What are you working towards? Need advice? Share study resources and learn how to utilize certs to get jobs.
Post it in here
If you've got a tech career:
>Job Title
>Years of Experience
>Degrees/Certs
>How did you find/get job
>Pay
>Location
CCENT then CCNA or directly CCNA? Which path do you prefer?
Finished my first month as sysadmin at a *nix datacenter / hosting provider. First job after being NEET for 2 years and have little relevant work experience, but do have my CCNA.
Got the job by applying to a posting that apparently a recruiter had set up. Had at least 4 interviews there. The interview questions included the classic 'explain connecting to website (with arps, bgp, dns, etc)' and a dnd-style roleplay of troubleshooting a slow web page.
My technical knowledge is strong, but I keep making mistakes because I'm not cautious enough and don't double check my work. Open cabinet doors SLOWLY, don't paw around in there willy nilly, if you make the slightest change then document and re-test in a test environment, even if that means hauling out, building, and configuring 4 2U servers.
I'm so new to this style of work environment. I can't figure out dress code, so I wear collared shirts and slacks. Should I bring in doughnuts, or will that make me seem like a pushover? Is it okay to explore new solutions at company expense, even if I flounder because of my ineptitude? Do I try to teach the technicians how to fix advanced problems, or conform to the chain-of-escalation? halp
>>52837877
CCENT then CCNA, definately, 100%.
There is a huge time constraint on those tests, and doubly so for the straight-CCNA test.
The only reason not to do the CCENT is if you have been working with cisco products for years and already know everything, but are for some reason not certified.
>>52837877
CCENT, if you ask around you can get a voucher to take the test at 50% off.
>>52836874
Alright guys. I'm graduating in 2 months, I have my CCNA, CCNP Route, and no experience.
How fucked am I in terms of finding a job?
>>52838238
How old are you?
Graduating with what?
Interested in jobs doing what?
>Job Title
IT Support
>Years of Experience
9mo
>Degrees/Certs
AA. Art and design / CCNA, Sec+, working on MCSA
>How did you find/get job
School
>Pay
45K
>Location
East Coast USA
>>52838238
Sorta fucked...most employers will wonder why you got the CCNP without any experience.Why didn't you do an internship? You would have scored an internship easily with a CCNA and CCNP route.
does everyone here have a self taught cisco cert?
schools are too expensive tbqh
>>52837877
Directly to CCNA. I'd rather worry about one test rather than 2.
SANS GWAPT next
Also working on a MS
>Job Title
Security Analyst
>Years of Experience
4
>Degrees/Certs
Business BA, SANS GCIH, SANS GNFA, CISSP*
>How did you find/get job
Internship
>Pay
~$90000
>Location
TX, US
How do I break into the field? I want to leave my current job and i'm wondering how long it would take to get some entry level IT job. I don't have any IT work experience just personal. What would be the best routes for certs? And how did you guys get your first IT job? All the local ones i've seen posted want 2+ years of experience.
>>52838853
Cert up! Get the basics like A+ and N+. What is it in IT do you want to focus in, work towards that certification.
>>52838915
Really I just want to get my foot in the door And work my way from there, who knows what'll turn up in the future and I don't want to get too many certs that I might not use.
I read that getting into IT your best bet is with a hiring agency, anyone have experience with that or another recommendation on where to look for entry level jobs?
How would i go about putting my home lab on my resume
I have a job interview on Monday with a government contractor (DC area) for an IT Support. The pay is 66k so I really want to get it since I'm working for 50k at a job I hate so I kind of really want it.
I had the first phone interview with some HR lady and that went well, but apparently the second interview is just brain teaser questions. Has anyone else had to do this?
>>52839110
Put it under your projects.Don't just say that you built a home lab. Say something like built a server farm to test cloud storage or some shit
>>52838853
>And how did you guys get your first IT job?
nepotism
>>52839194
This is good.
Look up resume buzz words. For my last job I used to make C# scripts to automate random shit that the analysts had to do. A friend told me to write "Application Engineer" rather than just developer and it did a ton of good for me.
