IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[havoc]

Don't take the Microsoft technology path.

5-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Person Ever Qualified to Install Microsoft Windows
http://www.wired.com/2014/11/mcpkid/

Slow down, homie

Many small businesses and corporate company are still using Microsoft Windows, and using outdated Window operating system. I know this because I have gotten many interviews since I have my A+ and spoken with recruiters about job duties, and I stay informed by my IT associates . Also many businesses are starting to migrate from Xp to Window 7. They are so far behind. Anybody who invest in studying Windows 7 and Window Server 2012 will have a great chance of entering the field.

 

[JT-Money]

i don't understand what you are trying to say breh, I assume you are saying the Microsoft path is easy. I have my MCSA Server 2012 and Windows 7 config certs and I wouldn't say they were easy. as far as taking another path, what would you recommend?

I'm saying there are too many people taking the Microsoft technology path. When a toddler is able to take and pass a Microsoft exam you know that market will be saturated.

I would recommend learning Linux over anything Windows based. All the dudes I know who specialize in Linux all make 6 figures. The only Microsoft guy I know making that amount works with their CRM product. Windows administrators grow on trees and you can find one anywhere.

 

[JT-Money]

Slow down, homie

Many small businesses and corporate company are still using Microsoft Windows, and using outdated Window operating system. I know this because I have gotten many interviews since I have my A+ and spoken with recruiters about job duties, and I stay informed by my IT associates . Also many businesses are starting to migrate from Xp to Window 7. They are so far behind. Anybody who invest in studying Windows 7 and Window Server 2012 will have a great chance of entering the field.

You'll get in but what are your prospects and chances for growth once inside? I know dudes who've been doing desktop support for 5 or 6 years but can't get promoted out of those roles. When you've got so many people experienced on a certain technology it can only bring salaries down and competition up.

 

[Sonny Bonds]

You'll get in but what are your prospects and chances for growth once inside? I know dudes who've been doing desktop support for 5 or 6 years but can't get promoted out of those roles. When you've got so many people experienced on a certain technology it can only bring salaries down and competition up.

A lot of people in this thread have suggested getting the A+ and MCSA: Windows 7 in order to secure a help desk\support job for some much needed experience. I thought the whole point was to get all that and then go for a higher level cert while working. What cert\career path do you suggest then?

 

[JT-Money]

A lot of people in this thread have suggested getting the A+ and MCSA: Windows 7 in order to secure a help desk\support job for some much needed experience. I thought the whole point was to get all that and then go for a higher level cert while working. What cert\career path do you suggest then?

I would start by looking at pay scale information for different technology disciplines. Learning networking or Linux has a higher learning curve but less competition. You won't have to worry as much about the market being flooded with people every year bringing down salaries. With that many people all working on Microsoft technologies the harder it will be to demand a premium.

I did desktop support for 5 years before getting fed up with the low salaries and repetitive work. I ended up switching to a job as SQL Report writer in order to leave desktop support. That job was writing reports for a helpdesk that supported McAfee ePO security software. After constantly viewing ticket data for a year I was good enough to start supporting the software myself. So when a bunch of people left for other jobs they gave me a shot. And that's how I got started in IT security. If I had stayed in desktop support I would probably still be there. Most companies can hire experienced Windows Administrators pretty easily so why promote a desktop support person to that role?

I get calls from people I used to work with on the helpdesk who are still doing the same thing years later. What people don't tell you is with that many people having the same skill set it's damn near impossible to move up.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Skill=Help_Desk_/_Desktop_Support_(Tier_2)/Salary
http://www.monster.com/technology/a/in-demand-tech-jobs
http://readwrite.com/2014/08/20/linux-jobs-demand-certification
http://www.cybercoders.com/insights/why-linux-is-in-extremely-high-demand/

 

[FastEddie215]

I would start by looking at pay scale information for different technology disciplines. Learning networking or Linux has a higher learning curve but less competition. You won't have to worry as much about the market being flooded with people every year bringing down salaries. With that many people all working on Microsoft technologies the harder it will be to demand a premium.

I did desktop support for 5 years before getting fed up with the low salaries and repetitive work. I ended up switching to a job as SQL Report writer in order to leave desktop support. That job was writing reports for a helpdesk that supported McAfee ePO security software. After constantly viewing ticket data for a year I was good enough to start supporting the software myself. So when a bunch of people left for other jobs they gave me a shot. And that's how I got started in IT security. If I had stayed in desktop support I would probably still be there. Most companies can hire experienced Windows Administrators pretty easily so why promote a desktop support person to that role?

I get calls from people I used to work with on the helpdesk who are still doing the same thing years later. What people don't tell you is with that many people having the same skill set it's damn near impossible to move up.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Skill=Help_Desk_/_Desktop_Support_(Tier_2)/Salary
http://www.monster.com/technology/a/in-demand-tech-jobs
http://readwrite.com/2014/08/20/linux-jobs-demand-certification
http://www.cybercoders.com/insights/why-linux-is-in-extremely-high-demand/

not sure if I asked you already but what certs and education do you have?

 

[JT-Money]

not sure if I asked you already but what certs and education do you have?

