IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[FastEddie215]

Senior Network Engineer

CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCNA-voice

soon to be CCNP-voice
Everything I know is self taught. Look into CBT nuggets

All these videos are also available on the internet if you don't want to buy, if you know what I mean....

I will advice you to start with the CCNA and work your way up. Be warned, it is super boring and sometimes hard but always have the big picture in mind. MONEY!

so you didnt go to school and get a degree to get where you are now? just certs? just asking because while i am studying to get my A+ cert i was thinking of maybe going back to school to get my degree in something IT related since I have no experience at all in this field

 

[gldnone913]

i'm not sure. they were just doing a e-qip background check and called me to tell me the news

damn homie

E-Qip is used for an security clearance and if it only took an few weeks this was probably for the interim clearance so you could start work. The problem with security clearance jobs is until your clearance goes Final you can be let go at the drop of an hat if they find something. Or if you do anything that puts your clearance in jeopardy you can be let go immediately.

to be fair, they set homie up to fail....normally, they'll look over your EQIP or SF-86 before extending an offer, just to verify everything is straightforward. keep ya head up

 

[jab343irk]

so you didnt go to school and get a degree to get where you are now? just certs? just asking because while i am studying to get my A+ cert i was thinking of maybe going back to school to get my degree in something IT related since I have no experience at all in this field

Usually network engineers start from there.

I started by getting the A+, Network+ and security+ before moving to the cisco stuff...

Here is how It hiring companies look at technical resumes

Experience with certs can get you to so many places.
Just work hard and hope someone will give you that break through. Once you get it, fire up and leave!

 

[FastEddie215]

Usually network engineers start from there.

I started by getting the A+, Network+ and security+ before moving to the cisco stuff...

Here is how It hiring companies look at technical resumes

Experience with certs can get you to so many places.
Just work hard and hope someone will give you that break through. Once you get it, fire up and leave!

Thanks for the insight breh

 

[ahomeplateslugger]

damn homie



to be fair, they set homie up to fail....normally, they'll look over your EQIP or SF-86 before extending an offer, just to verify everything is straightforward. keep ya head up

this makes more sense...i signed their offer sheet, signed the salary sheet and filled out the paperwork and the director told me he wants me to start the first week of july...so i quit my job waiting for this one

everything would have been good if they ran my background check first to let me know if i can work or not before having me sign any paperwork.

 

[ahomeplateslugger]

Usually network engineers start from there.

I started by getting the A+, Network+ and security+ before moving to the cisco stuff...

Here is how It hiring companies look at technical resumes

Experience with certs can get you to so many places.
Just work hard and hope someone will give you that break through. Once you get it, fire up and leave!

props for the info bruh. were you able to get a networking job once you got your network+ cert? or do you need desktop support experience to get a network tech job?

 

[JT-Money]

this makes more sense...i signed their offer sheet, signed the salary sheet and filled out the paperwork and the director told me he wants me to start the first week of july...so i quit my job waiting for this one

everything would have been good if they ran my background check first to let me know if i can work or not before having me sign any paperwork.

You must have been dealing with an shady company then. I never signed an offer letter until after my e-Qip was submitted and background check was finished.

Most companies these days could care less how much pain they cause people. And they wonder why employees aren't loyal anymore after stunts like this. I knew managers who would hire someone just to complete an bunch of projects then get rid of the person once they were done. They couldn't get any of the lazy bums already on the payroll to finish them so who better than an new employee looking to prove himself.

 

[ReggieFlare]

I'm basking in the knowledge of this thread

May have to send some of you guys PM's

 

[Data-Hawk]

props for the info bruh. were you able to get a networking job once you got your network+ cert? or do you need desktop support experience to get a network tech job?

The typical route goes Help Desk ---> Desktop Support ---> server admin/networking( it kind of gets blurry around here ).


*Somebody* will eventually give you that *break*, you just have to be ready for it and be patient. Once you get your foot in the door( In any IT role ) never stop learning.

I've seen people get jobs through open source projects or volunteer their time for free. For example you can get involved in a ton of Linux-related projects( Fedora Project - How to get involved and join the Community. ) Scroll down to "Join Fedora", you can help with testing, write articles etc. Of course it'll probably be for free, but its a way to get your name out there. Even if that doesn't work I would still list those experiences on my resume.