>>52838853
Resume passed on by an instructor. Probably the only real thing i got out of school.
>>52839194
>>52839240
This is good advice, but don't go crazy. Initial HR monkeys will love it, but any follow up technical interview will end in a fisting you're not prepared for.
whats a CS/IT job that has field work, as in driving around, new job sites, working outdoors, etc?
>Systems Administrator
>3 years
>AAS In Systems Administration
>Recruiter at my company reached out to me for my experience
>~$52k/yr
>MI
Currently working towards VCP6-DCV and then MCSE in WS12 R2.
>>52839620
ISP goon...
>>52839620
>IT
>Outdoors
>Computers outside in the elements
There's a reason googling it didn't yield any results.
>>52839620
cable guy
or something niche related to geodesy
>>52839751
>geodesy
I doubt you need to get certs for surveying
>>52838554
I just turned 20
Diploma in Network Administration
Network administration, systems administration. Shit, anything that's relevant to my field
>>52838597
>.Why didn't you do an internship?
It's only a two year diploma program. No real time for an internship.
How do you guys recommend studying for CCENT and/or CCNA?
>>52841956
Read Todd Lammle's books, get a copy of the netacad CCNA labs, get Jermey's CCNA videos.
Get some labbing done on actual machines, don't stick to just GNS3. If you go into an interview with the CCNA and you can't cable things you'll get laughed at
How the fuck am I meant to get a job when I've applied for every single IT business (theres 7) 3 times in the past 6 months and I haven't gotten replies back.
>>52842346
Closest area that has more businesses is 5 hours away, I have networking certs & helpdesk cert
>>52841956
The Odom books to read, Packet Tracer labs to practice configuration and troubleshooting, although some labs
http://cisco.edu.mn/Download/
Part 3 labs aren't shown there but can be found in the III modules themselves.
Cisco Netacad curriculum is available here:
http://cisco.edu.mn/
Become knowledgeable with all that and you'll do fine.
I read the IT fundamentals shit is getting retired in june or something, is this true
Also is it true the price for that particular cert doubles for some reason so that it's twice the price initially listed for the voucher at their homepage
This shit doesn't make sense at all wtf
>>52842316
>>52842446
are CBTNuggets videos good for learning CCNET/CCNA? I've done networking courses before but I want cisco certs
>>52842346
You resume is getting black hole'd. Google that up. Trying doing volutneer, network more by going to convention/events/meeting/communities, anon.
Expanding your region where you can apply, join recruiters, look for smaller companies, companies with high turnover rates(shitty jobs but they tend ease off the bullshit hiring process. )
here's some advice /g/ents:
if the position you want is a contractor position BUT the company is growing rapidly and there are success stories (see: me) of contractor's getting hired on, I'd go for it.
We had an instance where a candidate was butthurt it wasn't a temp-to-hire position because said company prefers the "try it before you buy it" method, he quit on his first scheduled day.
if a position says "or relevant experience" next to the degree, consider how long it takes for you go get a degree in that field, the major IT classes and which ones you can apply to real-world jobs
for example
>AS in computer networking
translates to:
>at least two + years of experience with A+ / Net+ / CCNA type work.
>Company A had me doing system builds with computer hardware for customers (A+) , PXE boot computers to run diagnostics(A+ / Net+), and setting up wireless AP's in customer's houses (etc.)
you just have to write down fairly detailed / generic examples of your work, but most importantly don't take the job too seriously. you have to read the interview and read between the lines with a lot of social ques. Be a bit personal too, talking about hobbies never hurts.
>>52842526
Theres nothing like that where I live. Just small businesses doing IT repairs and shit like that for companies around my little town. This one place has turned me down twice now, all they do is repair phones and do virus scans/dust out pc's. I'd have better luck making my own business or moving away.
>>52842585
>moving away
I don't know why this is so overlooked. I feel like it's important to tell us the population and region of the area you are in.
Some of you will not be able to get jobs in your area, period. I moved from a city of about 70k people in the southeast to Austin to get into IT. Yeah, it sucks to move and all but it landed me my first gig.
