n00b here, looking for a career change in IT?

Myshra · 2 Nov 2011 at 16:22

rickjames said:
I have tried a plethora of graduate roles within a variety of industries, I just can't catch a break.

I've also noticed my local college does a 15 week course in CCNA, says after successful completion of the 4 modules I can go to a test centre for Cisco Accredited Qualification, is that worth considering? £15 registration fee, hah.

Networking is a business in itself really if you like it. A CCNA is a good place to start if you enjoy this type of thing but I'd suggest you teach yourself a good understanding on bin/oct calculation if you have the time first. Knowing the OSI stack well before you go in there would be great too.

The test fee might be worth checking out first though, it can be quite a bit.

rickjames · 2 Nov 2011 at 16:34

Signed up to Certforums, there's some useful stuff in particular in relation to jobs. Noted.

I'll have to look into the CCNA, it sounds interesting enough and would be useful to have.

Ev0 · 2 Nov 2011 at 16:41

JayMax said:
cwjobs is my first port of call

Same here, used that for all the jobs I've gone for. 60% of the time, it works every time

rickjames · 2 Nov 2011 at 16:49

Ha, as I was just talking about it now with my parents my stepdad went along the 'theres tonnes of IT people with no jobs', lolololololol, then again he's rather ignorant when it comes to modern day employment.

I keep browsing through 1st Line roles on CWJobs, read the job description and get kinda nervy thinking 'can I do that?', is that naturally the case for people here who've started right from the bottom? They all want the 'experience' as well, hmm.

triggerthat · 2 Nov 2011 at 18:55

Do you really want to peruse a career in IT support? I ask because you have to be really passionate about it if you want to take it further. It's highly competitive, not very rewarding and doesn't pay well.

You have a degree. That's a good step. I would personally recommend a graduate programme, maybe in consulting. Logica seems a good fit.

Edit. Just read your post again. I think it would be easier for you not to change career and to strengthen your CV so you become more marketable and therefore get a job related to your degree.

rickjames · 2 Nov 2011 at 19:05

I've always had an interest in IT, so yeah, I think so. I did do a little bit of work for a school where my dad worked in the summer of 06 before going to uni. Just general stuff going around running system checks on dorm computers, logging stuff etc. I'm willing to put the work in for it, I enjoy learning new stuff.

Trust me when I say any entry path into the music industry is far more difficult and far less rewarding salary wise. Was applying for jobs from the start of my final uni year, didn't get absolutely anything.

triggerthat · 2 Nov 2011 at 19:20

rickjames said:
Trust me when I say any entry path into the music industry is far more difficult and far less rewarding salary wise. Was applying for jobs from the start of my final uni year, didn't get absolutely anything.

Didn't you acknowledge that when selecting your degree?

rickjames · 2 Nov 2011 at 19:30

triggerthat said:
Didn't you acknowledge that when selecting your degree?

Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have put the time for it, hah. Just not been able to catch a break despite knowing quite a few people. Haven't taken the decision about getting into it at all lightly.