are so many areas to IT now though, the skills required all differ, so I can only speak for the area I know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom