11 May 05
For the last 18 months i have been attending college with the intention of finding work in the I.T. sector. In this time i have gained 5 qualifications and i am now studying CISCO CCNA. It is something i am really enjoying and would love to start a career in this area. The problem being that no one wants to touch me with a barge pole because i have no proven experience. Could anyone please offer me some decent advice on how to overcome this frustrating catch 22 situation, because i feel like i am banging my head against the Great Wall of China. Cheers in anticipation,
Jimbo.
11 May 05
Originally posted by jimslyp69Curious, do you have professional oganization you can join? I'm a Chem Eng and have found valuable contacts through various Chem E professional orgnanizations. Afterall its not what you know, but who right?
For the last 18 months i have been attending college with the intention of finding work in the I.T. sector. In this time i have gained 5 qualifications and i am now studying CISCO CCNA. It is something i am really enjoying and would love to start a career in this area. The problem being that no one wants to touch me with a barge pole because i have no prov ...[text shortened]... eel like i am banging my head against the Great Wall of China. Cheers in anticipation,
Jimbo.
As an alternative you could quit while you're ahead and find a job with the least possible amount of responsibility such as a greater at Walmart. This will save you a great deal of stress and aggrevation and allow you to focus on acquiring and smoking pot.
11 May 05
Originally posted by Hand of HecateOkay, cheers. I'l have a google on that. The first option that is. The second option sounds tempting but I don't think we have Walmart here in England.
Curious, do you have professional oganization you can join? I'm a Chem Eng and have found valuable contacts through various Chem E professional orgnanizations. Afterall its not what you know, but who right?
As an alternative you could quit while you're ahead and find a job with the least possible amount of responsibility such as a greater at W ...[text shortened]... you a great deal of stress and aggrevation and allow you to focus on acquiring and smoking pot.
11 May 05
Originally posted by jimslyp69Walmart own Asda ... don't you fancy that lovely green tabard and the 'always happy to help' badge. lol Good luck with the IT thing 🙂
Okay, cheers. I'l have a google on that. The first option that is. The second option sounds tempting but I don't think we have Walmart here in England.
11 May 05
Originally posted by jimslyp69Try hoaring yourself out for free for a while if you can afford it. If you're serious about a career in IT, then, in the long run a little bit of work for free will pay you well. Does your college offer any support in this area?
For the last 18 months i have been attending college with the intention of finding work in the I.T. sector. In this time i have gained 5 qualifications and i am now studying CISCO CCNA. It is something i am really enjoying and would love to start a career in this area. The problem being that no one wants to touch me with a barge pole because i have no prov ...[text shortened]... eel like i am banging my head against the Great Wall of China. Cheers in anticipation,
Jimbo.
D
12 May 05
Originally posted by RagnorakI'm afraid that my college doesn't. It advertises internal vacancies and that's about as far as it's career development services go. As for whoring myself out, that sounds like a blooming good idea. Just a case of finding the right company. There are a lot of companies that have started signing up for this new modern apprenticeship malarky but i'm afraid i am over 21 so am deemed to be 'useless' to them. I mean how could a person over 21 possibly make a positive contribution to an organisation, i ask you.
Try hoaring yourself out for free for a while if you can afford it. If you're serious about a career in IT, then, in the long run a little bit of work for free will pay you well. Does your college offer any support in this area?
D
So yes, i think i will have a good rummage throught he yellow pages and find some companies that could do with a bit of free labour in exchange for their seal of approvement. Charities may well be a good one. Ta for the feed back.
12 May 05
Originally posted by jimslyp69Hey Jim,
For the last 18 months i have been attending college with the intention of finding work in the I.T. sector. In this time i have gained 5 qualifications and i am now studying CISCO CCNA. It is something i am really enjoying and would love to start a career in this area. The problem being that no one wants to touch me with a barge pole because i have no prov ...[text shortened]... eel like i am banging my head against the Great Wall of China. Cheers in anticipation,
Jimbo.
I have some first hand experience with this. I'm a MCSE (NT) and I was lucky enough to get work with Canon as a temp. I started in software QA and, because nothing panned out as a Network Admin, I pretty much stayed there. Software QA has proven to be very accomodating and enjoyable but I am not working in the field I went to school for.
I hate to say this but your best bet, since you have no real world experience is probably Help Desk or Customer Support for a company you would be interested in working for. If you can get your foot in the door that way, you can get to the position you want eventually by being already in the company, you know what I mean?
I think many people start their IT careers this way. You have to prove yourself to them first and, as you will find out, learning Cisco in the classroom is far different than practical use in the real world.
Hope that helps 🙂
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12 May 05
You know... I was thinking about posting that he should look for some work in the QA or tech support/help desk field.
As a lead developer, I MUCH prefer a fellow programmer that has some GOOD QA experience -- be it testing or just working with QA people/procedures. I live and die by my good development practices; due to good QA work.
Tech support/help desk -- that's how I got my start. Nothing will make you a I.T. "Jack of All Trades" more than doing some hardcore tech support. And it's amazing how those things you learn come back to help you in more advanced projects later on in your career.
--tmetzler
12 May 05
i third the above responses I too am MSCE NT and 2000. I would suggest applying for help desk positions or even a tech shop building and servicing PC’s. your knowledge will help you through the way. I can’t stand talking to a system or net admin that has no experience it is very obvious.
12 May 05
Originally posted by tmetzlerI have to agree with Joe and Tim - I got into IT via software testing. My advice is to apply to a specialist Testing Consultancy in London (e.g. Mission, Tescom, Imago). They'll take you on with no experience and train you up. Once you've got a year's experience your career is in your hands...
You know... I was thinking about posting that he should look for some work in the QA or tech support/help desk field.
As a lead developer, I MUCH prefer a fellow programmer that has some GOOD QA experience -- be it testing or just working with QA people/procedures. I live and die by my good development practices; due to good QA work.
Tech support/hel ...[text shortened]... you learn come back to help you in more advanced projects later on in your career.
--tmetzler
12 May 05
Originally posted by ivangriceOkay, thanks for all your advice dudes. Are there any of these Testing Consultancies in Manchester or the North West?
I have to agree with Joe and Tim - I got into IT via software testing. My advice is to apply to a specialist Testing Consultancy in London (e.g. Mission, Tescom, Imago). They'll take you on with no experience and train you up. Once you've got a year's experience your career is in your hands...
12 May 05
I would start a Tech Guy company.
Go to peoples houses and fix up thier pc or hook them up.
You will be your own boss and get alot richer then working for the man.
Its a big growing industry here in the States. We have like 3 companies in my town passing out coupons and flyers.
Good luck with that!
12 May 05
Originally posted by jimslyp69Er...no. London (I speak as someone who comes originally from Burnley) - if you want a *decent* job in IT, I'm afraid you'll have to come to London (at least initially)...
Okay, thanks for all your advice dudes. Are there any of these Testing Consultancies in Manchester or the North West?
12 May 05
1 edit
Originally posted by jimslyp69thats cool im taking a comp tech class too
For the last 18 months i have been attending college with the intention of finding work in the I.T. sector. In this time i have gained 5 qualifications and i am now studying CISCO CCNA. It is something i am really enjoying and would love ...[text shortened]... against the Great Wall of China. Cheers in anticipation,
Jimbo.
the school i work at will hire me if i take an a+ test but i dont know yet