Graduating Soon!~

Hey guys,

I hope everyone here is doing great. Firstly, I wan to apologized if I have made any mistakes or done anything wrong ahead of time. And thank you for taking the time to read this. I am a undergraduate studying Information Systems with a System & Network Administration, just finished my third year. I will be going into my senior year where I would like to start look for jobs and positions related to my field. It's just that I am a bit new and clueless to the job/market and would like some advice/help. Am I doing good or bad? Is there anything I should be doing to better get a job? Thanks.

I've taken the following courses:
- [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]System Administration (provided me with an understanding of linux and windows, mostly installing and configuring guides that we were told to find and follow ex: Mediawiki installation and configuration w/ LDAP, installed unbuntu and learned about ethernet wiring and WAN/LAN, Firewalls)

- Scripting Languages (I've covered Python, Perl, CGI Scripting, and Regex)

- Computer Science I and II which provided me with a generally understanding of Java and OOP style (I'm not that great at Java, currently trying to get better, though I'm not sure how required this is)

Courses I will be taking this upcoming year/semester:
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- Network Administration (This course covers course introduces students to the fundamentals of network management, primarily for TCP/IP networks. Students are introduced to networking protocols, hardware, architecture, media, and software and experience hands-on management of typical network components. Various network protocols are examined, including Internet routing protocols. Network security is introduced in the overall context of network management.)

-Database Design and Practice(This course covers the design of database applications including Entity-Relationship data modeling, the relational data model, the SQL database query language, application development, and database administration. Students will complete a project that includes designing a database application and implementing it using database development tools)

-Legal Social and Ethical Issues for Information Systems (impact of computers on us as individuals and on our society. Rapid changes in computing technology and in our use of that technology have changed the way we work, play, and interact with other people. These changes have created a flood of new social and legal issues that demand critical examination.)

- Computer Security or Computer Security Fundamentals (This course covers concepts and terminology of computer security in addition to describing attacks against computer infrastructure and typical defenses against such attacks. The course will outline security policies and procedures used by enterprises and will introduce tools and techniques used by both attackers and defenders.[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif])[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I've worked at several internships over my past summers, 5 total, 3 of which were biology/medical related. The other 2 was in an AppLab (social media/marketing mostly wasn't to happy with it being sidelined, but I was an intern) and then working with Epic healthcare system in billing and hospital network assessments. I am currently doing another internship at another hospital learning PHP and a system called RedCap built by Vanderbuilt Uni. I dont know if this sounds weak or not but i would like some direction as to where to look for jobs, what to target and how to get started, and if there are any certifications I should go for at this point. [/FONT]Sorry once again, as I am new here! [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thanks, I really appreciate all the help I can get.

Sincerely,

Provisions
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TranceSoulBrother

You have to answer this question: what field do you want to work?
it looks like you've done a bunch of programming internships. Is that your future focus? Or Networking? or System Administration?
Each has its starting certifications and by extension, books and experience to pursue.

NetworkNewb

Courses look good and interesting, but why would you take biology/medical related internships?

For certification recommendations we would need to which area of IT you are looking peruse. Looks like you should have a good start on any area by your classes.

provisions

Haha yea, sorry, I forgot to say during my freshman year I was a bio major but didn't want to be one so I swapped to what I originally had my intentions/mind set on. So I was doing those internships in high school through college freshman year. Any suggestions on a certifications that any field might need? Thanks for replying.

provisions

Yea I totally understand that. It's just that I don't have a great grasp on how different each field is becuase my college has been putting me through all of the general understandings of it and I have yet to finish. I would like to do some sort of programming, but my major isn't oriented towards that like computer science is. But I do also like a bit of the hardware and control aspect. I don't really know the true requirements of each field. But I was told that a system admin would be the ideal job for my major, so I would assume i'd be going with that. My only fear is that I don't want to end up being a guy who sits in front of a store selling computer parts, no offense to those who do. I just would like to get a good job somewhere in this field. But all of them will need me to start low and gain experience either way, I assume. I've seen people hear suggest working at a help desk. Not sure. Honestly I open to any sort of field atm, I have not fixed on one. Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

TranceSoulBrother

For sys admin jobs, get your Comptia Net+ and Sec+ then Microsoft MCSA 2012.
Get on the COMPTIA or MS websites and search for the career path maps. I think the COMPTIA site has a nice color coded one. Then look for a job as a junior sys admin and start working the trouble tickets in a production environment and get your ass chewed. That's how you will learn.
Once you finish your degree, you can even seek work with companies like Vectrus that will send you overseas to military bases. You can learn quite a lot over there and make some good money while cranking up your job experience.

