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Name: likelystory
For a few years now I have been using Computing .Net to solve a lot of problems both with my computers and those belonging to others. For everyones help I thank you.
I am now faced with a change of life. I have been laid off from my job as a sheetmetal mechanic for well over a year now during this time i have done many things incuding fix more computers here at home for pennies.
Through some coaxing of friends and family I have decided to go back to school to actually learn to do what I have been winging for a while now. I am having trouble deciding which way to go. I have noticed that the words "IT Pro" encompass a lot of different things. I want to be hands on not just someone entering data. The classes available to me are Network Administration, Network Support (CISCO), PC Support, Web Design, and Digital Design. I will take a job at a support desk if I must but would rather be the person that actually fixes the system not just tries to answere questions over the phone. I am not looking to get rich but would like to make a living. What I am asking is which of these courses do you professionals recommend to get me started in the right direction? Thanks for any response.Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!
I just saw a similar post in another forum from a 34 year old out of work carpenter who is considering changing his profession to IT.
Other forum members welcomed him and suggested various courses of action to achieve his goal. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I get more calls for carpentry then I do for PC repairs. I do both along with plumbing, masonry, painting and whatever other jobs I can do to make a few dollars. H1B Visas kill the IT profession for American workers because employers can higher foreign IT professionals at a lower wage. Supposedly, they have to advertise the job for a few weeks before they can say that there are no locals to available to fill the job. So they put an ad in the Amsterdam News in Harlem where they know that they won't find an applicant and that sets them free to hire the guy from India. That leave us needing a degree in computer science for a help desk job.I don't know your age but if you're over 35, print some cards for whatever work you do and start your own business.
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Hi, I'm impressed that you were able to solve a lot of computer problems leveraging Computer.Net while you were concurrently working as a sheet metal mechanic. That demonstrates versatility, initiative and talent. Hat's off!
Within the IT professional realm, I would suggest choosing a specialty that builds on your unique capabilities and interests so that you will have a natural advantage and enjoy the work.
Ask yourself:
-- Do you enjoy working more with hardware or software?
I would use this as a starting point to separate the functions in the IT professional realm.-- How much people interaction do you prefer?
If you are a software coder for a large company or application, chances are that you will not have as much people interaction than if you were a data communications technician in the same company servicing a business unit as example.-- Do you have artistic capabilities?
Having some creativity or artistic skills will give you an advantage in a web design and development role.-- How much creativity do you prefer in the job?
In a support function, you might be required to work from a prescribed script which may or may not involve much creativity.-- How do you feel about being on call 24x7?
Depending on the organization, being a network administrator can be a mission-critical function where you may have to be on call at anytime to keep the systems up and running.-- Do you want to freelance as a consultant or join a company?
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Here in Australia I commenced a dual diploma in Networking and Systems Administration.
The networking focus went directly to Cisco (CCNA) so is very proprietry. It does include learning about Various protocol and a fair bit of networking hardware. Holding CCNA quals is highly recognised and sought after. Funnily enough you will find companies that don't even use Cisco equipment will still seek out CCNA qualified applicants.
Systems administration covered a much broader spectrum. The learning involved nearly everything you could do on a p.c. such as Operating Systems installation, managing a server network (both Linux and Windows), learning Linux, securing networks, hardware installation, troubleshooting, backing up / archiving, .... the list really goes on. Actually alot of what was covered in networking was also covered in systems administration.
For me (and others) the toughest part was the immersion into the Linux OS environment. It is good advice to study the course modules, and if Linux is a part, get exposure first. Familiarise yourself with the security tools Linux has to offer and learn to run and secure the OS via the command line interface as well as the GUI.
Systems Administration was for me the most interesting and fulfilling course.
In the duration of doing such a course you could find there is something that really takes your interest and you can expand on it from there.
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Hi again, an additional thought...
If you haven't done so already, also suggest that you spend some time looking at job descriptions in the IT field. I'd suggest starting on a site such as dice.com, then monster.com. By looking at the various IT-related job descriptions, you can gauge a pattern of education requirements for the specific type of IT job in your geographic location.
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Wow I never expected so may responses.
To guapo: I am 42 living in N.W. Fl.. What I am looking at here is I see a lot of jobs posted every day for every thing from help desk tech. to network admin.. These are all small local companies. I am sure these are lower paying jobs by comparison to the likes of IBM and the likes of the multinational places. I am hoping to get something say in inhouse support for one of these businesses.
