Need Some Career Guidance

[JoeFoster]

When I started using computers for internet use since 1997 I eventually got interested in pc technology when I wanted to put in a sound blaster live card in to replace the onboard sound on an IBM Aptiva so I can use 4 speakers and have better sound. I eventually started playing games like Starcraft and found that the game played very sluggish, I did some research online and I needed to upgrade my video card so I purchased a Voodoo 3. I moved on to the processor and put the max processor upgrade that the motherboard on the Aptiva can take. I put in a hard drive. Upgrading was now a habit. I then eventually ditched the Aptiva and put a pc together from scratch, salvaging some parts from the Aptiva. Since then upgrading parts often is normal for me. I?ve upgraded each part many times to keep up-to-date with technology. I?ve put together about 7 to 10 systems for family and friends. I?ve troubleshoot and fixed most of the problems on some of these systems as they came about. Almost anyone can read a pc guide online and put one together. Installing software and the right drivers is another thing and sometimes can be hell to deal with and very time consuming.


I never worked before and am in my mid 20's. My education is no more than community college. I have an Associate in Science in ?Computer and Communications Technology: Network Technology?, Certificate of completion for 1 year of Cisco, completion in fiber optic ? copper network structure, completion in computer repair technology. It?s not very much.

So what can I do? How far can I take my career? Where do I start? Anyone with similar experiences? What are you doing now? I basically need direction. Your help is appreciated. I?m sure there are many like me.

 

[spidey07]

Well first off you're gonna need to get in the door someplace you can learn.

You could work for a datacomm company pulling cable and get exposed to network communications.
you could work for a help desk and be exposed to torture (but at the same time build experience)
you could try a head hunter/temp agency to get exposure.

If you are confused then I'd go the temp/placement route. mainly because they'll be able to help and find the jobs for you. spend 2-3 years building your skills and BAM! you have a career started.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Go to a consulting/temp firm, and try to do some temp gigs doing low level stuff, you need to build up your experience. Once you start contracting, you'll start to meet people and something more permanent might come up. You'll most likely be pulling cable, or working a help desk, but you have to start some where.

 

[cchen]

Perhaps go back to school and get a BS ? or are you intent on just working from now on??

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: cchen
Perhaps go back to school and get a BS ? or are you intent on just working from now on??

always go for more education. never settle for just a job.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: cchen
Perhaps go back to school and get a BS ? or are you intent on just working from now on??

always go for more education. never settle for just a job.

But this guy says that he's in his mid 20's, which probably means he's 29 , he has to start working. He needs to get a job now, work on getting some education at night, or vice versa.