Hello all!

Hey guys and gals. Just wanted to introduce myself, I'm new to the site, and hope to use it as a valuable tool towards my goals. I'm 20 years-old and live in Brookfield, CT. I just got out of the Air Force and worked on KC-135 Aircraft. So I haven't been very involved in the IT field for the past 2 years or so. I use to work for a local guy going to homes fixing computers, hardware/software/virus removal/backups/network setup/troubleshooting & repair. Now I'm trying to get back into the IT field but I have no certs and I took a basic VoTech class in HS for A+ and Network+ but i failed both by a few points. I'm starting to restudy for my A+ and then I'll work on my Net+ once i have my A+. But never the less, I'm currently working at Circuit City for the Firedog department. With the economy and no degrees or certs it was very hard to get a half decent IT related job. But i guess i lucked out. I'll be starting at $13.30/hr till Jan 1, and then $16.50/hr. Basically doing what I love to do and its all related to what I have a lot of OJT in. The manger said I only got the job because i had 6 years experience with my previous computer employer. Just wanted to drop by and give a little more about myself, not that anyone cares, lol. Umm... I did want to ask if anyone knew any other IT related jobs for someone in my situation that maybe paid more? Also wanted to know which Certs would you all recommend for me to get first that would be more beneficial to me? Thanks in advance.

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jryantech

But never the less, I'm currently working at Circuit City for the Firedog department. With the economy and no degrees or certs it was very hard to get a half decent IT related job. But i guess i lucked out. I'll be starting at $13.30/hr till Jan 1

Seriously? $13.30/hr?
You must be working at one of there busiest locations, because that company is about to tank with there stock price at 26 cents a share.

Also you noted you just got out of the Air Force at 20? Why did you choose not to go four years?

I do suggest starting with that A+, as I did and most others do.

Thanks for your service and welcome to the forums.

Jimmysan88

Well it's the second biggest store in the area. So I guess they could afford it. Yeah i got out because i was forced out. I got caught under-age drinking and the Air Force has a ZERO Tolerance policy. But i got out with a good discharge so i'm not screwed for the rest of my life. Thanks for all the input.

empc4000xl

Jimmysan88 wrote:

Well it's the second biggest store in the area. So I guess they could afford it. Yeah i got out because i was forced out. I got caught under-age drinking and the Air Force has a ZERO Tolerance policy. But i got out with a good discharge so i'm not screwed for the rest of my life. Thanks for all the input.

the chair force now has 0 tolerance for underage drinking. Thats crazy. I mean they could at least bust you down, but to kick you out. Good thing I joined the navy.

Daniel333

jryantech wrote:

Seriously? $13.30/hr?
You must be working at one of there busiest locations, because that company is about to tank with there stock price at 26 cents a share.

I was making about $15 a Geek Squad and we had a couple of guys making about $20 so this isn't uncommon.

Jimmysan88,

Welcome to the forms. I can't agree with Comptia being a good start. If you want to keep making $13-$15 an hour at Geek Squad/help desk jobs, then stick with comptia. Just check monster.com and you'll see there realy isn't demand for Comptia anymore. Comptia A+/Net+/Server+ might have been a good move a few years ago but with Microsoft, Cisco and LPI all having their own entry level certifications now Comptia has become obsolete.

But sounds like your experience really already puts you beyond the A+ level of knowledge. At $150 an exam and the months you'll spend studying, it's probably not worth the time. You can take that same cash and effort and start in any number of other certs that will really widen your knowledge base and give you the baseline to step into jobs that are going to pay a living wage.

Don't get me wrong, Comptia certs won't hurt, and I am sure they offer some benefit. But based on the job market and personal experience, I believe them to be improper application of resources.

In todays' market you are expected to be a jack of all trades unless you are lucky enough to get into a large enterprise.

Cisco Certified Entry Level Technician -
A single exam brings heavy branding to your resume. The concepts here are universal to all major certifications. I also firmly believe the Cisco course material did a much better job of explaining TCP/IP than anything else I had read. You can later upgrade this to the CCNA.
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le45/learning_certification_level_home.html

Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist - Configuring Windows Vista
Vista is being deployed more and more in the home, small business and medium business envionment. Demand is seriously growing for Vista qualified technicians. You can later apply this toward the MCSA.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/vistaconfig/default.mspx

Hope that helps you in someway.

Slowhand

Since you've already got the prior class and some experience in PC repair and basic networking, finishing up your A+ and Network+ certifications is definitely a good way to go. I can recommend taking a look at Linux+ as well, to give you an edge when you're moving away from retail tech (McTech) and into something like a helpdesk or Jr. admin position.

After that, it's really up to you to figure out what's interesting and what you could see yourself working with. There are several systems administrator type of certs out there, like the ones from Microsoft, Sun, and Red Hat. There are networking certifications from Cisco and Juniper, (Cisco being the more popular and more widely recognized). If you're interested in security, there is Security+, C|EH, and CISSP, just to name the most recognizable. Basically, you've got lots of options.

As for what to do right now? Keep on the A+ and Network+, and start looking for other jobs. While places like Dice and Monster may have a few IT jobs that would suit you, they're usually packed with jobs that require a few years experience and a Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or information systems. (Put your resume up anyway, though.) Where you might have more luck is to check your local job-listings on Craig's list, it's a bit less formal and many people, myself included, have had excellent results.