>>52843574
I might have to move away then, GF lives here and most of her family lives where I am planning to move to so it'd be alright.
>>52843594
Start applying for jobs in that area now anon or any other areas that you would be willing to move. Nowadays lots of employers will let you do Skype interviews, so you don't have to drive all the way to meet with them.
>>52836874
>>Job Title
IT specialist
>>Years of Experience
5 years
>>Degrees/Certs
BS information systems
Just started working on MCSA/MCSE
>>How did you find/get job
Was contractor got hired full time
>>Pay
75k
>>Location
Bay Area
>Job Title
Network Admin
>Years of Experience
4
>Degrees/Certs
A+, Net+, Sec+, CCNA R&S
>How did you find/get job
Defense Contractor website
>Pay
131k (101k tax-free)
>Location
Bagram, Afghanistan.
>>52836874
>>Job Title
Security Analyst
>>Years of Experience
2
>>Degrees/Certs
GSEC
>>How did you find/get job
inter organisation networking.
>>Pay
100k
>>Location
AUS
>>52836874
>>52836874
>>Job Title
Security Analyst
>>Years of Experience
2
>>Degrees/Certs
GSEC
>>How did you find/get job
inter organisation networking.
>>Pay
100k
>>Location
AUS
>>52837904
Do your best to fit in for 6 months, then worry about all that shit.
>>52838238
Everywhere I have ever worked has looked at a CCNA with no experience as a red flag.
>>52838853
In IT, entry level shit is always contracting firms, so move to an area that has a lot of tech companies and find an "IT solutions" consulting firm, send them your resume and they will send you out for the jobs for large scale projects that the big tech firms are always doing.
What they need is bodies, they have everything planned and will literally give you a step by step guide for literally everything you need to do.
These projects they will hire anywhere from 5-20 desktop support techs. Often times if they have projects that are pretty close together and they will keep you on in between contracts if you are any good.
Eventually if you have enough experience you'll get pimped out for the "fill the position" jobs and if you are decent you'll get hired.
Then you can start climbing the ladder to desktop admin/sysadmin/net admin.
While you are doing this, work on your certs.
Start with entry tier certs first, like A+.
>>52839110
Don't put it on your resume but talk about that shit in the interview. Hiring managers find that shit impressive, but HR managers ignore it.
Make sure you put things that you learned from your home lab on your resume.
>>52839191
That's typically how it goes. HR will interview you to get your personality and make sure you aren't full of shit.
Then you have an interview with the hiring manager or a technical expert (if the hiring manager isn't technical).
Just know your shit, they are more interested in your process than your ability to memorize command line commands.
>>52839620
I travel a lot for work, I am a sysadmin. My company has 400 people but 12 offices worldwide (we're closing and combining 3 over the next year), obviously not enough people in the company to justify an admin at every site (there are 4 of us).
>>52841707
Go work as a tech at a noc, your certs with no experience are a red flag.
>>52842346
What do you mean by "IT business"
How are there only 7?
Also most companies have an IT department if they have at least 100 employees.
>>52842585
>IT repairs
That's not real IT, that's retail shit.
>>52842585
>>52844164
Have a local Best Buy? Start applying as Geek Squad. Yeah, it's shit but its still somewhat relevant experience for helpdesk jobs.
Off topic, but does anyone know what Frys and Microcenter pay their techs now?
Worthless neet here. Is this a good textbook for the A+? How about the Messer videos?
>>52844239
Both are good. That should get you to where you need to be.
>>52844236
They get paid about the same as the salespeople
>>52844239
Subscribe to pluralsight, they have pimptastic cert videos
>>52836874
>System Administrator
>9 years
>No degree, CCNA, CCNP, VCP, CISSP, MCSA, MCSE
>115k
>Melbourne, Australia
p chill
Anon with MCSA server 2012, what study materials did you use? Ive been reading conflicting information on google saying microsofts official books are shit.
>>52843894
Would you recommend GSEC? My work has a pool of funds that I can use to take certifications every year if I feel like it. Was considering doing that as I have nothing to renew this year.