I've got a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. And the last certification I took was the Security+ about 4 years ago. And I only took that because it was a requirement for working as a Federal contractor. I had my MCSE at one point but never upgraded it. Microsoft certifications had such a bad reputation back in the day they'll probably never fully recover. Once you have enough experience and connections certifications cease to be that big of a deal unless you work in contracting.

 

[havoc]

You'll get in but what are your prospects and chances for growth once inside? I know dudes who've been doing desktop support for 5 or 6 years but can't get promoted out of those roles. When you've got so many people experienced on a certain technology it can only bring salaries down and competition up.

You are right to a certain extent. But it's about sliding through an open door. I don't plan to stick with Microsoft Technology. I will be working with Linux and Cisco technology very soon when I go back to school in the Spring. All the materials I have been studying are network related material, so I'm not going to worry about stagnate pay.

 

[acri1]

Kinda in a dilemma.

There's going to be a Network Specialist (basically a Network Admin/Server Administrator type deal) opening and I've been encouraged to apply for it, but I honestly don't think I'm qualified. Don't really have any specific networking related certs outside of Net+. What I do right now is mostly just a combo of Sys Admin/Desktop support.

I guess it won't hurt but I'm kinda scared I'll be in the interview like .

But then again, I guess I don't really have much to lose.

Is this a new company or promotion for your existing job? Companies are often willing to let you learn if they know/like you so I'd go for it if you already work there.

It's the place I already work, so it'd be sort of a promotion.

Basically the person that previously had the position is leaving. My boss asked if I was interested in applying...I was kinda like but I guess I got nothing to lose.

It was pretty much out of left field...but I got the job offer today.

 

[RubioTheCruel]

I would recommend learning Linux over anything Windows based. All the dudes I know who specialize in Linux all make 6 figures.

Gotta cosign this. Even if you fully support Linux boxes though you will undoubtedly touch Windows machines, so it's good to have some knowledge in administration of Windows servers. I've sort of dedicated myself into learning a language(Python). It's the one thing holding me back, I've got a good knowledge of various flavors of Linux(Debian-based, Red Hat-based), but my scripting skills hold me back. I would suggest everyone to do so, pick up a language to learn and a configuration management tool and deep dive(Puppet, Chef, Ansible, SaltStack). If you can get your skills to a professional level, you'll make money and be able to work wherever you want.

I did desktop support for 5 years before getting fed up with the low salaries and repetitive work. I ended up switching to a job as SQL Report writer in order to leave desktop support. That job was writing reports for a helpdesk that supported McAfee ePO security software. After constantly viewing ticket data for a year I was good enough to start supporting the software myself. So when a bunch of people left for other jobs they gave me a shot. And that's how I got started in IT security. If I had stayed in desktop support I would probably still be there. Most companies can hire experienced Windows Administrators pretty easily so why promote a desktop support person to that role?

I get calls from people I used to work with on the helpdesk who are still doing the same thing years later. What people don't tell you is with that many people having the same skill set it's damn near impossible to move up.

My story sounds similar. Desktop Support has a glass ceiling on it in many organizations. VERY few internally promote people for the reasons you brought up. Level 1/2 support is a job that you're supposed to be at for a year or 18 months, get your feet wet and build your skillset, then take other roles. I feel bad for some of the dudes I worked with, been at the job 10 years, still doing the same damn thing they were doing when they started

The only Microsoft guy I know making that amount works with their CRM product. Windows administrators grow on trees and you can find one anywhere.

Sharepoint architechs get guap.

 

[GreenGrass]

Cisco CCNA in 60 Days - Preview
https://www.udemy.com/cisco-ccna-in-60-days/?dtcode=GKRiKHo1XPoa

the certificate of completion you get from this is that legit?

 

[No Homo]

Cisco CCNA in 60 Days - Preview
https://www.udemy.com/cisco-ccna-in-60-days/?dtcode=GKRiKHo1XPoa

the certificate of completion you get from this is that legit?

If you're not sitting for the official ccna exam its not legit.

This just looks like a study course this guy designed to help people stay on track to studying.

 

[King Sun]

jt money s logic is kind of flawed because getting a help desk gig when you're just starting out is the most ideal thing. The only problem is that don't get contempt with your gig or you will be a help desk guy forever. If you do get a help desk gig learn your job and then work on your certs and set a goal for yourself. I started out really at the help desk gig i have currently but there are 2 guys on my team that's been doing this before I was born (before help desk there was data entry guys).

 

[JT-Money]

jt money s logic is kind of flawed because getting a help desk gig when you're just starting out is the most ideal thing. The only problem is that don't get contempt with your gig or you will be a help desk guy forever. If you do get a help desk gig learn your job and then work on your certs and set a goal for yourself. I started out really at the help desk gig i have currently but there are 2 guys on my team that's been doing this before I was born (before help desk there was data entry guys).

Most college kids hired at my company get generic Level 1 Analyst job title. They'll usually move around from one technology group to the next but never at the helpdesk. I ended up on the helpdesk because I was told that's what you needed to do also. It was a complete waste of time and I should've just chose a different technology path. To each is own.

 

[Virtuous_Brotha]

the final year of my computing degree is killing me brehs