What are you working towards? Need advice? Share your study resources!
Let's talk tech careers, resume advice, finding jobs, etc.
If you've got a tech career:
>Job Title
>Years of Experience
>Degrees/Certs
>How did you find/get job
>Pay
>Location
>Job Title
NOC Tech
>Years of Experience
2
>Degrees/Certs
CCNA, A+, Net+
>How did you find/get job
Job board
>Pay
48k
>Location
TX
18 y/o high school and working on CCNA. Any tips for studying? I'm also about to take the A+, but basically have that down.
Is the CCNA just as broad as network+. Im studying into N+ material and it sure is as they say a mile wide and a foot deep
>>52349048
Make sure to do plenty of labs.
Chris Bryant Udemy vids are good
Lammle/Odom books are good.
I wouldn't suggest using a braindump as study..but use it to verify your knowledge. It helps also give you a feel for the test layouts.
>>52349048
Do what >>52349107 said
>>52346373
kill yourself
>>>/biz/
How long do people typically prepare for Net+ and Sec+ for? My employer is giving me a month.
>>52349151
I'm guessing you aren't starting from scratch? Do you have to attain both in a month or each one you're getting a month?
Both can be done in a month. I think I studied everyday for about ~3-4weeks for my Net+
I can't speak for Sec+ since I don't have it but I think a month would be a reasonable time.. perhaps 2.
>>52349107
Thanks for the advice!
>>52349463
No problem. Come back to this thread and let us know when you pass and spread the knowledge to others.
Has anyone taken the CompTIA's CASP?
There has been grumbling about wanting some of our team to take this fucking thing.
>>52349100
CCNA is more broad than Network+. It only covers around half of what the CCNA does and would probably be equivalent to the CCENT.
>>52349014
Was this an entry level position??
>>52350671
The position I applied for was considered entry. All I had was A+ and Net+
>Job Title
Network Engineer
>Years of Experience
12
>Degrees/Certs
CCIE R&S, CCNA Voice, CCNA Security
>How did you find/get job
Linkedin Recruiter
>Pay
118k
>Location
TN
Free exam answers for everyone http://www.examcollection.com/ Don't pay for anything there, just download a cracked VCE reader.
>Information Systems Analyst
>A+ cert
>8 years of experience
>no degree
>entree position
>55k (27 hourly, with over time)
>>52346373
Just started doing my comptia stuff hoping to work towards a network engineer role
>>52354294
I just passed my A+ certification two days ago.
I didn't bother use a dump for the 220-801, there was just a lot of memorization.
For the 220-802, I studied a lot, mostly from Professor Messer and then used one of these braindumps to confirm I knew the material. The first practice test I did I managed to get an 85%.
I passed the 220-802 comfortably within 23 minutes.
>>52346373
Network manager
6
Ccnp, mcsa, a+, net+, Linux+
Referred from cert "school"
51.5k
WI
>>52355165
You're holding the same piece of paper anyone could've passed with same brain dumps you're referring to, without knowing anything about what they just memorised. It's worthless and you know it. You fell for the meme.
>Job Title
System Engineer
>Years of Experience
18 months
>Degrees/Certs
CCNP CCDP
>How did you find/get job
Applied online for college program
>Pay
140k-150k
>Location
NE USA
>>52355285
Fell for what meme? I got my A+ certification knowing that it's going to take a lot more if I want to be making more than 13 dollars an hour.
The tech school I go to prepares us for the A+ and an internship, along with a job placement program... Only half the class or so actually bothers to get it, but according to the teachers, they are usually the ones who end up without jobs.
I just needed something to make my resume stand out slightly more than the other half.
>>52355615
And you'll probably get a job, no worries. HR just needs to put a check next to your name that you got cert X, that's all they care about in the end. But don't ever believe for yourself you stand out by holding a worthless piece of paper anyone could've earned through blatant cheating.
>>52355685
The thing that really pisses me off. More than half of my class don't apply themselves at all to learn the material.
It was my teacher who provided us with the VCE files to "check" we understand the material.
Now most of our class is studying straight from the VCE files instead of actually learning.
When an interview is given for IT, do they generally test your knowledge as to what you know about the topic? Or will people still be able to get a job even though they just blatantly cheated?
I passed Sec+ because i had a free voucher five years ago when i was 14 and lost it two years ago
should i have done anything with it
>>52355748
>>>52355685 (You)
>The thing that really pisses me off. More than half of my class don't apply themselves at all to learn the material.
>It was my teacher who provided us with the VCE files to "check" we understand the material.
>Now most of our class is studying straight from the VCE files instead of actually learning.
Great, I was in a similar position a couple of years back. How naive we both once were.
>When an interview is given for IT, do they generally test your knowledge as to what you know about the topic? Or will people still be able to get a job even though they just blatantly cheated?
Depends on the company and the position you apply for. And yes, know that there are plenty of people working for a company who just blatantly cheated. In the end the company doesn't care, that's why they see how you're doing in junior positions. It's a different story when you apply for higher positions.
Now, until you've reached such a higher position, know that they didn't respected you as much when you began in the first place. They all cheat, every damn last one of them, and those that didn't fool themselves into thinking they're better, because in the eyes of the company you're not.
Cyber Security
In IT 2-3
BS Comp Sci
Luck/facebook
Too much to be believed online
I write my icnd1 on Wed. Wish me luck
>>52346373
>>Job Title
IT Specialist
>>Years of Experience
4.5 years
>>Degrees/Certs
BS Information systems
Working on MCSE/LPIC
>>How did you find/get job
Consulting firm
>>Pay
75k
>>Location
Silicon Valley
Working on getting my A+, Network+, and Security+. I want to get into a school IT department. Chances?
