Suggestions for a college freshman?

I'm 18 years old, currently going to George Mason University getting a B.S. in IT. I have my MCP, and I'm working towards my MCSE/MCITP and CCNA. I currently work as a technician for a computer repair company (i.e. I go to people's houses (doing very simply stuff like reformats, malware removal, printer setup, etc.)

Do you guys have any advice for what I should try to do for the remainder of college and once I get out? Should I apply for an internship, or should I try for a basic help desk position? Once I graduate, should I go for help desk, or should I try to find a Jr. Network Engineer position?

Or if you don't have any advice to offer, could you please tell me where you are now and how you got there? I'd like to do something infosec-related, but from what I understand it's very difficult to start in that field fresh out of school.

Anything is appreciated, thanks guys

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Comments

Hypntick

Well, unless you're really lucky and find a small shop that'll hire you with just certs/degree and no experience, it sounds like help desk is going to be your entry level route. Try to find a help desk that leans toward where you want to be, networking, MS support etc. etc. That'll give you the foundation to get into higher things, if you find a desk that promotes from within all the better. Good luck with everything you do.

Turgon

start looking for opportunities while at school so you have a job

mikej412

I'd say make you sure you stay focused on your academics. That's my absolute #1 suggestion.

Pace yourself on your certifications so that you don't have to re-certify while you're still in college -- unless it gives you a leg up in your competition for internships. Lead with the Microsoft Certifications first while in school, and then follow up with the CCNA. If you do get the CCNA now, you'll need to re-certify it in 3 years. The CCNA:Security would be fine for the CCNA re-certification -- and that would keep you moving forward and in a direction you want to try and go.

You actually don't want too good of a job while in school, or you may be tempted to focus more on your job than school work. If you can get an internship that gives you move exposure to larger customer computer/network environments (preferably for the summer) you definitely want to do it -- especially if there's a chance of a job offer after graduation.

If you keep working while in school, I'd say aim waaaaaaaaaaaaay higher than an entry level help desk when you graduate. You'll have real world tech experience and customer service skills from your current job. You'll have some solid certifications. And you'll have your degree. You'll also be at least a couple years smarter.

Full speed ahead now and reevaluate your goals and plans at the end of each academic year. Maybe toss in a tweak or two to your plan between semesters/quarters as you gain more experience and knowledge -- and new opportunities arise.

And don't forget to allow some time in your schedule (and plans) for some college fun.

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networker050184

mikej412 wrote: »

I'd say make you sure you stay focused on your academics. That's my absolute #1 suggestion.

Pace yourself on your certifications so that you don't have to re-certify while you're still in college -- unless it gives you a leg up in your competition for internships. Lead with the Microsoft Certifications first while in school, and then follow up with the CCNA. If you do get the CCNA now, you'll need to re-certify it in 3 years. The CCNA:Security would be fine for the CCNA re-certification -- and that would keep you moving forward and in a direction you want to try and go.

You actually don't want too good of a job while in school, or you may be tempted to focus more on your job than school work. If you can get an internship that gives you move exposure to larger customer computer/network environments (preferably for the summer) you definitely want to do it -- especially if there's a chance of a job offer after graduation.

If you keep working while in school, I'd say aim waaaaaaaaaaaaay higher than an entry level help desk when you graduate. You'll have real world tech experience and customer service skills from your current job. You'll have some solid certifications. And you'll have your degree. You'll also be at least a couple years smarter.

Full speed ahead now and reevaluate your goals and plans at the end of each academic year. Maybe toss in a tweak or two to your plan between semesters/quarters as you gain more experience and knowledge -- and new opportunities arise.

And don't forget to allow some time in your schedule (and plans) for some college fun.

+1 to this. Keep working, getting your degree and a couple certifications and you should be set up nice for a great job. You should be past the helpdesk at that point. Good luck!

rwmidl

mikej412 wrote: »

I'd say make you sure you stay focused on your academics. That's my absolute #1 suggestion.

Pace yourself on your certifications so that you don't have to re-certify while you're still in college -- unless it gives you a leg up in your competition for internships. Lead with the Microsoft Certifications first while in school, and then follow up with the CCNA. If you do get the CCNA now, you'll need to re-certify it in 3 years. The CCNA:Security would be fine for the CCNA re-certification -- and that would keep you moving forward and in a direction you want to try and go.