>>52844520
This is me
>>52844484
I actually didn't really study because at the time I was getting them, I was working in a very heavy Windows environment, and we had transitioned everything over to 2012 while I was there.
I've heard from younger guys who are studying this type of thing still at work that this guy is good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIFKmJ4wufc&list=PLJcaPjxegjBVnEN8c6O8w1mNit4WGeAWN&index=1
In my experience the Microsoft books are pretty average. I think their Virtual Academy is pretty decent nowadays, though.
>>52844520
I got my MCSA using training videos on the web, cbt/pluralsight/etc
>>52836874
Going for ccna
Is there any cheap equipment I can buy to practice on
>>52844709
Ebay
Grab one L2 switch and an L3 switch if you're on a budget. If not get an L3 switch
Recommended Switches:
2960 - L2 switch
3550 - L3 swtich
3560 - L3 switch
3750 - L3 switch
Make sure the routers come with a serial wic card you may need to buy them separately since most sellers like to sell routers barebones.
Recommended Routers:
2811
2821
>>52844547
>>52844615
Ty kind anons
Tell me what you think guys. A+, Net+, Sec+, CWTS, working on MCITP. and I have a couple mta's. I'm also 18 coming up with one year experience soon
>>52845078
What about a mini server rack
I always get anxious working with things I've never held in my hands before. it's why I don't like packet tracer
>>52839620
>working outdoors
Wrong field for this.
Enterprise level project manager.
Or maybe some sort of dod tacops contractor.
>>52844709
Download Cisco Packet Tracer. It's a free version of IOS for all equipment simulation software
>>52845210
If you have the budget for it get this.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U14MO8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
>>52845198
Nobody should have more than one CompTIA cert. And wireless certs are garbage; try naming a single job it's useful for.
My opinion is you should stop trying to do everything and pick something to be good at and develop yourself around that. You list entry level certs for each of the fields they are covering, so not only will you fail at knowing each in depth but you will also not master the basics because you are spreading your knowledgebase thin.
1. Find a goal job that requires a skillset you would like to improve that you can certify towards.
2. Establish a knowledge base by getting a basic cert in that specific thing area/requirement.
3. Get the most advanced cert on that topic you can find ,find intern work, or contribute to an actual project that uses that knowledge.
4. Get a new job, gain exp. Repeat step one as desired.
If you aren't sure what you interested in then lurk moar or find a different field.
>>52844239
>Messer videos
My sleep aid of choice. Torrent the CBT nuggets videos.
>Job Title
Information Systems Engineer
>Years of Experience
In the field, 2 -- I only just turned 20
>Degrees/Certs
GED
>How did you find/get job
Internship
>Pay
32k/yr
>Location
Detroit
I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I need something to do alongside work or start taking on more job responsibilities. Either that or begin pursuing certifications.
I was admitted to a masters program at a local uni but they found out I was 20 and wouldn't let me proceed. I don't like screwl enough to bother w/ a bachelors.
Living alone and doing p well, but I want to keep climbing. Suggestions?
>>52845533
Get out of detriot, what a shit hole.
>>52845533
Apply for Masters programs in TX.
We'll pay you 3 times as much.
Anyone know a good site to study and get an A+ cert?
>>52845210
>What about a mini server rack
Get an IKEA lack table. Like $15 and is the perfect width to hold equipment.
>>52845669
Google professor messer
>>52845704
Thanks!
>>52845669
https://certification.comptia.org/
Just get the list of exam objectives and read up on those using web search.
You'll know it better, teach yourself how to find resources (90% of IT work in my experience), and won't have to worry about forgetting everything that goes into studying the exam vs studying the material.
A+ is only useful to you if you put forth honest effort. No real employer will care if you have it, so it's more of a cert to build your knowledge base.
>>52844098
That's what they mentioned, but it just seemed really weird that the hiring manager/tech lead that is running my next interview would give a shit about brain teasers.
http://www.examcompass.com/comptia/a-plus-certification/free-a-plus-practice-tests
How accurate are these questions in comparison to the actual exam?
>>52836874
I am finishing up my A+ this month and will work on some other basic certs like networking+ and security+. After that, I'll decide how I'll branch off because I'm thinking about either going into information security or work on networking and do administration.
