Decided I'd like to go in I.T., What now? (what path)

Hi,

So I'm 20yo, from Montreal Canada. I've always loved computers, gaming and tinkering with the computer. In the last 3 years, I've gained great interest in actually building computers for me and others and setting up everything for them, sometimes troubleshooting problems.I have my QC High School diploma and I didn't finish my CEGEP diploma (required to go in Quebec universities). I tried accounting in ottawa at Carleton but dropped out.

I have NO idea what speciality I would like to do, but I LOVE deciding what parts I'd like to build a computer with, upgrading them, setting up computers etc. I've worked ~3 years at my uncle's grocery store as the go to guy for anything computer or even tech related (phones, printers, camera security system). I've built a computer for them and am in the process of building one for the 20 IP camera setup I am buying for them. Any technical problem like fax not working or slow computer etc etc I'd fix. I also did data-entry, file sorting/classing and accounting at the same time.

I'm thinking I'll start with an A+ certification and find myself a job? Or perhaps I should try to enroll in WGU?

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Comments

NotHackingYou

I would do the CompTIA trifecta (A+, Network+, Security+). This will give you an excellent foundation of knowledge to build on as well as show potential employers that you are serious and can do it.

I think WGU requires a cert + college to transfer in or a cert + 3 yrs work experience. I would start looking at entry level help desk jobs and work your way in from there. Make sure that you like this business before you pay for a degree in it.

pumbaa_g

I agree, start off with A+ and N+ then work out where you want to head to from there.

drkat

Meh, dont think A+ is gonna cut it, might want to find out which part of tech you like and focus. Continue at your family members business and maybe get some networking in (social) and you could be doing this for all of your uncle's business partners who may own businesses.

gdeusthewhizkid

get your a+ first.. Then look to get some contracting jobs for experience. Look to land a full time gig while you build a experience get your network+ and security+ and finally look to get in to WGU after you got about 3 years IT experience total.

Mrock4

If you aim for a helpdesk position, you can then get your hands in a little bit of everything, and then likely decide from there which route you want to go (systems- unix/microsoft, virtualization, storage, networking...etc). Based on that idea, I'd look at A+ or an entry-level MS cert to start out.

nster

what exactly IS a helpdesk job?

How difficult is the A+ cert? could a do it with a few weeks of study? I figure I need a base in about everything so do that A+ N+ S+ trio and then get a OK job. Is it a good idea?

What different branches of IT are there with certs? I know the main one seems to be networking.

SteveO86

Helpdesk would be kind of like a call center, someone calls in with a problem and you connect to their PC to fix. It might not sound glorious but it's typical entry point to all other branches of IT.

Hard to say how difficult the A+ was, I took an older version from 8 years ago, when I took the A+ I had a few years of basic PC (Building PC's, fixing windows problems, etc) work under my belt so it wasn't difficult for me.

Typical branches of IT:

Tech Support - Local PC issues, break fix, hardware replace, application troubleshooting
System Admin - Servers

Unix
Windows
Virtualization

Network Admin - Router

Wireless networks
LAN
Security
Carrier
VoIP

Each of those have their own branches but starting off on a helpdesk typically gives exposure to most if not all of those.

Certs are all over IT, just about from every major vendor.

nel

From my experience (and please note this was from my A+/N+ exams 4 years ago) i would skip the CompTIA stuff. Even though i was fresh faced i never found any real value in them when compared to the high costs of their products. Ive never even seen a job advertised asking for them in the UK.

I would start with a entry level MS cert working my way up to a MS/Cisco combo. i.e. MCITP:SA and CCNA. Its a great start before you jump into a specialised area.

Nowadays there is no way you will be sitting around building machines or doing anything low level with them. So i would look to getting a helpdesk role. Take anything you can get to get some foundation experience, im not gonna lie, it could be crappy and boring but everyone has to start somewhere. The quicker you can find what specialisation you are interested in the better.

Good luck mate.

Lucas21

I second nel on this. Skip the A+ and go straight into MS/Cisco or even Linux.

xbuzz

That's exactly what i'm doing myself at the moment nel.

Also OP you say you're unsure of what area you want to go into. Studying for the CCNA and MCITP:SA it will become apparent to you extremely quickly which area you find the most interesting. I've done the CCNA and i'm studying for MCITP:SA now, the microsoft stuff is a real pain for me to study, as I find the networking much more interesting, so when I get MCITP:SA i'll be going the networking route, but it's still good to have both certs when looking for starting admin positions and knowing about servers and networking can only help you in the future when you decide to specialise.

I think, in regards to the comptia certs, they're good for getting entry helpdesk positions, but they're really basic and if you are already computer savy (which it seems like you are) then going straight to CCNA and/or MCITP:SA (or even linux like lucas said) is probably the way to go. In you're in the US, the Security+ is worth it, because the DOD/government agencies have a hard on for the qualification, whether justified or not, but outside the US I would say it would be better time spent doing one of the bigger certs like CCNA or MCITP.

netsysllc

Just getting into the field you should get the A+ and Net+ for sure, do the Sec+ if you can. They will help you later when you do want to get a higher cert like MS or Cisco. You will have a good base and be more familiar with the testing process.

nster

I really appreciate the input guys!

I was wondering if there was a branch that is more hands-on taking care of computers ie: building them, setting them up to work, replacing parts, maintaining them (and maintaining their networks I guess) etc? or are the job opportunities and pay low in those types of jobs? I really like hardware

What kind of job do you get with Microsoft certs?

I want to do the A+ just to know what these tests are like and dip my feet into the pool so to speak, afterwards idk if I'm going to do N+ or CCNA / Microsoft certs

Raisin

People who trash talk the Comptia certifications tend to be at an advanced level and forget what it's like to just be starting out. The general IT knowledge covered by the exams is an important foundation. You don't have to take the exams but I do think you should study for them before moving on to Microsoft or Cisco. I read the huge Sybex A+ study guide mainly because I enjoyed the subject and learned a lot about things I only had a basic understanding of before.

griffinalice29

It’s good that you excited about your studies, start with A+ and N+ it will help you to gain all basic knowledge, then get some real IT exposure and then enroll yourself into WGU. This will be the perfect track of your career.