Originally posted by: Aiwin
This is especially interesting to me, because your situation is very similar to mine. I'm a creative writing and lit major at Columbia College in Chicago, and one of my many hobbies/interests is computers. I worked assembling computers and doing light tech work for awhile several years ago, and spent awhile studying for both the CCNA (Cicsco) and the A+ cert, though I've never taken the test for either one.
I was hoping to maybe find a computer-oriented job out of college in one year's time (as well as maybe an internship prior to that during this, my senior year), based on the idea that tech places value communications people. For instance, a friend of mine just got a job directly out of college with his political science degree at $35K/yr with full benefits: he works for a real-estate company training their clients on how to use the company's web software, whatever it is. His tech credentials amount to "some web develoment work back in high school," which was neither professional nor paid. The company told him that they hired him because he has a degree which demonstrates his ability to communicate well. All he did was post his resume on monster.com and they called him. I've heard that's a really big deal, and I was thinking I might find myself a similar situation. Does anyone have thoughts on this subject?
Geek Squad does not do interships. Their techs makes anything from 10 - 14 an hour, all depends on exp. I started off at Bestbuy as a sales prod right out of college with a 4 year degree @ 10/hr, which is actually 2 an hour more than normal because of education and exp. Still not exactly what you would expect for someone with a 4 year, about 6 years of exp, and impecable work history. But you have to pay the bills. Ended up getting promoted to Senior(might as well call it a supervisor) of the computer sales dept within a month, making about 13/hr. Worked there at that for about 3 months then got moved up to the Tech Bench/Geek Squad as Senior making 16/hr. The funny thing is I was being paid over the normal they pay for these positions because of my background, so unless you have a good amount of exp or education backing you up, don't expect too much. This was in the Washington, DC metro area as well, which has very high cost of living as well.
Finding a good paying job out of college can take you a GOOD long while, expecially if you don't have any experience, as I said I have about 6 years of experince behind me because I worked all through college and before. It still took me 10 months to find my current job after I graduated.
As to someone saying that 20/hr was not possible in a help desk position is incorrect. I currently make 45K/yr which is roughly a little more than 20/hr.
There are jobs out there where the OP could make 20/hr, but not with his current exp and education/certs.
To the person who mentioned the A+ being a good thing, yes to someone without exp and no formal education it can be a good thing, but to anyone with more than a years work experience or a formal education it is pointless. The only certs that really make a difference in the long run are MS and Cisco.
Now just because I can't let this guy just keep talking with out comment. Our indian friend needs to get his head on strait. To get into a high paying job like he is obviously wanting to he will need to refine his english speaking/typing skills and get LOADS of experience. One: in the US you are required to have a certain amount of real world job exp before they will even let you INTO an MBA program. So the fact that you are coming out of one without any, puts you at a SERIOUS disadvantage to everyone else. Also, yes, there are some people who make it big very quick, but they are the minority, and yes YOU may make it big too, but don't count on it, always plan for the worst.
Facebook
Twitter