>>52845447
Knowing the basics understanding of everything makes you an I.T. professional. This is how they train us here and our job placement is in the 90%. I'm already specializing in networking and VoIP but understanding the rest makes me versatile. I'm studying for Cisco CCNA
I've been working on computers at staples for a year now, have an AA and my A+. Why can't I land a help desk job?
>>52848108
Are you living in a small area? How many resumes have you put out?
>>52848108
Review your resume.
>>52845775
I beg to differ. Have you been on the job boards?
We rehash this every time on these threads.
Does the CompTIA triad matter?
The answer is YES under these circumstances:
No experience and no degree? Yes, get CompTIA certs.
Are you wanting to work for the govt, school systems, defense contractors? Yes, get CompTIA certs.
>>52850346
This. Regarding Comptia certs.
They may not be as in depth as other vendor specific certs, but they're a good starting point for folks who don't have an IT background.
>>52836874
>Job Title
Computer Repair Tech at Uni
>Years of Experience
0.3,
>Degrees/Certs
Working towards a degree in CS
>How did you find/get job
Knew my boss before I got the job, didn't even have to interview for the position
>Pay
$11 an hour
>Location
CA
Should I get any certs while in school? Which would be the best and easiest to get?
>>52850451
What do you want to do after getting your degree?
>>52850663
I don't want to narrow my professional career field to only programming. I want to broaden my options. I already get some experience of networking at my job, shared drives, the server in the building, troubleshooting any computer issues, and upgrading computer software and hardware.
I love what I do and I also love programming. So something to do with networking or programming.
>>52850761
I'd suggest getting the CCNA and learning how to program network monitoring tools like Zabbix and getting into devops.
>>52850801
>getting into devops.
That actually sounds really interesting. Thank you anon.
>>52844239
Thats what I used. Its a little over kill on some of the hardware side but over all very good.
I just read the book and took the test.
>Looking to go in to *nix admin. should i go with N+ and S+ or RHEL or something else?
currenly 3 years exp at various places ranging from Staples to NBC
Im looking for study material for the ccent test ICND1 i got a shit load of ICND2 , hook a bro up
>>52842506
Yes.
Jermey is the GOAT CBTNuggets instructor
I actually started learning Amazon AWS just because he was the one making the videos
>>52845198
I don't think MCITP exists anymore, Microsoft changed it back to MCSA/MCSE
>>52849523
A+ is only useful if you have less than 6 months experience.
>>52838574
Sounds like you went to the school I'm currently going to
>>52848108
because retail is not IT, your experience is useless.
May as well have nordstrom on your resume
>>52851017
for some reason, the more i look at this picture, the more she disgusts me. am i turning gay?
>>52851825
>turning
Is CCNA wireless worth it? I have CCNA R&S but my employer wants me to specialize in wireless since nobody at our company is really fluent in wireless solutions.
Say I leave this company, will anyone give a shit about my wireless cert?
>>52852057
wireless is a meme.
Unless you work at a ultra huge megacorp with thousands of people at one campus, no point in specializing in wireless.
>>52852057
If you're going to be doing another cert.. why not go for the CCNP in wireless?
>>52852057
Will they pay for it? free certs are always good, never pass them up
>>52852650
Why is wireless a meme? I was under the impression it was the future alongside security.
would me renewing my comptia +A be worth it anymore now that I have experience? I obtained mine back when 701-702 were on their last month, and I got until august. I already have experience from past jobs, and I'm leaving IT/studying for mech engineering at the moment.
>>52856847
not worth it. A+ is for those who have no IT exp.
>>52852057
If you want to go HAM with wireless certs then start on the path to an ACDX (Aruba). There's literally only a few hundred people that have the cert, and Aruba is blowing up now that HP bought them.
>>52856807
Wireless is just for the users, all the real shit is in the datacenter.
I was studying to renew my ccna but then I quit my network engineer job and started learning webdev. good idea or best idea?
I am curious it seems that programming jobs arent as well paid as any kind of admin or "analyst" job.
