IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[Chris.B]

I personally wouldn't waste much time learning PC repair. Most Fortune 500 companies these days don't repair computers that break down but just replace them. Generally machines are replaced the minute the warranty runs out because their probably leasing them. If I had to start all over again I would jump into studying Networking first then Virtualization but skip PC repair because its completely worthless.

Truth...

 

[Luken]

its a scam. Anything that ends in kind regards Is.

i dont know, i did see her on linkdin and the site seemed legit...

but regardless bytch didnt get back to me

i have an interview with

tomorrow.


Boning up so i can murder this interviewer

 

[Chris.B]

how did the interview go?

 

[Leasy]

how did the interview go?

It went real smooth. He went over my resume he was more interested in my knowledge Active Directory because they are implementing the entire system in 10 months he said. They are getting rid of Novell which they are still using lol. Interview went past more than an hour. I believe I left a great impression. I definitely have to get my Certs though.

 

[Leasy]

Have an interview Friday for a Desktop Support Analyst. Minium rate is 25.92 Midpoint 33.92. Hopefully I get this job because this hospital overpays for their IT staff. I believe I have it though because I was a intern there for 6 months until I had moved to Network/Telecommunications.

 

[Regular Developer]

Just an update:
Starting the new job with my boy's consulting company. Starting out as a junior developer, but the pay is definitely compared to my other jobs. I realize how much stuff he has to do as a consultant. Everybody asks you questions, youg et pulled in so many meetings, and then you still have your work to do. I'm just quietly listening to the jist and build my confidence in developing with the tool so that I can make that move into consultant.

I was never really good at web design, but I'm building these "data dashboards" so i'm hoping doing this will help me out so that I can start doing web design on the side. Im already pretty beast with building systems, but getting everything to look good, and putting everything in the right place is something I really want to add to my repitoire.

Also gotta start building my network. Hopefully allyuh using linkedin to build your business profile. If not, get on that, it helps.

 

[bigmanharris]

everytime I look at help desk jobs I see "A+ required"....I have no experience at all in IT and pretty much don't know jack shyt. i've been working warehouse my whole life. now im 25 and i'm lookin to move on. i'm studyin for my A+ now and I hope to be able to take the test in july. but im seeing people in here saying A+ is useless. what about a dude like me who has no experience and pretty much no knowledge at all?....I get a higher cert what good is it if I don't know shyt. I thought it would be better for me to start from the bottom. gettin my A+, workin help desk and studying, then hopefully movin up over time.

I got a Helpdesk job with nothing more than a Sport Management degree with a Business minor. Did it for 6.5 years before being outsourced last month.....

 

[bigmanharris]

Maybe an decade ago you could start off doing desktop support and move your way up. But I see way more dudes getting trapped doing desktop support forever. Once companies find an half way decent support person they'll never let you leave. You'll basically have to job hop your first couple of years in order to move up. Unless you get lucky and find someplace willing to promote internally and cross trains which is rare these days.

This is somewhat true....our whole IT dept at my old job was outsourced and there were a couple of Desktop Sup guys that this manager from another dept wanted to hire. The company blocked that, made them become employees of the outsourcing company with no say in the matter and might have cut their pay..... If they refused they would have been considered voluntary retired employees and not received unemployment.....it's a dirty game....

But that just means you have to work harder to network/market yourself and move up.

 

[Leasy]

Anybody ever got work from a staffing agency or firm.

 

[Kartel13]

So A+ is a waste of time?

 

[Kartel13]

Just an update:
Starting the new job with my boy's consulting company. Starting out as a junior developer, but the pay is definitely compared to my other jobs. I realize how much stuff he has to do as a consultant. Everybody asks you questions, youg et pulled in so many meetings, and then you still have your work to do. I'm just quietly listening to the jist and build my confidence in developing with the tool so that I can make that move into consultant.

I was never really good at web design, but I'm building these "data dashboards" so i'm hoping doing this will help me out so that I can start doing web design on the side. Im already pretty beast with building systems, but getting everything to look good, and putting everything in the right place is something I really want to add to my repitoire.

Also gotta start building my network. Hopefully allyuh using linkedin to build your business profile. If not, get on that, it helps.

How did you get started with all of this? Did you go to school or is it self taught?

 

[Regular Developer]

How did you get started with all of this? Did you go to school or is it self taught?

I went to school, which really helped with the basics of OO programming. In high school, i used to just mess around with source code for games and didn't know what I was doing. I personally feel its a good foundation for understanding programming, efficiency, and visualizing data. Didn't do any database work until after school. I learned about databases (mainly Entity-Relationship models) from my first job. And they actually taught me ETL (extract, transform, and loading) which is basically efficient way of moving lots of data without messing it up.

As far as design, just kinda lookin around online for articles on design philosophies and getting back into drawing to get the artsy side going again. being on the behind the seens, I forgot how much visuals makes a difference to people who dont program.

 

[acri1]

So A+ is a waste of time?

No. It's worth it, especially if you don't have a degree. I work helpdesk and to even get an interview you have to either have an A+ or an Associates' in something IT-related.

I think some of the dudes in this thread don't realize how hard it is in the current economy to get your foot in the door, you're not gonna start out as a Network Admin or DBA.

So I mean, an A+ obviously won't get you big bucks, but it'll help you land your first tech support/helpdesk/desktop support job.

 

[ahomeplateslugger]

Anybody ever got work from a staffing agency or firm.

my first job was through a staffing agency and the second job that withdrew their offer on me was through a staffing agency. theyre legit and can be useful...the only problem with them is you have to call them every week to remind them that you're still looking for work.

 

[King Sun]

Just an update:
Starting the new job with my boy's consulting company. Starting out as a junior developer, but the pay is definitely compared to my other jobs. I realize how much stuff he has to do as a consultant. Everybody asks you questions, youg et pulled in so many meetings, and then you still have your work to do. I'm just quietly listening to the jist and build my confidence in developing with the tool so that I can make that move into consultant.

I was never really good at web design, but I'm building these "data dashboards" so i'm hoping doing this will help me out so that I can start doing web design on the side. Im already pretty beast with building systems, but getting everything to look good, and putting everything in the right place is something I really want to add to my repitoire.

Also gotta start building my network. Hopefully allyuh using linkedin to build your business profile. If not, get on that, it helps.