I know I want to get a job in IT, even entry level would be a heck of an improvement to my current job. Even better, I just found out that you can just go take the Microsoft certification exams without any classwork. I work fulltime, so self study and then taking the test would keep me a lot more sane than night classes.
I have a good relationship with the IT dept in my workplace. Two of the employees are some of my best friends, and I hang out sometimes with the head of the Dept. I think if I could just get some certifications, they would definitely give me a shot at learning on the job.
But I’m not sure which “branch” to get into, what tests to take etc. So I guess I’m looking for any pointers to a complete newbie, especially for how to self-study (best books, etc). I am a technical person, can use computers well, know what DNS is and just basics.
Do you want to work at your company? Or do you care? If you want to stay there, try to get on the phone helpdesk. Great place to start. No one wants to do it, you’re always looking to move up, but you’ll deal with all sorts of different issues as well as learning to decode what users tell you. Either that or if they have a tech level 1 breakfix tech.
If you’re wanting to go elsewhere, see if there’s a consulting shop in your area, like Pomeroy or Prosys. See if you can get on again as a tech. You see lots of different issues, and quickly learn how to support yourself and find out the things you don’t know.
Certs and tests are great, but hands on experience is more important starting out. A Microsoft cert with no experience means nothing.
I’m confused. The IT guys on my campus are scrambling to rewire stuff, replace dead switchers and routers, install and upgrade new pcs, and tons of other things that cannot be outsourced.
Yes I am trying to get a public sector job at my current campus, the head boss needs to see some certifications so that when they’re hiring for a new position, I can be considered. I probably would consider something other than IT if I didn’t have a leg up on the competition in a way.
Easist way? Just ask the IT guys you hang out with to hire you. That’s that “job networking” bullshit they tell everyone to do but no one does because everyone’s looking for jobs. Since you hang out with the department head ask if he’s hiring, and what it would take to get him to hire you. He’d be more than happy to give you a list of qualifications. Even ask about interning so you can know the ropes and see what you like and what you don’t. Easy certs to get are A+ and MCSE, I would start with those.
The crack above about horseshoes refers to the fact a lot of IT jobs are being shipped overseas to India, where they pay $50 a month and a sack of rice. These are mostly programming jobs where they can follow a set of instructions and bang out some programming.
Not worthless… but, they’re largely vocab tests. CISSP is a good example. I’ve got a couple of certs (all in InfoSec). Once you’ve got the big items down (and being able to think like an attacker helps), they’re pretty easy. The CISA is a fairly easy cert for someone with rudimentary IT knowledge.
I’ve picked up CISSP, CRISC, CGEIT, GSEC, and PCI-QSA, and found none of them to be particularly challenging. YMMV, but if you know how the tech works, and know best practices, you’re in a strong position
ETA: InfoSec is a subdiscipline of IT, so my answer may be too specific. But everyone needs InfoSec (almost everyone).
It’s not that they’re worthless as much as everyone thinks that once you have one you’re set, you’re going to get a great job with a ton of money. So, you’ve got lots of places teaching the test…you learn what’s on the test, but that doesn’t mean you actually know what the test is about. Which is painfully obvious once you get a job. But, it’s easy for HR to put those items in an AD, and they don’t know any different.
Then there is the braindumps that exist, which specifically give, with a few wording modifications, the actual test questions and answers. Mix in training tests like the old Transcenders, which were a braindump dressed in a fancy package, and you’ve got a test that loses its worth, cause anyone can pass it. This is mostly the MCSE, MCP, A+, those types of certs. CCNA and CCNP are a bit harder to get braindumps on, but you can find them.
Sorry, I really didn’t make this part clear. I have already done that, and he said he needs to see some certifications, he said the “microsoft” ones were good, he is very knowlegeable and knows I don’t know a ton, so he didn’t get more specific. When I look at the community college IT programs, they have IT web, IT business, etc, and I really don’t know which classes to take, or what certs specifically.
I cannot intern because I work a fulltime job, and I don’t think they intern here, I work at a community college. Definitely going to check out those certs you listed. This is the most helpful reply so far, thanks a bunch.
Are the IT guys saying they would seriously consider hiring you to an entry-level IT position if you got the certs, or is it more the case that they are saying “Get some certs, then maybe we can talk.” Reason I ask is that, while you can pick up some solid fundamentals if you take the studying seriously, experience tends to be the primary consideration when hiring for IT jobs. Even if you got the certs, would they realistically be willing to hire someone with no experience? I would get solid clarification on this before embarking on any IT study program.
That said, what kind of environment are you guys running at the college? Is mostly a Windows shop (Windows XP, Vista, Win7 on the desktops/laptops, Windows Servers in the back)? Or are there Mac desktops/laptops and *NIX servers in the back?
