New here looking to get out of dead end job path

I've been working in Call centers for the last 10 yrs and am tired of it. I want to get into the IT field.

I was netware CNA certified back in the early 2000's. I did a few jobs on a temporary basis back then but nothing I can put on a resume. I have no formal IT training at all. Most of my knowledge is learned by doing for myself and friends and family. I have built and repaired many computers both mine and friends and family. Again no formal training in any of this.

I am not sure what route to take. I was looking at the MTA certifications
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Windows Operating System Fundamentals 98-349

Windows Server Administration Fundamentals 98-365

Networking Fundamentals 98-366

Security Fundamentals 98-367

I thought I could get those then move on to MCSA 70-680 and 70-685. I am not sure if an A+ certification would be also good to have?

I don't have the funds to attend formal training classes for these certifications. I can buy books for them and have several at this time. I also have Lynda.com and Udemy access.

Now I have no preset knowledge about the IT field. I am looking for an entry level position. Again my experience is all personal nothing formal.

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Comments

soccarplayer29

Based on your limited experience and funds I'd start with A+ and use professormesser's free training videos.

After passing the A+ certification I would begin applying to help desk positions (knowing you might not land one) while simultaneously doing Network+ or CCENT or a basic microsoft cert (MCSA 70-680 and 70-685). You probably won't be doing server work for awhile so I'd focus on these first based on what interests you and what positions in your area are looking for (using indeed and looking at the job postings is generally a good idea to identify what gaps you can fill to land the position you want).

I haven't used it but I've heard good things about cybrary.it for free training videos also.

10Linefigure

I think you should do the CompTIA A+ and MTA: OS 98-349. Those would be a great place to start. After that, choose a path you feel comfortable with and go for it. College is also great in addition to certifications. If you don't want to do a full degree, then a certificate from a university paired with IT certifications would be good. Best of luck!

Dakinggamer87

WGU might be a great option for a college degree since you gain a ton of certs along the way. It might be something worth looking into as you gain experience once you find that first opportunity.

sparker366

Thank you all for the suggestions. I do appreciate them. I just realized I should get the CompTIA A+ cert first. I then can get the MTA: OS 98-349 after that. I have a subscription to Lynda.com and they have a A+ cert course. I also found it on Udemy.com for both 801 and 802 for 10 bucks each. Also registered for cybrary.it I will use all them to study for it. I have a very good understanding for the Comp TIA A+ certs so the material should be very familiar to me.

Since I replied to this please other chime in with suggestions if they differ then what was said. I can't afford a degree so certs are the way I need to go.

Params7

Go with A+, I think with your long call center experience + tech knowledge you'll find a helpdesk gig quite easily. Once you get inside, work with the technology to see what stream you want to further focus on (networking, server admin, etc).

eansdad

The MTA's have 0 value for the job hunt. A+/Net+/Sec+ are the standard for moving into and up Help Desk/Desktop support. CCENT is another good one for networking and half way for a CCNA. Any Microsoft cert for either 7 or 8 would be good also. You should really nail down what it is you want to do long term then create a cert path that will get you their. Also something like WGU for a BS degree and some certs could only help you. WGU is very affordable as max Pell can just about cover a years tuition.

sparker366

WGU does look like a nice program. I am currently unemployed and based on my credit history doubt I would get any financial aid.

What type of positions should I be looking for? I am not sure if I want to stay in the Call Center routine even though it would be IT related. As for a long term goal not sure what that would be. I am 53 yrs old right now. I really am not sure what type of jobs are out there in the IT field for entry level.

Going the A+ route what is the best way to study for it? What time frame should I put into studying before going for the tests?

Sorry for all the questions but I need to find some type of career field that I will like.

Again thanks to all for your replies. I do see that A+ is the route to go then add either some MS certs or some Cisco certs. I would probably get the other certs once employed in the IT field.

markulous

I am pretty sure they don't care about your credit history to get financial aid as long as there are no outstanding school loans that have gone to collections. They make a killing off of those loans and with you unable to file bankruptcy on them, they'll approve almost anyone.

Bob-Lob-Law

If you get your Security + cert, you might want to look at an Information Assurance (IA) path. If you live in an area where there are military bases, they are usually looking to hire IA. It might be a little hard finding an entry position, but once you get your foot in the door, you can go pretty far. You just have to keep working on getting your certs.

eansdad

A+ isn't really that hard, especially if you have an IT back ground. Generally people start in the Help Desk/Desktop Support positions then move on to NOC. Systems or Network Administrators. Some lucky few have been able to jump past traditional HD and DS. Continue to look for jobs in your area. Get an idea of what interests you and use their posting as a template to map out your path.

As Markulous pointed out financial aide doesn't really care much about credit. Pell is need based and Stafford loans are just after that. The only loans where credit is considered would be actual bank student loans but those are a last resort for people that make to much for Pell and Stafford. Since you are unemployed check with unemployment to see if they have any programs for training. In NJ you can get a grant that will cover a good amount for in state community colleges and training programs. Also you should also be able to max out on Pell which would cover 95% of WGU actual tuition costs. Try to do both as the training program should be more hands on while WGU will get you your degree and certs.

sparker366

Again thank you all for the replies and insight. I need to secure a job fairly quickly and I really want to get out of the non IT call center positions. I found a A+ and Network+ training bootcamp close to my house for 3k. I can get the funding for this. WGU looks like a great program but am concerned with myself and sticking to it for the 2yrs it will take. I have child support obligations I need to take care of.

I am not trying to throw up roadblocks towards WGU. It looks like a great program but am concerned with the funding for it and me following through with it.

