IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

kevm3

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It's interesting learning javascript alongside php and seeing how they compare and contrast. Something that I had a hard time wrapping my mind around and which also makes Javascript confusing when you're first learning it, is that nearly everything is an object in the language.I started wondering where all of these different properties/methods came from. In PHP, when you store a string in a variable, it is pretty much just a string. Javascript, when you create a variable that is a string, you are creating a new 'string object' that inherits all kinds of methods and properties from a default string object... I really wish I started programming earlier. It's fascinating.
 

patscorpio

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Cool, what's your career background? I'm looking into pursue a career in it.

my career background
  • 2 degrees: B.S. in CS and M.B.A in MIS
  • Been working in IT for 13 1/2 years
  • The longest of those jobs was my previous job where i did data conversion, implementation, support, and training.
  • My core IT skills are in Oracle SQL, Crystal Reports, Excel, and Access. Sharpening up on SQL server in my spare time.
 

Rich Spirit

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my career background
  • 2 degrees: B.S. in CS and M.B.A in MIS
  • Been working in IT for 13 1/2 years
  • The longest of those jobs was my previous job where i did data conversion, implementation, support, and training.
  • My core IT skills are in Oracle SQL, Crystal Reports, Excel, and Access. Sharpening up on SQL server in my spare time.
Oh ok, I come from a non-IT related background, but I'm in IT primarily it's role in the business world. Now the question is how can I find employment as an analyst (entry level) and building necessary skills as a BA?
 

Bomberman

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Alright brehs, by the end of the year I'll have finished these courses at my college:

Visual Basic Programming: Introduction to programming and Visual BASIC. Emphasis on programming fundamentals and the creation of applications with Visual BASIC. No previous programming experience required.

Java Programming: Study of the Java language, its features and applications.

Introduction to Programming: Introduction to programming concepts including data types, mathematical operations, elementary input/output, and the basic control structures of sequence, selection, iteration and functions. Program design techniques utilizing structured and object-oriented methodologies will be emphasized. (taking this right now)

Programming concepts: Continuing introduction to programming concepts, development of algorithms utilizing functions, classes and the primary control structures. Program I/O; strings and arrays; data types: classes and objects. Documentation techniques.

Data Structure Concepts: Application of simple Data Structures Concepts (ADT's) including linked structures, stacks, queues and trees. Use of pointers, recursion, sorting algorithms, classes and object-oriented programming to implement Data Structures.


I'm majoring in multimedia and digital game technologies, but with the above courses, do you think I can throw these courses down on a resume under computer skills for a job outside my concentration? I'm taking just ordinary desk work, maybe a paid internship. Right now we're using Visual Studio and just designing Windows Form applications. I've already worked through DIffEq and Physics III for the math skills. The last three mentioned I believe all have computer labs, the one I'm taking right now does.
 

patscorpio

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Oh ok, I come from a non-IT related background, but I'm in IT primarily it's role in the business world. Now the question is how can I find employment as an analyst (entry level) and building necessary skills as a BA?

the thing about entry level positions is they really look for people who dont have a lot of job experience like less than 2 years..trust i went through a lot of bullshyt with that
 

Rich Spirit

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the thing about entry level positions is they really look for people who dont have a lot of job experience like less than 2 years..trust i went through a lot of bullshyt with that
I bet. Are there any programs or certifications that I should know about?
 

patscorpio

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I bet. Are there any programs or certifications that I should know about?

wasn't really the programs or certs for me...basically all the years of IT doing grunt work and what not i can speak "techie" and at the same time my last job i did project management and was able to demonstrate examples of during my interview....i fit a need for the company and that was my way in..its really more about marketing yourself and relating your experiences. One thing i can suggest is if you can't get a BA position outright try looking for a position/job that could possible lead into a BA role. As a Tester/QA, Developer, or product specialist/super user.
 

