How you got up to the position your in right now (IT Jobs)

qsubqsub Member Posts: 303
****** READ BELOW BEFORE REPLYING PLEASE. ******

Okay, I just thought this would be definitally nifty to have. Pretty much a thread compiled with everyones information on how they got there first IT job, up to their current job.

This will give a baseline for people who are interested in getting into this field and also letting them see what it takes some people.

Some things to keep this thread nice and tidy though.

1. If you are working _______ but then quit and went to this company, edit your post, don't reply with a new post. It just kinda clutters up the thread.

2. Reply with experiences only, try not to quote someone and say "OMG Zerg RUSH" or something. Send a PM if you're interested in how they did this, or what do they recommend.

3. Try to keep things straightforward. (One line if possible.) If you have a lot to say about that job or comment on it, save it for the end.

4. Put your IT jobs, no offense but we don't want to see it saying you worked as crew trainer a McDonalds.

5. If you think I should change the layout/format of this thread. Please PM me. Don't reply with it.

Here's a fairly simple template we should use.

Position: The position you got, try to be specific (level 1, senior, etc.)
Length: How long you worked at the job month/year should be fine (ie. January 2005 - January 2006)
Part Time or Full Time: Straight forward (if you're part time during school, full time in the summer, just put part time)
Certificates: Certificates you had before you were hired to this job. Not during, not right after. But before.
Education: College or university (this most likely won't change much, but it's here for just in case)
Wage Start: Pretty straight forward, please list the currenncy (ie. USD, CAD, GBP etc.)
Wage Finish: Pretty straight forward, please list the currenncy (ie. USD, CAD, GBP etc.)
Reference: Did they ask you for a letter of reference? If so, what one did you use.
How you found the job: Was it through a friend? ad? monster.ca?
Location: Where it was located. (ie. Try to avoid abbreviations, we have members world wide. Try to stick with this format. City/State/Country
Promotion: During your time there, did you get a promotion? If no, just put no (ie. No or Helpdesk -> Systems Support -> etc.)
Comments: Ok here's where you write about how you felt at that job, ups? downs? Again it's up to you if you want to write it or not.

If something doesn't apply, use undertermined. (ie. you dont have a wage finish because you never quit/fired yet)

You can copy/paste this code, so you got it looking nice and bold.
[b]Position:[/b] 
[b]Length:[/b] 
[b]Part Time or Full Time:[/b] 
[b]Certificates:[/b] 
[b]Education:[/b] 
[b]Wage Start:[/b] 
[b]Wage Finish:[/b] 
[b]Reference:[/b] 
[b]How you found the job:[/b] 
[b]Location:[/b] 
[b]Promotion:[/b] 
[b]Comments:[/b]


Now let this thread begin, I'll start.

__________________________________________________________

Position: PC Repair Technician (Co-op placement)
Length: September 2003 - January 2004
Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
Certificates: CPR
Education: High School
Wage Start: $0.00 CAD
Wage Finish: $0.00 CAD
Reference: None
How you found the job: Sister's friend recommended it.
Location: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Promotion: No
Comments: It was in high school, a co-op placement is where they put you in the work place for four months to work for free. But gain experience. In regards to the reference, I was actually denied this job first, but then I was told to say I was referred to the company by ________ person and that got me the job.


Position: Helpdesk Technician
Length: July 2004 - Present
Part Time or Full Time: Part-Time
Certificates: None
Education: 1st Year College (Computer Networking & Support)
Wage Start: $11.00 CAD (See comment)
Wage Finish: Undertermined
Reference: They asked for two letters of references
How you found the job: monster.ca
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Promotion: No
Comments: Part time only get 11/hour. No raises.


