Breaking into the IT field. I need some advice..

[K6-Freak]

Hey everyone!! I have given up on college because all of the colleges in Arkansas suck. 4 yrs, 3.87 GPA down the tubes because all I want to do is work on computers and eventually become a networking guru. I don't really want to learn programming and that is all these colleges around here offer. NO HARDWARE.I hear that certification is the only way to go. So I got my A+ cert last Nov. '99. My boss said he is gonna move me up to their IT dept. soon, but I seem to be getting the runaround. I am stuck right now at a data entry position.

I would like to hear how some of you fella's and ladies broke into the IT field. I guess I just need some encouragement to hang in there or something. How did you guys do it?

[Axel]

My entry into the field was answering technical support calls for several major internet service providers for a year - then management - then telecom support - now I'm doing support management.

Thing is - I wouldn't be here today - this fast - if I hadn't gotten my college degrees - I stuck out that Pascal programming class as well - got my MBA degree in Business - got my experience in the field the hard way -

So - go back and finish getting that piece of paper - doesn't have to be in CS, though that helps -

Then go find a support call center and dive in - your A+ cert will definitely get you into their door -

Move to Dallas and go to Stream - international - they do support for dozens of different companies - doing on-line help is an eye-opener -

Go there with the idea that it is a "step" - not an end - stay about a year or two - learn as much as you can while getting paid - finish school - while at Stream, you'll hear about people leaving there all the time going to better jobs such as Software Spectrum or "it" groups in different companies - when you've had enough of the call center BS - start taking sick days to interview - then resign and really start your career.

but DON'T make the mistake of dropping out - that piece of paper will allow you in the door when a bunch of other certified people with oddles of experience get cut because they didn't finish college.

Also - grad school is the place to make lots of close friends whom you will keep in touch with for the first few years out of school - they will get you jobs and openings no one else ever hears about -

and that's the best advice I can give you - It's gotten me very far - and I've been lucky.

[K6-Freak]

Thanks for the reply. I am thinking about going back to school and majoring in computer information systems. I don't know if I should do that or try to get some networking experience and go for my MCSE. CIS is alot of business classes(mico, macro, acct, etc) that it seems like I really don't need to take. The MCSE route doesn't involve taking any BS classes that I don't need.( no business classes or anything)

Man, I hate making tough decisions like this. I am tired of just barely getting by with my puny paychecks though http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[wyvrn]

I took a similar route as Axel in my IT journey. In fact, I worked for Swbell Internet, in which we worked in tandem with Stream to support our customers as our base grew. Anyway, to make a long story short, you are going to have to start at the bottom and get your baptism into the IT world. You will find entry-level support with an ISP is an easy job to get, especially in the Dallas area--there seem to be a million companies there. I also quit college after four years, though your grade pt. is higher than mine http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

I too was frustrated with the software only approach to computers. However, quite a few of the network admins here at my workplace have Computer engineering degrees and made there way into Networking with certs. Certainly no reason to completely give up on your degree. In fact, your degree will help you should you ever want to change careers. I am going back to finish my degree as soon as my fiance has finished hers. I just think having that on your resume will put you so far past anyone who does not in a lot of companies, though certainly not all. But, it could not hurt to finish it.

I think getting an MCSE is a good way to go. It will prove that you have an aptitude for the networking scene, and will get you in the door to a broad range of companies. Most people agree that when you have completed that set of certs, the next step is CNE. I do not claim to know much about them as I am finishing my MCSE now, but if you want to be the top of the IT in your company, they seem to be a pre-requisite. These are just the experiences I have had, you may find an alternate route which suits you better. In any case, do not give up in frustration! No one wants to pay attention to you when you are just starting, so you will have to be your own cheerleader. Just gut it out and prove to people you have what it takes, and you will be fine!