How to get started in IT?
Question: Hi all,
I'm thinking that I may possibly be interested in a career in IT. I'm just wondering how I should begin? I have previous experience in computer technical support, and even some hands on networking (albeit, simply windows networking for a small youth group), but I'm wondering how I'd get serious about it? Should I attend a college program, or simply work my way up by gaining certificates and getting experience (what I'd prefer).
WHat beginner certificates should I get? I was thinking simply a Help Desk Analyst and A+ Certificate would be good, since they'd help me land a decent tech. support job, and then go from there...
ANy advice would be greatly appreciated!
Answer:
That depends. Many people enter IT just to say that they are in IT. Find what it is that makes you happy. IT is huge and vast. I did not work on certifications right away becuase there are just TOO many people out there with them. I decided to get a general, not specific, education in IT. I got my Bachelors and then my Master's degree to be more diverse and competitive.
It is difficult to get your foot in the door as you will see. Having certifications are a great way to start, but an even better way is to network with people who work in the field. Apply for a basic entry level job at different places,then apply, and apply some more. If you can't get hired within a few months from now keep whatever job you have right now and then work some where on the side for free doing IT paperwork or changing backup tapes. This will at least get you some experience. Ask questions while you are there. NEVER act like a know it all. No one in IT knows it all. If they say they do - stay away from them.
Different people are going to tell you certs are better. Others are going to tell you degrees are better. Neither are better. They are just different. Certifications are very narrow in focus, technology, and skill set. Degree programs touch on a little bit of everything and teach you how to organize, manage, and the overall big picture.
I say the best asset is EXPERIENCE. Get your foot in the door anywhere by working for free in your free time or ask if you can follow them around on trouble calls. Get out there and problem solve under pressure and be friendly about it.
Believe me someone will see your motivation.
You know what is funny to me. The job I have now. I am a network admin with 11 servers and 150 users. I do web design/PHP/MySQL, AD, help desk support, and other things like that. Anyway, in my interview I NEVER talked to an IT person. I was never asked about an MCSE or CCNA or A+. The person I talked to seen that I was motivated, educated, well-spoken, and friendly.
Here is something else to think about. Many certifications teach you how to set up and configure computers and networks. It does NOT teach you how to repair. I setup many servers and they just run and run. It is nice to actually fix them when they break. Anyone can pop in a CD and install server 2003, AD, and DNS.
Remember, when you get good service at a store or resturant how nice it is? Reciprocate. Being IT is stressful sometimes and how you act under pressure can keep you employeed for a long time or get you canned quickly.
Good luck to you. Be patient. Do these things and you will be okay.
for starters, your talking about IT(information technology). that is for programmers. crossing from networking to IT is hard. try taking tech programming language such as html or c++. from there you will begin to work your way up. A+ certified is for hardware support. not IT. Why don't you try to go for networking technology or networking security. that will land you both a great job and reverse engineer(hacking) jobs.
defonetly get schooling then a+ 601 and 602 thats what im gonna do
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