Getting IT Qualifications

[Butuz]

Best way to get that dream network manager job you want - is to get a lowly job as an it helpdesk person, or an it technician in a school for example, do 3 years of work, work your ass off, get your employer to pay for as much training as possible - then companies will think "this person looks like he could manage our network" after you put in a CV full of experience, showing not just it skills, but people skills as thats just as important.

Show that you know what your doing, and you can deal with other people, and you work hard, and youll get a job easy.

Butuz

[Hitman]

Cheers for the advice and info guys

The part-time HND sound interesting, I amy have to have a look into them.

I think one of my problems is that I dont live in an area where the jobs are. All of the local IT based jobs (when I actually rarely see one advertised in my local paper) are for people who have experience in the area.

I had a look on Prometric, and the exams for A+ are £100 each, and there's two of them.

[Stringent]

I thought C++ was the oldest programming language around?

C is older, what C++ and a lot of others were founded upon, basically because there was nothing much else to use! There are some other old languagues like Fortran, Haskel etc. Don't know if there are any others.

[Aaron]

Experience is indeed a big factor. There's a number of things you can do:

1. Volunteer for work with charities. If it's a registered chairty, you can do this work and still claim job seeker's allowance. My aunt works as a human resources director and she says that applicants with any charity work go straight to the top of the pile usually.
2. Do odd jobs for people. Design websites for people, do small programming jobs for free. At the very least you'll have examples of your work to show people.
3. Do a degree that includes industrial training. I went to the University of Surrey and industrial training for practically compulsory. I'm very glad I did it as not only did I gain a year's experience, the company I worked for said they would welcome me back with open arms if I ever wanted to rejoin. If you already have a first degree then Luton University (and perhaps others) do MSc. courses which include professional training in IT.

[Hitman]

Do charities need volunteer people for IT work? Ive never really thought that they would.

Has any one here done any, or worked as, a 1st Line Technical Support person?

Ive found a job locally for one, and was wondering what exactly you do, and what the job is like.

[silentphoenix]

There are many things you can do right now (as pointed out), but the advice I have to offer is do not go into the IT field if your aim is to earn zillions... go into the field because you want to.

Also, if/when you are sufficiently qualified, do not let pride get the better of you and turn down seemingly lowly jobs - I know someone who graduated from Oxford in Computing and he was without a job for 3 years "because nothing was good enough for him"! Take whatever finds its way to your plate and remember that it can only add to your CV and self development.

Personally, Id say to become a teacher - that is if you can work around the stress of the job. Its a job that offer the most security, decent pay and 13 weeks holiday.

Theres also the option of becoming a bus driver and going on strike because £27,000 isnt enough!

[loki]

I have a master of arts, and i'm currently doing an msc in I.T for this year.

I'm gonna be a glad to get a job of a reasonable wage tbh.

The market is incredibly saturated, without a degree you have little chance of getting anywhere. Tis a shame, but its the reality.

[PriestJPN]

I do volunteer work for the Citizen's Advice Bureau (a registered charity), installing systems, networks, printers and refurbing old systems with bit I've scrounged from places...

Most charities are getting more on the IT bandwagon due to the increasing admin; I've been asked to do work for Age Concern and one or two others. All you need to is get in touch with your local volunteer bureau or call places directly...

[Hitman]

I might have to get in touch with any local charities then.

It's all good experience, and good for the old CV

[Stoo]

I feel your pain XTR, I'm in exactly the same boat

Luckly my parents are pretty damned good about it and have even paid for driving lessons do I can increase my commute distance to the nearest city (east anglia sucks..)

C is older, what C++ and a lot of others were founded upon, basically because there was nothing much else to use! There are some other old languagues like Fortran, Haskel etc. Don't know if there are any others.

IIRC, it's Fortran, Lisp and C in that order.. I think..

[Scorpionking24]

I am preparin for cisco sertification exams startin wid ccna. Does anyone hav the latest dumps and also the academic certification materials and solutions for the same. Would be grateful if u could share it.

Cheers,

Mav

[LSmith4285]

I am replying to those people who say their IT degree was a waste of time.

Yes at the begining you have to start in lowly jobs but with a degree it is easier to progress up the ladder if you want to get into management etc.

The problem with the market at the moment is so many people are looking they can really raise the entry requirments for jobs that really don't need that level of skill.

I got my degree and after a few interviews I got a job as a mobile technician, BlackBerries, PDAs, Tablets and laptops etc but as people saw I was a hard worker I got other stuff to do which all goes down as good experience on the CV and to talk about in an interview.

After a year doing that I have just started as a Business Analyst, I doubt I would have got it as an external candidate but they have seen I work hard and I doubt I would have go it without my degree.

[dave87]

Holy Thread revival Batman!

(2004 thread?)

[BlindMelon7]

I'm probably gonna do a CCNA after doing the IT Essentials 1 course (waste of time and money if you ask me, its easy as hell).