Position: Junior Systems Administrator
Length: January 2005 - Present
Part Time or Full Time: Part-Time
Certificates: Network+, Security+
Education: 2nd Year College (Computer Networking & Support)
Wage Start: $13.00-$15.00 CAD (See comment)
Wage Finish: Undertermined
Reference: None
How you found the job: School Posting
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Promotion: No
Comments: Issues with the wage start because I actually just got hired. I didn' find out what they'll be paying me yet.
World Cup 2006 - Zidane - Never Forget.
«1

Comments

  • jadefalconjadefalcon Member Posts: 3 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Position: Commo Technician
    Length: June 2005 - present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: None
    Education: DeVry University, Bachelor's, Computer Engineering Technology
    Wage Start: $21.59/hr
    Wage Finish: N/A
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: DeVry Career Services
    Location: Fort Leavenworth, KS
    Promotion: N/A
    Comments: Lots of travelling, but I get to study for certs (mainly MCSE), gain experience, and see the world on the corporate dollar.
  • SRTMCSESRTMCSE Member Posts: 249
    Position: Technical Services Rep., Lead
    Length:Oct. 2003 - June 2005
    Part Time or Full Time: Part Time to start, changed to Full time Jan. 04
    Certificates: MCSE:Security 2003, MCDST, C|EA, Sec+, Net+, A+
    Education: High School, Vo-Tech Comp. Tech
    Wage Start: $6.00 /hr
    Wage Finish: $9.00 /hr
    Reference: Friend of mine worked there
    How you found the job: Friend of mine got me the interview
    Location: Bushkill, PA
    Promotion: Promoted to Lead Technical Service Rep. July 2004
    Comments:
    Job was fun and I miss it. Pay was horrible and the management got way too uptight toward the the end of my employment. The position was good for experience and free certs, but they weren't willing to increase pay to a decent level with what I ddi.

    Position: Network Administrator and Information Security Officer
    Length: August 1, 2005 to November 1, 2006
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: MCSE:Security 2003, MCDST, C|EA, Sec+, Net+, A+
    Education:High School, Vo-Tech Comp. Tech
    Wage Start: $32,000.00 annually
    Wage Finish: $34,000.00 annually (raise obtained after 3 month probation period)
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: local newspaper (Pocono Record)
    Location: Stroudsburg, PA
    Promotion: Not really promotion but addition of "executive-type" title, Information Security Officer.
    Comments: Job is awesome, pay is great for my area and for the short time I've been in the field. Downside is I know the company is cheap when it comes to raises, rumor has it the CFO (my boss) only makes $20,000 more than me and he's been with the bank for almost 10 years, so I'm not sure exactly how much financial growth there is here. As far as professional growth there is plenty to do and experience.

    Position: Network Administrator
    Length: November 6, 2006 to March 2007
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: MCSE:Security 2003, MCDST, C|EA, Sec+, Net+, A+
    Education:High School, Vo-Tech Comp. Tech, in college pursuing degree in CIS.
    Wage Start: $40,500.00
    Wage Finish: $43,300.00
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: CareerBuilder
    Location: Allentown, PA
    Promotion: N/A
    Comments: This position pays what I feel I am worth and allows me a little better lifestyle. Furthermore, the network environment is much larger than anything I've ever worked with and there is lots of room for growth and experience. Plus, I work on a very collaborative team of professionals, all of whom are pretty nice guys & gals.

    Position: Network & Systems Administrator
    Length: March 2007 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: MCSE:Security 2003, MCDST, C|EA, Sec+, Net+, A+
    Education:High School, Vo-Tech Comp. Tech, in college pursuing degree in CIS.
    Wage Start: $65,000.00
    Wage Finish: ----
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: CraigsList
    Location: New York, NY
    Promotion: N/A
    Comments: Internal systems administrator for a large midtown consulting firm.
  • determinedgermandeterminedgerman Member Posts: 168
    Position:Workstation and Server Tech
    Length:3 Years
    Part Time or Full Time:Full Time
    Certificates:A+
    Education:Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering
    Wage Start:$15
    Wage Finish:$17
    Reference:Knew the owner
    How you found the job:Friend of mine got me the job/Owner
    Location:Duisburg, Germany
    Promotion:n/a
    Comments:Good Job to start out with while being in College.....

