/CCT/ Career and Cert Thread

What are you working towards? Need advice? Share your study resources!

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

whats the quickest way to get a job in this field? i need something relatively quick (1-2 months) and have 0 experience

also what are the most useful certs? i hear cloud computing and virtualization are going to be big. what are the best certs to get into that?

I really want to get my A+ certification and the last time I took it I was really close to passing. I was also like 16 when I took it last and now I'm 24.

>phone/computer technician for a small startup

>6 years experience in various fields from medical to enterprise IT because of college internships

>I have a BS in Information Systems (I regret not going Software Engineering) and currently don't have any certifications but finally looking into them right now because they're crucial

>i live in a relatively medium sized city and all of the IT jobs are filled by baby-boomer fucks who need to just die off already. i made connections through linkedin and got the job through there basically

>shitty 11/hr

>PA

>i made connections through linkedin

im considering getting linkedin but i dont really know wtf to do with it

im guessing id need a professional looking headshot to start

Guys, I desperately need help, next year I'm attending an IT University, but It's located in the capitol and it is fucking extremely expensive to live there.

What should I do? Should I pursue my passion for tech and succumb the difficulties of living in the big city or do something entirely different e.g. take the study overseas?

Apply for helpdesk jobs.

The most useful certs are for the technologies that actually interest you. It's best to get the first job then decide where you want to go since experience > certs

You've got a job, so you're getting experience.. again you need to decide what you're interested in then start getting certs that are relevant and start hopping jobs.

Not sure where you live. How is studying overseas going to make it any easier? Sometimes life is just hard senpai, and you have to man the fuck up and make it work.

>Job Title
Systems Analyst
>Years of Experience
5 years
>Degrees/Certs
BS information systems
>How did you find/get job
Applied to it right before I got laid off
>Pay
92k
>Location
SF bay area

No certs of any kind, experience is the most important, though some sub fields (networking) really rely on it.

In IT there is a real danger in looking "overqualified" people who collect certs usually get passed up for folks that just have certs in the one specific tech they want you to know.

I recently learned that I beat out a PhD in computer science for my current job.

The easiest way to get into this field is to send you resume to a consulting firm (temp agency) and go work on a project as a desktop support tech.

Don't bother with advanced certs if you have no experience in that area, it looks really bad on a resume. for breaking in, you can get an A+ or Net+ and then get certs as you work in the field.

I really hope you aren't putting phone technician on your resume.

I also have a BS in information systems and I make 92k and beat out a comp sci PhD for my last job.

I was thinking of getting an MCSA, I have 3 years of sysadmin experience after 3 years of desktop support experience.

Gonna graduate (IT) in a couple months.

I've been seeing a lot of call centers looking for help desk guys, and I'm thinking of applying.

I heard working for call centers as IT is a dead end though, what do?

Help desk almost one year straight, have my A+, Network+, and Sec+ and going for CCNA. Think I can get hired at a NOC with that?

Bumpity bump bump

As long as you get out within a couple of years, you are fine. Nearly everyone in IT started at the help desk, people who say they didn't usually started as software developers.

You can get into a NOC right now, just make sure you apply to the appropriate level (tech) and not way above your experience.

Alright thanks fampai

>If you've got a tech career:
>>Job Title :Senior Network Engineer / CEO ; Used to be Head of Tech Support for a robotics company
>>Years of Experience 10/10
>>Degrees/Certs Bach in comp sci; CCNA(route n' switch) CCIE; A+; Net+; Sec+; CIT; MCIE; and soem expired from the olden days
>>How did you find/get job; started fixing local peoples computers, put it on a resume, applied to local tech shops (you have to put in your time as a low leval grunt tech before anyone will consider you)
>>Pay Variable depending on contracts and projects 40,000-320,000 yr/ 62,000
>>Location FL / MA

>In IT there is a real danger in looking "overqualified"
this is very true, head his words user

>Job Title
QA Analyst
>Years of Experience
3
>Degrees/Certs
A+, Bachelor's Management Information Science
>How did you find/get job
Indeed dot com
>Pay
50k per year
>Location
Northeast city of USA

Are there help desk positions that deal with linux? I've been hitting the books and teaching myself linux. I'm going to get my linux essentials very soon, currently I work as a cashier. What types of jobs should I apply for if I eventually want to be a linux admin?

So should one limit the certs they put on their resume to only what applies to the job?

Yes, this is true with any job. Only put relevant experience and qualifications. Being overqualified is just as bad as being underqualified. Creates insecurities with hiring manager and raises questions about how long you will be there before moving on to a job better suited to your qualifications.

Everyone starts at desktop support.

Knowing linux is a differentiator, this will make you the go to guy for when the engineers with linux machines have issues since no one on help desk knows linux at all usually.

