IT industry. How do I get in?

[Bloodfire]

I really want to get into the IT field, mostly network security. Thing is, I am still generally new to Network stuff. I am savvy enough with computers to at least know what I am doing but I have no certifications or IT background, and would still like to learn more about computers other than building them or any other basic stuff.

I'd like to make a career out of this, but I have no idea where to start. I tried calling staffing agencies but they don't really help. Any company looking to hire, requires a lot of exp and such.

I am unemployed at the moment and I have limited funds. I am actually trying this state program where I can get funds for additional job training, but that's sketchy at best. So what I wanna ask is, where do I start?

If you have any ideas, I'll try them out. This is something I really want to do, but have no one I know personally to help me find a way.

Thanks in advance

[Cephius]

Really you have two options, either start getting Cisco certified, or take a help desk job and train while working and hope to advance your way up to where you want to be.

[Ohemgee]

Get your CCNA Security and MCSE certified, apply at a lower tech job and work your way up to security (nobody really starts out high)

[Bloodfire]

How important is CCNA and/or MCSE compared to getting A+ and N+?

Are there companies that will hire me with only a CCNA, and damn near zero exp and background?

[Cephius]

You'd have to be very, very lucky to get hired without an experience or background. Better off getting any entry-level job and working your way up.

[MisterBob]

Most companies won't hire you with just an A+, especially not for a decent position. A+ is the McDonalds of certs.

[Man0warr]

Most companies won't hire you for your certs period. Certs are mainly for the company to be able to say their employees are xxxxx certified. Degree and certs will get you in the interview but you'll have to show them what you can do before you get hired (for positions like network admin, sysadmin, anything security). It's still good to have them, but only if you actually know what's your tested on and didn't just cram for a couple weeks to pass the test.

Work experience is all that matters, the broader the better (as a sysadmin at least). My last job in addition to my sysadmin duties I was also doing front end web design (html, css, java), graphic design, vendor support, and network administration for some clients. The more roles you can fill and technologies you have worked on the better.

I'd get a help desk job somewhere, work on your certs (the company might even pay for them, as I said, they can charge their clients more if they have certified employees), then you can move up to working on servers, maybe get a job at a data center, where you can start focusing on security stuff.

I started out as tech support/help desk, then website administration, then sysadmin.

[Tekniklie]

A+ and N+ together counts as an elective exam towards getting your MCSE. Obtaining your A+ and N+ is not a bad option right now since it seems you are getting aid to do it, which covers most of the cost currently if you qualify. Once finishing it, comptia will also help find you jobs. This will most likely be entry lvl help desk positions, but will allow you to get some experience and hands on knowledge.

Hands on knowledge will take you further then any cert or schooling. Nothing compares to learning from actually doing it in a live environment. I do suggest trying to work towards your MCSE and cicso certs if you want to get into security. And like someone else stated, some companies will pay for you to take your exams, regardless of what position you are currently working. When I first started out with Siemens IT Services, they would pay for any exam as long as it was remotely related to IT somehow. I got to move up from Comp operator to Risk management, to project/change management. Companies love to move people up from the bottom, it means they can pay you less. If you find yourself in this position, run with it. Take the lower pay, get your experience and free training, then move elsewhere.

[bungiefan]

I'm still trying to figure out how to even get in at entry level, because nobody seems to want to hire at that level in Alaska. I got a CCNA 5 years ago, along with A+, Network+, and Microsoft Certified Professional. I was at the top of my class at the state trade school for their IT course.

Many of the jobs here want 3 years work experience in the field or at least a 2 year degree.

A+ doesn't count for much by itself, as it just shows basic computer hardware and software knowledge. Anyone could get it with a few weeks study. CCNA is a much harder one to get, moreso for anything higher up the Cisco certification chain. A+ and Network+ never expire either, while Cisco certifications need to be renewed every few years, by either passing the test for your certification again or passing the test for a higher certification.

[Jodwahh]

I recenty got into a job that I'm massively under-qualified for just by offering myself up for 2 weeks work exeperience. i'm 29 so don't think that age is a factor in this. I just turned up everyday early, made a good impression and focused on the bespoke systems they use. All in all it's been awesome, excellent job, excellent staff and an excellent office. Offering yourself up for work experience shows that your willing to put in the grind to get what you want.

[Bockage]

A+ and Network+ never expire either, while Cisco certifications need to be renewed every few years, by either passing the test for your certification again or passing the test for a higher certification.

Just as an FYI, starting in September of this year the A+ will no longer be a lifetime certificate. You will be required to re-test every three years to keep it up to date. So if you want to take the A+ take it soon so you can be one of the last people with the lifetime certificate.

[Krandor]

Enlist in the military and go into an ITish rate, get out after 4(6) and have your pick of jobs. I know plenty of people who have done this for IT or other technical fields. If your rate involves getting security clearances as well, mo money.

[bungiefan]

Military enlistment is not an option for me. I won't deal with mandatory weapons training. I'm a computer guy, I don't see the need to know how to use a weapon, and I don't want that knowledge.

