What's the current path for new guys?

Hey guys,

A buddy asked how to break into IT the other day. We're in SF area so the economy is booming right now. But he still needs to work on his fundamentals. He's a bit of a gamer but that's about the end of his skill set I believe.

It it were 5 years ago I would have him do this
1) Microsoft digital literacy certs (1-2 months)
2) Microsoft Office certificate of completion from the library (1 day week for 4 weeks)
3) A+ then Net+ (~12 months)
4) Learn HTML (~1 month)
5) Volunteer at Senior center/Library/Church to help people with their gadgets. (~3-6 months)

Then start applying for geek squad, desktop support and printer support jobs. While he takes CCENT/CCNA/Linux classes at the community college.

Is this still the path people are taking now days to get their foot in the door in IT support jobs?

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Comments

fuz1on

Probably head straight for A+ and try to get GeekSquad job. Get experience while obtaining Network+ then bug you for an entry-level Help Desk job.

Sometimes it's all about who you know, rather than what you know.

N2IT

This may not go over well, but I think mobility is a good IT niche to look at. A lot of these companies in the midwest are looking for entry level mobility support folks. In fact I've heard that a former fortune 500 actually split their service desk up into two skills. One side is your normal tech support the other is mobile support. Provisioning, BYOD support, Email, etc.

Maybe do a search out in the area and try to play that angle.

markulous

Thing is that experience is so important and getting your feet wet ASAP is key IMO. I'd personally say go after a MTA or 2 (unless money isn't a thing then go for A+/N+) and volunteer for some type of IT experience (church or protonic.com). When they have a cert then try to apply at a help desk or NOC job. Should be able to get a job within just a few months. Lots of help desk places that do basic stuff out there that will hire people with no IT experience. It won't pay much, but that's not important at first.

NetworkNewb

If I were starting from scratch I would probably recommend going right for the Comptia A+ exam and then MTA: Windows Operating System Fundamentals exam.

Then do the volunteering and applying for jobs.

If he still can't get a job with those, probably go for the MCSA: Windows 7 exam. That one takes more time and is alot harder than the MTA though.

networker050184

I'll go a little against the grain.

1. Get a very well written resume.
2. Learn to sell yourself in an interview.
3. Hit up everyone you've ever met that can help you get your foot in the door.

Getting certifications are great, but resume and interviewing skills are crucial for new folks. Knowing someone to put in a word for you certainly doesn't hurt your chances either.

Lexluethar

Go straight for the A+ and Net+. During that time / after you've obtained those certs start applying for jobs. Experience is key.

aspiringsoul

One thing that's been omitted from this discussion is formal education. While it's debated on these forums and certainly proven that you don't need a degree to be successful in the IT field...

You will be putting yourself at a significant disadvantage if you do not possess a formal education in IT and you are competing against other qualified individuals in the job market with similar credentials, especially if they possess a college degree, and you do not. All things being equal, they will pick the degree holder, every time.

Many companies have a strict Bachelor degree requirement for many of their employees. At the very least, you will eventually hit a brick wall in your career because of the lack of that glorified Bachelor degree. Many senior and management positions are now being filled be people with experience and graduate degrees.

Due to these effects of degree/credential inflation, I would urge any person considering entering the IT job market to seriously consider earning a degree from a NON-PROFIT "Regionally accredited" school. Stay away from the FOR-PROFIT "NATIONALLY accredited schools".

On the certification side, I recommend studying for the A+/Network+/Security+, although these certifications tend to not have the ROI that the vendor exams have, The knowledge that you gain from studying for these exams is essential...

Check out these free CompTIA training videos from professor messer: Professor Messer, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Linux, Microsoft Certification Training

After studying the exam objectives, and feeling confident about them, either move on and study for and take vendor exams like the MCSA, CCNA, or VCP5-DCV, or take the CompTIA exams if you really need to get your foot in the door. Just keep in mind that the Network+ doesn't have as much ROI from a marketability stand point as the CCNA does.

aspiringsoul

By the way, my first tech job was a Geek Squad agent. I ended up getting a job at a Bank as a Network Administrator after a few months because I had an Associate Degree.

NetworkNewb

networker050184 wrote: »

I'll go a little against the grain.

1. Get a very well written resume.
2. Learn to sell yourself in an interview.
3. Hit up everyone you've ever met that can help you get your foot in the door.

Getting certifications are great, but resume and interviewing skills are crucial for new folks. Knowing someone to put in a word for you certainly doesn't hurt your chances either.

I don't even care about the certs, the guy needs some technical knowledge, which it doesn't sound like he has much/if any. That's why I think A+ and the MTA: Windows Operating System Fundamentals is the way to go. Learn how a computer works and learn the operating system your going to be supporting.

Interviewing skills definitely help ALOT though. And that takes practice as well.

GreaterNinja

IT Path for newbies:
1. Get A+ Certification or MCP or MCSA
2. Land a Helpdesk or Computer Operator or Desktop Job. College, geek squad, dice, whatever. Desktop Jobs are usually always better as they are usually at least Tier 2. vs Tier 1 at HD.
3. Finish at least one of the following: MCSA, CCNA, CEH, CHFI, CISSP etc... Transition from Helpdesk, Operator or Desktop to Servers, Network, Desktop Engineer, Database, Security, Management, or applications team.

Notes: Most people like to get their foot in the door and then they stay at a position for many years. They fall victim to their own comforts.

networker050184

aspiringsoul wrote: »

One thing that's been omitted from this discussion is formal education.

I was assuming this was more of a post education "what to do" but certainly a young person starting out should be looking at going to college first.

Daniel333

Some good points here. Looks like not much has changed.

Getting the guy an interview isn't a problem. Between the various managers at my company and former coworkers I am sure that's not an issue. He's got a degree in mascom or something like that. I just want to make sure his skills are rounded off before I find him an entry level spot. Also sorta want to see if he's really dedicated to IT or this is a phase.

Daniel333

Quick update here -

Had my buddy talk to a few people in the industry, want to make sure he's serious. He's got huge gaps, that i think take him a while to break through.

1) He's taking a couple week long courses at the library in Excel and PowerPoint at the local library as we speak. He's finding it easy, but I insisted that he do it and try helping people there for the technical-customer service experience.
2) He attended a local Microsoft users group
3) He started an A+ class at the community college.

Let's see how this goes for him. I think that's enough for a few months?

Arod95

Oddly enough that's exactly what my technical high school had me go through. They made us go through excel/word/powerpoint and get the MOS certs for that, and then moved on to A+, and so on depending how much of a quick learner you were(Self-paced school). Really enjoyed it

Daniel333

Random update -

1) Buddy just scheduled his A+ exam 1.
2) He's been attending events left and right
3) He's volunteering and helping seniors once a week with tech

He's scheduled for a Juniper basics bootcamp and has been doing small networking jobs for a friends company.