First 3 Months in First IT Job
Hi Everyone,
I don't post here much, just scroll a lot throughout the forums. However, I can remember a time when I would read over the posts of other members feeling hopeless they'd never get their foot in the door and me feeling the exact same way. I owe a lot to this forum, and it has been a tremendous help to me and my career. I just wanted to start a post to kind of explain my journey, and also try to instill a sense of hope in the people who have been searching for their first opportunity with no luck.
After being laid off during the recession from a job in manufacturing, I finally decided to go back to school. I decided on pursuing an AAS in Computer Networking and Service Technology. When I was a little more then half way through my degree, I got what I thought would be a stable job with plenty of hours. It was in the day(had been working night shift in my previous jobs) and I got to travel. I got comfortable in my new job and stopped going to school again. Well after two years I was laid off again. This time I decided HAD to finish my degree. As I was finishing up my last few classes I had no idea what I'd do with my degree, nor did I get much direction from my school staff. I then stumbled upon this website. After reading dozens of posts, sometimes staying up hours at night, I finally had a direction and it was clearer then ever. Even though I had no certs and no degree, I felt I had a plan. I continued to finish my degree, and put in numerous apps with no luck. I was not deterred, however. I knew I still had work to do and after reading numerous posts on Techexams with sound advice I acquired my A+ and CCENT. Again, app after app with no luck. I did what I what I didn't want to do and went back to a job in manufacturing because it was the only experience I had. With hopes of one day getting into the IT dept. within the same company, I got a job back in manufacturing. In the mean time I kept applying to outside companies, I volunteered a bit, all while working night shift. Sometimes 7 days a week for weeks or months on end. After almost a year of this, I finally got an opportunity to interview for a help desk job at this same company. Needless to say, things went well and I've now been working on the helpdesk for 3 months and couldn't be happier. I'm doing everything I can to continue to further my skills and knowledge and I'm excited at the prospect for new opportunities.
I just basically wanted to let people know that there is opportunities out there. Sometimes masked ones, like in my case. You just have to be persistent. It's not always a clear path, but you have to remain focused, keep getting certified, and take any chance you can to learn. Hopefully my story can help you pick up that book again or re energize your ambitions. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for reading.
