I need help sorting my life out! Career in IT.

Alfie

Alfie

Alfie

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Joined
4 Dec 2008
Posts
1,620
Location
Sheffield
So i've reached that point in my life where I realise that all these years i've tried various paths in both careers and education and not yet found my niche. There has however been one consistent passion - Computers.

I understand a great deal of you that are in the IT sector would advise against it but i'm now 24 and it's time to earn some money and do something i'm genuinely interested in.

As many of you will have found i'm sure, the entry methods into the industry are many and above all confusing.

I am living in Sheffield at the moment so i've been looking at college courses there. I was wondering what you guys thought about these?

http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/index.cfm...7-919c-f135ed15ed7f&cmd=Course&Course=CFBIT1A

http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/index.cfm...7-919c-f135ed15ed7f&cmd=Course&Course=CFDIT1C

Are these a good way in? I'm not entirely sure which specific area I want to get into. what other courses/options would you reccommend.

All I know is:

*I'm always building computers for people.
*I always end up the unofficial IT support wherever I live/work
*I enjoy setting up networks
*I want to learn more, including some programming and some serious knowledge of networks.

I know this isn't all that specific but there is an endless sea of info out there and i'm totally swamped and confused.

Thanks in advance for any support/assistance.
 
Get a job as 1st/2nd line support with your experience you will find it a breeze but it adds to your CV, then in your spare time get a few certificates (MCP etc).
With industry experience combined with a few certificates it will be much easier to dictate the direction you want to head in :)

I wouldnt bother to much with college courses
 
Thats the kind of help I was after, does everyone else agree?

The problem is that all the 1st line support jobs i've seen in sheffield require experience/quals in IT which I don't have despite the fact I am probably very able to do them. Even 12k support jobs I seem "underqualified" for.

My CV is pretty good overall and I have excellent people skills but there's a lot of competition out there.
 
Alfie said:
Thats the kind of help I was after, does everyone else agree?

The problem is that all the 1st line support jobs i've seen in sheffield require experience/quals in IT which I don't have despite the fact I am probably very able to do them. Even 12k support jobs I seem "underqualified" for.

My CV is pretty good overall and I have excellent people skills but there's a lot of competition out there.
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Its a bit pot luck really, having got into the sector myself with no prior experience it is certainly possible
1st line support is geared more towards customer service. So make a point of any roles that are customer service orientated and emphasise as much as you can in your cover letter how technical minded you are with snippets of projects you may have taken on either in previous jobs or as personal gain.

Your biggest hurdle will be getting your details passed on by agency's so try to apply directly to the company involved if you can :)
 
The MCDST course is pretty easy, I reckon you could have that under your belt in a couple of months. You sound like you have more techincal knowledge than a lot of helpdesk staff I've worked with, just keep applying and someone will snap you up.
 
Well personally, I think experience and knowledge is more important than any college course when it comes to 1st line support.

I myself work on a IT Helpdesk doing 1st/2nd line, and we are currently employing people more based on their willingness and enthusiasm than qualifications.

Obviously they also need to be able to show a knowledge of troubleshooting processes/know-how aswell, but looks like you already have that?

I would say your best option is to apply to a few 1st line helpdesk rolls, and see how you get on!

The worst they will do is say "go get x qualification", they may even give you the job if you show some skills :)
 
If I make a good impression and get some certificates in my spare time can I expect to move up the ranks fairly quickly?

I'm going to have a go at re-writing my CV and gearing it towards a 1st/2nd line support job. Would you guys mind having a look over it if I post it up here?

I completed just one year of a biology degree last year (which I hated) and I failed one module by 3% meaning I failed overall despite having a 2:1 overall based on 13 modules. I really struggled after 5 years out of education and it really wasn't for me. What should I do about this regarding my CV/interviews?
 
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Depends on the company and how much you put yourself forward.

We had a helpdesk guy employed about a year ago, and he got promoted to LAN above the helpdesk guys here, simply because he had gone out and got the appropriate qualifications in his spare time.

So yes, if you put the effort in to make yourself the best candidate to move forward, you will.
 
I took the get a job and get qualifications while in work option, and i'm glad i did.

Started working with a company on a decent wage and they are paying for my MCTS qualification and ultimately my MCPD qualification.