    Position:Data Network Engineer
    Length:June 2004
    Part Time or Full Time:Full Time
    Certificates:A+, Network+, CCNA
    Education:Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems, Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering
    Wage Start:$22
    Wage Finish:$33
    Reference:None
    How you found the job:Contractors Website
    Location:Chicago, Illinois
    Promotion:Got Hired
    Comments:Started out as a contractor for 1 year and got hired on right after that with a nice pay increase. (Which not reflects my night and weekend bonuses......
  • TonyATLTonyATL Member Posts: 20 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Position: Systems Tech
    Length: Feb. 2000 to Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: None
    Education: A.A.S., Electronic Systems Technology
    Wage Start: $23/hr
    Wage Finish: $27/hr
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Newspaper Ad
    Location: Atlanta, GA
    Promotion: None
    Comments: Job is great, but ready to move up in my career.
  • jkstechjkstech Member Posts: 330
    Position: desktop/network tech
    Length: september 05
    Part Time or Full Time: full
    Certificates: a+, net+
    Education: technical training
    Wage Start: $15
    Wage Finish: undetermined
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: emailed my resume to the director of IT for my city
    Location: topeka, KS
    Promotion: when i get my mcsa
    Comments: good job, allow me to pursue any type of training i wish, supportive of my education, unlimited room for knowledge expansion
    get back to studying!!!
  • corey1980corey1980 Member Posts: 41 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Position: Tech Support Help Desk
    Length: 1 year
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: Network+
    Education: Some College
    Wage Start: $10.50
    Wage Finish: $12.00
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Newspaper
    Location: St George, Utah
    Promotion: None
    Comments: I love my job, I have learned a lot since being here. Unfortunately, the economy in this city is pretty poor so I won't see many pay raises. The only reason I got a pay raise this year was for passing my net+ exam.
  • matts5074matts5074 Member Posts: 148
    Position: PC/Network Coordinator
    Length: 5 Months
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, Network+, MCSA 2000
    Education: High School
    Wage Start: $14.50 USD
    Wage Finish: Undertermined
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Reading job listing on the company website.
    Location: Batesville, AR, USA
    Promotion: None (Not eligible yet)
    Comments: Great job and great company to work for. They understand the concept of spending money to make money. I have learned alot about non-Microsoft systems that I did not know before. Odd part is I didn't know exactly how much I was going to be paid until after I had started. Turned out it was a more than they had said in the interview.
  • WpizziWpizzi Member Posts: 7 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Position: Computer Technican
    Length: October 1998 - March 2003
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: none
    Education: A.A.S in Electronic Engineering Technology
    Wage Start: $10
    Wage Finish: $16.46
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Job Listing from school
    Location: Solon, Ohio
    Promotion: Group Lead
    Comments: Was layed off..

    Position: Help Desk Support
    Length: Jan. 2006 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: None
    Education: A.A.S in Computer Networking Technology
    Wage Start: 30K
    Wage Finish:
    Reference: School placement
    How you found the job: School placement
    Location: Warrensville, Ohio
    Promotion:
    Comments:
    William A Pizzi

    Founding Member of RRORC
    www.rrorc.com
  • JiggsawwJiggsaww Member Posts: 195
    Position: Computer Tech
    Length: Aug 03 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, N+, MCP, MCSA 00/03/Specialize in Exchange 00, MCSE 00/03/Specialize in Exchange 00, 3M fiber into course
    Education: College Diploma in Electronics
    Wage Start: 24000 EC as in 3 times less US....see comment
    Wage Finish: 26460
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: newspaper clippin see comment
    Location: Grenada
    Promotion: none
    Comments: This job helped me achieve all my listed certs however i am starting to grow outta just being a tech. 2.67 US is one EC. The clipping was for another post in another IT related dept.
  • shadown7shadown7 Member Posts: 529
    Position: Legislative Systems Analyst
    Length: May 05 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: MCP
    Education: A.A.S. Computer Networking Technology
    Wage Start: $42000
    Wage Finish:
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Coop from school
    Location: Tennessee
    Promotion: none
    Comments:
  • int80hint80h Member Posts: 84 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Position: Software/Network Engineer
    Length: about 2 years so far
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: FE/EIT, CANTech
    Education: B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering
    Wage Start:
    Wage Finish:
    Reference: My boss at my last job
    How you found the job: Monster.com
    Location: Detroit
    Promotion: none
    Comments: none
  • tru504187211tru504187211 Member Posts: 27 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Position: Help desk
    Length: 16 Months
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, MCP (70-210)
    Education: BA in CS
    Wage Start: 15/ hr
    Wage Finish: 16/ hr
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: They found me on Monster.
    Location: /WI/US
    Promotion: Help desk->Web Content/ Database Analyst
    Comments: After move to web tech, able to work from home. Downside - had to put up and eventually left after homosexual manager/ coworker was harassing me.

