I Want to pursue an IT career

PhaktZPhaktZ Member Posts: 6 ■□□□□□□□□□
in IT Jobs / Degrees
I would love to pursue a career as an It but Where should I get started, I am 17 and am going to college next year as a major in Computer Technology.

What should I do to get started?

Thank you.
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Comments

  • crrussell3crrussell3 Member Posts: 561
    Your best bet will to be start by getting a few certifications under your belt. I would suggest getting one or more of the following: A+, Network+, or a MS Client Exam (Windows 7).

    During that time, if you can get a job doing entry level IT work, that is your best route. If not, find someplace you can volunteer your services at. Or see if you can Intern during the summer.

    Best thing is just to get as much exposure as possible and start working on your degree and certifications.
    MCTS: Windows Vista, Configuration
    MCTS: Windows WS08 Active Directory, Configuration
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  • PhaktZPhaktZ Member Posts: 6 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Where do I get these certs, I did some research and I have no clue.
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  • pennystraderpennystrader Member Posts: 155
    Hi PhaktZ. That is a hard question to answer and everyone can answer it differently. I would first look at it through your eyes and think to myself what am I interested in and what would be a job I would want to get up in the morning and do that I would have a passion for and want to pursue? There are different fields in IT and think about what computer skills you have and what you may want to learn and focus on. Here are just a few IT fields to think about.

    networking
    database
    security
    servers - operating systems
    programming

    Now of course that list is not comprehensive at all and they all have alot of jobs that fall into those general realms of expertise.

    I would think about what you are good at or what is sparking your interest in IT. Read about these fields a bit on the Internet and see what really interests you. Taking some general IT classes might also steer you toward a specific direction as well. You may find you love database work in SQL or Oracle for example. You may find you want to learn networking as it all depends on that or maybe the OS is interesting or coding applications and making things work.

    Welcome to TechExams and there are alot of gifted people here that are hard working and talented. Let us know how we can help.
    The more knowledge one obtains the more there is too accumulate.....
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  • Bl8ckr0uterBl8ckr0uter Inactive Imported Users Posts: 5,031 ■■■■■■■■□□
    PhaktZ wrote: »
    Where do I get these certs, I did some research and I have no clue.

    From various *vendors*

    Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/default.aspx

    Cisco https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/index.jspa?ciscoHome=true

    *Comptia* CompTIA

    Red Hat redhat.com | Training

    Sun Sun Microsystems Training Course Catalog

    Oracle Oracle University


    Check out some of these sites. Do you have any idea as to what you want to do?


    *Comptia* is not a vender, they are a company that makes vender neutral certifications.
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  • PhaktZPhaktZ Member Posts: 6 ■□□□□□□□□□
    I would honestly like to just fix computers intill I die, lol. What path shall I take?
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  • steve13adsteve13ad Member Posts: 398 ■■■■□□□□□□
    I'd start off with Comptia's A+, and then start looking at the Microsoft certs.
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  • PhaktZPhaktZ Member Posts: 6 ■□□□□□□□□□
    How long does it take to get a A+ cert?
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  • PhaktZPhaktZ Member Posts: 6 ■□□□□□□□□□
    bump for response
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  • crrussell3crrussell3 Member Posts: 561
    PhaktZ wrote: »
    How long does it take to get a A+ cert?

    That depends on you. If you choose to self study for the exam, you will most likely need to purchase new/used copies of the exam preparation materials. Then when you feel you are ready, purchase the exam vouchers and sit the exam.

    If you choose to go to a school and take courses for it, it will take as long as the course takes and however long after that tell you feel you are ready to sit the exam.
    MCTS: Windows Vista, Configuration
    MCTS: Windows WS08 Active Directory, Configuration
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  • unsupportedunsupported Member Posts: 192
    You are young and just starting out. There is no need for you to buy anything now. Go to your local library and find as much as you can for the CompTIA A+ exam. You should be able to put your hands on either the All-In-One, Exam Cram, or Sybex. I would stay away from the Dummies series. You may even be able to score some DVD lessons or CBT (computer based training) courses.

    There is also a section in this forum dedicated specifically to A+. Go check it out.

    Do not overlook the need for experience! Do whatever you can to get your foot in the door somewhere to start learning. If you have to volunteer somewhere, get a part time job at a local computer shop, or just go to a local computer group (like Windows User Groups - Computing Tips, Support and Windows Industry News).

    Nobody can tell you how long it will take to get the certification. It all depends on how you learn and how much you are willing to work. Nobody is ever going to give you all the answers. You should always have the desire to learn and grow, be like an IT shark. If you stop swimming you die.

    Oh, yeah, stay in school, eat your vitimans, say your prayers, and be a good little Hulk-a-maniac!
    -un

    “We build our computer (systems) the way we build our cities: over time, without a plan, on top of ruins” - Ellen Ullman
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  • bellheadbellhead Member Posts: 120
    Ever thought about the military????
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  • PhaktZPhaktZ Member Posts: 6 ■□□□□□□□□□
    bellhead wrote: »
    Ever thought about the military????
    No, So im guessing I should hit up my borders for some reading on the subject?
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  • VAHokie56VAHokie56 Member Posts: 783
    PhaktZ wrote: »
    How long does it take to get a A+ cert?

    Purchase and read the following and you will well on your way to a fancy A+ cert

    Amazon.com: A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide (0783254042490): Michael Meyers, Scott Jernigan: Books
    .ιlι..ιlι.
    CISCO
    "A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish" - Ty Webb
    Reading:NX-OS and Cisco Nexus Switching: Next-Generation Data Center Architectures
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  • kellyjohnkellyjohn Member Posts: 14 ■□□□□□□□□□
    If you are a total newbie go for the A+ Cert - actually most professional’s get this regardless of experience. Also it depends on what kind of work you want to do in future, where you want your career to go, and on what products you want to focus. There are certifications for platforms, certifications for network technology, certifications for platforms, and others. When you've refined your decision to this level you start looking at openings and the companies that you would like to work for. The job openings or IT staffing will tell you the certifications required for each position and you will then know exactly which certifications are required.
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  • ElvisGElvisG Member Posts: 167
    CompTIA certs are not worth it now since the policy change. If I was starting out, I would look toward MCP, MCTS, or CCNA cert. The Vista exam is the easiest test of all the test I've taken. I think the Vista or Windows 7 exam would be my first test.

    If you do decide to take the A+ or Network+ then please pick up an Exam Cram book. Some of the questions at the end of the chapters are in your test. So if you go look at the questions and can answer them correctly then you are ready for the test.
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  • sambuca69sambuca69 Member Posts: 262
    ElvisG wrote: »
    CompTIA certs are not worth it now since the policy change.

    What policy change is that?
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  • ULWizULWiz Member Posts: 722
    CompTIA certs now expire. There are a few topics going on about this right now.

    Search for Class Action Lawsuit
    CompTIA A+ Nov 25, 1997
    CompTIA Network+ March 7, 2008
    MCTS Vista 620 June 14, 2008
    MCP Server 290 Nov 15, 2008
    MCP Server 291 In Progress (Exam 12/28/09)
    Cisco CCENT In Progress
    MCP Server 291 In Progress
    C|EH In Progress
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  • veritas_libertasveritas_libertas Member Posts: 5,746 ■■■■■■■■■■
    ULWiz wrote: »
    Search for Class Action Lawsuit

    Nice... icon_lol.gif

    Rep given!
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