You actually don't want too good of a job while in school, or you may be tempted to focus more on your job than school work. If you can get an internship that gives you move exposure to larger customer computer/network environments (preferably for the summer) you definitely want to do it -- especially if there's a chance of a job offer after graduation.

If you keep working while in school, I'd say aim waaaaaaaaaaaaay higher than an entry level help desk when you graduate. You'll have real world tech experience and customer service skills from your current job. You'll have some solid certifications. And you'll have your degree. You'll also be at least a couple years smarter.

Full speed ahead now and reevaluate your goals and plans at the end of each academic year. Maybe toss in a tweak or two to your plan between semesters/quarters as you gain more experience and knowledge -- and new opportunities arise.

And don't forget to allow some time in your schedule (and plans) for some college fun.

++1 on the above. Also, since you are just a freshman, I'd consider taking some business courses (finance, accounting, management) as well as public speaking and writing. Those should give you a good solid foundation - business so you will understand how to prepare budgets, etc and communication for better effective communication - and you could tailor the communication to how to effectively communicate technical issues to non-technical people.

I'd also consider looking at any job opportunities on campus. That will give you a better understanding and experience with an "enterprise" environment (AD account creation, network issues etc) - stuff you won't see or work with doing household "fixit" issues. Plus, it may end up counting for some college credit!

Most importantly, enjoy college! Don't concern yourself with work/certs right now. Take a "fun" class or two (art, photography, astronomy, something "fun"). If you can, seriously consider spending a semester overseas. Your college experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity and will be over before you know it.

veritas_libertas

networker050184 wrote: »

+1 to this. Keep working, getting your degree and a couple certifications and you should be set up nice for a great job. You should be past the helpdesk at that point. Good luck!

Agreed, the only thing I would add is that if you can achieve a CCNA or Microsoft certs while in college do it. I wasn't and wish I had. If doing this extra work will lower your GPA than don't do it.

While in college I worked as a student IT technician. This helped me find a good job that wasn't help desk after I graduated.

Turgon

mikej412 wrote: »

I'd say make you sure you stay focused on your academics. That's my absolute #1 suggestion.

Pace yourself on your certifications so that you don't have to re-certify while you're still in college -- unless it gives you a leg up in your competition for internships. Lead with the Microsoft Certifications first while in school, and then follow up with the CCNA. If you do get the CCNA now, you'll need to re-certify it in 3 years. The CCNA:Security would be fine for the CCNA re-certification -- and that would keep you moving forward and in a direction you want to try and go.

You actually don't want too good of a job while in school, or you may be tempted to focus more on your job than school work. If you can get an internship that gives you move exposure to larger customer computer/network environments (preferably for the summer) you definitely want to do it -- especially if there's a chance of a job offer after graduation.

If you keep working while in school, I'd say aim waaaaaaaaaaaaay higher than an entry level help desk when you graduate. You'll have real world tech experience and customer service skills from your current job. You'll have some solid certifications. And you'll have your degree. You'll also be at least a couple years smarter.

Full speed ahead now and reevaluate your goals and plans at the end of each academic year. Maybe toss in a tweak or two to your plan between semesters/quarters as you gain more experience and knowledge -- and new opportunities arise.

And don't forget to allow some time in your schedule (and plans) for some college fun.

I agree with Mike. Make your grades at school the priority so be sure not to take on work and certification commitments that make that difficult. But sure some flexible work experience could serve you well in the job stakes for when you are done with school so see what you can locate that helps you there

MentholMoose

veritas_libertas wrote: »

While in college I worked as a student IT technician. This helped me find a good job that wasn't help desk after I graduated.

I did this, and I know a lot of people with great jobs who started out the same way, too. For me it was a great experience and got my career going. After a year as a tech at a campus computer lab, I scored a desktop support internship at a bank, and after six months of that I got a junior sysadmin position. At that point I only had the CCNA and Linux+, and no degree, so the experience definitely counted for a lot.

There's a lot of competition for on campus jobs, due to the convenient location and flexible schedule, so do your best to set yourself apart. Make a professional looking resume, type (don't hand write) the application if there is one, get references from professors, and wear a nice outfit to the interview. Go to the career center to get free help with these.