Yes exactly.

can i really go up if I'm starting from below eg. support/helpdesk?

will i gain any useful knowledge and experience since support/helpdesk seems like you will be a robot and do same thing everyday.

i need some motivation here. thanks

Do you guys know of any good sites for exam dumps?

>Job Title
"Infrastructure Technician"
>Years of Experience
1
>Degrees/Certs
Sec+
>How did you find/get job
Air Force recruiting office, nailed the ASVAB and researched jobs before hand
>Pay
45k
>Location
CO Springs

>can i really go up if I'm starting from below eg. support/helpdesk?

Literally everyone starts at the help desk

>will i gain any useful knowledge and experience since support/helpdesk seems like you will be a robot and do same thing everyday.

You will learn as much or as little as you want. Since help desk is the first group to touch most problems you can either try to solve all the problems when you get them or pass them on.

>i need some motivation here. thanks

Only you can motivate yourself.


>Do you guys know of any good sites for exam dumps?

This is the worst way to get certs and you will be exposed as a paper cert immediately.

This might be a dumb question,but I'm gonna ask it anyway. If I wear a nice suit to a help desk interview will I look overqualified or stupid?

I wear a t-shirt and jeans to work (sometimes shorts) and I wear slacks, button up shirt & tie to interviews

(systems analyst here)

But I am based in silicon valley, things get more formal the more east you go, so if you are in NYC or europe you may want to wear a suit jacket too.

Working on my CCNA right now. So far I have done 8 months of a helpdesk position and going on 4 years of consulting (Home use). Can't decided if I should just go ahead and pay to take my A+ and Network+ or wait it out and take it as part of this program at my local school. I really want to get into security though, so I'll be aiming to take security based courses next to get Security+ and during my own time I'm studying for Linux +

>Job Title
Tier 3 Software Support / escalations
>Years of Experience
10
>Degrees/Certs
A+
>How did you find/get job
Craigslist
>Pay
53k
>Location
LA

Cake job

Define a couple of years. I've been doing help desk for almost two years now. Trying to move up to desktop support now. Did a 2nd interview for one a week ago or so.

if you don't stay longer than 5 years in help desk/desktop support you should be fine.

I got out right at 5 years, moved to applications group.

good, so I still have some time. Still I think going from help desk to desktop support is something. At least I won't be stuck at a desk with a headset glued to my head all day hopefully.

What types of companies/businesses use linux most often? ISP/webhosting i guess? I don't want to be stuck doing windows, cause frankly I haven't used it in a while.

yeah, just make sure you show that you are going from tier 1 to tier 2 on your resume.

everyone uses linux except local governments I think.

I've worked at 5 private companies and one government entity and all 5 private companies had as many linux servers (or more) as windows.

Typically this is what you'll see:

Desktop infrastructure: windows back end
Messaging: windows

Anything that has to do with engineering: linux/unix

Where's the best place to look for jobs (especially for newbies)? I know there's craigslist, linkedin, monster, but I don't know which one is good for newcomers who want helpdesk or somethin like that.

are you a bulgarian poorfag?

robert half, milestone, dice, indeed.

Is this the new data mining thread?

>participating on the internet
>implying anyone cares about a smelly neet
Crawl back into your parents filthy basement

Prolly why you're making cake pay. 53k in LA is like minimum wage wtf

Noob here, no programming experience. So is there any coding going on as a helpdesk guy or is it just "Restart your computer/uncheck that box you checked/reinstall software?"

I'm learning C# right now. At what point do I consider myself good enough to be able to start looking for a job and not be laughed at? Can you give me examples from github or wherever of what my skillls should look like to be able to get a job coding?

I found this thread archived somewhere. I re-posted it and it's being posted by other people now.

Help desk is literally just putting out fires. "Help, I accidentally unplugged my monitor." Programming isn't going to help any. Something more general like an A+ would be better for help desk.

If you are in uni though, don't bother. Just practice programming and get an internship while you're in college. If you put in the work, they'll hire you after you graduate.

>If you are in uni though,

That's the problem though, I'm not. Trying to switch careers and start as a programmer, thinking of how to get that first job.

>capitol

what is this half-life 2?

You know that your browser probably doesn't have information about your pay, your degrees, jobs, but you're willing to share all of it because someone asked nicely?

>work at a health clinic
>employees are 50 and don't know how to use a computer
>every issue is baby-grade
>trained in the Marines to kill to end up cleaning toilets, sweeping, and picking up trash and ironing my uniforms
>trained in IT in learn the in's and out's of computer technology only to swap keyboards and mice an reset Michelle's password every DAY GOD DAMMIT COME ON MICHELLE

such is life..

I seperate in a year, how can I break back into the civilian sector!?!

