IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[FreshFromATL]

CIS

A degree in those CIS programs I saw listed could lead you to these jobs titles:

Applications Developer
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $93,000 - Low 70K High 210K

Business Analyst
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $78,000 - Low 40K High 120K

Database Administrator
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $82,000 - Low 45K High 125K

Data mining Specialist
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $69,000 - Low 55K High 165K

Human-computer Interaction Designer
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $93,000 - Low 45K High 135K

Information Systems Officer
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $65,000 - Low 55K High 165K

Network Administrator
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $76,000 - Low 35K High 105K

Quality Insurance Specialist
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $63,000 - Low 45K High 135K

Multimedia Designer
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $59,000 - Low 45K High 135K

Software Engineer
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $90,000 - Low 40K High 120K

System Analyst
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $76,000 - Low 65K High 195K

User Interface Designer
Average Salary as of 1/18/13 - $84,000 - Low 45K High 135K


These are just some of the careers that are synonymous with those CIS degree programs that was listed. The salaries are based upon numerous values (i.e. location within the United States, skillset, experience, etc.)

My advice to you, google each of these careers and learn about what they are. Pick one (me personally, I'd pick the one with the highest pay [Apps Developer], but that's just me). Afterwards, get books, read books, learn, and study. Don't depend solely on school to teach you what you need to know. While you are in school, practice, download the software you need (many times, it's available for FREE), and PRACTICE!!! This is how you will gain valuable experience. Treat this shyt the way rappers practice rapping, the way producers practice making beats, and the way NBA ballers practice their jumpshot. This is your future my nikka. If you want it and willing to work hard at it, you'll have your family set my nikka.

Oh, and if you get nice enough, maybe you'll write a piece of code or develop a app that'll make you a few milly. The world is your's my nikka!

 

[FreshFromATL]

For All my IT nikkas... good my nikkas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Spoiler

Download Oreilly.Learning.SQL.2nd.Edition.Apr.2009.rar from PreFiles.com

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Download Manning.Hello.World.Mar.2009.rar from PreFiles.com

Spoiler

Download Oreilly.Java.in.a.Nutshell.5th.Edition.Mar.2005.rar from PreFiles.com

 

[FreshFromATL]

I just started my class too I'm novice as Well. what's crazy is dude who runs the program was Damn near saying the same shyt about the money and times frames. Said in five years if you ain't caking Any of you brehs know anything about what hopsitals and doctors are switching over too for keeping info and writing scripts? That's like my best bet connection wise when I get my shyt rolling a couple years down the line .

SQL

shyt has been around for years and It Ain't going anywhere no time soon!!

 

[Kartel13]

SQL

shyt has been around for years and It Ain't going anywhere no time soon!!

Good looks, man. I'm gonna get to reading over the weekend. Hopefully I'm not too

 

[FreshFromATL]

Good looks, man. I'm gonna get to reading over the weekend. Hopefully I'm not too

It's not too difficult, breh. Just make sure you go to a quiet place (grab some snacks) and just take your time when reading. Read twice if you have to.

 

[Kartel13]

It's not too difficult, breh. Just make sure you go to a quiet place (grab some snacks) and just take your time when reading. Read twice if you have to.

What do you do? And how did you get started?

 

[FreshFromATL]

What do you do? And how did you get started?

I'm a programmer. My brother is a Senior Apps Analyst for T-Mobile. When I started school, he pretty much put me on game as to what I needed to be studying and from there on I was on my way. I started by learning SQL, and from there I learned other languages. I studied at Mercer University, a very good private school in Georgia, they have a good program and they had a lot of connections for students. However, even without the connections, I would have been straight because I was able to develop my skill-set by reading alot (on my own) and practicing.

 

[Kartel13]

I'm a programmer. My brother is a Senior Apps Analyst for T-Mobile. When I started school, he pretty much put me on game as to what I needed to be studying and from there on I was on my way. I started by learning SQL, and from there I learned other languages. I studied at Mercer University, a very good private school in Georgia, they have a good program and they had a lot of connections for students. However, even without the connections, I would have been straight because I was able to develop my skill-set by reading alot (on my own) and practicing.

What's your degree in? I already went to school and got my degree in marketing

I make pretty good money now in sales but I just hate what I do. So I'm looking elsewhere. An accounting certificate would be my easiest transition but I still enjoy working with electronics and computers.

 

[Kartel13]

Brehs, what's the average time frame to get your A+ certification?

BTW, the IT guy here at my work said the best way to go is the MSCDT route. Can ya'll verify that?

 

[krexzen]

Brehs, what's the average time frame to get your A+ certification?

Depends on your background and prior knowledge. It took me one month, but I already had a degree and a lot of time on my hands.

 

[McTwerk]

On Friday I crushed the building on that Certified Ethical Hacker exam.
910\1000.

Off to the Offensive Security Certified Professional for me next.

 

[Kartel13]

Depends on your background and prior knowledge. It took me one month, but I already had a degree and a lot of time on my hands.

My background in IT is 0. But I have a lot of free time. My degree is in BA/Marketing.

 

[krexzen]

My background in IT is 0. But I have a lot of free time. My degree is in BA/Marketing.

Have you ever looked inside a computer? Are you somewhat familiar with Windows XP or 7? If not then how quickly can you read and absorb an 1100 page book?

If you're really at 0 then it could take 3-6 months. If you're a quick learner then it would probably be less. I would say buy an A+ book and read through it twice. Don't focus so much on the test during your first read. Just do your best learning/absorbing the material, and how everything comes together.

I used the Mike Meyers book. It's a long book, but I think its good for beginners.

I also suggest Professor Messer's website.
Professor Messer's Free 220-70x CompTIA A+ Training Course | Professor Messer - CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Linux, Microsoft Technology Training

His free youtube videos are very helpful and you can dive into them immediately.

 

[Kartel13]

Have you ever looked inside a computer? Are you somewhat familiar with Windows XP or 7? If not then how quickly can you read and absorb an 1100 page book?

If you're really at 0 then it could take 3-6 months. If you're a quick learner then it would probably be less. I would say buy an A+ book and read through it twice. Don't focus so much on the test during your first read. Just do your best learning/absorbing the material, and how everything comes together.

I used the Mike Meyers book. It's a long book, but I think its good for beginners.

I also suggest Professor Messer's website.
Professor Messer's Free 220-70x CompTIA A+ Training Course | Professor Messer - CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Linux, Microsoft Technology Training

His free youtube videos are very helpful and you can dive into them immediately.

Yessir, I normally do all of my trouble shooting when it comes to issues with my PC. And yep, I went in and did a few minor things to my desktop, though most of it is plug in play (changed a harddrive, changed fan, RAM, etc). And I'm very familiar with most Windows OS

I got Mike Meyers book already but haven't cracked it. But I beleive its the most popular book when it comes to A+.

One point of experience I do have is call center experience. So my first route is tech support, obviously. As they say, you have to start somewhere.

 

[Mowgli]

On Friday I crushed the building on that Certified Ethical Hacker exam.
910\1000.

Off to the Offensive Security Certified Professional for me next.

What field are you trying to go into.