Advice for breaking in to IT

Hey all,

So I've seen more than a few posts regarding the idea of "how do I get into IT?" around the boards. I suppose I'm looking for more specific advice and hoping some of you more experienced folks can help.

Rundown:
I've got a BA in Professional and Applied Ethics (obv not IT related).
I'm currently one quarter from completing an Associate's degree in IT.
No certs yet, but 6 weeks out from taking the M$ 70-640.
I havent had an IT related job as of yet, however I have approx. 6.5 years of consistent work experience for 2 Fortune 500 (U.S.) companies.

Goals:
I'd like to get into Server work. It seems I have a knack for it and am finding studying for the 70-640 quite easy given all of my lab time in the Associates program.

So as I step off the edge and into the IT world, how should I be directing my certification studies. Are there any specific routes that some of you have found to be contributors to your career success? What should I expect to find as a first level of work (responsibilities, etc.)? What kind of jobs should I be tailoring my search for?

All feedback and advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks very much in advance!

Cheers

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Comments

Sounds Good

why didn't you get another bachelors? assuming you had all the gen eds, another bachelors would take you roughly 2 years to get.

ltgenspecific

Sounds Good wrote: »

why didn't you get another bachelors? assuming you had all the gen eds, another bachelors would take you roughly 2 years to get.

I wanted to start in a lab-environment based school and a specific technical AAS seemed to be the best bet at the time. Now, being almost done, I at least know what I want to do and have some pretty decent experience with numerous platforms. For example, I wouldn't have settled on Systems work without trudging through 5 really heavy and time intensive CCNA labs/classes (read: 200+ hours of racking, routing, etc.).

I guess I thought I should get my feet wet in all the pools before settling on something specific.

phantasm

ltgenspecific wrote: »

For example, I wouldn't have settled on Systems work without trudging through 5 really heavy and time intensive CCNA labs/classes (read: 200+ hours of racking, routing, etc.).

Minor correction, Systems work is not Cisco. Systems is related to Microsoft, Linux, Servers and that kind of stuff. Networking pertains to Cisco, Juniper, Brocade, Marconi etc etc.

As for which certifications... depends on what you want to do. If it's networking then look at the Network+ as a start and then maybe Cisco certs. But a job is most important before you go into the higher end certs.

ltgenspecific

phantasm wrote: »

Minor correction, Systems work is not Cisco. Systems is related to Microsoft, Linux, Servers and that kind of stuff. Networking pertains to Cisco, Juniper, Brocade, Marconi etc etc.

As for which certifications... depends on what you want to do. If it's networking then look at the Network+ as a start and then maybe Cisco certs. But a job is most important before you go into the higher end certs.

Oops, sorry about being unclear. I meant to convey that I chose Systems work over Networking "stuff" because of trudging through the labs. I didn't care for the Cisco-related courses. I'd like to focus on passing a few Microsoft Server 2k8 certs first. Just wondering about whether the MCITP:SA is a good entry-level track, etc.

Thanks for the advice!

ibcritn

ltgenspecific wrote: »

Oops, sorry about being unclear. I meant to convey that I chose Systems work over Networking "stuff" because of trudging through the labs. I didn't care for the Cisco-related courses. I'd like to focus on passing a few Microsoft Server 2k8 certs first. Just wondering about whether the MCITP:SA is a good entry-level track, etc.

Thanks for the advice!

MCITP-SA is a great cert for your goals. I think it will be hard for you to break into server work right away. Your best bet is to find a lower level support role that will expose you to server stuff. Typically you will find this role where you get to wear many hats from smaller companies.

OR

Work your connections with the larger companies you worked with. It is all about who you know, or at least it plays a part.

ltgenspecific

ibcritn wrote: »

MCITP-SA is a great cert for your goals. I think it will be hard for you to break into server work right away. Your best bet is to find a lower level support role that will expose you to server stuff. Typically you will find this role where you get to wear many hats from smaller companies.

OR

Work your connections with the larger companies you worked with. It is all about who you know, or at least it plays a part.

Excellent, thanks for the advice.

As an aside, I was having a debate with an IT guy from current company. He maintains that with an AAS (all he has as well) in IT and 2 years work experience, he feels underpaid at $60k-ish a year. He deals in primarily AD, Cert. Services, etc. Nothing too high level.

I was thinking this was a high salary for the type of work but it would be nice otherwise as it would keep me in the same salary range if I moved into the department. Keeping in mind this is Seattle, WA, does this sound like a reasonable salary expectation?

Thanks!

Nomad505

Salaries are tough to pin down, they vary A LOT depending on location. You can check some online resources and get an idea of the ball park you can expect to be in. As for the certifications, MCITP:SA and I would add Security+ or equivalent as well.