How to get started in the IT industry?

[Mark Young]

I will be starting a course in IT Tech support at Tafe(technical college) next month.

What I wanted to know was what do people do in their IT roles, what is their thoughts on the industry etc and what things should an IT noob look out for.

 

[Jeratain]

The only advice I can offer is that the field is extremely saturated; jobs are hard to come by. If you want to succeed you need to work hard and study more than just your basic IT stuff. Get into coding, get certified, and so on. Basically be versatile.

 

[Mark Young]

Originally posted by Jeratain
The only advice I can offer is that the field is extremely saturated; jobs are hard to come by. If you want to succeed you need to work hard and study more than just your basic IT stuff. Get into coding, get certified, and so on. Basically be versatile.

Thanks for replying Jeratain.
What qualifications did you do?
This course is a cert IV which leads onto a diploma. It has a programming elective in it which I am planning to take.
By certified do you mean the official Microsoft certifications or other tertiary courses like what I am planning on doing?

 

[Jeratain]

Actually I haven't done any - I have decided to steer away from IT because of the lack of jobs here in Silicon Valley. I'm studying decision sciences right now. However my brother, several friends, and other family members are in the tech field/IT.

From second hand experience I have learned that, as I said earlier, you need to make your resume approachable and you need to be versatile. Meaning don't just limit yourself to one thing and think that you will qualify for any job - expand your choices by expanding your knowledge.

If you want to get certified, MCSE is a start, but with all due respect, everyone and their mother has an MCSE these days - that doesn't mean you shouldn't get it though. A+ certification is nice to have, but it seems tbe the same. CISCO certification is a great asset to have, though getting it is tedious and takes time.

If you are going to get into IT, I highly suggest looking into studying database (learn to utilize programs like Microsoft Access), ASP scripting, XML scripting, Java, etc. Though some of those are not directly related to what you may be studying, they certainly can help you increase your prospects in the field.

I suppose I should say - I do not know where you live or how the market is there. I don't know if the field is saturated where you are as it is here in California. So perhaps much of what I say is moot. I suggest looking online on job search sites to see what jobs are being offered and what requirements are most common. That is usually one of the best ways to get an idea. Who knows, maybe where you live just an MSCE and some basic IT knowledge will get you a well paying job!

Good luck.

 

[Comraddict]

Any decent company will require 2yrs experience in IT field. You are better with something else, IMHO.

 

[Speedo]

You might consider the military. (I don't know anything about non-US militaries though, if you aren't American) I have a cousin who enlisted in the USAF right out of high school and went into IT stuff, he's been doing it now for 6 yrs. I'm sure all branches have some IT people, but doing it in the AF is practically a civilian job where you have to wear a uniform to work. Even if you're not up for the full career in it, 4 yrs in would get you trained and with experience, then even if you did need to take a few courses when you got out you'd have the GI Bill helping you pay for them.

 

[Mark Young]

Thanks for the advise everyone.

@Jeratian.
I have heard very similar things about the need to be versatile whilst at the same time specialising in a few different areas without being TOO much of a specialist. Because I have a mate that cant get a job, even though he has over 15 years experience because he is OVER qualified for most jobs that he goes for.
Having a MCSE under your belt appears to be the norm here as well.
Thanks for the tip on checking the market.

@Speedo
That probably not a bad idea. The only thing that I worry about is the going to war factor.
Our Defence forces do train people here as well, and the incentives that they offer are quite good.

 

[bobgote]

Hey Sir Eric.

Check out if in your course, there is an option to do some work experience. In my CS degree that I'm doing, I got a year of work experience with the defence dept. and I think that will really help me in finding a job when i'm finished. (of course i can't tell you more about that until the end of the year )

umm so anyway, just on the state of our IT industry, it isn't too bad, it's on the mend. Having a year of work experience behind you can only help My course involves java, asp scripting, c++, .net stuff etc. I'd also suggest getting some certifications with database or networking stuff too. (this year, i'm doing some evolutionary and neural computing stuff which should be good )

What was in the course you are doing?

 

[Ohkrana]

I expect your fairly young - late teens/early twenties? So I frame my post according to the afore mentioned assumption.
[Edit apologies I just checked your profile - but post below is still applicable]

IT is a general term that encompasses a hell of alot.

Some of the roles or directions you can take:

Help Desk
PC Support/Technician
Networks - LANS/WANS and Wireless (Microsoft, Novell and Linux/FreeBSD to a lesser extent)
Network Administrator (play God on a company LAN scale hehehe)
IT Security
E-commerce (linux/FreeBSD focus) ties in with IT Security
Multimedia (tougher area to get work in - bit of a niche market I guess, depends on the locale you reside I suspect)
Developing (heavy emphasis on code naturally)
Information Systems and Analysis (aim for that cushy Bank job
)
Education/Teaching (at TAFE level that requires Certificate IV in work place Training and Assessment - which I've done - worth considering down the track)

Thats just some of the area's in IT you can look for. I expect your doing something similar to what I did in certificate IV Networks. Focus on Cisco, Linux and a bit of Management/IT Support stuff.