detroitwalt

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Ok brehs this is my deal. I work full time as an aircraft electrician (civilian contractor). I make close to 75K/yr but i just started going to school for a degree in cyber forensics. I have a friend that will help me with certifications once I earn my BS. How much of a cut in pay will I realistically be looking at? I'm in the DC area btw
 

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Hey guys, just stumbled on this site and then this thread, lots a great info in here, I just got my big break and landed a job as IT support tech no certs, no experience, no degree. I took a QA class and couple hardware classes in college. Computers have always been a hobby of my, I think what got me the job was I really killed the interview and answered about 90% of the technical questions, I did a google search of IT interview questions and did some preparation before the interview. Also I suggest joining your colleges job board, that how I found this job, its usually a private board with less competition. I'm going for my A+ cert and then planning on getting Network+ and then Security+, now I hear that Network+ is worthless but I really want to build a foundation and get down the basics of networking.

Now my question is I have 3 classes left to get Associate in arts, I know it seems worthless but should I finish it out, just so I have the degree or should I just focus on getting certs?
 
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T-K-G

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Hey guys, just stumbled on this site and then this thread, lots a great info in here, I just got my big break and landed a job as IT support tech no certs, no experience, no degree. I took a QA class and couple hardware classes in college. Computers have always been a hobby of my, I think what got me the job was I really killed the interview and answered about 90% of the technical questions, I did a google search of IT interview questions and did some preparation before the interview. Also I suggest joining your colleges job board, that how I found this job, its usually a private board with less competition. I'm going for my A+ cert and then planning on getting Network+ and then Security+, now I hear that Network+ is worthless but I really want to build a foundation and get down the basics of networking.

Now my question is I have 3 classes left to get Associate in arts, I know it seems worthless but should I finish it out, just so I have the degree or should I just focus on getting certs?
unless you plan on being in IT your entire life i dont understand why you would quit school when you only got 3 classes left :upsetfavre: just seems like a colossal waste of time/money/resources to leave before you have anything to show for the work you put in
 

acri1

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Hey guys, just stumbled on this site and then this thread, lots a great info in here, I just got my big break and landed a job as IT support tech no certs, no experience, no degree. I took a QA class and couple hardware classes in college. Computers have always been a hobby of my, I think what got me the job was I really killed the interview and answered about 90% of the technical questions, I did a google search of IT interview questions and did some preparation before the interview. Also I suggest joining your colleges job board, that how I found this job, its usually a private board with less competition. I'm going for my A+ cert and then planning on getting Network+ and then Security+, now I hear that Network+ is worthless but I really want to build a foundation and get down the basics of networking.

Now my question is I have 3 classes left to get Associate in arts, I know it seems worthless but should I finish it out, just so I have the degree or should I just focus on getting certs?


Well, I'd say maybe do evening/night classes for a year and finish it out...having a degree is generally worth it in the long run, but entry-level jobs are scarce so I definitely wouldn't leave the job to finish it. Especially for an arts degree since that probably wouldn't have any immediate job prospects.

So basically my suggestion is to keep the job, but maybe see if you can go to school part time/online to finish the degree. If it's only three classes then you could take one evening/weekend/online class a semester and still get the degree in a year.
 

duckbutta

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Ok brehs this is my deal. I work full time as an aircraft electrician (civilian contractor). I make close to 75K/yr but i just started going to school for a degree in cyber forensics. I have a friend that will help me with certifications once I earn my BS. How much of a cut in pay will I realistically be looking at? I'm in the DC area btw

Forget a paycut, you might never make it back to 75k again if you actually go down the cyber forensics path.

You got an security clearances? If not it will be hard to get a good paying IT gig in DC. You can get on doing some helpdesk shyt but the pay will be low.

Also you are going to have to answer the question of "why did you leave your current field to get into IT" and "why are you taking up IT now and not before?"

I would think long and hard about your decision, because you will basically be starting over in your career from step 1. If you are living check to check on that 75k a year then realistically you won't be able to live off that new IT salary,
 
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