1st I.T job!!!!

ortizf3

Hi all,

As of a few weeks ago, I got a job offer as an associate systems analyst with fidelity investments. Great benefit package, 68k plus 5k signing bonus. I leave in a few weeks for their new technologist development program in NC for two months of training. I am 27 yrs old making a career switch from criminal justice field which I had achieved a Master's degree. I found this forum around 1 yr ago, starting reading posts and then decided to start my second bachelor's degree, which I am one course away from achieving, will finish this fall after my training program. I started my A+ and completed 801, but now that I have my first I.T job, I am going to skip this certification. I very grateful that I got to skip the help desk and didn't have to volunteer/intern to get my first job. This is only the second job I had applied to and stumble upon it in their website. I had not been actively searching, as I was focus on completing my degree and working on entry level certs while working full time, but I got lucky in a way. Thank you to all that contribute to the forum. I have learned a ton from you all.

My advice to people making career switch/trying to get first job.

1.Get a degree in the field, I haven't completed mine yet and it has already helped.
2. Don't settle- keep applying to all types of jobs even if you think that you don't qualify.
3. Work on certifications - I plan to cert up to advance further in my position.
4. Check large organizations, they have development programs just like fidelity, anyone still looking they are still hiring for entry level positions, multiple locations nationwide...good luck.

Can anyone give me some certifications ideas that will allow me to advance further in the position of systems analyst? or any current systems analyst can you share your certification path?

thanks again everyone.

bettsy584

Certs - sit down with your boss and discuss the technology you use in the environment day to day. Then focus on that, go deep and once you have a good grounding you can go from there.

Dont' do Cisco exams if you have Juniper, don't do VMware if you have OpenStack etc, always do Microsoft (coz you will have AD).

Good base line is MCSE Server, CCNA R&S and VCP-DCV. But again only if you are using the stuff, I have over 30 certs, of which I use about 5-6 in my job. The rest I have forgotten, having said that it's amazing how much you remember when a customer quizzes you.

ortizf3

bettsy584 wrote: »

Good base line is MCSE Server, CCNA R&S and VCP-DCV. But again only if you are using the stuff, I have over 30 certs, of which I use about 5-6 in my job. The rest I have forgotten, having said that it's amazing how much you remember when a customer quizzes you.

Awesome, thanks for the reply. I will definitely take your advice, I'll have better idea when I start working.

Betrayal

Hey can you create a list of the type of companies you applied for please?

johnnyqt25

Congrats! 68k for first IT job is very good! Get some more certs and you'll be seeing six figures soon enough.

masq

ortizf3 wrote: »

Hey, congrats, man! I also made a career switch from criminal justice, right after getting my BS degree , and I say - getting your first IT job is a great achievement! A tough one.

ortizf3

Betrayal wrote: »

Hey can you create a list of the type of companies you applied for please?

hey Betrayal, I applied to black duck software company for a I.T help desk job, got an email back with salary expectations but never got an interview. Fidelity investments was the only other job I applied for, I was really focus on getting a degree, plus I was already employed making 60k, so was not in a rush to change jobs. But my advice is to apply to job and all sectors even if you don't qualify.

ortizf3

johnnyqt25 wrote: »

Congrats! 68k for first IT job is very good! Get some more certs and you'll be seeing six figures soon enough.

thank you johnnyqt25, that is my plan for sure. I would like to be at six figures by 30.

ortizf3

masq wrote: »

Hey, congrats, man! I also made a career switch from criminal justice, right after getting my BS degree , and I say - getting your first IT job is a great achievement! A tough one.

thank you masq. It sure was, I think I was fortunate to be selected for this opportunity and I plan to make the best out of it, now is time to start learning and getting certs, will have my degree by the fall and some experience under my belt. The three things needed to be successful in the field, learn that here...lol

Bjcheung77

ortizf3 wrote: »

My advice to people making career switch/trying to get first job.

1.Get a degree in the field, I haven't completed mine yet and it has already helped.
2. Don't settle- keep applying to all types of jobs even if you think that you don't qualify.
3. Work on certifications - I plan to cert up to advance further in my position.
4. Check large organizations, they have development programs just like fidelity, anyone still looking they are still hiring for entry level positions, multiple locations nationwide...good luck.

Can anyone give me some certifications ideas that will allow me to advance further in the position of systems analyst? or any current systems analyst can you share your certification path?

thanks again everyone.

Where and which program are you taking your second bachelors degree? I am also interested in getting a few certs and my first bachelors. I have an Associates of Science in Biology, but that won't get me into IT. I had to start work in sales/service of computers and help desk.

Thank you for your advice/suggestions, that's exactly what I am planning on doing as well. Finish my BSIT at WGU, haven't decided which program though as they've got multiple options. The certs are included in the tuition, but I still need a cert to get in.... Hope to get it soon.

greg9891

Congrats on the job!

coffeeluvr

Congratulations!!

TechGromit

johnnyqt25 wrote: »

Congrats! 68k for first IT job is very good! Get some more certs and you'll be seeing six figures soon enough.

Congratulations.