To Radix-64: I think I am more geared towards the hardware side of things for the moment. I have messed around with various application software and would not mind more of the same however I do not see myself as being creative. I don't believe at least for now that I could come up with ideas for new software. I have not done much in the way of design but, I can not draw to save my life, don't really think I have an artistic side. I would like to be knowledgeable about what applications drive what. Web design though I don't think I am cut out for. I have been watching the local jobs. This is part of what promted me to go back to school. I do use monster have never heard of dice but I will check it out.
To btk1w1: I have noticed about 30% of the IT jobs posted in this area ask for CISCO. I don't even know what that is. I am wandering if I go Cisco will I still get everything else or do I need to take both classes. Like I said before I am not looking to get rich. In this area if you are making $20.00 plus an hour that is a big thing and you had better be looking over your shoulder because the job may not last. I am thinking around $12 to $14 / hr to start and maybe a few more down the road. I do want to open my options as much as possible not for money but to get the job to start with. In this area you can't really leverage school for money. There are too many trade schools in the area. Employers have realized they get someone just as good from one of the local trade schools that is just certified versus someone with a degree for less money because so many have tried to leverage their degree.
Thank you very much to all of you for your responses. I am taking a placement test on Wednesday the 1st. and should be in class within a week from that.
Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!
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Any time I looked for a help desk job, they wanted a college degree, which I know is not necessary. If you still want to go that route, I'd go for networking. That's where Cisco routers come in to play. The competition is too high in web design.
If you do what I suggested and start your own service, you could offer both. At 42, the chances are less of finding a good job when there are so many people in their 20s who can blow us away. I'm in my late 50s. I have less of a chance than you.
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I too once had dreams of working in the IT field. I'm a finish carpenter with 35 years experience and I work on computers for a hobby. I combine my carpentry skills with my knowledge of computers and I always get more carpenter work than computers to work on. I've come to terms with that and enjoy both activities a lot. I just turned 60 in January and my chances of competing with the younger guys is a joke. I'm also very slow right now with the economy the way it is. When I do go out to work, I make more money in a few days than I could if I worked in the IT field for a month. For me personally, I'll be a carpenter until the last breath, but I do enjoy the computer world as a hobby. Takes the pressure off when you do it for fun. Good Luck to you in whatever you do.
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I am not really looking for a help desk job but if at the time that is all I can get I will. I am looking into networking just unclear about Cisco. It does sound like the way to go though. It seems if I go that route I can still work on everything else. The job I am looking for ( I wouldn't reall say my dream job) is to become part of an in house IT program. I worked as a telemarketer a while back. At this place there was like 300 plus computers and one guy to keep them running. Not long ago they wised up and hired 2 more guys. I am not sure how much pay they get but they have both bought new cars and have families. This is what I am looking for. I need an understanding of the software I am sure but also a good hardware base. I am sure a lot of networking plays in there as well.
Another part of the reason I am doing this is I got injured several years ago and it is getting to where standing on a concrete floor for 8 hours plus a day is unbareable. I truly loved what I did because at the end of the day I had something tangible I could point to and say " I made that." I love working with my hands but, doing it with cold metal in the cold air has left me with arthritis in both hands, bursitis in both shoulders. I did give thought to opening my own shop but after Hurricane Ivan everybody and his brother did that in this area and now they are paying for it. I did research it in a big way. Looked into business loans and all in the end I just didn't see it as feasible. I have done a few side projects from time to time and probably still will but they are few and far between. Along the way I plan to learn some CAD drafting to offset my fabrication skills. Maybe I can eventually put the 2 together. I fear the Cad classes boring though as I have already been doing that for several years out of necessity where I worked. We will see.
Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!
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Bursitis in both shoulders...gawdamighty. Many of us, during our lives, have learned to do many things that don't have to do with auto mechanics, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and so forth. Building and repairing computers is just one example.
You might bill yourself as a handyman service...no job too small. Insure you mention your background in sheet metal and computers; whatever else might apply. In California, landlords are looking avidly looking for someone who can get their rentals up and running for minimal expense. I get a lot of business because I can "make a silk purse out of a sows ear"...and know residential and commercial building codes.
Whatever you do, making the customer believe he's getting maximum value for his dollar and giving it to him is paramount to you staying busy. You want to be the go to guy in your area but you don't want to toss your life savings in the trash starting a business.
Skip
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What I see as a shortage is the proverbial jack of all trades in the computer field.
There are many small businesses that can't afford to hire a full time person to service their computer needs. Also, municipal offices are ripe for someone that is capable of doing it all.
In the municipal end there is also opportunity to work in the Public Access field. Everything from running the cameras when recording meetings to creating content and maintaining the equipment. Most politicians don't know squat about this field but virtually all municipalities have some sort of Public TV channels and Websites.
