Prime example would be what I have been through. Here goes:
Left school at 16 after epically failing my GCSEs. My parents were clearly pleased with that. Anyway, I spent the next 2yrs resitting them (don't ask). Anyway by the 2nd resit, I got the same results as I did first time round.
3rd year in college I took on a BTEC National Diploma in Engineering. I will admit, I didn't learn much cos I spent more time playing football and what not. Anyway, despite that I somehow passed everything with Merit/Distinctions.
4th year in college and I do a BTEC National Certificate in Engineering. During this time, a lecturer saw my "potential" and advised me to enrol in an evening course he was teaching at another college. So I did. It was only 3mths long, but during those 3mths I enjoyed what I was learning (networking and such). I then had to take another course which was 6mths long, but the cost was the issue. When I told my parents, they didn't want to support me. Why? Cos I failed my GCSEs and didn't do any A-Levels. Clearly they saw my "potential".
In 2000, I enrolled to Uni (at my parents request mind, not my choice) doing what was listed as "computing". Turns out it was computer programming (BORE!). I lasted 6mths there. Well I 1mth really going to lectures and the 5mths thereafter in the computer rooms chatting to people online and playing online music videos (Launch.com anyone?
) During that time I had met someone and let's just say, I saw a way out of my life in London.
Cue 2001 and I move to Newcastle. Got off to one rough start. I had gotten odd jobs here and there but nothing that I was really wanting for myself. Anyway, I remember whilst applying for jobs (in London I had done a ton of retail work in the likes of Disney Store and Selfridges), I remember one of the consultants looking at the shambles that was my CV and she advised me that if I wanted to get into the field I was looking for, I had to start somewhere rather low and work my way up.
Let's just say, it was really GOOD advice. I got a job working in a nightclub which I did for 18mths. Enjoyed it a lot. After that, I managed to score a job in a call centre selling customers credit cards (it was good for a while), til I then realised "selling things" was not my forté.
By the end of 2003, I got a job working for BT Broadband and this is where it started to get good for me.
Fast forward to 2012 and I am now working in IT as a Helpdesk Support Technician. I have an A+ under my belt already and hope to get more certifications as time goes on. But put it this way, I have been working in the IT sector for over 6yrs now and I have never been happier than I am now.
So, no matter what people tell you, if you know what you want to do, do it! But also remember, life is not a race. I got my A+ way back in 2006. While I have learnt a hell of a lot since then and gained more experience and skills, I know that certifications are indeed needed and as time goes on I will get them.
Anyway, excuse the epic longness of this post, but just wanted to give you an idea how it worked for me. Another thing, apply to as many agencies as you can, and keep in touch with the people there. Even if you have scored a permanent job, cos really, you just never know.
To give you an even broader spectrum, my first "proper" IT job I got back in 2006 paid me £12K for being in 1st line support. The job I am in now pays a lot more than that. Ok so it's 2nd line I am doing now, but even 1st line support shouldn't be getting £12K, as far as I am concerned anyway. And I have been informed I am due a pay rise later this year. So, yeah eventually it will all work out
)
![[FnG]magnolia](/styles/overclockers/avatars/9.png){kind=avatar}
