Getting into an IT job, how hard is it?

FootballFanatic

FootballFanatic

FootballFanatic

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I am currently at college doing a computing network course. I plan to get a few microsoft exames under my belt in the next few months.

I know employers prefer experience to "paper" qualifications as more and more people get these exams and can basically just learn the answers to the questions and they are not valued as highly as they used to be. my lecturer said more and more employers during interviews are getting potential candidates to do practical to make sure they know their stuff.

so does anyone out there know how hard it would be to get into computer/network security, desktop support?

is the only option to just take anything you can get just to be in the door and work your way up?

cheers guys
 
I started in a 'pondlife' style position, basically lowest of the low. Pay started at 12.5K and i started 1 and a half years ago. Since then i have worked my way up to about 17K. Its hard work and a lot of answering the phone, but as i've learnt more and more i have started to get given more projects and interesting stuff to do.

Although you are in a slightly different position to me as i didnt go to uni, just did A-Levels and then worked in a shop/warehouse for a few years. So i suppose you could expect to start abit higher? Unless your degree has anything specialised about it which could help you outt if you go for a more specialist role.

To be fair though, if you good at it, it wont take you long to get noticed and start working your way up. Prepare to be unappreciated tho...;) People only notice you when things go wrong. lol.
 
Killa_ken said:
Im thinking about going back to the UK over summer and doing something like this, where did you look to find your job? :)
Click to expand...

I went on a job site that pretty much only covers the south east of England and a bit of London. May not be relevent to you but it was www.jobsinkent.com I applied for quite a few of jobs and i was lucky enough to find an employer who wanted someone with no experience that they could mould to what they wanted. It was hard work at the start but now i can do all the easy stuff without even thinking i can concentrate on the good/higher level stuff. Because were a small team i'm always kept busy and i've got no choice but to do the higher level stuff aswell. Otherwise, i'd just be stuck on the helpdesk going nowhere like i was in my last job.

I'll probably look to move on in the near future but we seem to be expanding and buying/integrating new companies so i could just work my way up where i am now instead. Only time will tell i suppose.
 
I did a similar thing to KiNgPiN83, I used to work in a shop, now I do basic Lifecycle Services work for my company. The company I work for is paying for some courses, within a year I hope to be up Supportnet way or Helpdesk. Again as more of a stepping stone to working in the City.

- Pea0n
 
Took me 7months to find an IT job after Uni. Im 1st Line support but i love it :)

Your better off waiting to gain experience before firing into the MS exams.
 
The networking course will mean jack, get an apprenteship and you will start learning. i did a 2 year course on IT Networking/troubleshooting. and i didnt even know what AD was at the end of it.
 
Ive just seen a couple of jobs as a 1st step into IT that need little or no experience.

what should i do? finish this year of college or go for the job?

if i finish i will have my HNC. not sure what the equivilant of this is in england. Im sure its like 1st year at Uni.

anyone got any advice?

cheers
 
you sure you will have a HNC? HNCs are normally part time as HNDs are full?

If i were you i would stick at college, i started working at 16 and getting qualifactions while doing a 48hr week is not fun :(
 
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