Career......IT.......help! - Saxperience

flynnsvtr · 13th January 2009, 22:40

Ive seen a few threads knocking about on wages and careers...so I thought I would create my own as im in need of some advice tbh.

Im looking to go into the networking side of IT (currently doing computer science and the CCNA stuff), however i would REALLY appreciate it if all you IT guys out there could tell me what sector of IT you are in, whether you like it and whether the pay is good?

Leckie campdavid, grantlowery, saw some of your posts in the other thread so would like to pick your brains a bit here if thats ok!

(I know this probably should be in the IT section but i figured it would get noticed more here, sorry!)

grantlowery · 13th January 2009, 22:48

Your doing a CCNA?

Are you looking to go specifically into networking?

flynnsvtr · 13th January 2009, 22:52

Yeah, my computer science course has a module whereby we do the CCNA material, passed 1, doing number 2 atm, hopefully get all 4 in the end

Must say I really enjoy the networking side of my course and would seriously consider going into it as a job option, open to ideas and would love to hear what you guys are into and what advice you could possibly give.

Cheers!

flynnsvtr · 13th January 2009, 23:54

bump??

baker556 · 14th January 2009, 00:52

carry on with it learn about ipv6....earn the moneyzz

Clouds_mate · 14th January 2009, 08:38

Harrow.

My fulltime job is.. IT Support. I started by doing first line. Just doing the barry basics. Now me and a team of 3 people manage the whole IT infrastucture for a private healthcare. We do everything from passwords, new accounts, backups, application configuration (dedicated SQL apps). We have about 4 million pounds worth of kit in our data centre we also manage. Pretty much everything.

I work for an IT company providing support so it isnt in house. Which is why i dont really enjoy it.

I set up my own limited company last year. I had an easy year of trading through word of mouth. Made a nice little sum but isnt enough to live on purely. My aim this year is to carry on but try push it full time. Which would entale working from home or renting an office.

I only have an NVQ in IT. Nothing else but i have 5 years experience in the 'trade' and I'm only 22 years old. I was asked to work for Fujtisu after 1 year of college and i took them up on the offer. I do really need to get some qualifications behind me but I'm thinking more along the lines of MCSE etc. Something thats actually recognized within the industry not just a graduate degree. I think say 6-7 years of experience mixed with MCSE at the age of 24 would be a real good base gound to fire up a decent carer and push forward.

I have no idea what the future will be. I would try working in a dedicated region of IT but pick wisely. I did a little spell of SQL databasing for a company. It was so boring i left after 3 months.

I think I've just fallen asleep writing all that.

Hoep your still awake

joemcevoy · 14th January 2009, 09:47

Leckie what does MCSE stand for? Are these the Microsoft certified exam things?

Im currently studying for my HND computing and doing the ccna stuff myself. Thinking of specialising in networking also.

In the meantime i am working for the civil service First line and will be going to the second line (Programmers) in a couple of months. Its good expierence and the money is not bad. I am a student so i dont get as much as the Normal members of staff which is roughly 14K + 1.5K bonus per year for the basic first line starter. SO thats a starting wage of 15K and for a programer you talking about 16K + 3K bonus.

I am using this time thought to get as many courses and Micrsoft Certified exams done as i can. Got my Desktop support exam next week and the good thing is work are paying for me to have them done.

Marshy · 14th January 2009, 09:57

MCSE stands for Microsoft Certfied Systems Engineer. I am studying towards it at the moment and am struggling tbh as I don't work in IT, never have, but want to. I am 22 and have been working in the motor industry since leaving school. So far I have done A+ and MCDST, but still yet to find a decent support job

Clouds_mate · 14th January 2009, 09:57

Yeh its part of the Microsoft Certified exams.

MCSP - 1 exam passed.
MCSA - 4 exams passed.
MCSE - 7 exmas passed.

Its something I've been wanting to do for a while as my currently employer pays for the exmas.

Clouds_mate · 14th January 2009, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshy

MCSE stands more Microsoft Certfied Systems Engineer. I am studying towards it at the moment and am struggling tbh as I don't work in IT, never have, but want to. I am 22 and have been working in the motor industry since leaving school. So far I have done A+ and MCSDT, but still yet to find a decent support job

Usually its just getting your foot in the doorway. The exams do really help once your on the ladder though. They are not like a degree where it just opens the first door. They carry you on throughout your career.

Marshy · 14th January 2009, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leckie

Usually its just getting your foot in the doorway. The exams do really help once your on the ladder though. They are not like a degree where it just opens the first door. They carry you on throughout your career.