[Ohemgee]

I don't know why anyone didn't say this earlier; get in through the backdoor.

Herf derf D;

[solkanar]

I got into the IT field 4 years ago, been in charge of network security/infrastructure at my current job for the last 2. Prior to this I was an Elementary school teacher (hated it).

Went back to school and got an associates in Network Engineering, took a job with Geek Squad for about a year, then moved on to a small IT company.

Recommendations if you want to get into security. Get your foot in the door at a low level position first, get the experience. As far as certs don't bother with A+, most people in IT (at least that I interviewed with) see it like a GED. Microsoft certs are OK, CCNA is defiantly worth it, if you really want to impress get CEH. Also strong knowledge of Linux CLI is a must.

[Bloodfire]

I did some looking around, and have settled on going to a 2 year school for a degree in Telecommunications Systems Management. Figure I try to get a pell grant for it. Hell, the program even offers internships and stuff.

Does this sound like a good move? Do you think a degree will sound better than a bunch of certs?

Here is a link for what this program offers:
http://www.tridenttech.edu/TeleCommSys.pdf

From what I read, this program goes over CCNA stuff and then some, plus they give a lot of hands on teaching. Sounds really good but would like a second opinion.

[EagleCeres]

Get your CCNA Security and MCSE certified, apply at a lower tech job and work your way up to security (nobody really starts out high)

^This.

I've been in and out of the IT biz for the last 8 years.
Even with a Telecomm Systems Engineering Degree, I've still to find a job in the IT biz that DOESN'T ask for a CCNA and/or MCSE, specially if you want to go past basic tech support jobs and properly into a company's IT department.

Experience goes a LONG way, both technical and non-tech.

[Lhyet]

Ultimately, experience is going to get you the higher end jobs. You can have certs out the arse but they'll do no good if you don't have enough hands on experience, and from what I've heard (alot), having certs that are too far above the position you're aiming for will actually hinder you.

If you can get an internship along with your degree then that's going to go a long way. Doing a small bit of volunteer work like someone else suggested is also a very good idea and will pay dividends.

As for if that is a good degree... that's going to depend on if the end product is what you want to do with your career.
You say you want to go into network security and sure enough a Systems Management degree is going to have aspects of that included, but it may not be enough for what you want. Also I donno if the whole 'Telecommunications' part is going to be an issue. Could be tying your knowledge down to a far too specific industry.

More info on what the degree actually gives you compared to the direction you want to take would be helpful.


I've found that getting your first job in IT is a game of luck. Even the low level jobs want experience and it's just luck if you can get into the interview and prove that you're a better investment than the other few people who have more experience than you.
Certs help. They help you get an interview at the very least, but no one should start aiming for certs like MCSE before even getting an IT job.

[Bloodfire]

I see that a lot of people are suggesting CCNA. This is what I expected

I'll tell you this much, getting a CCNA sounds good and all, but what I am worried about is that I know almost next to nothing about Networks. I mean I setup and maintain my own home network, but I don't know any advanced stuff. Hell I am still trying to figure why the other PCs on my network don't show up on the My Network window. Trying to dump what little money I have on taking a test to get a cert on something I understand very little about, will not end well for my pocket book.

I wanna get my foot in the door first off, I know about computers and have an affinity for them, but there are aspects I don't know. I went and took an A+ assessment test and got 13 out of 40 questions right. This tells me I need serious improvement.

I agree with a lot of what everyone is saying it is all very informative. The things I know I'll have an issue on is finding ANY employer that's gonna hire me for any help desk job, no matter how "entry-level" it is.

Ultimately, it seems that exp. will be that make or break moment for me. This sucks as I have no idea where to start.

[Rellikard]

http://www.comptia.org/certification...d/renewal.aspx

CompTIA Certification Renewal Policy

To Our Customers,

I am very appreciative of the honest feedback you have provided us regarding our recent announcement concerning CompTIA certifications. We’ve listened to what you have told us and we’ve changed the policy announced on January 11, 2010.

CompTIA will not require recertification for any current holders of CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ certification. You are not required to retest to maintain your valid CompTIA certification. Regardless of when you became certified in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+, you are certified for life.

For candidates currently preparing to sit for a CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ exam, if you pass an exam and become certified by December 31, 2010, you too will have a lifetime certification with no requirements for recertification or retesting.

Effective January 1, 2011, all new CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ certifications will be valid for three years from the date the candidate is certified. After three years, the certification must be renewed. This can be done by passing the most current exam for a respective certification or by participating in CompTIA’s upcoming new continuing education program, which will allow individuals to keep their skills current and their certification up to date without retesting.

We’ve worked hard to balance the interests of our current and future customers first and foremost, with the stringent requirements to maintain our ISO 17024 accreditation for CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+. Our ISO accreditation is extremely important to us because of the global credibility it carries. Equally important is the trust our certificate holders placed in us when they became certified. We believe our new plan accomplishes both goals.

We encourage you to continue to visit www.comptia.org/renewal and http://blog.comptia.org/ for information and updates. We value your input.

Best Regards,

Todd Thibodeaux
President and CEO
CompTIA