>>52346373
>job title
mechanic
>years of experience
6
>degrees/Certs
associates of applied science
A+
>How did you find/get job
Craigslist
>pay
43k last year
>Location
OR
I'm currently working on my BS in IT and planning on making my career change soon. I'm working towards my Network+ cert. I just went part time at work so that should help speed up the studying.
>>52346373
>Job Title
Unified Communications Engineer
>Years of Experience
15
>Degrees/Certs
CCNP Voice, CCNA Sec, CCNA R&S
>How did you find/get job
Started on Help Desk and worked my way up
>Pay
100K
>Location
MO
>>52349107
>>52349463
Udemy steals videos, use something like pluralsight that creates or pays for all their videos.
>>52356253
nice!
I am a info systems major at SF state looking for an internship right now
>>52356420
Who's your favorite professor?
>>52356420
>>52356457
Me personally I enjoyed Beckman, Mak was easily the worst.
>>52356420
While it's not an internship, I know a lot of people who got their start at milestone, working contractor jobs at the big tech firms (vmware, nvidia, netapp, etc).
I don't understand why anyone gets an A+ easily the worst cert to get. You get the same knowledge from about 2 weeks on the job.
>>52355587
Calling bullshit. Only 18 months of experience and no degree, yet you're making up to 150k? Senpai pls.
>>52356601
He's probably doing total compensation. My income is 70k with benefits and everything else it is about 105k
Anyone get any certs they regret?
Any certs that they are 100% sure unlocked doors for them?
I'm majoring in CS and minoring in History and Math. Planning to graduate in May 2017.
I was wondering how fucked a student is if they have no work experience while they're in college. Will a good GPA and Professor recommendation mend that gap?
Also, what about personal projects? I know people are always saying you should "write" as much as possible.
>Sorry if this question is over simplified.
I wrote a lot more and realized I was making things more convoluted than I should, so I just chopped it into a straight forward question.
>>52356585
it's just for the resume
>>52353394
i know CCIE has no prereqs, but Ive never met one who didnt have a CCNP.
you didnt even list a CCNA RS.
calling bs.
Who following a master's programme here?
>>52354294
How do I even download the vce files?
>>52357041
If you can't figure out how to download something, then please turn off your computer and return it to the shop right this instant. You're a danger to yourself and the whole Internet community.
>>52356994
What's the point unless you want to get into the c-suite?
My dad went back and got an MBA after he turned 45 just to get into executive management from his director position.
>>52356994
I hope you're not paying for that bullshit yourself
>>52357071
But dingus, the download links all take me to a page where I need to sign in or register (and registration requires payment). The fuck am i supposed to do?
>>52356946
I don't list lower tier certs when I get one that replaces it.
For instance I have an MCSE. I also have an MCSA but I don't ever talk about it.
>Job Title
Repair Agent at Geek Squad
>Years of Experience
2 at work, though i've done user support since I was 12(23 currently)
>Degrees/Certs
Working on my BA in IS:security
>How did you find/get job
Walked in, got hired
>Pay
13/h
>Location
Across the street of my apartment(midwest)
I'll be done with my BA in a year, only reason i'm sticking around at this shit hole they call geek squad is they work with my school schedule and pay for a decent chunk of my tuition.
>>52356946
Why would I list inferior certs? CCIE R&S implies all knowledge of lower certs..
>>52357114
You're right, anon is full of crap
>>52357150
>BA
Make sure you just write Bachelor's degree on your resume.
>>52357097
You expand your knowledge, giving you a cutting edge on the market, you'll advance faster than bachelors, you'll make more money, you could apply for a doctoral programme.
There are numerous reasons.
>>52357112
I am. I even quit my job to pursue a master's degree.
>>52357211
Why the fuck would you need anything past an MBA for a business position? You are retarded.
>>52357181
Yup, I've applied for a few jobs and have always gotten good feedback on my resume, I just felt like shortening it here.
>>52357243
>implying you shouldn't just copy/paste from the job ad
>>52357260
ssshhhhh
>>52357222
Because I can, and I don't want to regret not taking this chance now. The amount of time and money you're putting into it now is nothing compared to what you'll earn during your career. It's an investment, in yourself.
>>52357287
Holy fuck you are stupid.
A PhD will earn you about 1k more per year during your career. It takes 4-5 years to earn a PhD and costs about 20-50k.
You will not earn your money back at any point.
Also unless you want to be the chief economist of a government agency, there is no job that requires a PhD in business.
>>52357324
Master's degree != PhD
Read my post again.
>Software company owner (35 employees)
>8 years
>PhD in Computer Science
>left university after my PhD to start a consulting company doing the stuff I researched earlier
>500k euro before taxes last year
>The Netherlands, which means just about half of that after taxes
>>52356852
If your college produces a lot of spin-off companies and you want to get a job there, a Prof. recommendation can be great because the founders of the company probably know the guy (I still talk with the people at uni). To me, personal projects are nice because I can look at the quality of your code, and in an interview I would ask you about design decisions you made to get an idea into your reasoning. If someone only has professional experience, they can't discuss anything they actually did in depth, which means I have a lot less to work with and have to resort to bullshit interview questions.
If you've got the time, I would recommend doing a personal project with a group or contributing significantly to an existing open source project: if you've only programmed by yourself, an employer has no idea how you'd fit into a group and if you can work with existing codebases.
>>52357356
>you could apply for a doctoral programme
Read your own writing faggot
>>52357377
Those were all reasons to do a master's, I never said I wanted to do a doctoral. That's your poor deduction. And are seriously taking offense that you feel the need to call me out, mate?
