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Armymanis wrote: » Hello everyone. Just wanted to see what my options were if I got a Bachelors of Applied Science in Information Technology and administrative management? What jobs would be available to me? I know I would have to start out at the entry level positions. What area's can I go into as far as IT and management?
SteveLord wrote: » Do you have any experience? If not, likely at the bottom like most people.
Armymanis wrote: » 2 months of IT experience so far.
phantasm wrote: » Elaborate... helpdesk, desktop support, NOC, what? That tells us nothing.
size15shoe wrote: » With 2 mos. of IT experience, you probably will have to go to Helpdesk/Desktop support and gain experience there. Management is a VERY hard field of IT to crack into without experience and an MBA. If Management is your route of choice in IT, apply for some Help Desk Coordinator/Manager roles after a few years of Help Desk experience, and earn your MBA within that time. Some Management doors may open once you do that.
Armymanis wrote: » Would I be able to get another management job that does not pertain to IT?
phantasm wrote: » With no experience, probably not.
Armymanis wrote: » As far as any kind of entry level job in anything. What kind of fields can I get into with this Bachelors degree? IT, Administrative assistant, or something else? I am not looking for the high extensive jobs, I just want to know what jobs I would be able to apply for that are entry level.
phantasm wrote: » Reread this post: For entry level IT you're looking at the helpdesk or a NOC position. That's what you need to be looking at. Just because your degree says management does not mean you'll be a member of management. If you want to be an IT Manager then you need to start out in the helpdesk or the NOC and gain the experience required. After a couple of years or so and probably an MBA you can look to moving into management.
shodown wrote: » it all depends, you don't need a MBA to move into management it helps, but its not requirement. Now onto what you want. If you want management you have to find jobs that will put you onto a leadership track. With that said you have to learn how to follow before you can lead. I would look for the help desk type jobs you can work now while you work on your degree. Aspire to move to Team Lead, where you can lead the troops. Here you can learn the valuable communication skills that will be needed talking to internal and external people. A degree in management these days are pretty worthless in my eyes. I would focus on learning Psychology, writing, speaking, and negotiation, and leadership for the focus of the degree. To add on what are you goals in management. To be a Leader or Manager? There is a difference between the 2. I've lead as many as 13 people when I was in the navy and it was the biggest challenge, but the most rewarding work I've done. With that said many people aren't cut out for it, so make sure your not one of them. Last thing to add Leaders are made they aren't born. A natural born leader is a crock of ish. If you accept the challenge, and work at it anyone can be good at it, until they hit "Peter Principle"
Armymanis wrote: » I really want to work up to be a manager of something. Whether it be in business or in IT. I think that the Information Technology and administrative management degree will help me along the way. Once I become a manager, I would then like to work my way into becoming a leader. Not sure if being an eagle scout would help in me in my goals, but I am an eagle scout. I just don't include it on my resume because people these days don't think being an eagle scout is worth as much as it was 2 years ago. Keep in mind, I am 21 and have high hopes and goals for the future. Not sure if I should put eagle scout on my resume or not. I was also in charge of a whole troop for 6 months while i was in boy scouts.
phantasm wrote: » Honestly, at 21 you need to find an entry level job and then worry about being a manager in a few years. You can't run before you walk, and you can't walk before you crawl. Look for a helpdesk job or if you want to do networking then try and find one in a NOC. The NOC can be difficult to get into depending on the company, some companies prefer you to be on the helpdesk first. If you're having a hard time landing a job then I'd work on you're A+, Net+ and a Sec+. That seems to be the general consensus around here. Those certs will help you get noticed. If systems is for you then look at the MCITP:SA or EA. If networking then look at CCNA. As an example, my manager has his MBA, CCNP, CCDP, MCITP:SA, ITiL 3, and a host of other certs. I have a BS, CCNA and Sec+ and work in Tier II in a NOC supporting a worldwide network.
size15shoe wrote: » Eagle scout wont really mean much, unless you're gunning for a job that has a requirement for "eagle scout experience". I didn't mean that in a facetious manner. When it comes to resumes, always put relevant and pertinent job info on there. As far as your goals for Management, an MBA or Master's really cannot hurt at all. Some managers vying for positions have MBA's, Masters and 10+years of Management experience+certs (PMP, Six Sigma, ITIL, ect). If you really want to become a Manager, understand that experience is key. There are a million and one ways to get to a specific job in IT; some IT Managers dont have a "tech" degree (i.e. Comp. Science, MIS, CIS, ect) at all. Your first stint will be at Help Desk more than likely. Id look into some Jr. Business/Systems Analyst jobs if possible as well, if you're REALLY trying to stay away from the help desk side. You may be able to go from Jr Analyst, to Analyst, to Sr./Lead Analyst (for about 7 or so total years, give or take), then move on to Management from there. Like I said, there are a million ways to get it done in IT, just find the path thats right for you, stick to it and things should fall into place. Good Luck!
Armymanis wrote: » I've been working since I was 16 and kind of need a break for awhile. Took a year off, but I kind of want to finish my AA, and then finish my Bachelors and then by the time I am 23 or 24 when i finish my bachelors, I will get an entry level job into my field. That is kind of the feeling I am having.
Armymanis wrote: » Currently I have my A+ certification, which I got June 2010. I also am on a 2 month contract job as a Desktop Technician 1. That ends at the end of this month. I will also be getting my AA in Technical support in December. Then transferring to CWU (Central Washington University) to get my bachelors.
descender421 wrote: » I actually just graduated from Central last August with an ITAM degree specializing in network administration. I also had six years of Air Force experience before heading back to get my bachelors. I don't, however, have any IT experience besides my required internship at the Kittitas County Courthouse IS department working with routers for 2 1/2 months. I actually applied at a ton of helpdesk type jobs over in the Seattle area and Portland, OR area and I didn't even get to the interview point. I'm currently working as a tech support agent at a local debt collection software company in Cle Elum, WA. Not doing me any good for experience in the IT field, I know. But I needed a job after I graduated. I only have A+ cert currently; but am going to start studying for CCNA soon. Then I'll be applying for helpdesk type jobs again; hopefully more successful this time.
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