I guess its time to change my profession.
Im planning on applying at ATT or Verizon as a support service technician for home networks. Will CCNA be enough?
My plan is to do this job for maybe 2 years so I can then move up to a small office/startup.
>>52857929
Pretty much worst idea, webdev makes peanuts, network engineers get fucking paid. Congrats on fucking yourself.
>>52858335
Is this a troll post or what?
>>52843840
I've seen you mention defense contractor website before.
Can you tell us or is that a no go?
>>52858816
I know a network engineer that went to work for a defense contractor, he's getting about 40% above the market rate, although he has to work in Afghanistan occasionally.
What education/work path should I follow if my work history is:
>2 years unemployed
>4 months warehousing
>7 months unemployed
and I want to get into IT help desk?
>>52859416
That doesn't seem like a bad gig. What should I be looking up? I'm a sys admin, but I'm at an IAT II cert level if that helps.
Indeed doesn't really help nor does Google.
>>52859577
Stop sucking at work to start off.
>>52859673
Dunno, he was in the military before he joined my company and then he left and nothing they did could keep him here.
I haven't heard from him in a while though.
>>52859577
entry level help desk is where you want to start. they hire pretty much anyone. did tier 1 support for an ISP, got into tier 2, and now work in their NOC. pretty much just have to deal with the bullshit because there is a lot.
>>52859735
I've tried that, but "entry level" here in Australia seems to mean "graduate" and even when they don't require a degree, my poor work experience pretty much guarantees there's gonna be someone better.
I mean, is there a trick to finding the shit jobs? I know my situation sucks, so I'm totally willing to slog it out in a shitty job. I just need to be given the opportunity.
>Solution Architect
>8 years
>B.Eng (Comp), CCNP, CCDP
>Referrals from friends or past colleagues
>$130k, 12% bonus
>Sydney, Australia
I'm taking the TestOut Network pro at the end of this semester. I am taking it since I am able to take it for free because I am taking Cnet 157 at my community college and we get a free go at it at the end of the course. Have any of you taken it? What should I expect?
>>52859827
Just apply. Those requirements are there just so the HR has less resumes to go through
if I wanted to do web development (probably focusing on front-end) what would be the certs worth looking into?
>>52860617
the one where you kill youself
just make a shitty web interface with flashy graphics and show it off on resume
Alright /g/ I need your advice. Currently applying for a apprenticeship with IBM and I'm pretty sure its a sure thing but I feel under qualified. I'm in the UK so I dunno what qualifications to get.
From what I've read I should apply for a CompTIA A+ for basics and then N+ for other stuff, maybe S+? I've also looked at CCENT/CCNA and a bunch of windows certifications but I'm confused to which one is more useful.
I've been working outside of a IT related job since leaving school and only have a extended diploma in IT and a pass in a double A level.
Wut do?
>>52836874
Hey /cct/
Just a quick question. I've submitted a patch to the Linux kernel and I've also written multiple kernel modules. More specifically, I've implemented a feature in TCP that aims to reduce recover loss before retransmissions for application limited streams.
Do I *really* need a Linux/Cisco networking cert, or is HR at the company I'm applying to (as a software developer mind you) retarded?
>>52861795
kek
I'm working towards my A+ at the moment. I've got about 3 years practical experience with computers but I keep getting knocked back from jobs because no piece of paper (no IT job experience probably doesn't help either). I'm studying for it at the moment and doing pretty well, only problem is I test like shit so I'm nervous about doing it and fucking up.
>>52859827
Same boat as you friend, been working since I was 15 and doing a lot of computer related stuff about the same time but no IT experience and no uni graduation so no job. Australia is shit.
Systems engineer
15 years experience
College dropout, MCP (Windows XP), RHCE (RHEL 6)
>how did you find job
They found me
$110k
Midwest
The following certs are worth something:
RHCE
All Cisco certs
MCSE (I think it's called something else now?)
Security certs, not security+
Avoid comptia certs, ESPECIALLY A+.
I can't stress avoiding A+ enough unless you want to work at geek squad part time while in school. Otherwise you'll send yourself down a path of working help desk support and it's very hard to move out of this.