    Position: Desktop Support/ Database Analyst
    Length: Start in 8 days!
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, MCP (70-210, 70-215), Net+, inet+
    Education: BA in CS
    Wage Start: 31k yearly
    Wage Finish:
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: They found me on Internet job search.
    Location: Milwaukee/WI/US
    Promotion: none yet
    Comments: I am very exciting about this job because I am only 1 of only a few persons in the IT department. I manage the databases and also desktop support...sounds like I will be utilizing any and all IT skills I have.
  • mikey_bmikey_b Member Posts: 188
    Position: Help Desk Analyst
    Length: 2 years
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+
    Education: College Diploma
    Wage Start: $10.00/hr.
    Wage Finish: $12.00/hr.
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Newspaper
    Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
    Promotion: No
    Comments:

    Position: Tracking and Support Coordinator/Duty Manager
    Length: 3 years
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: Net+
    Education: Employer provided supervisor training
    Wage Start: $13.25/hr.
    Wage Finish: $15.00/hr.
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Promoted
    Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
    Promotion: yes
    Comments:

    Position: Global Field Services Technician
    Length: 2 years
    Part Time or Full Time: Contract
    Certificates: 70-270, 70-290
    Education: QMS/ISO Standards training
    Wage Start: $15.00/hr.
    Wage Finish: $16.00/hr.
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Job board
    Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
    Promotion: no
    Comments: FYI, EDS is a great company to work for!!!

    Position: Global Field Services Technical Lead
    Length: 6 months
    Part Time or Full Time: Contract
    Certificates: 70-291
    Education: Employer-provided training
    Wage Start: $19.00/hr.
    Wage Finish: $22.00/hr.
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: promoted
    Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
    Promotion: yes
    Comments: same as above!
    Mikey B.

    Current: A+, N+, CST, CNST, MCSA 2003
    WIP: MCSE 2003
  • mwillmwill Member Posts: 51 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Position: Senior Support Tech
    Length: 1 year 2 months
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: none at that time
    Education: A.A.S Microcomputer Network Engineering Miller-Motte Technical College
    Wage Start: 12.00
    Wage Finish: 12.25
    Reference:
    How you found the job: Online Job boards
    Location: Nashville, TN
    Promotion: No
    Comments: Was cool to work at Dell, great company, very nice place to start out in IT. Job sucked after 6 months. Hate talking on the phone now


    Position: Technical Support Analyst
    Length: since March of 2005
    Part Time or Full Time: Full
    Certificates: DCSE, MCP, Network+, CCNA
    Education:
    Wage Start: 30,000
    Wage Finish: 32,000 bonus of 6,400
    Reference:
    How you found the job: online job boards
    Location: Nashville TN
    Promotion: No
    Comments: Still here, great place, very boring though, I can go a whole 8hrs and work about 2 hrs of that if i'm lucky.
    Marcus Williamson
  • woodwormwoodworm Member Posts: 153
    Position: IT Assistant/Helpdesk
    Length: 3 Years
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: No IT vendor certs
    Education: HNC Business Info Technology
    Wage Start: £9000
    Wage Finish: £19000
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Local newspaper
    Location: North Wales
    Promotion: Yes, from assistant to senior IT bod after 18 months
    Comments: Hated this job, department was originally IT Manager (who was an accountant), a senior IT person and myself. Senior person eventually left and I took over his role. I got this job because of my HNC, and even though I didn't enjoy the job, it was a very good learning experience.


    Position: IT Engineer
    Length: 3 Years
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: MCP 270
    Education: as above
    Wage Start: £20,000
    Wage Finish: Currently at £25,000
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Local Newspaper
    Location: North Wales
    Promotion: No
    Comments: Currently IT Admin for Win 2003 Domain. Very hands on role in any/all aspects of IT (if you are interested in it, then you can get involved with it). Lots of training provided. If it wasn't for the recent take over I would love my job 110%
  • Megadeth4168Megadeth4168 Member Posts: 2,157
    Position:Support Technician 1
    Length:July 2000 - present
    Part Time or Full Time:part time
    Certificates:None at the time of hire
    Education: High School
    Wage Start: $7.00 per hour
    Wage Finish: Up to 40K per year
    Reference:
    How you found the job:Through a friend
    Location:Madison Heights
    Promotion:After 2½ years I was promoted to Information Systems Specialist
    Comments:I got my foot in the door here right out of high school and got a full time job out of it after proving myself for over 2 years. I am ready to start making more money though.
  • draineydrainey Member Posts: 261
    Position: PC Systems Specialist
    Length:May 03 to Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full
    Certificates:MCSA 2000
    Education: Networking Certificate (CC)
    Wage Start: $14.00 per hour
    Wage Finish: $15.00 per hour
    Reference: None
    How you found the job:Local Paper
    Location: Salina, Kansas
    Promotion:None
    Comments:

