Newbe here interested in gaining I.T. qualifications

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by Geege, Jun 14, 2009.

  1. Geege

    Geege New Member

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    Hi all, Thank you for letting me be part of your community :D I'm a 29 yr old male currently working full time shift and am interested in studying towards gaining my first formal I.T. qualification. I have no prior job experience in I.T. and everything I know, has been self taught through magazines, books and the internet.

    I brought my first computer 3 years ago when I didn't know much about computers, but I have learnt a lot since then and have recently built my first gaming desktop from scratch successfully :cheers

    I am interested in gaining qualifications in I.T. (perhaps initially the CompTIA A+) for my own interest mainly, to be able to troubleshoot my future desktops and help family & friends. I would consider gaining further more advanced qualifications as my knowledge progresses. I haven't dis-counted a career change in I.T. either, although that would be a big career change and commitment, as I'm currently in a secure job that pays fairly well, and I'm not sure about having to start from scratch in a new career.

    The main problem is studying whilst working full time, with three children (all under 4 years old :ohmy) and a wife to support, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. I am academic, and from a science background, having gone through school and obtained my A'levels and a BSc (hons) degree in Biochemistry. I haven't studied fully since leaving university some 6 years ago, so I'm quite keen to study again for my own sanity :biggrin

    I look forward to gaining lots of knowledge and information from these forums and welcome any feedback and advice you give. Thank you :thumbleft
     
    Certifications: none so far
    WIP: CompTIA A+
  2. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Hi & welcome to CF :)

    Yep to ease you in and to get a couple of recognised quals/certs, the A+, Network+ and the MCDST are great places to start with :)

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  3. dmarsh
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    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    Why not combine interests and put your biochemistry degree to some use ?
     
  4. m3lt

    m3lt Byte Poster

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    Was thinking the same. Wish I had a BioChem degree. Science is hot at the moment as well.

    Get a subscription to NewScientist magazine and you will be landing a job in high tech enviroment in no time. :p

    But if you really want to go the IT way, as many people here would recommend you, get yourself the Mike Meyers A+ Certification book (6th Edition), the Street Smarts and a make use of them while at work or at home. Though, taking into account you work full time and your first pc was acquired 3 years ago, your discipline to self-study must be really high and you will need some extra time to prepare yourself, but it is possible.

    So good luck! :p
     
    Certifications: A+
    WIP: N+, MCDST/MCSE
  5. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hi and welcome to the forums. Funny enough I got a place after my A'Levels for Applied Biochemistry in Liverpool. I was worried I'd end up with big debts so got a job instead. I've been in IT for 10 years now and I'm 29 like you. Are you sure your not me from an alternate universe? :p
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  6. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    I was 28 with a BSc in Chemistry when I made the switch into IT. Haven't regretted it for a second.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  7. Geege

    Geege New Member

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    Thanks everyone for the warm welcome :biggrin I have considered combining biochemistry & computing, although in the real job world, at my stage, I can't see how the two would combine well.

    The problem is I've got experience in the pharmaceutical industry and in NHS pathology laboratory but no I.T. job experience what so ever (apart from self-building and building my brother's PC and trouble-shooting for others). When I left university 6 years ago I joined the police service :police, and I currently earn £30k. The reality of it is, the police service is a secure job (I won't be made redundant) and I'm already experienced in that area. The only downside is academically - it only trains you to be a police officer and nothing else. So part of me thinks that it is good to keep my options open with gaining qualifications to be employable in another area.

    If I had a career change now I would have to start from scratch in a low level 1st line support role earning half of what I am now, and as much as I think I would enjoy it, I just can't afford to have such a pay cut. I've even considered combining all fields and becoming a specialist forensic computer examiner in a police high-tech department :onthePC. Life is just so confusing, I think I'm reaching the start of that so called mid-life crisis :morebeer:knife:brancard:toilet

    Perhaps I should think about planning towards achieving the CompTIA A+ (new 2009 exams) and see how I go.:juggle
     
    Certifications: none so far
    WIP: CompTIA A+
  8. Geege

    Geege New Member

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    Out of interest - what made you consider that change to I.T. and what did you do first to get started?
     
    Certifications: none so far
    WIP: CompTIA A+
  9. dmarsh
    Honorary Member 500 Likes Award

    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    Ever heard of Folding at home ? Computational Chemistry ? Human genome project ?
     
  10. MrNerdy

    MrNerdy Megabyte Poster

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    Why dont you go for accelerated promotion scheme?
    That way you could make ACC by 50!
     
    Certifications: ECDL, CiscoIT1 & A+
    WIP: Girlfriend & Network+
  11. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    At the time (1997), everyone wanted chemists with Masters degrees.

    I graduated top of my class, sent out maybe 30-40 resumes. Got only one interview. A pharmaceutical company out of Louisville came down to visit me (about a 3 hour drive). Interview went well. He said he was looking for someone to run their HPLC lab equipment; in addition, they were looking for a network administrator. Now, my college professors had always told me that I could reasonably expect a $35,000 salary upon graduation. When the interviewer asked me what salary I was expecting, I told him that I would be interested in a salary around $30-35K, and in addition, I would even be able to help with his network. I never got a call back... only a rejection letter a few weeks later.

    The only job I could find around town was a job at a testing lab making $25K... washing out test tubes. Washing out test tubes?!? I'm OK with starting at the bottom... but how do you prove yourself by washing out test tubes? So I did something I swore I'd never do: I turned my hobby of computers into a career. I didn't want to burn out my love for computers. But a job opportunity came along for a field service tech making $22K per year, so I took it. Now THAT'S a job where you can prove yourself! And I did... the rest is history. :)
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  12. Notes_Bloke

    Notes_Bloke Terabyte Poster

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    Hi & welcome to CF:D

    NB
     
    Certifications: 70-210, 70-215, A+,N+, Security+
    WIP: MCSA

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