>>52357433
Listen cunt, you listed going into a PhD program as a reason to get a master's, I pointed out why that is stupid. Fuck off
An A+ cert is now $400
god damn.. anyway to get it cheaper?
>>52357368
Please hire me.
>>52357537
Yes, lie.
>>52355587
>18 months of experience
>150k
These do not add up
>>52357537
is it even that helpful?
seems shitty you have to update it every 3 years.
>>52357507
No, you were criticising pursuing a doctoral. I'm pursuing a master's degree, not a PhD, and I merely pointed out a master's degree is a good reason to pursue if you want (among other things) to go for your PhD later.
There's no denying a master's degree is a good stepping stone (if not a requirement) to follow a doctoral programme, but you misinterpreted this as being *my* goal.
I hope this clarified it a bit, friend.
>>52357625
1) an A+ replaces about 6 months of experience on your resume
2) If you work desktop support (or something like geeksquad) for more than 5 years, give up, you are never getting out.
>Job Title
Systems Engineer
>Years of Experience
2 and a half or so
>Degrees/Certs
None, I technically didn't even get my minor in comp sci
>How did you find/get job
I applied. Did okay, I guess
>Pay
Not too high. Closer to 100k than not
>Location
Silicon Valley. Anybody looking for a roommate in a few months?
>>52346373
I'm sort of thinking about possibly getting an A+ certification. How hard is the actual test? From the few online practice tests and such, it seems fairly basic.
>>52357649
Yup, the other full time repair agent is going for 7 years.. I'll max out in one more(3) when I graduate. I'll be quitting whether or not I have another job.
Any tips to prepare someone for an attempt at getting into the IT field? I'm currently in school but I have little to no idea on where to start once I finish.
Arg, I need a braindump. Went through the tests on the Kaplam site and doing fine, but I am starting to memorize the answers.
>Job Title
Network Admin
>Years of Experience
5+4 years telephony communications
>Degrees/Certs
Fuck college. Net+/Sec+/CCNA R&S + Security.
>How did you find/get job
Signed up
>Pay
Roughly 45k + sick benefits... Free health. Mad perks. Army fag SSG/E6 pay
>Location
Tennessee.
>>52357649
I don't want to do any sort of job like that.
guess it's pointless for me.
>>52357757
The first half seemed easy enough for me but the second half seemed more difficult. I took the second half twice. One stupid thing they do is there maybe a question or two that has you use the command prompt in simulation. They expect you to have all the switches memorized for the commands you'll use. They disable the help switch so you don't have that for reference.
To the fags that are asking how hard a+/net/sec+ are...
These are BASIC it certs. Are you a networking god? Then net+ might be easy, do you have no idea that there's more than cat5 cable? Might not be for you. A+ is probably the only cert IMHO that will help in any career field regardless of how much of a pleb you are. Basic/caveman understanding of all IT. None of it will matter in the real world because its all null. Can you actually perform the job? If you're just starting, start small and work your way up. A good company will prob pay for you to take the cert AND pay you more.
All this is my personal opinion... It might help you get in the door, but if you need a brain dump to pass any of these tests, gtfo and let someone who knows their shit get that job, and you can intern for geeksquad to get your pampers wet.
>>52357541
Sure m8, you're hired. Come by the office tomorrow, I'll show you around the place and get a workstation set up.
I have an Associates degree in IT, and was wondering how I could get a job being an IT Business Analyst? Should I get any certifications?
>Job Title
Network Engineer
>Years of Experience
3 years
>Degrees/Certs
BS in ITfrom WGU
AS in IT from local college
CCNA Wireless
CCNA RS
MCSA Windows 7
Net+
Sec+
Passed the Route Exam for CCNP
>How did you find/get job
Found on Indeed. Applied
>Pay
60k
>Location
Nevada
>>52349151
Depends on how bad you want it.
Army put me through Net+ and Sec+ as part of my job training. We were given 7 days of instruction for Sec+, 9 days for Net+. I passed both on my first go around, but maybe 40% of the students fail the cert (though most pass the army good-enough test to move on in the course, they just don't get CompTIA certification).
However, I would not recommend doing it this way. I'm certified but I only have a vague recollection of anything I learned - I can pick up the topics quick with a two minute skim of the relevant text, but if I don't have the books on-hand I'm going to have trouble expressing concepts.
>>52357958
>do you have no idea that there's more than cat5 cable? Might not be for you
its the opposite fag. if youre a beginner then Net+ is perfect for you
>>52356274
Chances are good. I have a friend working in IT at a uni who has none of those things. He's a history major pursuing his masters; he's computer literate enough to update adobe and run RAID and that's enough for them.
Granted, it's a shitty university.
anybody here familiar with LaunchCode?
I'm signed up for their St. Louis CS50X class, starts next week and goes through may. Once I finish CS50X, they'll help me get a job as a programmer with one of the local tech companies they work with. I know a guy who got placed at Monsanto this way and he makes pretty good money now.
Still in retail paying for my cyber security meme 4 year degree. Not learning basically anything, about to start working on certs while in school. Any advice for a college student that doesn't want to get stuck at help desk for my whole life?
>inb4 he fell for the security meme
>tfw I suck at coding
>>52358699
That's really fucking cool. I just looked it up. Are there other programs like that?
I have a degree in history (inb4 useless, non-STEM, etc. I already know) and, as I understand it, the future of history work has a lot to do with digitizing and automating the archiving systems that play such a large role in our work. This is the shit that pays good. What should I be focusing on, course/independent-learning wise in order to prepare myself for snatching up these positions?
>>52357634
Anon, why are you talking like a doctoral is different than a PhD?