My first IT job was a Computer Operator, it paid $7.85 a hour, minimum wage was $3.80. I remember the first few years there in the early 1990's, they would post jobs looking for applicants and no one would apply. Atlantic city was a Casino town, anyone with a High School diploma and could count, was able to get a job selling change on the Casino Floor making $10 a hour.

azi90

i dont get it, is US job market way too good or Canadian market su*ks really bad?

Starting first IT job in canada would at most pay you 35K that AT MOST. Most companies dont pay more than 32K. How are you guys getting 65k jobs as first IT jobs :S

reload@

Congrats OP! Sounds like a good gig. Are they paying you during the two months of training?

anhtran35

azi90 wrote: »

i dont get it, is US job market way too good or Canadian market su*ks really bad?

Starting first IT job in canada would at most pay you 35K that AT MOST. Most companies dont pay more than 32K. How are you guys getting 65k jobs as first IT jobs :S

Location is EVERYTHING. I reside in the DC/VA area. We get paid substantially more than say Atlanta, Georgia. Boston is a very expensive city via cost of living.

Congrats. Focus on certs that will grow your career in your chose field.

ortizf3

greg9891 wrote: »

Congrats on the job!

Thank you

ortizf3

Bjcheung77 wrote: »

Where and which program are you taking your second bachelors degree? I am also interested in getting a few certs and my first bachelors. I have an Associates of Science in Biology, but that won't get me into IT. I had to start work in sales/service of computers and help desk.

Thank you for your advice/suggestions, that's exactly what I am planning on doing as well. Finish my BSIT at WGU, haven't decided which program though as they've got multiple options. The certs are included in the tuition, but I still need a cert to get in.... Hope to get it soon.

Hey, I attend the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, I went here previously for my other degrees. Well I pretty much got the job with some coursework in I.T completed and my master's degree. I don't have any certs yet. My advice is to get the degree and work on certs. If you go to WGU, you will do both at the same time so it's a good option. But ask other's on here about the school, I don't know much about them. And just keep applying there is a ton of jobs out there, so something will land your way. Best of luck.

ortizf3

coffeeluvr wrote: »

Congratulations!!

Thank you

ortizf3

TechGromit wrote: »

Congratulations.

My first IT job was a Computer Operator, it paid $7.85 a hour, minimum wage was $3.80. I remember the first few years there in the early 1990's, they would post jobs looking for applicants and no one would apply. Atlantic city was a Casino town, anyone with a High School diploma and could count, was able to get a job selling change on the Casino Floor making $10 a hour.

Thank you. Times have changed huh lol

ortizf3

reload@ wrote: »

Congrats OP! Sounds like a good gig. Are they paying you during the two months of training?

Thank you. Yeah pay starts as of day one of training, plus corporate housing that includes swimming pool, fitness center, etc. So yeah it's pretty good gig, I am excited. Thanks again.

ITSpectre

anhtran35 wrote: »

Location is EVERYTHING. I reside in the DC/VA area. We get paid substantially more than say Atlanta, Georgia. Boston is a very expensive city via cost of living.

Congrats. Focus on certs that will grow your career in your chose field.

I need to PM you asap... I live in the DC/MD/VA area and I havent came across any jobs that pay that much... I need to look harder now.

ortizf3

azi90 wrote: »

i dont get it, is US job market way too good or Canadian market su*ks really bad?

Starting first IT job in canada would at most pay you 35K that AT MOST. Most companies dont pay more than 32K. How are you guys getting 65k jobs as first IT jobs :S

Yeah it does depend on the location, but entry level U.S salary on average is probably more 35k. Yeah I am very fortunate to start at 68k, but I don't think it is the norm.

ortizf3

anhtran35 wrote: »

Location is EVERYTHING. I reside in the DC/VA area. We get paid substantially more than say Atlanta, Georgia. Boston is a very expensive city via cost of living.

Congrats. Focus on certs that will grow your career in your chose field.

Yeah Boston is a very hot I.T market. HQ for the company is in Boston, but I live outside the Boston area about 25 miles away and I am going to work at another location in NH. Thank you anhtran35, that is my next plan to cert up.

ITSpectre

Where I live in VA there are no IT jobs. I have to go an HR to DC or MD. But everything I find needs clearances... So I may have to make a move to a diff city with a hot job market that does not require clearances.

anhtran35

ortizf3 wrote: »

Yeah Boston is a very hot I.T market. HQ for the company is in Boston, but I live outside the Boston area about 25 miles away and I am going to work at another location in NH. Thank you anhtran35, that is my next plan to cert up.

My brother relocated from Baltimore to live with me in VA. Try applying for PRAGMATICs. They are hiring for people for a Dept of State contract in 2 locations( Beltsville MD and DC ). They are running a Secret Clearance for my brother. The catch is the pay is extremely low at $16 an hour for a help desk position. HOWEVER, once you get the clearance you should immediately interview with other companies. This is why they have a HIGH turnover rate. Help Desk Tier 1 job - Pragmatics - Beltsville, MD | Indeed.com

Ango2

Hi ortizf3

I have an interview this Friday for the leap program. Any recommendations you can give me