>>52862069
A+ is basically the only thing I can go for at this point because no uni. But they want Help Desk Level 1 people to have at least a 4 year degree, honestly I'll just be happy if I can get a foot in the door.
>>52861795
No one?
>>52862069
>A+
I want to expand on this more, if you were applying for an engineer level job and you put A+ on your resume, I would automatically throw it out. You thought it was valuable enough to waste resume space on it, and waste my time reading it, that I know you're not qualified for the job.
I wouldn't fault you for network+, even though it's baby's first netorking, because you'd be surprised at the number of people in high level engineering positions without more than a basic understanding of networking
>>52862091
If this is your only option do what you've got to do, but when looking for an employer it's very important that you choose one that pays for training and certifications, and has a track record of promoting out of the help desk. Ask these questions in the interview process. You will also impress the interviewers. If for some reason they don't like these questions, or they don't do either of these, it's not somewhere you should waste your time with.
>>52861795
No you don't need certs. In fact you could easily get an interview at Google, Cisco, or Redhat.
>>52843840
I'm currently studying Web Development (in Ireland). By August I'll have a Zend Cert in PHP, Higher Diploma in Web Development (same level as a degree) and will have completed a 3 month internship.
Are there many opportunities in Afghanistan for web/sw devs?
I'd love to fuck off the middle East for a year and earn enough to buy a mid-sized apartment outright.
>>52862228
>easily
I've tried man, I guess I just suck at communicating my skills.
>>52862328
You need to have a good resume, LinkedIn, and github. Basically if you can attract the recruiters, the recruiters will do the rest. If you have no professional experience the recruiters are going to over look you. It's much easier once you've had 5 years of experience.
>>52862521
Well, I don't know if my résumé looks good or not, but I do have a LinkedIn and a github. I also have well over 5 years of experience, if you count part-time jobs (and around 3 if you only count full-time positions).
I think the problem is that I spent 8 years doing my master's (because I had to work full-time the last 3 years because of my financial situation).
I did have a couple of interviews with Google though, but suddenly I stopped hearing from them. Upon further inspection, it turned out that their recruiter was fired/had quit and my "profile" was just dead in the water.
>Job Title
Software Developer
>Years of Experience
1
>Degrees/Certs
Top 4
>How did you find/get job
Recruiters
>Pay
165k
>Location
Mountain View
>>52836874
>Jr. Systems Administrator
>3
>Associate in Database Management, took CCNA courses but missed deadline
Started by working for free at a nonprofit, current job I got by gaining as much experience as possible at first one
>Side note: I run my own servers, and have a strong understanding of ESXi, Hyper-V, and KVM
>56k, will be 65k in about a month
>Denver
I'm actually looking into other sysadmin jobs, they pay 70k+ here and tend to be more interesting/have a better schedule than where I'm at now (24 hour datacenter)
>>52837904
>Conform to chain-of-escalation for now, you can help out when you're more seasoned and have better job security.
>Dress code varies widely, I work in a datacenter and wear whatever the fuck I was wearing the day before (t-shirt and jeans most of the time). Note that this is for one of the high-end clothing manufacturers, I can't afford to shop at the stores I support.
Don't bring stuff in unless it's common. Where I work it's normal for people to bring doughnuts, burritos, etc in and leave them for people to grab.
>>52838853
You can get into entry-level pretty quickly, it won't pay much but if you aren't making much now it doesn't matter. Get your A+ certification, that'll get you into desktop support.
Job availability depends on where you live. I moved, St. Louis is one of the WORST places to get a job in IT. I worked for a nonprofit and made half of what I currently make while taking on atleast twice the responsibility.
>>52838977
Always go recruiter for IT unless you've got the background for a higher position.
>>52839620
Unless you want to work on the low end you won't be outdoors. As for travel you might be able to get on with an MSP (Managed Service Provider).
>>52843840
Did you have to get clearance?
>>52845533
Get the fuck out of Detroit now. Depending on what you manage you can make 2-3x that.