>>52356601
>>52356614
>>52357593
I'm a Systems Engineer grade 2 at Cisco Systems.
IT pay does not equal sales engineering pay, boys.
>>52357806
Get a subscription to pluralsight.
Watch all the videos on windows 7, windows 10, server 2012 and server 2012 r2.
Also watch the videos about linux, preferably LPIC/linux+
Make a home lab if you can, I started off with an athlon x2 5600+ system w/ 4GB ddr2 (with proxmox) for the linux vms.
This will provide you the familiarity one needs for working in an enterprise computing environment.
Watch the network+ videos so you have at least a basic understanding of networking.
Don't have to do certs, apply to an IT contracting firm for their tier 1 stuff, they expect little to no experience.
>>52346373
I'll have my CCENT in May or so through a course I'm taking, and I've been offered an internship doing unspecified IT work.
Any advice?
>>52358681
Here's a tip, stupid workers don't count as real employees at universities.
>>52359535
SQL
>>52358972
Most people need to put in the time at help desk. I know a lot of hiring managers that will not hire a sys admin/net admin if they didn't spend any time on the helpdesk/desktop support.
The reasoning is you develop a really good triage method and exposure to a lot of different types of problems.
That being said, anyone who has 5 years or more just doing help desk/desktop support will not be considered for any jobs (even other desktop support jobs) because you are probably one of the no effort plebs that infect the field.
>>52359588
Cisco pays garbage, nice try.
>>52359698
who are you and why are you retarded
>>52359756
>new york city
but how does that compare to the price of living?
>>52359786
That's like getting paid 50k anywhere else or 100k in the bay area.
>Paying 3 levels of income tax
Fucking maximum retard.
>>52359786
I live in a suburb in NJ where rent is $1200 and my car insurance is $83 a month. My office is actually in NJ, but I report to NY <4 times a month. If I need to get to NYC, its 20 minutes. Otherwise I don't deal with it.
>>52359797
>3 levels of income tax
that sounds fucking horrible
>>52359797
Let me elucidate on something - corporate doesn't have time to dick around and pinch pennies. There are three zones in the country - CA/San Jose/SF; NYC/NJ/CT/NE; and everything else. I don't know if pay is higher for CA/SJ/SF or the greater NYC area, but the lowest one is the 'everything else.' The pay difference is about 8-10% each step. A 'NYC Area' salary just means you work out of NY/NJ/CT/MA.
but please geniuses, continue to try to figure out why sales makes so much more than software engineers.
>cisco certification
If I am 24, no prior experience in IT whatsoever.
How fucked am I if I begin to get one now ? Do I have a future with it ?
Also I am from Europe, if I have one, can I easily find job in the US with it ?
>>52359860
>Thinking that IT is the same as software engineers
You are fucking stupid.
On top of that, the sales people at my company regularly clear 500k, you fucking suck at your job.
>>52359872
Hi anon, I am 34 and I didn't get into IT until I was 29.
Didn't get any certs before hand and I worked my way up. I am a dev ops engineer now making over 100k
A cisco cert with no experience is a red flag. IF you do any of the certs, get something simple like a network+ and apply to a noc.
If networking is your desire.
>>52359919
>Another retarded east coast fag gets btfo
>>52359924
thank you anon
>>52359960
NP, then get the cisco certs as you get experience.
There are a ton of nobodies running around with cisco certs that have no experience, most of them are leftovers from right at the dot bomb.
>>52359952
california is a flaming pile of dried out shit. i drove past your shitty tesla factory on the way to mountainview with your garbage highways and overpopulation and your $4 toast
>>52359973
That doesn't even make sense since the tesla factory is on the other side of the bay from mountain view, no reason to drive past it.
Nice try.
>>52359981
Hey retard
Silicon Valley Mariott to San Jose/MTV puts you right by that factory
>>52360008
>Fremont
>Silicon Valley
ok friend
>>52360014
I don't care what they're called, my point is 100% accurate and so far you're just a retard. Enjoy not watering your lawn.
>>52360037
>Current year
>having a lawn
>>52356287
Are you me?
Also is 27 considered too old to shift careers?
>>52360088
I switched from teaching to IT when I was 30. It's never too late anon.
>>52360100
What did you used to teach/and what level? It kills me to see friends teaching highschool science and getting ripped off
>>52360184
Special Ed in elementary school
>>52360100
Thanks for the encouragement senpai.
I was thinking A+, Network+ and Sec+ along with some weekend volunteering at one of those computers for [insert shithole] charities would be enough cv padding to get my foot in the door somewhere.
>>52360218
You can start sending resumes out right now to companies that contract out tech work.
Especially in places that are tech hubs (sf bay area, austin, seattle) there is a lot of demand for contract IT work. I've worked with a lot of people who had no experience that way. It's a good low risk way of testing out if someone is any good before you hire them.
Software developer
1-2
BEng Sfwr
Applied on company website
150k (Canadian)
Toronto
I work for a major Canadian bank, developing systems to counter fraud. Am 22 years old. Being top of your class has meaning, boys.
>>52359535
Database work. My dads friend is making big bucks with his criminology degree and making databases on police shootings and shit. You could find a way to integrate your major like that?
>>52359661
This is a good place to start.
>>52360257
Wrong thread, sorry guys
>Computer and Network Technician
>1.5 years
>A+ Net+ MTA
>Criagslist
>30k, with raise in 2ish month
>IL
>>>52346373
For more reference I'm 18
>>52359872
>>52359924
>cisco cert with no exp is a red flag
this is bs
the CCNA will open more doors than the net+ and is more valued. only do the net+ if youre struggling with the material.
So I'm 27 and starting school again tomorrow to get my associates in CS with a specialization in Database and program development. I'm excited because I feel I've been drifting for years now.
