Job in IT

[brucey034]

I am just about to finish a NVQ2 in IT, covering basic photoshop, dreamweaver, office etc.
What else should I study to obtain a basic career in IT ?
Where should I go next ?
Any help or guidance would be a big help.
Thanks.
Is it possible ?

 

[SiriusB]

It depends entirely on which sector of IT. It is a massive industry. Personally I think you should try and get a job somewhere - even if it is something at the bottom rung. Experience in IT accounts for a LOT. Qualifications mean crap if you don't know how to use those skills.

 

[J.B]

Well what kind of job would you like?

You might have to do some more training on top of the NVQ depending on what you want to do.

 

[Skeeter]

Get out of education, get into a job.

Learn on the job. Look for an employer who will help you get some accreditations.

I did 4 years at uni and what got me my first job was the 1 year placement I did, not the degree itself.

Companies with a culture of promoting within from the bottom up are good to look for. Starting on a helpdesk may not be glamorous, but if the head of IT on a 6 figure salary who is interviewing you was a helpdesk analyst in that same company 15 years ago, take note.

 

[brucey034]

Thanks.
Thank you for the advice.
Is finding a job harder the fact you have no proven experience ?
The old cliche of you can't get a job until you have experience, but you can't get experience until you have a job ?

 

[brucey034]

Get out of education, get into a job.

Learn on the job. Look for an employer who will help you get some accreditations.

I did 4 years at uni and what got me my first job was the 1 year placement I did, not the degree itself.

Companies with a culture of promoting within from the bottom up are good to look for. Starting on a helpdesk may not be glamorous, but if the head of IT on a 6 figure salary who is interviewing you was a helpdesk analyst in that same company 15 years ago, take note.

That gives me hope, thank's Skeeter

 

[Skeeter]

Thanks.
Thank you for the advice.
Is finding a job harder the fact you have no proven experience ?
The old cliche of you can't get a job until you have experience, but you can't get experience until you have a job ?

Might be an unpopular opinion, but in my experience this excuse is rolled out by people who aren't really interested in getting a job.

There are pleanty of IT positions that dont need experience. They look for someone of the right mentality to learn quickly. Im 3 weeks into a new job where I knew nothing about the IT systems I support. They weren't looking for someone with experience, they were looking for someone who was prepared to learn and had a good broad knowledge of IT.

 

[Raumarik]

Skeeter - I completely agree with you, I keep seeing far too many people aiming for server/network support roles who have no where near enough experience or skill to do it, yet they turn their noses up at helpdesk jobs which would set them on the right track to get those roles.

What people fail to realise is that there's a fair old whack of responsibility that comes with server and network orientated roles and people need a proven track record to ever get into them, 1st line support is often looked down upon but it gives you start and helps build up experience and customer handling skills which once proven become vital later on.

If nothing else a helpdesk role will help you decide what area you want to specialise in (if any) and most likely allow you to talk to people who are already doing that job.

Apologies for my grammar, I'm shattered tonight!

 

[AMG]

well I m in the same boat, only I only have a first Dip in ICT the rest I learnt from fourms...which is why I gave up on education.. but they all want degrees/expirance something which I don't have althrough I still may well have the skills they are looking for..

I wouldn't mind doing helpdesk through, a job in ICT is a job in ICT like most you start at the bottom and you rise through the ranks learn new skills and quifications which are damm site more powerfull than any uni can give ( microsoft certications etc)

 

[lokkers]

If nothing else a helpdesk role will help you decide what area you want to specialise in

Good advice - I started off on first line support 6 years ago, but decided developing looked more fun. Been a developer for over 4 years now

It really helps to find a company who are willing to invest in you, and flexible enough to give you experience in the areas that interest you. I wouldn't be doing what I do today if my first company weren't great like that. I told my first boss that I wanted to learn programming, and he said "great, if you do that in your spare time we'll find some work for you." I genuinely owe him a lot for that!

 

[ACE01]

Good advice - I started off on first line support 6 years ago, but decided developing looked more fun. Been a developer for over 4 years now

It really helps to find a company who are willing to invest in you, and flexible enough to give you experience in the areas that interest you. I wouldn't be doing what I do today if my first company weren't great like that. I told my first boss that I wanted to learn programming, and he said "great, if you do that in your spare time we'll find some work for you." I genuinely owe him a lot for that!

This is great advice.

+1 for the work your way up route

I started out with no formal IT qualifications (not even a GCSE) but an experience in building computers, and a passion for learning. I worked initially for a charitable organisation, built my way up to IT & Network manager then made the move into the telecomms industry (using my network experience, but essentially starting at the bottom). I've since moved up to Product manager, so this route CAN definitely work if you're prepared to do lots on learning in your own time, and you find a good employer.