From the Department Head’s response, I’m going to assume you’re mostly running Windows. In this case, the entry level job is likely going to be a desktop support tech role: plugging in computers, installing Windows and programs, fixing people’s MS Office issues and web browser issues, that sort of thing. For that sort of job, the relevant cert tests are:
-Exam 70-270:
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
–and/or–
-Exam 70-680: Windows 7, Configuring
-Exam 70-642: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
–and–
-Exam 70-640: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
Some further points.
For the XP/Win7 test, try to test for the desktop OSes that the college actually uses.
For the Windows Server tests, you will likely not utilize most of the knowledge you gain. But they provide a good knowledge foundation since your desktop computers are typcially connected to back end server systems of some kind. And it demonstrates to the Department Head that you’re serious about getting an IT job.
MS offers two certification tracks, Windows 2003 Server (w/ Windows XP) or Windows 2008 Server (w/ Windows 7) tracks. Most of what is learned in the Windows 2008 track is applicable to the Windows 2003 track. Further, the Windows 2008 track will retain relevancy for a longer period of time. So given the choice, you should follow the Windows 2008 study track. However, you need to check with your IT guys regarding what you run. If they run Windows 2003 with XP desktops, you might consider studying for the Windows XP and Windows 2003 tests to secure a job.
Be prepared to set up a test computer lab at home. A couple of desktops and a Windows server all networked together is fine. It’s challenging to study for these tests without being able to touch the operating systems and click around menus.
And then as an interviewer, you get a ton of applicants with certs, but no experience - and in this job market - a ton of applicants with experience but no certs, and a few with certs AND experience.
I don’t mean to be discouraging, but those entry level IT jobs are quickly becoming “set the hardware on the desk” because some guy has created an image that gets installed via PXE boot. Applications are installed to be “self healing” Hardware is pretty solid until the warranty runs out and then you throw it away. Active Directory lays down a profile off a GPO. And if a user has a problem with Excel - he’s told to Google his own answer, we don’t staff to help you with pivot tables. And you don’t need an MCSE to unpack a box and plug in the USB mouse. The help desk - they are in China and outsourced - when we don’t make you log your own call via a web interface.
As to the guy creating the application package which self heals, or the one developing the PXE image, or the one writing the profiles - Mine have B.S.'s in computer science, not MCSEs.
Since you have an “in” ask your “in” for what specifics he’d be looking for. Have him be honest. If you were talking to my desktop manager he’d tell you he’s cut headcount and no one quits - when the last guy retired, we didn’t replace him. Technology allows him to do more with fewer people.
I am 90% sure when the state budget gets back to normal and the hiring freezes lift, I could get an IT job without experience if I had some certs. Part of,my job is servicing the IT dept and I do a much better job than my predecessor. They know I work hard and am willing to learn. You guys keep harping about experience… I was under the impression that’s what an entry lvl job IS.
Certs and no experience may have been a decent path to an entry level IT job in the 90’s, but that’s less true today. Especially given the overall high unemployment rate, even entry level job applicants can have a year or two of experience. The experience might be pretty informal; a guy who helped out his department with computer problems because they didn’t have a dedicated IT guy, volunteer work at a non-profit, helping students get on the wireless network at a student computing center, that sort of thing.
Your situation is different because you actually have a relationship with some of the IT staff, so you have a way to get your foot in the door. It also sounds like you have some basic understanding regarding how computer networks work. But for IT-related jobs in general, experience tends to trump credentials and certifications.
The problem is that there are a LOT of IT hobbyist. People who HAVE experience without ever having a job. Plus a lot of people who have experience who got laid off. So entry level means 1) having done programming and desktop work as a hobby activity for several years or 2) having been the last hired, first guy laid off at the last job you had. And its a shrinking field - at least the type of IT job you are talking about.
You DO have an in, but if you in is as good as you think it is, talk to the hiring manager about which certs he is looking for - not us. If he is not giving you specifics, he may be blowing you off because he doesn’t see a career path.
Might also want to try working in my area, small biz and home user repair/support.
You learn how to do damn near everything at some point, learn basic support for dozens of common business apps and most importantly learn how to think and learn how to interact with people.
Dealing with the customers or coworkers you support is one of the least emphasized and IMHO most critical aspect of the job.
Learning how to see a problem through a lay users eyes and describe it to them in a way they understand, without sounding condescending can get you a solid steady income doing virus cleanups advertising only on craigslist.
The CL route also might get you some side experience and if you keep it cheap, people wont expect dazzling and you can always choose not to charge if something proves beyond your skills.