What kind of career can I expect to attain/should I strive for with that degree? If I get a job after my associate's how hard/beneficial would it be to turn that AS into a BS?
>>52360599
i like the way you think stretch
>>52360798
lots of dudes get their AS and then get an entry level job doing helpdesk/desktop supp/NOC and then finish their BS.
Then when they finish the BS they apply for midlevel jobs
Its a solid path if you get a few certs too
>>52360919
Thanks. Say I had the AS, done certs under my belt, hire lucrative is the job market without going for the BS?
My mother is threatening to kick me out if I don't quit being a NEET.
I want to get the BSDA, but the next conference in my state that holds it is usually in the end of the year.
What certs should I get instead?
Skills:
BSD hobby sysadminning
C hobby programming
And various amateur skills. Not much.
>>52361004
most guys in IT (non programmers) do not have BS. Its not a big deal until much later on when going for management jobs
>>52357368
The fact that you didn't say I'm an asshole is comforting. I do plan on doing personal projects and then working on something open source this year, preferably during the summer.
I want to still get some type of job or internship, but your explanation as to why you like to view employee's projects is comforting. Thanks for the info Anon.
>>52361004
For networking/systems/cloud etc its usually like this
Experience>Certifications>degree
Go on linkedin and type in whatever job title you want. Most guys wont have degrees
>>52359556
I'm not, I just used both terms.
>>52361021
If you have experience in programming and something to show for it, such as projects you've uploaded, it could bring you a long long way in terms of places to apply.
I would say try yourself within that first if you do, if you don't or do not want to be a programmer, get certified.
Even then, you have to make more choices as to what you would like to work with. For example, A+ is a generally ok start certification if you wanna do helpdesk, but beyond that it's almost worthless.
>>52359637
CCENT is basic dude. Really basic. I can't remember the exam off the top of my head, but should be super easy for most network joes with little experience. I know I was in and out of the exam room within 15min, read pretty much the entire "how to do this exam" text...
One thing about Cisco tests... YOU CANT GO BACK. When you submit the answer, you're done. Realized you fucked question 7 when question 8 solved it for you? Tough nuggets.
>>52359637
Oh. And 9tut will help immensely too
Halfway through a combined MBA/Juris Doctor Program (I did Finance/Econ undergrad). Taking a career break next year (2017) to finish it. Work has agreed to pay me at half-pay for the duration of the year while I'm doing it if I stay on for 3 years. Hard to maintain focus this year knowing this. Just need to get through the content, but I get distracted after a whole week of work (I normally do a 5 hour block on Saturday mornings).
>>52361021
get a degree faggot. Doesn't matter which one that bachelor's ticket is important and if you are living at home the cost isn't too high. You certainly need the socialization
Anyone have any thoughts/advice to share on the RHCSA or any of the Red Hat certifications?
Planning to start with RHCSA and CCNA.
>Pay
When Americans saying they year income are they using sum before tax or nett after tax?
>>52364774
Before taxes
>Job Title
Microsoft Deployment Analyst
>Years of Experience
0.5
>Degrees/Certs
Associates in Information Technology
>How did you find/get job
They found my resume on Career Builder
>Pay
42k
>Location
AZ
>Age
20
I would like to move up to a Technician and then a Solutions Engineer. Right now I'm studying for my CCNA and then I'm going to get Microsoft Certified for a a bunch of shit. Any other certs I should get? I deal mostly with cutting phone lines and setting up Skype for Business. I was thinking CCNA voice.
Am I the only person to find it asinine that entry level jobs are asking for a CCNA? Like what the fuck is that?
>>52364774
Most people use gross not net. I would imagine most people don't even know their net.
>>52365611
Grade inflation. The result of the "everyone must go yo uni" meme.
>>52365611
Everyone is getting higher education. Everyone is getting the certs that a decade ago made you stand out.
So now you have to do better, because what used to be the exception is now the rule.
>>52365782
Pretty soon you'll need a fucking degree to flip burgers. What a shit society we live in. Education systems and cert vendors make millions while we get fucked in the process.
>>52365611
i've never read CCNA as a requirement and it's never come up in job interviews. maybe it helps if your university credentials say little more than "secondary school competence"
Last day for 10$ udemy sale, get ccna and network+ study vids while u can boiz
>>52358135
Apply at IBM. I don't remember all of the thread but there was a guy in your situation that became an analyst for IBM with an Associates in like Music or something. Worked his way up. No certs that I recall.
>>52365916
Idk if you're trying to be funny or just retarded.
>>52360599
CCNP with no experience here lol
> Sys admin/dev
(wont share other details for a reason..)
> 2y
> Vocational Degree in IT (4y)
> Was a friend of previous admin who recommended me
> 70K gbp (~102k USD) with 10-15% increase per year
> UK
With certs and java skills the salary would be up to 250k USD a year.
>Job Title
Systems Admin Junior
>Years of Experience
2.5
>Degrees/Certs
MCP
>How did you find/get job
via recruitment company
>Pay
13k (yes, per year)
>Location
Europooristan
dont post frogs you retarded fuck
but what country?
>Job
Information Security Intern
>Years of Experience
0
>Degrees/Certs
Will graduate with CIS degree in May, Linux+
>How did you find/get job
Career fair at uni, also knew a guy who worked there
>Pay
17/h
>Location
Midwest
>Age
21
The internship starts in May.
>>52349129
NEET identified
I'm 22 and I've never had a job. Been to uni twice and dropped out twice due to muh mental health problems but I'm not a moron.
If I get some basic cisco certifications, is it conceivable that I could go straight into a job that paid a liveable wage? Or is my long history of failure too much to ignore for employers?
