| Author |
Education Level & Job
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| NickL 2001-12-01, 11:38 pm |
| What education did you have when you got your first "real" IT job? | |
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| cassie 2001-12-02, 11:49 pm |
| Hi Nick,
When I came out of university with a BSc degree in Zoology, I got a trainee job with EDS. If I could go back to those times, in hindsight, I would have done a Computer Science degree or else got straight into an apprenticeship program of some sort, rather than spend 3 years on a degree that was very enjoyable but irrelevant to my career.
Cassie | |
| hard_coder 2001-12-03, 12:26 pm |
| It was my junior year in college. (as i worked towards a BS in Computer Science) I went to work as an intern for a company that was switching over from a VAX system to a Win NT Server / SQL Server system. My job was to write views, stored procs and migrate the old reports on the VAX to newly written reports using SQL Server. My belief is that for one to appreciate development in IT, you must pay your dues in reporting Hell.(hehehe)
Although, i didn't get paid much, the documented experience was well worth it. | |
| limsam 2001-12-03, 7:09 pm |
| Hi
I have BSc.Eng in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. In that field, I am just a Hobbyist now. | |
| chodan 2001-12-03, 9:15 pm |
| No degrees
Just a couple of microsoft Certs at the time.
I switched from a career in barbering to a tech support position.
2 years "and several certifications" later I am a network Administrator.
I am thinking of converting my certifications to college credit hours and pursuing a degree though "that is if I can find time between exams hehe"
Chodan | |
| limsam 2001-12-03, 9:21 pm |
| Hi Chodan
You have done a great job Chodan! I know CCNP is not an easy bait.
Perhaps, in the long term, you may need a degree. But, again if you can prove you can do it w/o it, it is fine. | |
| Gareth Leung 2001-12-04, 8:09 am |
| I have nothing at the time I've got my first IT job ten years ago.  | |
| sibley 2001-12-04, 8:10 am |
| I had a B.S. in math when I got my first IT job, but it was a training position and people were worried about the Y2K problem at the time. | |
| pikejl 2001-12-04, 8:45 am |
| school of hard nocks only when I started.... I did have quite a few college credits, but I only plan on getting some more certs. I've had my belly full of college and I'm not going back. | |
| ccieToBe 2001-12-04, 1:51 pm |
| I was a senior in high school when I got my first, and current IT job. A lot of places wouldn't talk to a high school student, but the few employers who would talk to me didn't seem to care much. They were more interested in what I knew then what formal education I had. Still, I think a degree is worth going for so I'm taking classes at a local college right now. | |
| Sotet 2001-12-05, 10:52 am |
| I was in school (undergraduate and graduate) fulltime back in the days of the recession and slow economy in the early 90s.
I completed a dual masters degree in political science and German. My thesis was on NATO expansion into Eastern Europe and German foreign policy. I had wanted to become a foreign service officer, but found that competition for such positions was very high and extremely selective.
As an undergradate, my major was Fine Arts and German.
I lived in Europe and went to universities in Germany and Austria while as an undergraduate and graduate student.
While doing all of this, I discovered my growing interest in the Internet.
After graduating, I held some vocational teaching jobs, a Y2K inventory job.
My first real IT job was helpdesk at a ISP. Now I work on online knowledgebase of products for customers at a large webhost. | |
| darthw 2001-12-05, 6:01 pm |
| I had earned my BA in English, gotten certified as an EMT, and was working for a medical equipment company for four years. The job was OK, but the company was small and the job was going nowhere. Seeing that as a possibility only a few months into it, I started taking IT courses and earned an AAS degree about a year and a half prior to getting my first IT job. Since that time I've earned a second AAS degree in Comp. Sci. and try to get certified in something every few months. | |
| RATTLERMAN 2001-12-06, 8:03 am |
| My degree is in Economics wanted to do e commerce but the dot coms went south on me | |
| RATTLERMAN 2001-12-06, 8:22 am |
| My degree is in Economics wanted to do e commerce but the dot coms went south on me | |
| presslr1 2001-12-07, 5:58 am |
| Nick:
I'm a electro-mechanical designer. I was working toward an AS degree in engineering when I decided engineering wasn't for me. I subsequently changed my major to Computer Technology. I earned the AS degree in CPT; however, I still work in engineering. I've tested the IT job market a couple of times and found that if you don't have at least an AS degree, it is difficult to start out making decent money. You can do it without a degree, but your base pay starting out is significantly less. On the other hand, certifications are an excellent way to get your foot in the door somewhere. My problem is that I've been in engineering so long (14 years) that I really can't get an IT job (probably entry level) making the same amount of money. That's why I've started working on certifications. I definately believe certifications will help.