Dakinggamer87

I would start by making a list of pros and cons for each field of interest. You can then decide which is more appealing to you.

NetworkNewb

Since it looks like his courses cover all the basics, I would skip all those Comptia courses and jump right into MCSA 2012. Or RHSA if you want to go into Linux Administration.

Your courses look like they cover good information if you wanted to go into Networking as well. If that sounds interesting I would recommend picking up the CCNA. Really your courses cover all the basics and could go any way you want at this point. Don't think you need to go into System Administration if something else interests you more.

soccarplayer29

Based on your class schedule I'd recommend taking Net+ (alongside your Network Administration course), and Sec+ (alongside your Computer Security course). Those might not necessary expand your knowledge since the course should cover the same general materials but it provides validation. An employer doesn't know what information a "Computer Security" college course covers...could be anything....but they know what Sec+ covers and helps bolster it.

Those are good fundamentals which can be a foundation for programming, sys admins, ops, etc.

Last piece of advice: Get a job, internship, volunteer experience to add to start building a solid resume in addition to your education and those certifications.

Good Luck!

provisions

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Since it looks like his courses cover all the basics, I would skip all those Comptia courses and jump right into MCSA 2012. Or RHSA if you want to go into Linux Administration.

Your courses look like they cover good information if you wanted to go into Networking as well. If that sounds interesting I would recommend picking up the CCNA. Really your courses cover all the basics and could go any way you want at this point. Don't think you need to go into System Administration if something else interests you more.

It does sound very interesting, I was just speaking with a college of mine about certifications right now, he said CCNA, Microsoft, VMWARE, and AWS cert's are really good to have. I want to get so many of these done but do i have the knowledge to do them now with the courses I've taken, Naturally i'd have to study for these, it wont be easy, but I eager to crank hours into getting them done so I can improve my career standing in order to climb up slowly. Because I dont want to be stuck at help desk if I do start there, you know what I mean? My co-worker said that you won't get a good paying high system admin job right away. Instead he recommended starting at a help desk which hires alot after graduating and don't get stuck in a rut, keep improving and getting more certs. If anyone can recommend which cert to target first with my current knowledge and standing and any books/guides to prepare myself for any of these. It would be much appreciated.

In addition, I just now spoke with my co worker again whom also talked about computer forensics being pretty hot in hiring and a good field to get into. Damn, there are soo many juicy options. I was just so worried about getting a job I guess, I dont know why. I guess reality hit me :P. I panicked a bit :c

provisions

Thanks man, that's pretty hand to know. I''ll take a look at the Net+ and Sec+ cert's. Yea, I'm currently working on my resume to beef it up a bit. The certs will come in handy and build my knowledge. Any recommended books for the Net+ and Sec+, and can i do this as a college student, I don't need any other training or knowledge before prepare for this other than what I already know?

provisions

Dakinggamer87 wrote: »

I would start by making a list of pros and cons for each field of interest. You can then decide which is more appealing to you.

Will do, definitely, so many juicy fields out there. Now that I know the opportunities /possibilities I don't feel worried too much, thanks.

NetworkNewb

Skip the Net+ the ROI just isn't there, its expensive for what the test is, and your course will most likely cover most of the topics. Just go for CCNA if you want to a networking cert, will look 100 times better. I think the information is alot more interesting on the CCNA to study for as well.

The CCNA material starts off going over the basics as well, so don't think it just throws you right into the deep end. It is still an entry level cert.

provisions

Thanks so much man, I genuinely appreciate all the help you have given me along with everyone else here. I thank you from he bottom of my heart as my seniors you really enlightened me and gave me some great insight into the various fields. I will slowly start targeting the certs and once I graduate Iw ill look for some sort of help desk/It position to gain those 1-2+ experience for other jobs. I can't wait to start, I'll try an by the books within this week, please feel free to recommend any good study books or resources. Thanks again