    Position:Operations Support
    Length:3 1/2Years
    Part Time or Full Time: Part time
    Certificates:MCP 70-210
    Education: Networking Certificate (CC)
    Wage Start: $12.00 per hour
    Wage Finish: $14.00 per hour
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Local Paper
    Location: Salina, Kansas
    Promotion:None
    Comments: Job was Midnight to Noon on Saturday and Sunday. Not great hours but it got my foot in the door.
    The irony truly is strange that you're the only one you can change. -- Anthony Gomes
  • ryan5081ryan5081 Member Posts: 4 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Position: Help Desk Analyst
    Length: Oct 2005 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: None
    Education: Computer classes at community college
    Wage Start: 14.00
    Wage Finish: 14.00
    Reference: N/a
    How you found the job: Monster.com
    Location: San Diego
    Promotion: I am working for the Navy/Marine Intranet, there are TONS of different opportunities
    Comments: My subcontractor is paying the money for my Top Secret security clearance which will get my foot in the door at many other companies.
  • ubergeekubergeek Member Posts: 53 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Position: Systems Operations Engineer
    Length: 3 years
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: CCNA
    Education: B.S. in Computer Engineering
    Wage Start: Php 10,000 /month
    Wage Finish: P hP 17,000 /month
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Newspaper
    Location: Philippines
    Promotion: Yes
    Comments: Company now bought by another company :P

    Position: Customer Support Engineer II (Cisco TAC)
    Length: 2 years
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: CCNA, CCSP
    Education: B.S. in Computer Engineering
    Wage Start: PhP 40,000 /month
    Wage Finish: PhP 50,000 /month
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Job bank
    Location: Philippines
    Promotion: yes
    Comments: One of the best jobs I’ve ever had!!!

    Position: Security Analyst II
    Length: just started
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: CCNA, CCSP, CCNP. CCSA, CCIE-Security Candidate
    Education: B.S. in Computer Engineering
    Wage Start: $ 75,000 annual
    Wage Finish: a year to increase
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: Job board
    Location: Tokyo, Japan
    Promotion: N/A
    Comments: Another good company
    Thank you for calling Cisco Technical Assistance Center.. This is Edward how may I help you?
  • jim_staszjim_stasz Member Posts: 123
    Position: System Engineer
    Length: 7/1981 - 2/2004
    Part Time or Full Time: FT
    Certificates: none
    Education: HS
    Wage Start: $8.00 hr
    Wage Finish: 52,000 annual
    Reference:
    How you found the job: family member
    Location: Enfield, CT
    Promotion: Started in the warehouse throwing boxes around, ended as System Engineer VAX VMS, IBM MVS, and PC\LAN
    Comments: Outsourced in 2004, great package

    Position: SAN System Engineer
    Length: 2/2004 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: FT
    Certificates: none
    Education: A.S.
    Wage Start: 45,000 annual
    Wage Finish: 54,000 annual
    Reference:
    How you found the job: Networking
    Location: KC MO
    Promotion: PC Support II \ Technology Engineer \ System Engineer
    Comments: I'd make more by the HR at McD's. I put in about 65 hrs a week.
  • nedenneden Member Posts: 6 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Position: Assistant to Director Management Information Services
    Length: Jan 2003 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: None at time of Hiring
    Education: Associate in Sciences Degree
    Wage Start: $9.50/hr
    Wage Finish: Currently $12.50/hr
    Reference: The Director of Technical Services recommended me.
    How you found the job: Was employed with the same company as a Lab Technician.
    Location: Somerset, PA
    Promotion: Will be promoted when my boss retires sometime this year or next year.
    Comments: Had to spend most of 2003 working part time IT and Lab Tech until I proved I had enough self taught knowledge to work full time. Have achieved several certifications since then and continue to aquire more since my employer pays for them. Will finish my Business Information Systems degree in the next few years.
  • trick000trick000 Member Posts: 89 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Position: PC Support Tech
    Length: Aug 2003 - March 2006
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, Network+
    Education: Some college
    Wage Start: $24k/year
    Wage Finish: $31k/year
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: online job posting
    Location: Houston, TX
    Promotion: Computer operator -> PC Support Tech
    Comments: This company is known to pay way below average. The people I worked with were great though.