Based in the UK if it matters.
>>52367232
CCNA could probably land you a NOC or help desk job. Livable depends entirely on your definition.
Using this thread because it’s the best one.
I finished a course at University which was a jack of all trades type degree and didn't really know what I wanted to do.
I got a job for a small software company doing a jack of all trades role. I'm currently managing a few databases (on Azure), setup a small network (with my limited information) and deal with clients mainly doing helpdesk. Using SQL Server mostly, but also dabble in C# (not much).
I've realized I like the whole data/information management and the network sides of IT.
I'm learning more about SQL and Networks currently but I’m wondering where to go from here? I’ve heard Python is useful to learn? I also think I will carry on with C# to a good level of knowledge.
I'm not massively interested in Web Dev but will learn what I must if it is required.
My questions are:
>Is this a good route to go down?
>What should I be learning on the side?
>Can you recommend any good books and sources so I can read and learn when I want (especially for networks and setups and related ideas)?
>>52367771
if you enjoy, its the best route to go down.
Theres two choices when it comes to a career:
>Something that you enjoy and you wont mind doing for the next 30 years
>Something you dont want to do but may pay more but you only do it for 5 years before you either, kill yourself or change to the job you enjoy.
>>52368134
Meeting somewhere in the middle is always the best option. Doing something you don't mind doing for better pay is always the right answer.
where do i study for certs? how do i take the exams? I think I should do these on my own, maybe after go to a CC for an associates in networking. Would this be enough to get an entry level job?
>>52368676
There's this new invention called the Internet.
> reading newest A+ certification prep book
> first chapter has a graph where you add up your experience based on how often you have done a certain task, ie. used windows 7 alot? 2 hours haven't used it at all somehow? 8 hours
> adding them all up suggests a study time of 90 hours of study before talking the test
I mean I get it's just a suggestion, but I've had placement experience and went to college already. Has anyone spent nearly 2-3 months studying for these exams?
Just curious what you guys think of this, I will post the chart if anybody wants to have a look.
>>52369704
I half assed the A+ exams but passed them and i just barely had a bit of experience with computers. I've read the book once or twice then the last week i've read the chapters i found the hardest or the ones that i knew had details that i had to memorize like the speeds for each cat etc
I failed badly on the troubleshooting part, especially when i had to resolve network problems and configuration
>>52367771
Can anyone recommend a good source to learn networking? Preferably starting from a basic level?
sorta jelous of my little bro he is going to get his microsoft offfice cert a+ cert and networking+ cert this year and he is only in 8th grade for free paid by school and shit
what advice should i give him?
>>52370483
I've been using a book from pearson and i discovered that it's not really for people who has no prior experience even though it's all just basic networking.
I think you can't go wrong with Mike Meyers Network+ book. I loved the A+ one that i used before because the explanation were really for people who are new into this field.
The name is "CompTIA Network+ All-In-One Exam Guide" by Mike Meyers (the N10-006 of course).
>>52369998
Well damn, good job. I think I'm going to spend no more then a month on it. Their are 26 chapters and I feel I can bang off studying a chapter or two a day depending on the length.
>>52370483
Sure, what type of media would you prefer? A book or videos? Glad to see you have interest.
>>52370577
Why is he doing these so early in life? I believe he will have to retake the A+/Net+ in 3 years anyways and I couldn't imagine him finding a job in the field until he is at least 18. But then again, I'm not sure where you live and what the circumstances are.
>>52370709
we live in florida
he wants a job early on but then again he is 15
Need to learn ASP.NET for a web programming internship this summer. Any good resources?
>>52370630
>CompTIA Network+ All-In-One Exam Guide
Thanks, just grabbed myself a copy of it. Will definitely read it
>>52370709
Ill take whatever you have. I just want to learn. Like I said, in >>52367771 Im just figuring out this is the type of stuff I want to learn while Im starting out
>>52370630
I did do networking during university too so Ive got a somewhat basic understanding
What is the name of the Pearson book? Im just creating a bit list of sources to use throughout the next few months/years so Im taking everything I can get
>>52370877
I'm using CompTIA Network+ N10-006 Cert Guide. I think it's pretty good.
You can visit the CompTIA website where you can find a list of books and other study material for every subject.
>>52346373
>Job Title
Linux System Administrator
>Years of Experience
5
>Degrees/Certs
LPIC-1/2/3 , RHCSA, RHCSE (waste of money), CCNA
>How did you find/get job
Headhunted
>Pay
98k
>Location
BC
>>52371116
Thanks. Ive added that to the list
>>52370736
I'm kind of curious in that case what your school structure is like. Do you attend school until the 12th grade? To stay on topic though, he should probably grab a book for self-study and take as many tech-focused classes as possible throughout middle? and high school.
>>52370854
Oh, I didn't realize you were referencing your previous post. The book I used for my introduction to networking course was "Data Communications and Networks by Curt M. White - Sixth Edition" and I watched a video course by Trainsignal which is focused on Cisco's CCENT certifications but does build from the ground up and is helpful. The rest was pretty much in-class work that I can't share.
>>52371380
Good to see a fellow canuck on these boards. Question for you, what did you do previous to becoming a system administrator? Kind of curious how people climb in their careers.
>>52371380
Why do you believe that the RHCSE/RHCSA are a waste of money?
>>52371480
im attending school until 12th grade i will be taking as many classes as i can
i want da money when i grow up
>>52371597
i sorta realized something i could end up with 20+ cert when i graduate if i dont procrastinate and do shit right. if i do obtain the 20+ certs would going to college (if i get a scholarship) be a good idea what major should i get? thinking of getting computer engineering because cs is for cucks and ce sounds more fun
>>52371480
More of a kraut than canuck. Just moved to BC 3 months ago.