Good Luck!
___________________
presslr1 | |
| RobSchrip 2001-12-07, 8:30 am |
| I had a Master's in Linguistics and was headed toward a teaching career. Took an elective class in "Computational Linguistics" and was hooked. Decided I'd rather teach computers than college students.
Was able to take several more grad-level classes in Computer Science (USC, Los Angeles) at no charge because of a Teaching Assistant position I held. Then, got an entry level job in tech support. No glamor there, but it got me going. Now, 16 years later.... | |
| jackiechan 2001-12-07, 5:31 pm |
| At University, I completed a Bachelor of Commerce. I did not find it interesting though and I had really no intention of becoming an accountant. It was until 1996 that the internet and windows mania started to explode that I got into computers. Now, I have a MCSE2000 and CNA. For corporate positions, I think certfications are the way to go. | |
| Crutch 2001-12-28, 9:20 am |
| I've got a BS in Information Systems. I'm getting ready to go back to school for an MBA. My first techie job was in the US Navy as a Data Systems tech. After getting out in 1993, I landed a job at Motorola in Tempe, AZ as a electronics tech. The money was pretty good, but I didn't enjoy working in Manufacturing. I knew there was a better way. I enrolled into college and worked fulltime nights, then went to school in the mornings. It was hard and long, but I finally graduated in 1999. 1999 was a weird year for me. I got divorced, sold my house, got laid off, then graduated college all in about three months.
I now am working in the Accounting industry supporting clients with both hardware and software needs. I'm also involved in selling new services and identifying new clients.
To tell the truth, it is hard to tell anyone what to get, cert wise. You should get your A+, Net+, and one or two MCPs (maybe even a CCNA). After that you need to find a job. I have seen too many people waste their money on certs they never use because their company doesn't support it. We don't use Cisco and don't recommend it due to the complexity. So, I have no need for a Cisco cert. But that doesn't mean that Cisco isn't a great cert.
I just depends on what you want to do. | |
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| To tell the truth, it is hard to tell anyone what to get, cert wise. You should get your A+, Net+, and one or two MCPs (maybe even a CCNA). After that you need to find a job.
It just depends on what you want to do. [/B][/QUOTE]
You have it reversed, You need to find a job first BEFORE you go for those certs. It depends on what past experience you have not what you want to do. | |
| Crutch 2001-12-31, 7:41 am |
| You're right Nick. Find a job first. You know, it is really tough these days. If you are employed already and looking to get into IT, do the A+ and N+ and get your name out there. There are plenty of companies out there that need someone with expertise, outside of the IT realm.
I have a friend that works for a Electrical contractor as their sys admin. The big reason he got the job wasn't the fact that he was "All IT," it was because he had 7 years experinence as an electrician and understood the business. The rest he learned on the job. | |
| wembley 2002-01-04, 8:06 am |
| I'm glad to see such diverse baskrounds. It makes my plan seem more realistic. My backround includes BA and JD degrees. Currently, I am 51 years old and will retire from my job as the District Attorney for my area in December 2002. I have passed my A+ and am now brushing up for my NET+(passed 70-58 last year.) Also, I will take the 70-210 prior to retirement. I just hope there is something out there for older folks. Money is not the issue since my retirement is quite adequate. I really want to do what I enjoy. I build my own PCs at home and do most of the simpler tech support in the office. Many years of courts and criminals does not prepare me for IT. I hope it does demonstrate the fortitude to do what I set out to do.