    Position: Desktop Support Tech/Consultant
    Length: March 2006 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, Network+
    Education: Some college
    Wage Start: $41k/year
    Wage Finish: $41k/year
    Reference: Coworker from my last job
    How you found the job: coworker
    Location: Houston, TX
    Promotion: none
    Comments: Small company that offers good salary, training and benefits. They pay bonus for MCSE. There is greener grass out there! :)
  • ritamshomeritamshome Member Posts: 57 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Position: Information Systems - Networking
    Length: Jan 2006 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: MCP
    Education: Graduate with Computer Science
    Wage Start: Rs 54k/year
    Wage Finish: Rs 57k/ year
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Times Of India - newspaper
    Location: Kolkata, India
    Promotion: Networking team member-->Information Systems - Networking
    Comments: Salary is less but i will take it any day being a fresher. Also i get to practice all the skills that i have along with the skills that my seniors help me with. Seniors are very helpful. Works in a VPN environment with 1 gbps connection speed.

    signing out--ritam shome[/b]
  • Kevin.SmithKevin.Smith Member Posts: 33 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Position: Junior Network Analyst (Help Desk)
    Length: Just started 1/31
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: MCSE 2003
    Education: GED
    Wage Start: 30K
    Wage Finish: Not Applicable
    Reference: Technical Trainer
    How you found the job: See Comment
    Location: Crystal City, Virginia
    Promotion: None
    Comments: The guy who owns the testing center I test at has a contract with the US Navy. I told him I was having trouble finding a job and he offered me a entry level position since I had no experience other than classroom labs.
    WIP: A+ Essentials
  • bighornsheepbighornsheep Member Posts: 1,506
    let's see if we can get this thread up again.

    Position: Database Analyst
    Length: Since Sept 06
    Part Time or Full Time: Part-Time
    Certificates: MCDST
    Education: Finishing Bachelor of Science
    Wage Start: 10/hr
    Wage Finish: n/a
    Reference: Friend
    How you found the job: Friend's referral
    Location: Toronto, Canada
    Promotion: None official available, based on performance
    Comments: it's a foot in the door, and chance to hopefully move to full-time position in another department.

    Position: IT Technician
    Length: Sept 2004 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Part-Time / Freelance
    Certificates: A+, Network+, MCDST, and now MCSA
    Education: Finishing Bachelor of Science
    Wage Start: 10-50/hr depending on job
    Wage Finish: n/a
    Reference: Me!
    How you found the job: Social circle of Friends and Family
    Location: Toronto, Canada
    Promotion: n/a
    Comments: I started working as in-house tech for a local computer store, I later quit after a year and a half because of transportation restrain...and now I do freelance work with several small businesses.
    Jack of all trades, master of none
  • iDShaDoWiDShaDoW Member Posts: 67 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Position: Technical Support Analyst
    Length: November 2006 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, Net+ (Studying for CCNA currently)
    Education: Some College (Pursuing Bachelor's in Information Technology)
    Wage Start: $27,000/year (~$13.50/hour)
    Wage Finish: N/A
    Reference: Friend who is the Web Designer
    How you found the job: Friend referred me
    Location: Fairfax, VA | Company located in Falls Church, VA
    Promotion: None
    Comments: I guess it's a start since most entry-level jobs in IT require 2-4 years experience (which is ridiculous considering it's an entry-level position...). Apparently the company underpays everyone compared to the median salary for people doing the jobs they do in this area. I believe the low-end salary for a Technical Support Analyst in my area is about low $40k/year. Can't blame them though since I don't have prior IT experience, but the work is very very unchallenging and I haven't learned a thing since starting there.

