Good day everyone, I am presently enrolled in a Vocational studies program under the ever so general and broad name "Computing Support". As a child, I played with the internet and realized at a young age that I had developed a thriving curiosity in computer networking and security. I have always been an avid reader and love to watch hacker movies (not for the use or intention of unethical, or black-hat hacking but just the thrill of watching them type fast, accomplish much with computers and such) I know it's strange but since it may seem an odd request, I ask that you at least have the sheer mercy and grace to listen to my request, at the very least. Furthermore, I have been told that I have great knowledge (though I really don't know much, just fiddle a lot with windows server, AD and DNS, OS's and stuff.. and I don't know what or where I want to go. Ideally, I am looking to find a path that will lead me to become a security specialist (or network administrator/engineer) because I love problem-solving and have working with various versions of windows, though I have attempted to move to Linux a few years back, I wasn't comfortable and therefore shredded back to using Windows. I would like to learn Unix/Linux and networking more indepth but have no idea where to start looking. My teacher has spokem to me and told me that I am at "certification level" but I do not believe that, mostly because I have not hd good success at practicing A+ exams (get between 70-80 each time :( and I really was looking for going to get MCSE or Network+/Security+ but am utterly confused and ask you experts here what advice you could provide (if you would be so gracious!) to a young man seeking guidance, direction and wisdom. By the way, as a last note, I am eighteen years of age and out of a job. I have no money and cannot afford books or certifications and therefore feel as though I am wasting my time in class (we just finished AD and I got 98% on my last exasm, but it was exceedingly simply) and I don't know what to do. All of my life I have gotten the sense that I am a failure and procrastinator, that people who know me think too highly of me or don't think of me as anything. To be frank, I fel as though if I left and dropped out of my course (don't plan on it!!!) and also don't know whether or not to go work after I finish in January. I still have some time to think, but what really gets to me and rattles my brain is that one of my teachers is telling me consistently that though I am young I should really contemplate University. Again, I do not know (last note: I am Canadian, we have CEGEP which is like grade 12-13 in other places) Moreover, for whatever it's worth, not to impose on anyone or anything of such a sort, but I am a man of faith, I have strong beliefs about the truth of the Bible and how it is God's inspired Word for all of us. Just feel like a bit confused and frustrateed, Please advise if possible? P.S I'll be glad to post more info if needed Blessings! Darin Thank you in advance Darin Luckie

I have always been an avid reader and love to watch hacker movies Know how people in an industry can't watch Hollywood's take on the subject? Like how people in the medical industry who can't watch medical shows like House and ER? Or forensics guys can't watch shows like CSI? Yeah, IT guys never have that problem. Not because Hollywood gets it right, but because their takes are so wrong it's hilarious. I have attempted to move to Linux a few years back, I wasn't comfortable and therefore shredded back to using Windows. If you're serious about CIS, that's a big mistake. Even if you never touch a *NIX box, you'll encounter plenty of specialized hardware boxes that run some special version of Linux. By the way, as a last note, I am eighteen years of age and out of a job. I have no money and cannot afford books or certifications and therefore feel as though I am wasting my time in class Try some PC repair and/or volunteer IT work. The experience is practical and will help you define the gaps in your knowledge. You may also find a direction to pursue. It'll also help you get money. Money is nice; I like money. All of my life I have gotten the sense that I am a failure and procrastinator, that people who know me think too highly of me or don't think of me as anything. Get some medication. I take Bupropion and Methylin. They've taken me from where you are now to a fully functioning member of society (and general Internet jerk). I am a man of faith, I have strong beliefs about the truth of the Bible and how it is God's inspired Word for all of us. Speaking of functioning members of society and the rules thereof, it's best not to bring up religion. Unless you're at a Church event. Then it's okay. "[R]eligion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God" (Thomas Jefferson). But honestly, I would avoid the entire IT field for now. There's a lot going on, and not all of it benefits non-India biased IT. If you have a second love, go to the small to mid sized businesses in that industry, then take on as much of the IT burden as the environment allows. Closing thought: Commas are not periods. Learn the difference.

"one of my teachers is telling me consistently that though I am young I should really contemplate University". That's exactly when you SHOULD do it. When you're young. It's very difficult to return to school after several years' or even a one year absence. Go to college. Work part-time, take out loans, get your Degree, and then you can figure out what you want to do. Good Luck. And, using proper grammar and sentence structure is important, as part of working with computers/networking/computer security, etc. is documentation, which requires PROPER spelling. Life's more painless for the brainless.

Dang, Jennifer. Are you still worked up over the grammar in Nick's "Google it!" thread?

I work in the IT Consultancy Business, and are always looking for trained IT staff. However most non vendor based training is not valued at all by the companies I have worked for (Except a degree maybe). for network Security look at Cisco CCNA. It's very hard and can be expensive to do exmas and courses, but you can pick up CCNA books on ebay dirt cheap. Microsoft (as you stated) is also a good way to go. get an MSCE (which is a bit of a long process), but again, get books and read, then take exams - start with 70-290 Windows 2003 server and get a MCP and work your way up. If you have a CCNA and an MCSE (not worth going for MCITP yet) most employees would snap you up. However.... Experience is key, but with a CCNA and MCSE, you will be heads and shoulders above your competition. Matt Hudski

thanks Matt! Darin Luckie

Razor, I ALWAYS get worked up over the butchering of our native language. :) And, people who admit that English isn't their first language invariably express themselves better than your average 15-year old. :) Life's more painless for the brainless.