Since your just starting out some suggestions.

Consider doing some of these certificates while your studying your course. Bit of a tall ask - but in long run makes things easier.

I'd say go for the CompTIA A+ certificate, consists of two exams - and their adapative exams from memory. Tests you on PC Mainatenence and so forth - you can find revision material in the shops or online (www.cert21.com). A+ is not a real demanding exam if your reaosnably familar with pc maintenence and networking some basic revision and preperation should see you pass. Bear in mind these certifications are external and cost money (approx $240-250) so it pays to pass the first time.

Other CompTIA certs - are Networks+(handy to have), Server+ and INet+.

As others have said round out your knowledge, being a specialist in one area will help you not at all! Companies and workplaces expect alot more from IT staff these days.

Probably the most important qualification you can get I expect they will be teaching you Cisco semseters 1 through 4 in certificate IV-DIploma level. Is the CCNA (Certified Cisco NetWorking Associate). Deals with the OSI Network Model and the TCP/IP Model and LAN/WAN, wireless networking technologies. Exteremely beneficial to have for employment oppurtunities and you'll also pick up alot in the CISCO course that will be extremely useful in most other areas of IT; and you'll need it!

When it comes to coding C++/VB (or VB.Net now) and Java - java is the one you really want to learn but it's also beneficial to learn the others.

Some other suggestions to think about, the big problem of course is getting experience you'll be in a bit of a catch 22. They'll want people with experience but how you spose to get some if they don't give it to you, sort of thing.

You might want to consider joining a local Linux user group/society. The Sydney one is called SLUG (Sydney Linux User Group)..lol I just wanted to say that. As well as being able to pick up help with using Linux/FreeBSD type software it will be a good way to get to know people who already work in IT areas. Because the best way you'll get work in IT is through somebody you know who already works in that area.

And don't join the military full time to just to get expereince in IT?? Sheesh. If your seriously considering that - I suggest joining the reserves first either the RAAF/RAN reserves. At least that way you can get a taste of what the military is like and pick up some experience along the way. Also note - that Australian Defeneces forces are rejecting a high number of applicant - I forget the figures, and the forces are close to reaching capacity. It's also not just likely but almost certain you'd be deployed OS given the current focus of Australian Foreign policies.

Also signup to an IT news Letter like TechRepublic often handy for picking up tips/information.

Best of luck any other queries reply here or PM me - your welcome.

All humour aside seriously peruse the site below - give you an idea of some of what working in IT really means.

ITHell

 

[IceBlaZe]

What about degrees? Aren't a first and second degree, say in Computer Science and in Mathematics, prefferable to certification?

 

[Comraddict]

With 4yr degree you should have no problem in finding job. Well probably you would have it before you graduate!

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by Comraddict
With 4yr degree you should have no problem in finding job. Well probably you would have it before you graduate!

Funny, I know people with bachelor and masters degrees who can't get tech jobs right now.

 

[Mark Young]

THanks everyone for replying.

@Bobgote.
I'm not too sure about the work expereince option yet as I dont know much about the course at this stage (except for the subjects) until the 28th of Jan.
From what I have heard some people are saying that out IT industry is on a bit of a climb after being in a slump for a while, but OTOH I know very qualified people that cant get a job either.

The course that I am doing covers a wide range of subjects, so I assume that if I want to learn things in more detail then I have to do other courses.
The 2 things that I have been told most to study are code and networking which both are included in this course thankfully.

The subjects are quite numerous to list so here is a link to the tafe course if you want to have a look..
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/cgi-rdb/r...KG_NAME=Information+Technology&PRINTVER_IND=N
It's a basic course but it is a start.

@Ohkrana.
Thanks for the tips on career directions. And thanks for the comprehensive post.

Do you have an address for SLUG? Thankfully I am in Sydney
Re CISCO, I am not too sure about if we are doing that particiularly.
Thanks for all the advice on the different matters. It is very helpful.

 

[bobgote]

That course is focused on a systems admin kind of occupation (with bits of project management chucked in), which is probably your best bet on a way to get started. Most of the code monkey work is getting shipped to india, but it's always good to have programming skills as well as your sys admin stuff.

http://www.slug.org.au/ <- SLUG website.

If I can add to what your course list said, look at it and see if it does both Windows + Unix stuff, and also look at maybe learning (in your own time perhaps) some ASP or such tech and/or java programming (didn't see any programming stuff in there). It'll be cool just to learn this stuff off the net with tutorials or with a text book because you really only need to list it as a skill, not necessarily to be 'qualified' in it.

 

[Mark Young]

Thanks Bobgote.
When I applied for this course they said that it would have a 240hour elective in programming, but the website doesn't include that at all. And I cant check until the enrollment date on the 28th. so I dont know if they will include unix or not yet.
I use to have a copy of linux but I gave it away about 3 months ago.

 

[Phantom Lord]

Certificates, grades, experience are one thing helps to get a job. Some good posts about this have been written already.