>>52862181
>Ask these questions in the interview process. You will also impress the interviewers. If for some reason they don't like these questions, or they don't do either of these, it's not somewhere you should waste your time with.
I would advise against this if you're really desperate for a job. These make or break questions are things that you ask if you already have a stable position and can deal with interviewing around for awhile.
>>52858483
Got anything to back that up? The senior guys on my team weren't making the same money the devs were. Quick google indicates that they both have the same average median income but webdev caps much higher. Either way, networking is fucking creatively limiting and boring. I'd rather create systems, not support someone else's
Realistically how hard would it be to get a help desk position in a major city with no IT job experience and just an A+ cert?
>>52865133
Easy just apply everywhere and someone will eventually take your sorry ass
>>52865133
easy. aim for a startup so you can move up and not be stuck in helpdesk
>Job Title
Account Support & Relationship Manager
>Years of Experience
3 at this point
>Degrees/Certs
None yet, hopefully snagging a PMP in a month or two,
>How did you find/get job
Brosupport
>Pay
$60k annually
>Location
East Coast
Is Network+ and Security+ a good jumping in point for someone with a computer science degree who wants to work in government IT? I have 2 years of helpdesk experience from school, so I figure I can skip the A+ cert.
>>52836874
Can someone please explain the cert meme to me? I would think most certs would be pointless if you have a college degree. Are they just for network engineers? Are they for Eurocucks?
>>52867374
>college degree
>actually worth anything
the degree is only so the HR guy won't throw your resume into the trash after laughing his ass off. you need experience or certs. preferably experience.
>>52867239
How much do you actually understand about networking? If you've got a solid foundation I would honestly suggest skipping both and go for your ccna
Anybody have any braindumps for Net+?
>>52867506
I know enough that I can bluff my way through an interview, but I don't feel I know enough to start working.
I assume I should just find a book or video lecture and study for 2 months before taking it. Any recommended resources?
>>52867647
The official guide by Cisco press is really good. It's extremely detailed and tops at around 1600 pages split between 2 books. But I mean if you read them both thoroughly and lab a lot you should be fine. Especially with someone who has a foundation. I would imagine 3-6 months for those who have no networking knowledge and half that for those that do.
>Job Title
Software engineer
>Years of Experience
2
>Degrees/Certs
BS of computer science
>How did you find/get job
Friend recommended me
>Pay
60
>Location
Buttfuck nowhere in the south east
Dat der low cost of living. I'd be making 90 and living like a peasant in California.
>>52867734
So do I go for the 100-101 ICND1 and 200-101 ICND2 over the 200-120 CCNA?
>>52868013
I guess that's personal preference. I would probably go for the ccna exam that covers both. But I mean a lot of people opt for the 2 separate exams and get their ccent
>>52868112
I'd rather do one exam over two, especially if they look the same on a resume.
Thanks for the help anon.
Which certificats for sysadmin
>>52868286
rhcse
>>52858816
>>52859416
>>52859673
You can look them up..there's a ton. I work for Exelis. Check out SAIC, Rockwell Collins, BAE, TCS, ITT.
There's a ton out there.. just gotta look em up. If you have any other questions I'll try to answer as much as I can.
I have a question that's probably been answered before; I have no money, no job experience and no certifications; where would be the best place to start so I can start working anywhere in the field.
>>52869311
OR...RHCE unless you mean a RHCSA
>>52871049
What do you want to do?
Here is some generic advice. Get a job. If you can't get some kind of helpdesk job at a call center then you need to get money coming in by any job necessary. Get the A+.. then start applying for Helpdesk jobs.
>>52871143
I honestly don't know my options; I'm from EU, and from a slavic country at that, where do you even get any certificate at all and how much does it usually cost?
>>52836874
>IT Help Desk I
>2
>B.S. IT/no certs
>I applied while working at another service desk
>40k
>midwest region, OH/MI/IN area
I want to kill myself
>>52871229
>slavic country at that
poland go clean toilet kurwa
seriously though, try looking for some internships or something like that
look for adverts, or if you have some student friends, ask them if they know of any opportunity
maybe do some freelancing
once you have any experience on your resume things get way easier
