Spent way too long bouncing around jobs with my useless degree (film). I'd like to look for middle class, entry level work in IT and, since I'm jobless, would like to start with a basic certification. Suggestions?
Starting the IT job quest - must have beginners certification?
- Thread starter slackerinabox
- Start date
SaDiZTiKStyLeZ
Lifer
- Apr 12, 2010
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Only at the lower levels is it. The higher level stuff isn't as bad, at least based on the people that I know that do that stuff.
What if it was flipping burgers at a high end place?
I'm thinking simple help desk jobs. I'm may head back to college on the weekends but my current commission only job isn't cutting it at all so I need to put something on my resume other than "life long nerd."
Standard reply:
A+, Net+, MCP of some type - you might also want to consider going back and getting the required hours for a degree, no? I mean, the degree should get you in to most places if you have any applicable background for PC support, or entry level.
A+, Net+, MCP of some type - you might also want to consider going back and getting the required hours for a degree, no? I mean, the degree should get you in to most places if you have any applicable background for PC support, or entry level.
Saint Nick
Lifer
- Jan 21, 2005
- 17,722
- 6
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You'll probably need to start hitting the books again. IMO, I think it would be difficult to get into IT any time other than right after college.
sourceninja
Diamond Member
- Mar 8, 2005
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Check out a local community college, see what credits you would need to transfer in and get a tiny CS degree. Typically along the way you will pick up a a+ and net+ cert and get the networking you need to find a job.
Much appreciated. I'm seriously considering going back to school but finding a job fairly soon is pretty crucial so self study plus a few exams sounds like a good plan. Thanks again, off to get some study guides for A+!
IT is still better.
Assuming that most people in Anandtech are tech oriented.. I would do something I enjoy than to "flip burgers" which usually have a negative connotation among jobs.
many of the lower tier non niche exam guides can be found at the local library. if money's tight, it's a cheap way of self studying. most come with cds intact as well.
Really A+/Network+ there isn't much need to study. A+ is very basic. Network+ used some terminology that I've never heard of or used since then but I managed to pass both, three exams, on the same day without studying for either. Depending on how long it's been since you've done any IT work it might be a good idea to do a quick refresh but don't stress too much they're both pretty easy.
sourceninja
Diamond Member
- Mar 8, 2005
- 8,805
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I've actually spent time thinking about giving up my job in the tech industry and training to be a Chief.
SaDiZTiKStyLeZ
Lifer
- Apr 12, 2010
- 10,510
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NEVER, ever claimed I was a success or proclaimed anything arrogant. I just don't think I have the personal network to support a career, and I can say I genuinely tried and worked my ass off.. Happy to say that I gave it a go and learned some amazing people skills (and will have my license and find a part time gig as well). Really got over my social anxiety disorder and lost nearly 30 pounds from all the running around... It was a wacky, exhausting journey and 3 brutally slow months in a row means it's time to transition to something more stable.
Texashiker
Lifer
- Dec 18, 2010
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ImpulsE69
Lifer
- Jan 8, 2010
- 14,946
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Thing is, certs/degrees can help, but experience in IT is what most companies are looking for. I landed a really good job due to my many years of experience, w/o a degree or certs.
If you don't like your job in the tech industry, change...there are so many different things you can do and opportunities. I've done some pretty shitty jobs over the years and I'd say the last 5-6 years have been the best of my life.
If you don't like your job in the tech industry, change...there are so many different things you can do and opportunities. I've done some pretty shitty jobs over the years and I'd say the last 5-6 years have been the best of my life.
While I can assure you that A+ is pretty basic, when I did it, there were a lot of things that didn't exist anymore (typically didn't have to worry about IRQ issues or anything in an ISA slot, along with the fact that jumpers were being replaced on motherboards and other pieces of hardware.) A lot of things we probably take for granted and use Google to "remember" are things he'll need to know when he takes the test. Make sure you skim through the book on that one.
It's not that people don't like the tech industry - they dislike the company they work for, the position they're in, and the way IT is treated. All we hear about are companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, etc. so people assume that being in IT is like that - they don't realize what it's like working for a bank, being a mindless drone on a call center floor, and getting told that they want to be able to setup a knowledge base so they can train ANYONE off the street to do my job.
Took a practice test and, you're absolutely right, questions on SCSI interfaces, etc. are a bit foreign to me and I've taken enough shortcuts through life, I'll study this time
I'll check out the local library but any software packages worth investing in for test prep?
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