But (at least my own) experience shows that either good relations or incredible luck can be important factors as well - the latter is difficult to plan though.

Some tips that don't directly have to do with your education, but may help would be:

1) Focus on something you're interested in - if your interested in the matter, you will become very good at it.
2) Focus on tommorow's big deal, not on today's.
3) It's always good to know something about databases.

Well, about the IT business and our roles in it: My role in the IT industry is quality assurance. Many people imagine this as a control job, it is not, or only partially. It's about avoiding chaos and learning from mistakes you've encountered before, finding the "good enough" state and dealing with people in the first place. QA sounds very boring, but it isn't, it's rather thrilling. Like a referee, you can watch the game for free, but you have to make difficult and sometimes not very popular decisions. Anyway, the players will appreciate you if you do it well.

The IT industry has many faces. It's very thrilling when you're young and there's always something to do right, here right now. When do this for a longer period of time though, you start to recognize patterns and get more professional but less personally involved.

There are good companies and bad companies, like everywhere else. The good companies are those with a professional management. A bad management will ruin a company, no matter how good the employees are, which can be very frustrating to witness. If they tell you, the company is the best there is and the best there will be and how they know it all, be very careful. If they tell you they have strong competitors, but they will increase their market share by 3% like in the last 3 years, they're worth a second look.

 

[IglooDame]

Originally posted by Sir Eric
Thanks Bobgote.
When I applied for this course they said that it would have a 240hour elective in programming, but the website doesn't include that at all. And I cant check until the enrollment date on the 28th. so I dont know if they will include unix or not yet.
I use to have a copy of linux but I gave it away about 3 months ago.

You should be able to download (you or anyone you know have broadband?) almost any distro of Linux free and burn it to CD to install it, here's a good website for it:
http://www.linuxiso.org/

To echo what other people have said, I'd recommend getting an A+ certification. It's a fairly comprehensive look at a workstation and covers good ground. You'll tend to find workstation-type jobs before you find server-type jobs at the lower experience level.

Learn Windows Server AND Linux. It'll do wonders for your breadth.

There's a continuous raging debate on a couple other boards I'm on about degrees vs certification, and it boils down to: your mileage may vary.
http://www.tek-tips.com/ is probably my favorite technical discussion board.

 

[Mark Young]

Thanks for the links Igloodude.
I have checked out both of these sites and I'll definetly be using them in the future.
I brought a Linux journal from the newsagent on the weekend that contains redhat 9.0 and I will install it when I go on holidays next week.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Ohkrana]

A word of caution - read the install docs from www.redhat.com very carefully. Also if this is your first try at installing Linux - don't install it as a dual boot on your current system.

Be mindful of checking the HCL (Hardware Compatibility list) for Linux, particularly for video cards and sound cards. Sound Blaster compatable card is fine for Windows - but it just don't work that way for Linux. Video cards - Nvidia GeoForce (which has the modules installed by default in the kernel now - curse the RH 8 Kernel) I'd personally recommend, they support it fairly well for RedHat and Mandrake. Plus there is a now defunct Open Source site for linux drivers (forget the site but not hard to find out from a Linux user group).

[Edit] I'd recommend a workstation or Custom install - and just 'fidget' with linux to get use to the interface and shell commands. If your determined to do a dual boot system (you'll need a FAT 32 file system - NTFS will not be the go). Don't do a server install - will clean off your whole Hard Drive and use just for Linux.

Many new users (myself in the past included) have installed a dual boot system not particularly aware of where the Boot Loader (the default boot loader used to be LILO - but now it's Grub) goes and what it does it to your Windows boot sector.
Thankfully I found a way to recover my Windows partition quite painlessly, some have not.

If your totally new to Linux and not familar with it at all. Snag a copy of Knoppix (cut down 1 CD version of linux based on the Debian distro). It's really a Live CD version of linux which you'll be able to boot up on any computer and give you a chance to get a feel for it - without doing anything to your hard drive. Boots off the CD (you may have to edit the pc BIOS) and runs just using the CPU and RAM. Plus Knoppix is a really cool Linux Toy.

If you can it's best to get a cheap knock about system (a budget is always a concern) to use just for linux (486 and up is capable enough for Linux).

www.linuxquestions.org

There are other user forums for linux - quite many infact. Learn to make good use of them.

Plus if you into games these days with WineX (subscription service) now you can play your favourite Windows games under Linux).

[Edit] Consider buying the SAMS RedHat unleashed reference book (approx $100) excellent Linux reference - far far better than the Linux Bible.

I baught that same Journal (Aust. Linux Journal?) - Linux Format (includes Tutorials, user comments, general Linux news etc) is also a pretty good linux magazine - always free Linux Distro's and Linux software with the mag (approx 17.95).

Welcome to the world of Open Source - you get a complmentary Dart Throwing Poster of Bill Gates. :devil2:

Plus a Clay Statue of Linus Torvalds with a surrounding lit oil bath for

Enjoy playing with the Penguin.

 

[bobgote]

I got mandrake 9 and had no probs installing that for dual boot at all.