    I suppose it's a start though and something for me to put on my resume. I don't really intend to stick around for more than 1 year due to the low starting pay and just the way the company is run. After 1 year I just intend to go back to college full-time and pursue some more certifications after I complete my CCNA, while getting my degree. My cousin tells me I shouldn't bother with the MCSE since it doesn't hold as much weight as it used to and recommends the Cisco route. I'm considering maybe getting my MCP and MCSA though just because Microsoft is everywhere and that's what lots of employers recognize.
  • SlowhandSlowhand Mod Posts: 5,161 Mod
    Well, let's see here. . .

    Position: A+ Technician
    Length: A little over 1 and a half years.
    Part Time or Full Time: Full time. . . way the hell too much full time. . .
    Certificates: I took my A+ while I was there, since they paid for it.
    Education: Finished high school, was still churning through the beginning stages of college.
    Wage Start: $8.25/hour
    Wage Finish: $8.75/hour
    Reference: None.
    How you found the job: Through my good friend, Technomancer, who was already employed there.
    Location: Marin County, California
    Promotion: Not a chance in hell.
    Comments: It was a foot-in-the-door kind of job, but it was still retail-store IT. . . essentially, what we like to call McTech, or meatball IT. (Think M*A*S*H, with computers instead of patients.)


    Position: IT Contractor
    Length: Just shy of 3 months
    Part Time or Full Time: Full time, baby.
    Certificates: Took Security+ while there, but it wasn't required for the job. More for my own benefit, for once the contract was over.
    Education: Still doin' the college-thing, taking evening classes.
    Wage Start: $15.00/hour
    Wage Finish: $15.00/hour
    Reference: A pulse, that's pretty much all they needed. "Desperate" doesn't even begin to describe this poor woman doing the recruiting.
    How you found the job: A stroke of luck. A friend got the call from a recruiter, saying they needed a security-knowledgable IT professional to work at a Kaiser hospital, helping out with some virus and spyware issues. He couldn't do it, so I called them up and was hired within five minutes.
    Location: Marin County, California
    Promotion: N/A
    Comments: It was a nice place to work for a while, but I don't think I could handle it on a permanent basis. The reason they had security problems was because the staff, including IT, was completely lax on far too many things. For about a week, my paperwork hadn't even been processed, I hadn't been "officially" hired, but I had a security badge and full access to just about every place in the hospital.


    Position: Systems Engineer
    Length: Currently working, have been for about four months
    Part Time or Full Time: Full time, with flexible "study hours" for cert training and school.
    Certificates: Was MCSA certified before I got here. Was encouraged to take Linux+ while here, (compensated for the exam fee.) Company is willing to pay for MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, any and all Cisco certs, LPI certifications, SSCP, CISSP, and potentially RHCE. Basically, they'll give me full access to become certified in anything that'll benefit the company, as well as give me the time/equipment/training materials to use for training as well as compensate me for any exams I pass.
    Education: Yup, still in college.
    Wage Start: Not at liberty to say.
    Wage Finish: Ditto
    Reference: I asked a college professor to vouch for me, but it wasn't really required, since they'd hired me by the time he wrote the email.
    How you found the job: They found my resume on Craigslist.org, called me up for an interview, and hired me as soon as they'd talked to me.
    Location: Marin County, California
    Promotion: No thanks
    Comments: The place I like to call home-away-from-home for the time being. I'm not sure how long I'll be here, but I'm sure it will be a while. It's a good place, friendly people, and there's a lot to do and even more to learn. Being a tier-one ISP and a high-security data center, the place needs constant administration and attention. I'm always encouraged to expand my knowledge, in order to be able to work on bigger and better projects. If I want to study for CCNA, there are plenty of tickets open and waiting that involve both internal and clients' routers and switches. If I want to work on MCSE topics, there are dozens of Windows 2000 and 2003 Servers that constantly need attention, both in the server farm and on our internal network. We run Linux, BSD, and some of our clients have Sun-provided servers, so there's plenty of *NIX work to be done. Security is always a primary concern, so the more you know, the more you get to do. Basically, I'm free to move into whatever topic interests me, and there will be more than enough work to do in order to back up whatever training I choose to do. There is also a general push of encouragement to continue on in school, and my bosses are pretty flexible on letting me do my shifts earlier or later, depending on when my classes may be.

