IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[duckbutta]

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?

Finish your degree. There are several big box companies that will not even interview you without one. Doesn't matter what it is. The thinking is the managers at the top of the chain feel like "hey i had to get a degree to get where I'm at so I am going to make other people get one to if they want to work here"

Unfortunately, the days of getting a job because you were just naturally good with IT or Engineering disciplines are long gone. That guy doesn't even get a shot anymore because he taught himself everything and doesn't have a degree. That guy doesn't stand out when the next 400 applicants have 4 year degrees from some of the top schools in the country. Now of course that doesn't mean they are smarter than the self taught guy, problem is that before you can get an interview you got to get pass that HR screening...and you know what some of the keywords are they are told to pick up on or the application uses..."degree" "bachelors" "masters" "college"...you don't have those you don't even make it past the HR lady desk

 

[JT-Money]

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

http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/computer-forensic-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm

Your salary will be dependent on how much experience you've got and which industry you choose to work in. Computer forensic isn't an easy field to break into unless you already work in law enforcement. Most states require a private investigator license to even work in that field. If you go the Federal contracting route you can easily make that amount in DC just doing regular Systems administration.

 

[JT-Money]

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.

It's not that hard to get a company to sponsor you for a security clearance. Most Federal contracting companies will hire anyone with a pulse. When I worked in Federal contracting you had guys making 80K a year doing desktop support.

 

[FreshFromATL]

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

I don't know breh, you dropping 75K per year in a pretty much stable career field to start from the bottom for cyber forensics? I just don't know about that move man, I couldn't be the one to tell you that's a good move. How old are you? If you just trying to get into IT, there are many other paths that are >> cyber forensics.

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?

nikka if you don't go finish your fukking degree. Also, keep going and get a Bachelors as well. These days if you working for a fortune 500 corp, you won't even sniff making it to management without a bachelor's. Just grind it out, you've gotten past the hardest part of obtaining your first big break, now start preparing yourself for your future moves.

 

[T-K-G]

I don't know breh, you dropping 75K per year in a pretty much stable career field to start from the bottom for cyber forensics? I just don't know about that move man, I couldn't be the one to tell you that's a good move. How old are you? If you just trying to get into IT, there are many other paths that are >> cyber forensics.



nikka if you don't go finish your fukking degree. Also, keep going and get a Bachelors as well. These days if you working for a fortune 500 corp, you won't even sniff making it to management without a bachelor's. Just grind it out, you've gotten past the hardest part of obtaining your first big break, now start preparing yourself for your future moves.

nikkas throwin good shyt they already got goin for em in the bushes to join the coli #certgang the hype is real

 

[Just Rod]

Anybody know where I can get some good study material for the MCSA: Windows 7 and MCSA: Server 2012 exams? Not just like test dumps but actual study material (literature, videos, practice tests etc)
Also what should I expect on these exams?

 

[JT-Money]

Anybody know where I can get some good study material for the MCSA: Windows 7 and MCSA: Server 2012 exams? Not just like test dumps but actual study material (literature, videos, practice tests etc)
Also what should I expect on these exams?

I sent you a pm.

 

[FreshFromATL]

Working at Comcast seems like it's gonna be a cool deal

at them giving me a bytchass iPhone though

 

[el_oh_el]

Working at Comcast seems like it's gonna be a cool deal

at them giving me a bytchass iPhone though

Not too much on the iphone breh

Im thinking of going for my CCNA real soon. Ill have a degree in Computer science by the end of next summer, but im thinking of taking a break this summer from school so I can get my CCNA and get away from this helpdesk shyt

 

[Digga38]

anybody do any software testing?

 

[semtex]

anybody do any software testing?

not professionally but yeah i've done a little recently using J-Unit

 

[Digga38]

not professionally but yeah i've done a little recently using J-Unit

was looking professionally...used to be doing support but i jumped ship 2 years ago....lot of work but better to me

 

[FreshFromATL]

not professionally but yeah i've done a little recently using J-Unit

Have you started going out to try and get real world experience yet?

 

[semtex]

Have you started going out to try and get real world experience yet?

I graduate in May. Had an actual client for my capstone. As far as workplace stuff, no because I have no way of getting around at the moment.

 

[FreshFromATL]

I graduate in May. Had an actual client for my capstone. As far as workplace stuff, no because I have no way of getting around at the moment.

Oh so you graduate in May? Go ahead and start advertising yourself breh. May is gonna be here REAL soon and you wanna have yourself setup for something or already be familiar with how interviewers/recruiters will be coming at you. Get you a linkedin, monster, careerbuilder, dice.com, and cybercoders.com profile. Go ahead and find all the big agencies in your area that recruit technology. And just know if you do get a face-to-face interview (even if you don't have all the experience needed), sell them on your willingness and ability to learn, your ability to work well with others, your ability to share ideas, your ability to communicate with users as well as developers. List all the projects you've completed in school onto your resume. You follow them steps and you'll be walking off stage with your degree and right into your new career