Trying to enter the IT Field - Advice needed

Hello everyone,

I'm a recent college graduate and trying to get into the IT field. I plan on taking the Network+ exam soon sometime this month. The problem is finding a decent entry level position with zero professional IT experience. I have a wide-range of IT Networking skills and knowledge just no professional experience.

There is this one job opportunity as a "Entry Level Help Desk/Macros Script Technician" but the issue is they are offering $12/hour with no experience required. The pro is they train you to deal with Macros script and you get a chance to provide help desk support to computer users and troubleshoot Microsoft Office suite.

Should I even bother considering that role or is there better out there? I have a decent resume that outlines my IT Networking skills.

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Comments

koz24

With zero experience and zero certs I would take that job if they offer it to you, though it depends how desperate you are. I wouldn't really care about the macros going further, but it's a start and $12/hour is better than nothing. Glassdoor avg for Help Desk is 42k, so $12/hour isn't bad given your situation.

koz24

Also, if you can afford to stay unemployed for 3 months or so I would just skip the N+ and go hard into CCENT->CCNA. Just lab and read 10-12 hours a day. That will give you a lot more value than N+.

RedRanger

koz24 wrote: »

Also, if you can afford to stay unemployed for 3 months or so I would just skip the N+ and go hard into CCENT->CCNA. Just lab and read 10-12 hours a day. That will give you a lot more value than N+.

Also, if you can afford to stay unemployed for 3 months or so I would just skip the N+ and go hard into CCENT->CCNA

Well right now I'm not unemployed but working an unsteady job as an Interpreter. I'm not skipping the N+, I've already studied the book for it, paid for the exam/voucher, taken quizzes, now doing the Cert master test.

I just figured that Macros script technician position would be irrelevant as I'm not really getting to work with regular Help Desk Tier I things. My certification plan is Network+ > Security+ > CCNA.

RedRanger

I am hoping I can get an entry level NOC Technician position in Northern Virginia/DC area. They pay more and have opportunities for training. If anyone here has connections with a company or NOCs I would appreciate if you could help me connect with them.

sigsoldier

It's not for everyone, but you could enlist in the military and choose an IT job. Get all of your initial training and experience there.

Put in your 4-6 years, take advantage of all the benefits while you're in, and you will be set for the rest of your life as far as your career goes. There are plenty of job opportunities for vets with certs out there.

RedRanger

sigsoldier wrote: »

It's not for everyone, but you could enlist in the military and choose an IT job. Get all of your initial training and experience there.

Put in your 4-6 years, take advantage of all the benefits while you're in, and you will be set for the rest of your life as far as your career goes. There are plenty of job opportunities for vets with certs out there.

Yeah and possibly a security clearance.

sigsoldier

RedRanger wrote: »

Yeah and possibly a security clearance.

That too!

bpenn

It's not for everyone, but you could enlist in the military and choose an IT job. Get all of your initial training and experience there.

Definitely an option, but be advised it could take quite a bit of time to actually get in. I had to wait 8 months to go to basic training. Make sure you tell the recruiter straight up what you want to do.

RedRanger

bpenn wrote: »

Definitely an option, but be advised it could take quite a bit of time to actually get in. I had to wait 8 months to go to basic training. Make sure you tell the recruiter straight up what you want to do.

Yeah definitely. Well right now I'm waiting on a few potential job offers. One is an IT position so I'm really hoping I can land that. I've thought about the military route but reluctant since its such a major life obligation and commitment.

I've also contacted a company about an entry level NOC Technician position so waiting to hear back later today.

jmanrta

Have you tried volunteering and doing skills pro bono for a while? That's how I got my start