Am I worried? Yes. When I decided to go this route two years ago the job market was much more promising. Lets hope all things come to those who plan. | |
| Crutch 2002-01-04, 12:17 pm |
| D E S I R E. That is what you have. And the abilities you have! Having to deal with bad criminals and dishonest lawyers will definitely come in handy. A large part of this job is customer service. If you are friendly, outgoing, have negotiation skills and can calm the client, you have much more than a lot of people. Look to professional organizations when looking for a position. Accounting and Law firms are huge when it comes to technology. Your background could really come in handy. Ever think of relocating to beautiful Albuquerque? We could use a guy like you in our Accounting firm. Good Luck! | |
| Pavlov 2002-01-06, 1:37 pm |
| I had a BS degree in Business Management and 15+ years experience as a secretary when I landed my first IT job as tech support. | |
| Netman[MTSC] 2002-01-07, 12:09 pm |
| Just got my BS in IT in Oct, and got a job doing tech support here in Las Vegas in Nov. I also have an MCP in TCP/IP and Win NT 4.0. Now I'm working on an A+ and MSCE 2000.
I asked my friend who works for Alcatel if I should go for the certs or my MIS, and she said the MIS would be better for management positions that pay more. Also, you would not have to always be studying for tests. She makes six figures and has no certs. She said that experience and education are what companies are looking for, with certs as icing on the cake. Also, her salary almost doubled after she got her MIS. | |
| WarRoom 2002-01-18, 5:55 am |
| I am back in school to finish my Associate degree in Computer Networking Sysems after a year break to welcome my first son into the world. Long story short, I was offered a job as a network analyst with only a CCNA certification under my belt. | |
| Piranha 2002-01-19, 4:47 pm |
| When I entered IT I had an equivalent of a 2 year college degree(Business & Finance) (I am from Europe originally) (actually two 2 year colleges that I graduated from) and 2 MCP exams/certifications. I had no former IT background but studied my butt of before I got my first IT job. Once you're in it was easy to move on.
Piranha | |
| PotatoHead 2002-01-19, 5:37 pm |
| I NEED A JOB!!! | |
| TW2001 2002-01-20, 6:36 pm |
| Potato..Seriously think about a Degree.Not some watered down dime a dozen degree either.I think piling up certifications for the inexperienced/non-experienced may very well do more harm than good.I dont want to launch into the cert/exp/newbie debate.Im basing this on the amount of posts here and various other sites.This thread isnt about this I know.It is a thread to gain insight and ideas about how to get in.Maybe energy focused on volunteering time at non-profits,churches,schools or even in your community could lead to opportunity.Especially college...man I sucked it up..then got in to the field before I had my degree(which has slowed that down a tad) anyhow met a lot of people! and contacts.Infinitely more important than passing every exam out there to find out "oh sh*t it worked in my lab..the production environment is very unforgiving..
Anyhow...feeling a little outspoken tonight.You know what, I took that advice though. | |
| algerp131 2002-02-20, 12:45 am |
| I have an associates degree in programming and an associates degree in Information Systems. I want to continue and get a master degree in Computer Science but I need to get a job first and get my money supply replinished. So far, I haven't even been able to get a help desk position. I have a great GPA and a good work history before changing careers but so far no one has even called for an interview. I did co-op work at my college in the IT department. I've got my applications out in three states but so far, no takers. I hope after I pass my CCNA next week it will help. | |
| B.alkaff 2002-02-20, 5:55 am |
| I got my degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering before 6 Months. After that, 3 months I got a jop as IT Technician.
Also, I started a diploma in Information System Management before one year and I'll finish after 3 months.
So, what I need futher? CERTIFICATIONS!
My plan is to get Net+, MCP, A+, MCSA & CCNA.
If that happened, I'll have all of I want egree, Experince & Certs.
But after all of that, there is no guaranty of getting any better jop.
My current jop is with small salary(even with scale of my country Incomes).
So, what are the reasons for doing all of that?
It may be the desire of learning, having fun of challange & living with hope!
This is my opinion, what is yours? |
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