Recently I’ve had a exciting couple of years of my life. I went from high school graduate to Security+ certified and searching for a job.
Now I have a problem. I’ve been looking for help desk jobs in Chicago or where I live (Zip 60525), and I’ve got very few leads (or situations where leads are hard to get). I’ve been trying telecom companies, various websites, colleges and hospitals, no luck so far. Am I looking for a wrong job? Or at the wrong direction?
In the wrong place. There are some IT firms with offices in Chicago, but a lot more on the coasts.
Interesting. Relocation is going to be a challenge since A. my parents don’t have too much and B. I’ve got nothing near the coasts. Actually, relocation isn’t going to work out for me until I get a sufficient amount of money. The rent in San Francisco is supposed to be more expensive than New York, so the coasts are way out of my range. Chicago’s no picnic, but I will save if I live with my parents in Cook County. No way am I living in a car.
EDIT II: But it’s still open if I’ve got no choices where I live. I may end up retiring in Chicago if that’s the case, but I don’t want to live in a car.
The issue with help desk is that its a dying field. Companies now just reimage when there is an issue - and that can be pushed by one guy from a desk. Hardware usually lasts until it gets tossed.
Security, however, is an expanding field. Look for jobs in corporations, healthcare, banks. Find an IT Security professionals group - a SIEM users group, a MacAfee users group - as many as you can find - and start attending meetings. Someone is looking for an entry level guy to review alerts and roll patches, and those entry level jobs are usually filled by “hey, my friend’s brother wants to get into the field” - so who you know will matter a lot - and you’ll make those contacts by getting out there.
And as a Midwest IT professional - there are lots of jobs in the Midwest. I’ve worked recently for companies in the Twin Cities that are dying for even entry level talent. We’ve had problems getting competent help to rack servers in places I’ve worked. I have no doubt the jobs are there in Chicago - you just have to find the right place to look - and then make sure you are considered.
(ETA, also make friends with your local security software sales people - they’ll know where the jobs are and be in a good place to recommend you. When I worked in Security, I talked to the HP guys and the MacAfee guys all the time - they knew where we were in terms of staffing, and knew the players in the area).
I always had a fascination with IT security, so I might look into these leads.
Are you working on a bachelor’s degree (in anything)? That will help open more doors.
Not at the moment, in one year after finding a job I’ll head back to college.
“Begging for food is less humiliating than begging for a job.” – B. Traven
His line of thinking was that people who will give you food consider themselves to be your equal and have sympathy for you. Those who can give you a job consider themselves superior to you, and lord it over you.
That’s supposed to be any assistance?
To the extent that enables one to put the task into a realist perspective.
Try looking for companies that place IT consultants rather than companies that need IT. Many companies outsource IT help now.
Use Monster or Dice. Both might actually get you some listings for this type of field.
Also, I’d PM Dangerosa and see if you can get some more concrete tips and/or company names. Are you willing to head to the Twin Cities for a job? You could broaden your job search there. That’s not too far from Chicago and I’ve heard similar good things about the industry there.
IT Security is not going away (and will only get bigger). (Look at all that “Cyber” talk the candidates are doing. ;)) In addition to the user groups, you might check into certifications or training classes you can work on where you are now. I know more training might be disappointing to hear right now. On the other hand, to stay relevant in IT, you’ll be in some form of training your whole career.
Well I never said I was not going to stop learning. Just not going into debt.
EDIT: I just hope when I turn 60 I still find a job.
Am I underqualified for most IT security jobs? Part of me things that just Security+ is not enough to get most jobs (and I mean internships), and without a bachelor’s degree, some doors aren’t as open- I fear. Again, I’m trying to avoid going into debt with my family’s situation and my situation right now (I don’t want to have bad credit for a very long time), and due to my physical capabilities, the military isn’t an open option for me, so I don’t have much. Also I need to seek a job soon, I can’t leave the program I’m in right now without a job. (It’s a requirement).
No. There will be companies which require a BS because they’re used to requiring it, but that’s a matter of corporate culture; many others will not. Sometimes a company is so used to posting wanted ads which are 90% the same, they will keep parts which don’t make sense when looking for, oh, say… a cafeteria cook.
Interesting. I was doing a search on Monster and I wasn’t getting much for leads…but maybe I’m searching wrong? I’m typing in “IT Security”, what would be a proper title for me to search for?
Interesting. Thank you.
Eh, question, my counselor has been favoring staffing agencies for me to find jobs, what’s your opinions on staffing agencies?
My take is that you do all the things when you are looking for a job. Networking events, staffing agencies, internet searches with blind resumes.
Time for an update. I just finished chatting with a staffing agency regarding any opportunities available, and there’s a couple, but they’re not full time. The program I’m in right now requires (or at least the Department of Labor who’s managing the program) that I work full time. 3 month contracts aren’t stable enough for me, especially if it isn’t leading to full time work.
I emailed the lead recruiter though, so hopefully he’ll find something.
Have you looked on Built in Chicago. I often peruse their job openings even though I’m not actively job hunting. I’m not in the tech field, but I’ve noticed the job listings feature a lot of tech jobs.