Self studies >> Internship >> LPIC-1 >> CCNA >> Junior Sysadmin position. I gotta say I was fairly lucky with the position I got 5 years ago They basically hired me because I knew more about Linux than the other Sysadmin (Thanks lazy MS Domain admins everywhere) and I know how to talk.
>>52371509
I only got RHCSE/RHCSA because my past employer wanted me to get Red Hat certified (They payed for it so why not). It's nice to have but I wouldn't spend money on it if you're already LPIC certified. It just looks good on your resume.
>>52365925
Lol, this actually really helps me out. Thanks a lot.
>>52365944
why? youll have to settle for a lower level job or lower pay
or just lie about it i guess
Does anyone know if having an ethical hacking and security+ certification will open up some doors?
They are both certifications that seem somewhat in demand, and they are definitely something I am interested in.
>>52373763
Certified Ethical Hacker is pretty cool to read and all but is a shitty to have and almost no one takes it seriously. At least that's what i've heard, to be honest i have no idea. There are definitely other choices. Never heard anything bad about Sec+ though.
>>52357649
Also, with CompTIA, you can get a higher level cert, which renews any other certs beneath it. I'm taking Security+ just to not deal with the bullshit of having to take A+ again.
>one test for two certs vs three tests for two certs
>>52374339
Does that work even if your A+ cert didn't expire yet?
>>52358645
Should of been a lil more clean, meant the IT Networking world may not be for him.
>>52359973
>tfw you live at Bexley
How long do most take to study for the CCIE?
>>52365611
I think I will be the only (still valid) CCNA in the company in a couple of month provided I pass my exams
my company is +10000 people
experience is a bitch
>>52372048
oh you got imported
No fucking linux in these parts naively
I use my LPIC-1 it to make fun of peoples certs and unfortunately nothing else.
>>52356287
Dealership or independent shop??
I was a mechanic for a short time as well. I miss it some days.
>>52369998
I've been a help desk assistant for 3 years and now im taking the 220-801 and 802 in the next week. I'm losing my mind anticipating these exams. Are the CompTIA exams really that easy?
>>52369704
Wouldn't you just rather browser imageboards all day instead?
>>52355587
If it was years not months we'd believe you. I've been working at a Fortune 500 defense contractor for 6 months as a systems engineer and I only make 65k
>>52377163
If you're not an idiot like me then yeah and it helps if you have a little experience but like i said, i had none but it still went fine.
If you've been in a helpdesk position for 3 years then it'll be pretty easy for you. Look at the objectives and see if you don't remember something or have to study it better.
I used the A+ total tester demo from http://www.totalsem.com/ and it was great. I don't know if they removed it though, just checked and i can't see the dl link anymore.
>>52377163
Never mind. Here it is if you're interested. It helped me a lot.
http://www.totalsem.com/download/demos/aplus_demo_2012.exe
>>52376529
temporarily yes.
I'll probably head back by the end of the year though.
I would recommend getting to at least LPIC-2. Just LPIC-1 is pretty much useless unless you want to become the Linux equivalent of a code monkey.That is if you want to work in the field.
I'd go for it. It pays well. Fairly easy job and there is a super high demand for skilled people. At least in Vancouver that is. Don't know about the rest of BC.Good luck
>Help Desk Intern
>1.5 years. Will graduate in may
>BS in IS
>no certs and I'm stressing out
>10.5 an hour us
I feel I need to hammer out some studying and have no social life and get the CCNA. Starting from scratch. I would like to get into the security field or network engineering
>Job Title
Technical Support/Jr. SysAdmin (webhost)
>Years of experience
2
>Degrees/Certs
None
>How did you find/get job
Local Craigslist ad
>Pay
~43k (pre-tax)
>Location
VA
I'm familiar with DNS, managing web services and shit - what is the best way to escape the shitty industry that is webhosting?
I wouldn't mind getting certifications or becoming more proficient with programming - anything that can get me the fuck outta here! The tech industry in Hampton Roads VA is almost non-existent. heeeel~p.
>>52377980
Woah shit, another 757 anon. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks IT jobs are extremely lacking here. Seriously thinking of moving upstate if I can land a decent job after getting some certs.
>>52377247
> Fairly easy job and there is a super high demand for skilled people
swefag here currently looking new work. relocation may or may not be a problem
do you know by chance what the pay may be for someone with 5-10 years of *nix administration / php/golang/c development? are foreign (european in this case) workers frowned upon?
I'm seriously considering relocating if it will allow me to break free from these stupid "open office environment" hipster idiots I'm currently employed by
no serious company respects anything comptia related.
>>52373003
it was half price with my uni course so just done it
also done ccda
>Job Title
volunteer teacher, still looking for a job.
>Years of Experience
2 years
>Degrees/Certs
Bachelor (industrial engineer), CCNA, Linux+, LPIC-1
>How did you find/get job
>Pay
>Location
>>52355748
>The thing that really pisses me off. More than half of my class don't apply themselves at all to learn the material.
Does using a braindump to pass a cert qualify as applying themselves? My favorite part of your generation is when you take a shortcut to get somewhere and then judge everyone else who didn't.
>>52377218
I KNOW your job is harder than what ill be starting soon, but i have little experience (some web dev, an IT internship, one more year of school) and still somehow my boss is offering me 50 bucks an hour on contract (depending on how generously you want to add it up, its like 80-100k/year at 40 hr/wk), granted i know i wont be getting 40 hours or benefits, its still really good money tho. IT consulting and ongoing support for clients is the gig, guy owns his own buss.