>Job Title
Military helpdesk jockey
>Years of Experience
3 years at helpdesk environment
10ish years with computing as a hobby
>Degrees/Certs
A+ Net+ Sec+ *working on CEH
>How did you find/get job
Enlistment :c
>Pay
E-4
>Location
Overseas :D

Keep your security clearance active. You've got enough experience and certs to get a military contractor gig.

>bought ccna 200-125 official cert library
>1600 pages
>tfw only 50 pages in
what the fuck have I gotten myself into

Also, what is better - 1 exam route or 2 exams route?

I often wonder why even bother taking a year to learn difficult networking shit only to end up with a $40k (if lucky) job when you could learn how to drive a commercial truck in a month and start at like $45k easily.

Definitely look into military contracting. It's the best thing I ever did with myself.

I do IT for an msp and also write a little code.

Working towards my BIT and a minor in business. No certs, but answered all the interview questions right and had a prior internship which helped a lot.

Making 30k right now in a flyovers state but have a raise coming soon (ive worked there < 6 mo.)

I really enjoy the work, and the clients i get to work with. Getting a lot of good experience, too.

>Job Title
System Tech.
>Years of Experience
2 with barely any work
>Degrees/Certs
NONE
>How did you find/get job
Connections through friend of friends
>Pay
$40k
>Location
Maui

Does anyone with social anxiety have a help desk job? I hate talking on the phone and am afraid I won't know what to say. Do they give you any training?

Because 40k (not uncommon for ccna holder) will get your foot in the door for an entry level IT job. Your career path has a well defined ladder of growth defined. Where as truck driver you can't say the same. There's not much mobility after you get that 45k job

>flyover state
These are the best states desu.

Two exams. The one exam route is for people renewing.

>end up with a $40k
You realize this is a starting salary right? People with experience and a CCNP make six figures. Commercial trucking doesn't pay a lot even after a decade of doing so.

I use to be scares AF to even reply to email chains with more than 3 or 4 people in it.

Most of the time people will drone on about their problems. Walk them through the procedures to fix their problems. You won't be interacting and talking about random normie shit most of the time. You can make a script for yourself to regurgitate to people if that helps.

>refugee
>entire life
>none
>I was born
>1000€/month
>Germany
Socialism is great

>Maui
Lots of hot white wimmin there. Too bad it is expensive as fuck to live.

>Job Title
Desktop Support
>Years of Experience
9 months
>Degrees/Certs
1 tech diploma, Net+, Sec+
>How did you find/get job
Indeed
>Pay
$27
>Location
Florida


Yeah, I know the pay sucks.


Anyone have CASP?

Thanks famalam

What about the steps am I supposed to memorize those or do they have scripts for that too? I'm literally autistic.

>I know the pay sucks

I have the same job title and make a full $5-6k less you ungrateful...

just remember they're coming to you for help. They're literally brain dead, and you're a genius to them. Plus they expect you to be weird anyway, because "I'm calling the IT guy lol."

Didn't say I was ungrateful but it sucks being in the bottom of the barrel....well, next to it since you get paid less.

Are you in Florida too?

Michigan, and yeah it sucks but I we have to start somewhere.

im about to take the A++ in a couple days, been study but what would u guys recommend to use to prepare?

If I've only had jobs like working in a warehouse, fast food, and a grocery clerk, should I just leave that off my resume when applying for help desk?

another user, you want to put warehouse for sure, leave everything on actually shows you have customer service experience

>Job Title
Lead Server Engineer
>Years of Experience
4 professionally - 10 years hobbyist.
>Degrees/Certs
College drop-out.
>How did you find/get job
Applied for it. Interviewed. Got job.
>Pay
205k
>Location
bay area

Satan if you haven't started school yet don't do it.

Study for your basic certs, get a help desk job, save money, move up into more certs.

I'm kind of feeling good and if I'm able I'll begin pulling Lynda/ITProTV courses and materials for you guys since my work gave us free yearly subscriptions to both.

>IT Support Specialist Level 1
>No prior experience
>No Certs or degree, only classroom and self taught experience
>Job is at a casino, applied for a transfer from food and beverage and charismatically made my way into the department
>35k/year
>Somewhere in Las Vegas

I would like to say one thing regarding work last night, Sophos you piece of fucking shit.


>AMA

if by $27 you mean $27/hourly, You are an ungrateful shit
If by 27k/year then you're gonna make it, keep the climb going.
and if you are only getting paid $27, where the fuck do you live?

27k

Florida

You work at night?

I want a comfy night job would something like this be it?

