Seeking A Career In IT

[Overslop]

I'm looking to start a career as a PC hardware technician, but I don't really know what qualifications I should be looking to gain. There are literally hundreds or thousands to choose from and I want to make sure I get what I need.

At the moment all I have is an ECDL Extra and an ITQ.

I don't know exactly what I want to do in this field but there are many jobs I would be happy doing. Basically anything involving things on a hardware level would be good, though I'm only at an intermediate level at best right now.

I've tried getting advice on the matter but it's not been easy. But I imagine that quite a few people here are already working in IT, so perhaps somebody could help me out.

 

[Mr-White]

are you talking about full time certs like A levels, degrees etc or free time MCPs, cisco, CompTIA certs ?

MW

 

[Jamesdavid3]

I would love to be a PC hardware technician, im 21 now and its something ive always wanted to do for along time, i did a 2 year ICT course at college(3 A-Levels in ICT), which covered loads of things.

I'm in the same boat as you, i can do almost everything a PC hardware technician can do, but just dont have the proof i can do it like having qualifications.

I have a real passion for it and i know ill work 100X harder and better than the people working there now just for the money, which annoys me.

 

[neil3k]

Apprenticeships?

 

[Jonny69]

I'm looking to start a career as a PC hardware technician,

I'm so sorry to hear that, you must be devastated

 

[penski]

I'm so sorry to hear that, you must be devastated

What he said.

*n

 

[Third Opinion]

If you feel fairley proficient at doing it then why not start your own business as a part time number. Read loads of books, study lots of forums and see yourself from being in the field what knowledge you need to gain.

If you are under 25 and really want qualifications then the apprenticeship route as mentioned before is probably the best way.

Contact your local Connexions for training providers in your area.

 

[RockLobster]

I'm so sorry to hear that, you must be devastated

haha.

 

[Hilly]

Apprenticeships?

That's how I started. Once I finished that, got taken on full time at the company I then diversified into bigger and better things. I used it as a foot in the door.

 

[RockLobster]

Often or not most IT qualifications from your local College don't teach you what you need to know. I'm not saying you shouldn't do them as some employers look at things like BTEC National Dips, A-Levels, etc. The best place to learn is at home. There's a great deal of information out there on the intawebz. Fiddle around with your PC, format it, partition it, take it apart, etc, etc. That will get you a headstart on most of the monkeys out there. Also approach your local PC shop work there voluntary on a Saturday just to get some experience. One thing though do you really have the passion for IT? If you don't get out now.

 

[wombraider]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dont do it!

Once you start down that path to the dark side it leads

 

[Kennysevenfold]

I'm so sorry to hear that, you must be devastated

lol

COMPTIA A+

 

[peter212693]

I currently work in a computer shop / repair shop. To be honest its boring me at the moment. Im very good a what i do ( not blowing my own trumpet or anything ) but I dont feel challenged. Just seem to get the usual " My wireless isnt working on my laptop" it comes and and they have switched the switch and its off.

Im not too keen on the shop aspect either, selling of computers. Im used to a lot higher spec systems from home and it just getss boring.

I did the BTEC Nation diploma in college and now have 2 year experience as a computer technician but I cant seem to get up the ladder anymore ( so to speak ).

Not been much of a help to the original post....sorry.

 

[Zefan]

Someone has to say it, might as well be me.

Have you considered the armed forces?

Paid to get qualifications !

 

[swinnie]

Someone has to say it, might as well be me.

Have you considered the armed forces?

Paid to get qualifications !

I knew this was coming, I just saw 'Zefan' as the last poster.

Good idea though.

 

[Seaniboy]

If you really want to get your foot in the door try looking for a 1st line support role.

 

[neil3k]

That's how I started. Once I finished that, got taken on full time at the company I then diversified into bigger and better things. I used it as a foot in the door.

No, you started by doing naughty things to the men who were interviewing you.

 

[penski]

Someone has to say it, might as well be me.

Have you considered the armed forces?

Paid to be gay!

*n

 

[Tom|Nbk]

*n

Could be worse, could end up working in a shoe shop or something.

 

[Jez]

I currently work in a computer shop / repair shop. To be honest its boring me at the moment. Im very good a what i do ( not blowing my own trumpet or anything ) but I dont feel challenged. Just seem to get the usual " My wireless isnt working on my laptop" it comes and and they have switched the switch and its off.

Im not too keen on the shop aspect either, selling of computers. Im used to a lot higher spec systems from home and it just getss boring.

I did the BTEC Nation diploma in college and now have 2 year experience as a computer technician but I cant seem to get up the ladder anymore ( so to speak ).

Not been much of a help to the original post....sorry.

Move to a company dealing with things other than desktops and end users mate, the desktop world is full of low spec machines compared with what you may have at home. What sort of stupid business would routinely buy anything other than near bottom of the line computers with how powerful everything is these days?