The 150k tho really is hard to beleive though
>>52378818
the stack overflow has a new job beta. Shows the companies that will VISA in the header
>>52377502
Get the experience, and start moving upwards in a year or so. I make 10 an hour doing book keeping in a grocery store breh.
This is kinda worrying if im putting myselfin some debt only to get paid 50 cents more
I graduated with my CS degree a year ago with a 3.95 GPA.
I've been NEETing it up ever since but I ran out of money.
Is it still possible to get a job?
I've been thinking of IT-ing up.
Is there +/- list for IT programs?
What's certs should one get to escape customer service as quickly as possible.
>>52381370
why the fuck did you even go to school?
i'm making 50K without any formal education because i kept doing personal projects and pounding the pavement with my resume.
Literally the fuck are you doing all day?
>>52382028
Weebing out.
>>52365925
Fuck I just saw this, anyone want to share their account? I can pay you if I have to.
>>52382132
Who is this? I see her all over but don't know who she is.
>>52382786
yuke niki
Would it be good to learn a language?
I've read people learn Python/Perl.
>Job Title
'Bachelor tech intern'
>Years of experience
0?
>Degrees/Certs
3rd year Computer Engineering student
>Pay
€1940, €1580 taxed
>Location
The Netherlands
I intern at Broadcom, and write testing tools for some of their Wifi chipsets
>>52382874
See, now I can believe that. What kind of work you want to get into after graduation?
>>52382890
I'd love to do embedded software engineering, and already know some people I need to know to get into that in the Netherlands.
I'd like something like working at NXP, ASML or the like.
Working at Nvidia/AMD/Intel would be my real dream, but they don't have offices here I think, maybe Intel does.
I'm finishing the university degree this year at euroland and I'd like to move to USA to work there for a while. I've studied networking, cs and sysadmin on my degree (Telematics).
Is there a possibility to find a job there from here? Ia it easy to get the VISA?
Taking part 1 of my A+ exam this Friday. Little nervous but I've been studying the hell out of my material the last couple weeks and getting results of a solid 80+% on my practice exams. Part 2 I need to study a bit more on but I planned for that.
The real trouble for me is the only work experience I have is a few months of an internship and tonnes of customer service experience from past unrelated jobs. But I have personal experience with computers going all the way back to the mid-90's (ie: I started with DOS and went through most of the iterations of Windows as they came out).
A bit of general Resume advice I got from a family member in management is load up your cover letter with keywords from the job posting, since basically every resume is run through a search filter before anyone sees them, these days.
>>52382831
It won't hurt your application. How much it help depends on the specific job, though.
>>52383444
I want to get into security work in the future, after I build up my knowledge and experience for a bit.
>>52383520
>>52382831
Someone relevant to this anon's question, what languages would be good to know for IT security?
What did you guys use to study for Network+ and Security+?
>>52346373
>>Job Title
VP Technology
>>Years of Experience
15
>>Degrees/Certs
BS in MIS
A+, N+, Security+
MCSE
CCNA
CISSP
GSEC
>>How did you find/get job
Consulting. I was working for an IT consulting firm, my current employer was a client.
>>Pay
200k including bonus (but not perks)
>>Location
North East USA
>>52383787
Is this a F500 company?
>>52385765
finical services, not F500.
However I'm under the mean for salary for my position, but there's a lot of perks.
If I was at a F500, I'd expect 1.5 - 2x salary.
>Job Title
webdev
>Years of Experience
2.5
>Degrees/Certs
none, lol
>How did you find/get job
found offer on job site
>Pay
~1.5k dolaroo / month
>Location
Po(o)land
>>52385839
Hows that for a income there ? Here in Bulgaristan you start at 1,3 and can end up to 4k /month
Can somebody please clarify which certifications are applicable to which branches of IT because I'm unsure of what to do
>>52385850
Czechfag here, Polishfags have probably the same standard of living - it's pretty good. You can live on that really comfortably.
>>52385896
Maybe this is helpful. I don't know.
http://certification.comptia.org/why-certify/roadmap
>>52356274
Schools tend to care about education, wouldntyaknow? Chances of working at a college without a degree are very, very low. I'm talking they'll take someone with a low level degree, unrelated field, with no work history over someone who's been doing it for twenty years but only has certs.
The people handing out degrees are just understandably biased as to their worth.
>>52385850
minimum wage (after tax and all that shit) is ~340 dolaroos. it's hard to survive for one person, but two people on minimum can get by quite okay (although without cool vacation/new electronics or whatever). my 1.5k is quite comfy, although I'd like to increase that so I can start investing some of that and whatnot.
>>52385995
Fyi this is probably the worst time to start investing.
>>52386015
In general or in poland ?
>>52386063
Globally. I'd leave it at least another year and keep your eye on the financial news.
>>52386097
I was talking about buying property/land/house etc.
>>52386097
But thanks anyway anon
>>52386015
>>52386097
Y tho
>Job Title
Network Engineer
>Years of Experience
Almost 6 months
>Degrees/Certs
BS in CS. CCNA, CCNP R&S, Going for my VCP-DCV and CCNA DC now.
>How did you find/get job
Job fair at school
>Pay
45k pre-benefits and bonus
>Job Title
Software Developer
>Years of Experience
recent college grad
>Degrees/Certs
B.S. Comp Sci and Sec+
>Degrees/Certs
CCNA, A+, Net+
>How did you find/get job
Contacted me out of College
>Pay
80k
>Location
MD
>>52383682
get Messer books and watch online vids from CBT nuggets/ISE/utube etc
>>52380686
aww I see.
hopefully you get a networking job right off the bat before you start forgetting everything