We have 6 tech support jobs going here - over in Rochdale (ISP, assume first line tech support, £17k-£19k depending on experience), should be a nice drive for you over snake pass every morning from sheff, PM me if you want more details.
 
Alfie said:
Thats the kind of help I was after, does everyone else agree?

The problem is that all the 1st line support jobs i've seen in sheffield require experience/quals in IT which I don't have despite the fact I am probably very able to do them. Even 12k support jobs I seem "underqualified" for.

My CV is pretty good overall and I have excellent people skills but there's a lot of competition out there.
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You have to apply to them anyway, not all jobs have realistic experience listed next to them. And as mentioned by others the soft skills are very important on the front lines of IT support.
 
Shame you live in sheffield - I'm in need of a tech support guy where I work in Cambridge.

As many have already said, getting a job in support is good place to start. Not only will this give you a wide range of skills but you can also look into specific sections to see if you want to become more specialised. For me I went from uni to Tech Support, then Sysadmin, and now working on infrastructure management; granted these have been for the same company and I'm the only IT guy, as my experience grew so did my responsibility. I'm now taking a MCITP course for windows server 2008 to further emphasise my desire to work in infrastructure (soon to be followed by some Cisco/VMWare certs).

Always get the experience first and then acquire the certifications that match what you're exposed to at work. I'm sure if I got my MCITP without having worked in a server admin role before it would raise a few eyebrows at job interviews.

You seem to be quite determined and focused on what you want to go. So good luck!
 
RiPz said:
We have 6 tech support jobs going here - over in Rochdale (ISP, assume first line tech support, £17k-£19k depending on experience), should be a nice drive for you over snake pass every morning from sheff, PM me if you want more details.
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Unfortunately I don't drive and I checked the train option and it's 4hrs travel a day. A big shame........Thanks for the heads up though.

I'm hoping most 1st/2nd line jobs are on site as I'm not currently financially able to learn to drive. I wish I hadn't left it this long but I was in a car accident a few years ago and it put me off. I think i'm ready though.
 
DiscoDave said:
Shame you live in sheffield - I'm in need of a tech support guy where I work in Cambridge.

As many have already said, getting a job in support is good place to start. Not only will this give you a wide range of skills but you can also look into specific sections to see if you want to become more specialised. For me I went from uni to Tech Support, then Sysadmin, and now working on infrastructure management; granted these have been for the same company and I'm the only IT guy, as my experience grew so did my responsibility. I'm now taking a MCITP course for windows server 2008 to further emphasise my desire to work in infrastructure (soon to be followed by some Cisco/VMWare certs).

Always get the experience first and then acquire the certifications that match what you're exposed to at work. I'm sure if I got my MCITP without having worked in a server admin role before it would raise a few eyebrows at job interviews.

You seem to be quite determined and focused on what you want to go. So good luck!
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A shame indeed! It's so kind of all of you to take the time to help. I feel much more confident about it already.
 
Really really don't do it, do anything but IT. It will ruin you love of computers and in ten years time you will rue this decision as the worst of your life.
 
You're welcome alfie, I'm very similar to you in respects to networking - its definitely an area I wish to get into someday, but unfortunately I found it quite hard to get into a "proper" networking role straight from uni. Most of them didn't even require a degree - just experience (5+ years) and a CCNP. The hardest part for you will be getting your foot in the door, I'm sure you will eventually, just be persistent.
 
a1ex2001 said:
Really really don't do it, do anything but IT. It will ruin you love of computers and in ten years time you will rue this decision as the worst of your life.
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:rolleyes: My girlfriends father works in IT and he has a nice house, 3 kids and a good lifestyle. He is happy and just as keen as ever. This does not and cannot apply to everyone right?
 
Alfie said:
Thats the kind of help I was after, does everyone else agree?

The problem is that all the 1st line support jobs i've seen in sheffield require experience/quals in IT which I don't have despite the fact I am probably very able to do them. Even 12k support jobs I seem "underqualified" for.

My CV is pretty good overall and I have excellent people skills but there's a lot of competition out there.
Click to expand...

Yes there is a lot of competition out there. However I work on a helpdesk and some people have been employed with little or no technical knowledge in the past. Only thing I can suggest is spam job sites with your CV and keep an eye out really.
 
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