This is the BootCamp that I would attend. I did very well with the Novell CNA training I did and passed the test the first time. Instructor led training is better for me then self paced. I will still do Prof Messer's training before taking the class.

Training Camp Course Price

CagePotan

One more vote for CompTIA A+. After that, I would pursue CCNA, since it covers many vendor neutral things.

N2IT

CagePotan wrote: »

One more vote for CompTIA A+. After that, I would pursue CCNA, since it covers many vendor neutral things.

I noticed our company seeking people with Win 7 and Win 8 for desktop positions.

NetworkNewb

$3k for A+ and Net+ bootcamps... If you read a book on each of those and make sure you understand the topics in them you should be able to pass the exams. Maybe it's just me, and I know everyone is different, but I can't imagine spending 3k to get those.

You say you can get "funding" for it, so maybe if they are free I'd say take them.

kurosaki00

A someone that has A+ and N+ ... my personal opinion is that 3k on those two certifications borderlines in swindle.

I got both years ago using Skillsoft and cbt nuggets.
There is professor messer now which does a GREAT job with A+ and N+.

I dont know about now, but a couple of years ago there was nothing on A+ or N+ that required simulation, or at least nothing you couldnt solve with virtual box and some cheap os image (or own pc).

eansdad

Yeah for that price you should just go WGU and get the A+ 1st term along with anything else you can fit in. Seriously though for $3k any one of us would fly out and train you for the week.

All in all, grab any of the A+ books recommended in the A+ section and watch the Professor Messor videos and you'll do fine. Can do the same with the Net+ and Sec+. Have them done within a month. You are over thinking these exams. After that start moving toward the direction which you want to go...ie Windows ---> MCSA/MCSE or Networking ---> CCNA.

sparker366

Well I just passed A+ today. Net+ is going to take a great deal longer to get then A+ did. I have no knowledge about the subject matter at all.

TheFORCE

If you keep studying like you did for the A+ you should be fine, Net+ is about practicing also and using the technology.

docrice

I didn't read all of this thread, but if you want to accelerate your career I have a single recommendation: build your home lab. Building things, breaking things, fixing things, and pulling your hair out while banging your head against the wall is part of the experience which ingrains skills and logical thought process into you. Without that developed sense, you won't do very well in a real IT job.

There's no reason to pay for a course when it comes to the basic CompTIA trio. Those are relatively basic and the Network+ and Security+ are mostly concepts-based.

If you want to learn systems and networks, learn to use desktop virtualization products to start with (VMware Player or Oracle VirtualBox), buy some really cheap Cisco gear off eBay, leverage open source software (so you'll need to learn some Linux along the way, but that can come later). It can be a steep uphill climb, but if you're going to break out of your current role, you're really going to need to invest in lots of quality troubleshooting time.

Take incremental steps. All of this doesn't happen within a year or two. Don't expect the books and passing certification exams by themselves to really amount to that much when it comes to being able to do the job.

sparker366

Well I have done live chat computer troubleshooting for 5 yrs on Neweggs forums. What that is worth I doubt anything. Also on that live chat I have assisted people in building there computers from all the parts they have purchased. I know its not true hands on. I have probably built 15 personal computers for me, friends and family members. Again this probably doesn't amount to anything in you peoples eyes as you are already in the field.

Now I wanted to add some MS certs to my list. I was thinking about MCSA Windows 7 exams 70-680 and 70-685. You have to start somewhere. I am looking to get my foot in the door just not sure how to go about that?

docrice

Install, break, reinstall, and configure Windows in all the ways the Microsoft Press books discuss. Permissions, UAC, network configuration (that's a big one), local policies, local groups and their privileges, etc.. It'd be ideal to have a Server 2008 or 2012 setup so you can run Active Directory, but server-side licensing isn't the cheapest.

sparker366

I am seeing that TechNet has a 180 day eval of server 2012. I could run that in a Virtual Machine and then have several Win 7 virtual machines connect to it if I am not mistaken and play and learn that way.

Now I have no exposure to Server software or the likes. I would have to learn it from the ground up.

docrice

Fundamentally, the desktop and server OS versions are the same and are more or less managed likewise at a basic level. It's the additional functionality (roles and features) which distinguish the server side.

Both client and server systems have their complexity, and understanding how the two sides interact is very crucial.

sparker366

The scenario I just listed will it work for studying for the exams? Will it give me the exposure I need for those exams?

docrice

I haven't looked at Microsoft exam prep material for a long time, but I think it should be sufficient.

xD Lucas

eansdad wrote: »

The MTA's have 0 value for the job hunt.

That's not true. It's like night and day, honestly. I wasn't receiving any interviews, but once I started throwing the "0 value" MTA on my resume, people actually started calling for interviews. I would recommend the MTA because it's cheap, and quick for most technically savy folks just trying to get into the field.

sparker366

xD Lucas wrote: »

That's not true. It's like night and day, honestly. I wasn't receiving any interviews, but once I started throwing the "0 value" MTA on my resume, people actually started calling for interviews. I would recommend the MTA because it's cheap, and quick for most technically savy folks just trying to get into the field.

Ok. Now for MTA for Windows 7 you would need just the 349 exam. For MCSA you would need 70-680 and 70-685. So MTA $115 vs MCSA $300. Sure it's cheaper but how much more weight will MCSA Win 7 hold then MTA Win 7? I also looked at MTA and there is 2 others that could be added networking 366 and security 367 and that would make it $345 for that.

Going with MTA how do you study for those exams?