 

[Team Arliss]

My undergrad is IT related, but my Masters (from a good university) is Information Systems & Public Administration with 1 year experience. I don't have any certifications. I left my job to finish my masters in south america so when I came back I had been looking since January. I got my masters in May & 2 days later I accepted a government (state) job in the desktop support area. I'm only making 37,500 a year. I'm just happy I have a job now but I know I could be doing something better (they even told me going in I could) with more $ but so many doors were closing... I'm assuming it's because I wasn't working at the time so I had to accept that desktop support job. Now that I have one, do you think other companies would be more acceptable? Or would you stay in the state job & work your way up? There will be opportunity to do so. I've done a lot of things (such as studying abroad) so my resume is good, even the National Security Agency out in DC was impressed & was in the process of interviewing me but they were moving too slow. The job I was at for a year was a smaller company, so I was able to have my hand on everything... (networking, created the website, support, training, created webinars, billing application etc), I feel like I'm almost backpedaling a bit even though this 1 is for the state.

 

[Luken]

200 emails later

Hi Luke,

Thank you for your recent application for Jr. PC Technician. I am presently reviewing each individual's qualifications. If you are no longer available, please let me know! This role is located in North York and will pay an incorporated hourly rate of $15/hour.


S.i. Systems is assisting our client, a leading major retail company, in seeking the services of a junior PC Technician to fill in over the Summer months. The ideal candidate will bring a can-do attitude and great customer service skills.

Responsibilities iclude:

• Participate in ongoing rollouts of computers to a national audience.
• Create technical documentation and training.
• Usage of the SCCM to deploy images, remote control access clients, and software deployment.
• Provide daily support for software such as SDM customized production applications and other office automation tools including MS Exchange, MS Office, MS Visio, MS Project, and RIM Blackberry.
• Provide hardware support for Lenovo/HP/Dell computers, laptops, printers and Blackberry RIMs in areas of troubleshooting and administrative support.
• Participate in after hours and weekend work as required. Travel to any corporate sites in the GTA as the need arises to participate in project rollouts and technical support.
• Provide support for the install, setup and deployment of annual hardware upgrade.

Skill Sets Desired:
• Ability to write technical documentation and provide training.
• Knowledgeable on the installation, setup and deployment of computers
• Basic understanding of MS Windows operating systems and the ability to install, administer, troubleshoot and manage large client/server environments.
• Conceptual understanding of TCP/IP, SNMP, SMTP, LDAP, DNS, HTTP, and Ethernet.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting of Windows performance issues, administering, and supporting systems in a large client/server environment.

Other Desirable Skills:
• Microsoft MCP certification with ambition to obtain MCSE
• Excellent communication and written skills a must.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills required.
• Team player, self-motivated, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to withstand moderate to considerable amount of time spent either standing, walking, sitting, lifting, or working in awkward positions.
• Ability to tolerate minimal exposure to toxic fumes, extremes of temperature, loud noise, vibration, dirt, and hazardous substances, equipment or situations.

Let me know if you are still interested.


Kind Regards,
Korena Lafayette
S.i. Systems Toronto

 

[jab343irk]

props for the info bruh. were you able to get a networking job once you got your network+ cert? or do you need desktop support experience to get a network tech job?

Yea I took a low wage job after I got my A+ and network+ built about 1 year of experience and went after my CCNA, never looked back since

 

[FastEddie215]

Yea I took a low wage job after I got my A+ and network+ built about 1 year of experience and went after my CCNA, never looked back since

what was your method to studying for the a+ exam? im reading the a+ exam cram book by david prowse and watching professor messer videos. I have the Mike Myers a+ book but that shyt is too damn long (1347 pages)

 

[jab343irk]

what was your method to studying for the a+ exam? im reading the a+ exam cram book by david prowse and watching professor messer videos. I have the Mike Myers a+ book but that shyt is too damn long (1347 pages)

I will advice you to take a lot of practice exams as well and also do a lot of real world practice since that will be the skill you will need to hold on to a job.

I will upload a simulator which shows you how to put together a computer and laptop. Once you get comfortable with that practice with actual PC's, that is the only way the material will stick

I barely read any of those long books...I do a lot of hands-on and practice exams.

 

[FastEddie215]

I will advice you to take a lot of practice exams as well and also do a lot of real world practice since that will be the skill you will need to hold on to a job.

I will upload a simulator which shows you how to put together a computer and laptop. Once you get comfortable with that practice with actual PC's, that is the only way the material will stick

I barely read any of those long books...I do a lot of hands-on and practice exams.

I cant lie, i find myself memorizing the material alot better after going over the practice questions as opposed to just reading through these long chapters. would the practice questions from the back of the mike myers and exam cram book be enough?