IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[krexzen]

It depends entirely on where you live.

I'm in Maryland, but if you or anyone else know the salary ranges from different regions I'd like to hear it.

In VA,DC and marylard(from columbia going towards DC) it usually is. I started around 45k at the Help Desk in DC. but it all depends on your experience.

Help desk around here is usually mid 30's to low 40's, so 45k for a network engineer kind of caught me off-guard. I would think one of the top 5 richest areas in the country would be a little less stingy (but then again you don't become rich by just giving it away). I was really expecting it to be a 50k position at minimum especially given the hoops you have to jump to become one.

 

[Data-Hawk]

I'm in Maryland, but if you or anyone else know the salary ranges from different regions I'd like to hear it.



Help desk around here is usually mid 30's to low 40's, so 45k for a network engineer kind of caught me off-guard. I would think one of the top 5 richest areas in the country would be a little less stingy (but then again you don't become rich by just giving it away). I was really expecting it to be a 50k position at minimum especially given the hoops you have to jump to become one.

ya. I have seen some crazy ones where they want you to be a network admin/network engineer for $12/hr. lol

If you are near Rockville - try Lockheed martin, IBM, Shady Grove hospital etc theres a ton of places up and down 355. theres also a ton of security companies in columbia(Nessus and one other famous one), Stay away from the NSA tho, I did a contract with them one time and unless you like going thru guards everyday and watching ppl walk around with shotguns,Snipers in towers and damn near every door having no handles, long white hallways. Lol let me shut up im sure im going against one of the contract rules

If you want to make soms connects. visit the Linux user group in columbia. A ton of ppl in the industry come thru and give presentations.

 

[krexzen]

ya. I have seen some crazy ones where they want you to be a network admind/network engineer for $12/hr. lol

If you are near Rockville - try Lockheed martin, IBM, Shady Grove hospital etc theres a ton of places up and down 355. theres also a ton of security companies in columbia(Nessus and one other famous one), Stay away from the NSA tho, I did a contract with them one time and unless you like going thru guards everyday and watching ppl walk around with shotguns,Snipers in towers and damn near every door having no handles, long white hallways. Lol let me shut up im sure im going against one of the contract rules

If you want to make soms connects. visit the Linux user group in columbia. A ton of ppl in the industry come thru and give presentations.

I occasionally drive by the Lockhead/IBM 355 stretch (I remember when it was only IBM). Truthfully I would much rather work in the counties and away from the city traffic.

I remember going by the NSA's booth in college and asking if they were hiring for my major. The woman looked me dead in the eye shook her head and said "nope".

For the Linux group, I'm not too sure how well I would fit in. I have very little experience with Linux. I took a basic Unix course in college and a couple years ago I briefly tried out ubuntu and Mint. After I'm done with the CCNA I might dive back into it.

 

[Data-Hawk]

I occasionally drive by the Lockhead/IBM 355 stretch (I remember when it was only IBM). Truthfully I would much rather work in the counties and away from the city traffic.

I remember going by the NSA's booth in college and asking if they were hiring for my major. The woman looked me dead in the eye shook her head and said "nope".

For the Linux group, I'm not too sure how well I would fit in. I have very little experience with Linux. I took a basic Unix course in college and a couple years ago I briefly tried out ubuntu and Mint. After I'm done with the CCNA I might dive back into it.

Cool, here's the link to their page( Columbia-Area Linux Users Group ), it's basically for all skill levels.

 

[nomoreneveragain]

Starting to tackle Powershell, it's def gonna be the future for the Windows Console.

 

[patscorpio]

what's good brehs? i haven't been in this thread for a while...on friday i just got hit with a job offer and i verbally accepted....the position is business analyst manager...got the offer letter in the email later in the day and was like ..very very generous bump in salary...come monday im handing in my 2 week notice and faxing in my signed offer letter

@Bdizzle what up breh? im a 6 figure nikka now...has my membership application to the club been approved?

 

[↓R↑LYB]

what's good brehs? i haven't been in this thread for a while...on friday i just got hit with a job offer and i verbally accepted....the position is business analyst manager...got the offer letter in the email later in the day and was like ..very very generous bump in salary...come monday im handing in my 2 week notice and faxing in my signed offer letter

@Bdizzle what up breh? im a 6 figure nikka now...has my membership application to the club been approved?

Unfortunately we're no longer accepting applicants of the "ethnic" persuasion

 

[klientel]

I have the VCAP5-DCA scheduled for August 26th and I ain't even started studying

All I have is the trainsignal videos and the exam blueprint. I'm the first one on my team to schedule it, everybody else scared of it. It's all objective/lab based so even if I get stuck I think I can fumble my way through it. Anybody took this shyt yet?

Starting to tackle Powershell, it's def gonna be the future for the Windows Console.

Nah its the present

It's almost impossible to REALLY manage AD/Exchange without powershell

 

[GMOGMediaTV]

I have the VCAP5-DCA scheduled for August 26th and I ain't even started studying

All I have is the trainsignal videos and the exam blueprint. I'm the first one on my team to schedule it, everybody else scared of it. It's all objective/lab based so even if I get stuck I think I can fumble my way through it. Anybody took this shyt yet?



Nah its the present

It's almost impossible to REALLY manage AD/Exchange without powershell

Citrix XenApp/Xendesktop relies heavily on PowerShell as well.

 

[thaKEAF]

I'm tryna eat brehs.

Think I'm gonna get back into school was thinking of trying a technical school that's around here and take up IT. This is what they list on the site is any of this a good way to go:

http://www.ttcmemphis.edu/sites/default/files/memphis/programs/fulltime-programs/computer-information-technology/cit.pdf

 

[patscorpio]

Unfortunately we're no longer accepting applicants of the "ethnic" persuasion

Is it because i miss other requirements of the 6 figure, 6 cert, 6 foot, 6 pack, 6 series IT coli club? ill be making 6 figures and im 6'3 1/2" but i have a 4 pack right now until i complete this 7 week cut, i drive a fully loaded suv instead of a 6 series and i have 2 degrees instead of 6 certs..that can be overlooked though if i change those other things...then would i be reconsidered for the club?

 

[↓R↑LYB]

Is it because i miss other requirements of the 6 figure, 6 cert, 6 foot, 6 pack, 6 series IT coli club? ill be making 6 figures and im 6'3 1/2" but i have a 4 pack right now until i complete this 7 week cut, i drive a fully loaded suv instead of a 6 series and i have 2 degrees instead of 6 certs..that can be overlooked though if i change those other things...then would i be reconsidered for the club?

How many black friends do you have

 

[patscorpio]

How many black friends do you have

i have some

 

[↓R↑LYB]

i have some

The decision has recently been made to turn the organization into an invite only club. We at No nikkas International™ wish you the best on your future endeavors

 

[Polofresh4]

Whats good brehs? This thread is the truth...helped me get my first IT gig...but now I gotta take it to the next level...I have the basic certs and a CCNA...should I keep going the Cisco track...or should I get busy with this SQL I have been hearing about...It seems like everyone who is near the govt in some way says SQL and everybody who is not says go Cisco..Neither really affects my job so I can kinda choose freely...Im in the DMV if that helps....what would you do?