Thats what I'm thinking. If I can get into a support job now, I can carry on with MCSA/MCSE while I'm working which should make the course a little easier. Then maybe I'll be able to move on in a couple years with MCSE and and some hands-on experience

joemcevoy · 14th January 2009, 10:03

Theres a lot of exams involved in the one your doing at the minute then leckie?

Im just doing the Microsoft Certified Desktop support Tech (MCDST) at the mo and its got 2 exams for XP and 1 for Vista. Its well worth it though i think, especially when your employer pays for it.

Although id strongly recomend anyone do them even if they have to pay for the exams yourself. As you say leckie your Qualification gets you through the door but these exams are what get you up the ladder indeed.

grantlowery · 14th January 2009, 10:07

Well...

Im a network engineer/technician, I got my ccna at college when I was 17 and then went straight into a job in my local town, like Leckie I work for more of a support company so not much of what I is in house which I really cant stand, we have a decent customer base but I get sick of travelling to many different sites etc.

I have also passed my CCNP which is quite a big step up from the CCNA, you will see that your not going to use much you have learnt from your CCNA in the networking world at all, its alot of theory and of course you have to remember that you have to do the exam every 3 years to prove you can still do it. With networking you have to be very committed and be willing to take risks with things to get things working when under pressure etc. I do love my job but I would much prefer to be managing just one network rather than several.
At 19 I lack experience to get a look in at many jobs, experience is vital maybe be more so than qualifications, I aim to get a microsoft qualifcation next as with all IT jobs your going to be working with windows alot so its a good thing to have under your belt.

once I have the experience I will be looking to move into contracting, mainly based around network security. Contracting offers very good money and you can work a few months off and a few months off.

Hope this helps

Clouds_mate · 14th January 2009, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by joemcevoy

Theres a lot of exams involved in the one your doing at the minute then leckie?

Im just doing the Microsoft Certified Desktop support Tech (MCDST) at the mo and its got 2 exams for XP and 1 for Vista. Its well worth it though i think, especially when your employer pays for it.

Although id strongly recomend anyone do them even if they have to pay for the exams yourself. As you say leckie your Qualification gets you through the door but these exams are what get you up the ladder indeed.

No exams involded because i aint started yet lol. I've got the Windows XP Professional book here on my desk. I dont think I've even picked it up in 6months. The only thing i need to revise for it is the RIS stuff which I've never done before.

I just would rather surf the net at work then read a book lol.

More fool me

grantlowery · 14th January 2009, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leckie

No exams involded because i aint started yet lol. I've got the Windows XP Professional book here on my desk. I dont think I've even picked it up in 6months. The only thing i need to revise for it is the RIS stuff which I've never done before.

I just would rather surf the net at work then read a book lol.

More fool me

Lol, im same I have a load of books on my desk gathering dusk, Im not opening them anytime soon. This job is making me less and less enthusiastic day by day...

joemcevoy · 14th January 2009, 10:19

I have it sitting at home, problem is though i dont have the virtual computer program and i know you can get it for free but i dont have the virtual machines to work with so cant really do much work for the exam. Although i have booked a day off to at least attempt to read over the book.

Again i am the same, surf the net. Although i thought i overheard my manager say they are gonna disable the internet apart from during lunch hours :O nooo.

grantlowery · 14th January 2009, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by joemcevoy

I have it sitting at home, problem is though i dont have the virtual computer program and i know you can get it for free but i dont have the virtual machines to work with so cant really do much work for the exam. Although i have booked a day off to at least attempt to read over the book.

Again i am the same, surf the net. Although i thought i overheard my manager say they are gonna disable the internet apart from during lunch hours :O nooo.

use your new skills to get around it

Clouds_mate · 14th January 2009, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantlowery

Lol, im same I have a load of books on my desk gathering dusk, Im not opening them anytime soon. This job is making me less and less enthusiastic day by day...

Story of my life...Im too lazy at work now.

Internet > Work

Quote:

Originally Posted by joemcevoy

I have it sitting at home, problem is though i dont have the virtual computer program and i know you can get it for free but i dont have the virtual machines to work with so cant really do much work for the exam. Although i have booked a day off to at least attempt to read over the book.

Again i am the same, surf the net. Although i thought i overheard my manager say they are gonna disable the internet apart from during lunch hours :O nooo.

Virtual Machine?

You mean like this? So you can install another OS? bit like VMware?

Im sure its a free download from the Microsoft site.