What do you need to suceed in the Computer Industry..?

[KotchY]

For all us young and old, whom would like to take their computer skillz and make it a c-a-r-e-e-r .. what do you need, as in what certs,education,etc.

I myself am very good at computers, very good in my opionion, not knowing programing is basicly is my weak point, having no certs currently, anyway after high school, i am currently a senior, though i dont plan on going to college, i do plan on going to some type of computer school for a 1-2years, i'd lkie to become a system tech of some sort as i love to build and fix things, Also as the computer field is a high paying fun thing i would like to do..i want to make is my c-a-r-e-e-r; post your experenices here, and how to go about getting started..

 

[Bling Bling]

c-a-r-e-e-r

 

[KotchY]

w3rd

 

[Bling Bling]

no, it's "Word."

 

[KotchY]

wyRd!

 

[Bling Bling]

damn you crotchy.....kotchy.....whatever you are, "carrer boy/girl/thing"

 

[Dameon]

1) Learn how to communicate technical concepts to complete morons. A good stint in tech support helps. Learn how to do this well. VERY often decision makers, customers, and people with deep pockets no matter where you are in the industry, HAVE NO CLUE about technology. This will help you more than anything else.

2) Don't try to learn everything, because you can't. Know where to FIND the answer... if you use it three times, then make sure to learn it. (it's proved itself important)

3) Know how to back yourself up, this is where #2 comes in. You will get someone who will halfway know what they are doing over you at some point. Know where to find what you are saying in writing elsewhere to prove your stance when you need to bring them a slice of humble pie.

4) Know how to eat humble pie when you're wrong. Take it with dignity and learn from it.
A wise man is not one who never makes mistakes, but just has the wisdom to learn from them.

 

[Ranger X]

Know how to BS your way through everything. If someone doesn't know anything and neither do you, make that other person think you do.

 

[IBhacknU]

<< Know how to BS your way through everything. If someone doesn't know anything and neither do you, make that other person think you do. >>

That sort of advice works in most lines of work!

 

[purplehayes]

I think #'s 2-4 of Dameon's list apply pretty braodly, regardless of industry. Better get those skills under your belt.

PH

 

[hans007]

common sense, know your limits, logical thinking skills. I'm not in the industry yet, but thats what i've been told. Oh yeah and the ability to work through the night if needed.

 

[Batti]

logical thinking skills- hans007 is right! Troubleshooting is a thought-process. Regardless of what you are fixing, you need to be able to work through the problem logically and not get lost. I believe troubleshooters are born, not made - you need the inate ability from the beginning. You can hone your skills as you go along, but you need to be in that mindset to start. Sounds like you are already there.

Look for *any* opportunity to get your foot in the door. When I was in high-school, I got a call out-of-the-blue for a mechanical assembly job at a Unix shop. I jumped on it, and did my time turning screws while I absorbed all. I quickly rose through the ranks to lead technical positions, and now am a top IT pro for a worldwide company, taking care of systems, servers, and networks in 8 time zones throughout the world. It can be done!!

Good luck!

 

[KotchY]

ttt

 

[MC]

One word

IDEA

 

[Anybody]

Dameon is right on the money I would add a couple things,

1, Along with communication skills develope your people skills. Remember that the IT industry is a service industry, you are there to make things easier for the companies population. You are not God... nor should you consider yourself above everyone else. A customer centric attitude is a requirement.

2, Don't be stupid. I know... what would actually &quot;be stupid&quot; in IT. How about running a warez and mp3 server thats about 80 gigs through the firewall of a publically traded large software development company. Getting caught oggling porn that was located on the CEO's computer. I could go on..but the stupidness I have seen boggles...

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Lawyers, lots and lots of lawyers (at least that's what Rambus thinks)

 

[Tripleshot]

Lots of money. You need lots of money to be in the computer business.Plus as much education as your brain can handle.

 

[bigvince]

you need to have MARKETABLE SKILLS. i cant stress that enough. even if you dont have any certs or degrees (like our friend russ NCNE) you can still be very succeful if you know your stuff. here's a tip pick an OS (win2k is probably your best bet) and learn it inside-out, know everything about it and be prepared to spout off details on command. with that skill alone you could land a decent paying job pick up some experiance there and get a better job, so on and so forth. hope i helped.....

 

[burnedout]

Dameon is absolutely correct. Outstanding advice. The best I've heard in a long time.

I'll add a few:

Try to earn at least a couple of certs when starting out. A+ is the easiest. Then progress to others.

Know networking. TCP/IP. Can't stress this fact enough.

Hands-on is the best teacher. Focus on a specific OS, but keep at least familiar with other popular ones.

And as other members have said. Get your foot in the door and be motivated and enthusiastic.