    Life is good, especially when I get a bulk discount on caffeinated products from Thinkgeek.com icon_cool.gif

    Free Microsoft Training: Microsoft Learn
    Free PowerShell Resources: Top PowerShell Blogs
    Free DevOps/Azure Resources: Visual Studio Dev Essentials

    Let it never be said that I didn't do the very least I could do.
  • DaPunnisherDaPunnisher Member Posts: 108
    Position: Intern, Server and Systems Management
    Length: 8 months
    Part Time or Full Time: Full time
    Certificates: A+ (220-301)
    Education: 1 year into Associates Degree
    Wage Start: $14/hr
    Wage Finish: $14/hr
    Reference: Job placement through ITT Tech
    How you found the job: same as reference
    Location: WI, USA
    Promotion: N/A
    Comments: no benefits. Loved working there; wish they had a permanent spot for me. Left for a job with benefits.

    Position: Network/PC Specialist
    Length: 3 years
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, Network+, MCP x2
    Education: AAS in CEET
    Wage Start: 28,800 yr
    Wage Finish: 40,000 yr
    Reference: none
    How you found the job: monster or hotjobs
    Location: WI, USA
    Promotion: yes
    Comments: Salary not including benefits, which were awesome since i worked for a school district. Started as a PC tech and was promoted to Network Administrator. I left looking for a job in IP Telephony; specifically Cisco Callmanager.

    Position: Network Voice Engineer
    Length: 06/06 to present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, Netowrk+, MCP x2, CCNA; working on CCVP
    Education: AAS in CEET
    Wage Start: 48K annual
    Wage Finish: N/A
    Reference: Aquaintance from past job
    How you found the job: hotJobs.com
    Location: WI, USA
    Promotion: after annual review
    Comments: Wage not including bonuses and benefits. I love working in IPT!
  • IT_AdminIT_Admin Member Posts: 158
    Position: Technical Support Agent
    Length: 6 Months
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, Network+, Security+
    Education: Some College
    Wage Start: $10.00 CAD
    Wage Finish: $10.50
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Job Fair
    Location: Cobourg, Ontario, Canada
    Promotion: No
    Comments: Truly hated this job. Managers treated employees like garbage. Only good thing was fellow co-workers.


    Position: Network Analyst
    Length: Oct 2004 - Present
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: MCP, MCSA 2K3, MCSE 2K3
    Education: Some College
    Wage Start: $12.00 CAD
    Wage Finish: N/A
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Previous Co-worker told me about it
    Location: Port Hope, Ontario, Canada
    Promotion: No
    Comments: Love this job, great experince with windows 2003 server. Pay could be better. The amount of experince I am picking up everyday more then makes up for the lack of pay.
    Next victim: 70-351

    On my way to MCSE 2K3: Security
  • TechJunkyTechJunky Member Posts: 881
    Position: Internet Support Technician
    Length: May 2000 - February 2002
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+
    Education: High School
    Wage Start: 8.50hr
    Wage Finish: 14.50hr
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Local Paper
    Location: Alaska
    Promotion: Yes
    Comments: Great starter job while in High School

    Position: Internet Support Technician II
    Length: March 2002 - December 2002
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+ N+
    Education: Some College
    Wage Start: 14.50 hr w/bennies
    Wage Finish: 15.00 hr w/bennies
    Reference: Employees
    How you found the job: Local Paper
    Location: Alaska
    Promotion: Yes
    Comments: Great experience with Politics

    Position: Network Analyst
    Length: January 2003 - February 2003
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, N+
    Education: Some College
    Wage Start: 15.00hr w/bennies
    Wage Finish: 16.00 hr w/bennies
    Reference: None
    How you found the job: Local Paper
    Location: Alaska
    Promotion: Yes
    Comments: Great stepping stone.

    Position: Systems Administrator
    Length: June 2006 - Current
    Part Time or Full Time: Full Time
    Certificates: A+, N+, MCP, MCDST, CNST
    Education: Some College
    Wage Start: 40k w/bennies
    Wage Finish: Yearly Raise in June
    Reference: General Communications Inc, IBEW
    How you found the job: Local Paper
    Location: Alaska
    Promotion: Yes
    Comments: Great Responsibilites, Tech department budget is horrible, looking to get into a company with more growth and better department budget for technology. Being a Database Administrator, Windows Administrator, and their Network Administrator all in one consumes all my time! I need a raise!
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