Job title: I work in a print shop for a state government

Yrs of Experience: Been there for 5-6 yrs. Before that I worked in another dept for 5 yrs. Before that I worked 1.5 yrs in the private sector for some edu outfit. Self taught working on computers/networking for around 18-20 yrs. Fix co-workers/family pc's. Unofficially work on minor IT issues for the print dept. (I don't get paid for it/not part of job duties)

Certs: A+/Network+ Certified 2002/2003,Cisco Network Support (aka CCNA) 2012, Ciso Net Design (aka CCDA) 2012, Windows Sys Admin 2014, Server Administration,Windows XP/2003 Administration 2012. I got the certs mostly cause to prove to people that yes I do know what I'm doing. Also I'm trying like hell to get out of my current job and get into the state IT dept.

How'd I get hired: Applied for the vacancy online and soon got hired. Didn't think I'd be where I am for 11 yrs but least hey I got a job.

Pay: around 27K before taxes.

Location: KY

all those certs and only making 27k, ouch...

It can be comfy. Literally before shit went down on the last hour of my shift last night I did:

>Daily Monitoring Assignments
>Termination Audits
>Unlocked a few accounts
This took maybe an hour and half

Rest of the night
>Shitpost on Sup Forums
>spent a couple hours taking apart two thinkpads I had just got that day in the mail for spare parts
>had youtube/netflix on our Smart TV playing
>flirt and tease with front desk girls when they would call in for simple help

But when real happenings happen, say, our Sophos launched a rolling update (that they weren't supposed to do) that flagged 50 computers and devices in our executive department as a trojan and locked the computers down, then its a serious high priority job that demands all your attention and you need to be able to stay calm while executives are freaking out and trying to not cuss you out in the process.

Yeah, my actual job duties for which I get paid have nothing to do with IT work. I'm trying like hell to get out of there. I've applied for a few open jobs in IT so hope I'll get an interview soon for one of them. One of the perks of my current job is that I get to get out and meet customers. So people kinda know who I am and all that.

Do most places teach you or give you training on your job? I'm worried I won't know enough to actually fix someone's problems even if they're simple and I'll look like a fucking idiot.

I'm sorry senpai

>Job Title
Virtualization Administrator

>Years of Experience
this role, 2 or 3

>Degrees/Certs
None/MCSA, CCA, MTA, MCP (last two are the same really), A+ from ten years ago (lol)

>How did you find/get job
Started as internal helpdesk, worked my way up - homelabbing to learn and take on more responsibilities from the server team until they created a spot for me

>Pay
70k-90k

>Location
Midwest USA


Going to take and pass my VCP6 at some point. Been sidetracked with projects and IRL bullshit keeping me from studying/labbing enough for confidence in a first take first pass. From there, remain on the VMware track but also branch off into MS Communications since I've done extensive work with Lync/Skype/Exchange

I really don't understand. Here on the /cct/ thread everyone is nice and friendly, helpful, even caring sometimes about each other. But then I head over to /dtp/ and it's just shitposting and people going "ugh, your language is so pajeet, get on my level you fag" and shit like that. Are we sampling from the same population?

Here, have some donuts as a token of my appreciation.

cct has jobs, potentially a mortgage and a car. dtp are unwashed failures who will never retire unless its on NEETbux

I started this format sometime last year because I figured these threads could help some of you on a path to get jobs and money. Half the threads on this board are cancer anyway.

Thanks man these threads are really productive, and help alot!

Glad to see some folks are getting into these threads.

When I first started them people bitched and moaned about how this wasn't biz or adv

Are from indiana, I think I know you. Do you know a huge guy named Bryan lol.

Not IT but just in case some people might be interested in something a little different:

>Job Title
GIS Mapping Technician in the utilities sector
>Years of Experience
1+a year of schooling
>Degrees/Certs
BS Biology, ArcGIS Desktop cert
>How did you find/get job
Indeed
>Pay
60k before taxes
>Location
Bay Area

GIS is technically IT at my work. But no offense they're as technical as someone who works as a customer service rep.

Is healthcare IT lucrative? I work IT for a construction company and while it's fun and fairly relaxed, it's also slow. I don't get paid that well either, but that's not as much of an issue.

The people I've known who were in healthcare always seemed like it was really fast paced and kept their attention? What's the general consensus on this?

GIS can sure be IT but what we do in our office is not IT in the least.

I map gas pipelines. We have developers but that's about close as it gets in utilities. I guess if you lump mapping in with compsci enough it becomes more IT.

I work in a IT help desk taking calls for hospital employees in different states, and I make about $41k in the midwest. It's like $20/hr, I think its pretty stellar for help desk. So yeah, I would think it does pay better if I make $40k working in the bottom of the bottom of IT.

Sys admin but your not going to just snag a sys admin job without paying dues. Linux is/are an enterprise OS. Sys admins manage enterprise OS's among other things.

what kind of calls do you get

53k for ten years experience is absurd.

what's poverty like, Ramesh?