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I don't think there is a shortage of them.
For every job, full time, part time or on call, there are 100 others who can do it and who want it.I had an on call job as a jack of all trades for a mortgage company but the owner became very cheap as the economy took a dive, so I quit. The bad economy didn't stop him from playing cards and going to the casinos. When someone tries to talk you down, ask him when the last time they were in casino?
Municipalities are civil service jobs. Forget about those unless you're connected politically.
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guapo
I am involved in the local public cable TV. In our community an elected official is currently in charge of cable operations. He really doesn't want to do it. The community doesn't want to hire a union employee. What would be ideal is a part time person or a contract person that would work without benefits. Get a couple of jobs like that and you could do OK.
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Actually I do find a handfull of these jobs falling under civil service and while I do not see my self as connected I do have my foot in the door I just lack the training and that little certificate. I was inline for an entry level job with the county here last year and if one less certified person had applied I would have gotten in on work experience. It only paid $11.82 per hour while on probation (6 months). I have seen a few help desk jobs go for $7.60 per hour.
Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!
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I have to say that being a member of computing.net has
helped me immensely in many ways.
Instead of schooling, learned hands on about repairing
PC's as well as website working.
This gives me the chance to help others for a small fee
and sure keeps me busy. Then topping it off with
photography, my time is filled up.I didn't find the need to attend classes on these things.
Luckily I was interested enough and became a fast
study in these different fields. I feel that someone that
has an interest and works hands on is quite more
handy than someone that is class taught.
So my advice would be, follow your dream, the sky is
the limit. Also the cash benefits work out great! LOLAs was suggested, print up some good business cards
and go to town!Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers
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If it is Cisco you are interested in there are free videos online from the CBT Nuggets team.
I have had the good fortune to see their full release videos and they are very good.
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/webapp/vi...
Get a hold of "Packet Tracer" also. This is created by Cisco as a training tool, you can create a network topology and learn the different types of data transfer media and work on various router interfaces create subnets and much more.
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$7.60 per hour for help desk?? I made more than that when I was a day worker. Sometimes I struggled when work was slow. When I took a job for $10.00 per hour, I struggled all the time. I quickly realized that it's better to struggle part of the time than all of the time. They can keep their 10 dollar job.
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Hi, if you are leaning towards networking and a Cisco job, suggest that you also take a look at CCNP® (Cisco Certified Network Professional). You can find detailed information (syllabus, exam schedule, prerequisites, certifcation requirements, etc.) on Cisco.com. Having a Cisco certifcation will give you an advantage over those that don't.
I did a check on Dice.com for the state of Florida for Cisco jobs and saw that CCNP was highly desired.
I'd like to point out that there are many ways to achieve your goals if you are willing to be flexible, persistent and focused.
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Thanks btk1w1 more research cool. I am leaning towards Cisco as it seems in this area I may not need it but it wouldn't hurt. From what I gather the two networking classes are the same with the addition of Cisco so if I take that class I don't have to go back and take the other. I have downloaded Packet Tracer 4.11 it looks cool I'll play with it in a bit. Will be watching all the videos too. Lordy haven't even started school yet and already I have home work.
10.00 per hour isn't that bad here. Our cost of living is pretty low here.
Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!
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Also I am wandering, should I buy any tools before I start class. Multimeter maybe. The hand tools I have have been good for what I have done and I imagine I could get by but is there anything in particular I should have, besides screw drivers, tweezers and needle nose pliers?
Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!
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Hi, I'd suggest contacting the education institution regarding if you need to purchase any specific tools for the class rather than go out and purchase tools beforehand. You never know, they might provide tools or provide you a specific materials purchase sheet.
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Starting your own IT business has also interested me. I found this web site that is a great modivator in starting out.
http://www.technibble.com/categorie...
Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals ... except the weasel.
~Homer Simpson~
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I started class on the 15th. I would normally say I was bored to tears as right now all I have done so far is learning how to type. However I find I am actually learning again and it is so cool. Funny thing is I always seem to end up taking breaks and helping some of the kids in the class that are a lot further ahead in the class than I am fix some of the problems they run into. I still find myself trying to hunt and peck but I am getting better. The instructor from the Cisco class gave me an old laptop that doesn't work and a bunch ( 11 ) different Cisco discs. He told me to put one of my Linux OSs on it when I get it going and he would show me how to set up a virtual network, when we both have some down time, so that I will have something to play with during the first part of the class because he knows it can be borring at the begining.
Practice makes perfect but only if you practice perfectly!
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yellowbelt, that's an awesome page! I repair PC's as an extra source of income and learned something from that!
Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers
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