Noob says hi, thanks and help!

Oh man! Ad-blocking software has been detected! :'(

This website is run by the community, for the community... and it needs advertisements in order to keep running. Blocking our ads means your killing our stats!
Please disable your ad-block, or become a premium member to hide all advertisements and this notice.

Hi there. Firstly, great forum: I've spent the last couple of hours searching and browsing certf and found some really helpful answers to some questions, so big thanks. I think I'm convinced by the self study argument...

I studied for an MSc in Computing Science 5 years ago. Since then I have worked for a small charity in London managing a project training older people in basic computer skills. I also manage the orgs ICT functions but with no dedicated IT staff - the charity hasn't enough resources to do everything it would like, and no training budget to speak of. I've done little bits of everything - PC/user support, IT training, procurement, networking/server admin (Windows 2003), database build/admin/querying (Access) and general project management - but none of it with any real guidance, support or structure.

I want to change jobs, but unsure what role to go for. I feel like a jack of all trades, master of none, and low on confidence. I've aslo been a bit lazy in terms of ongoing personal development which I now want to put right. I think I want to develop a specialism but not sure what. I'm tempted by trying to go the support role route, or maybe project management, maybe data analysis. However, designing/building/messing around with databases is what I most enjoy, but I only really have experience of Access.

Any advice on either how to make a decision on what route to take, or gaining more skills, confidence, hands on experience, certifications, etc in wider database stuff would be much appreciated. Till then, I'll keep searching certformums.

Rich

 

Oh man! Ad-blocking software has been detected! :'(

This website is run by the community, for the community... and it needs advertisements in order to keep running. Blocking our ads means your killing our stats!
Please disable your ad-block, or become a premium member to hide all advertisements and this notice.

I've stayed a jack-of-all-trades in network administration, and it's not hurt my career one bit.

Go for whatever roles interest you. You've built up a little experience... now put it to use by getting you a better position. Get whatever certifications that interest you which are relevant to your current responsibilities to prove that you have that knowledge.

Welcome!

 

Hi Welcome

Some good advice from BM there.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome to CF

 

always good advice

 

Hi and welcome to CF you might want to seriously consider going for the A+ self study route. Basically, get the A+ book by Mike Myers go through it at your own pace making sure you explore the exercises hence another spare computer on the side.

 

Hi there and welcome

 

Hello & welcome to CF

I agree with BM and Onoski you have to do some soul searching find out where your strength lies what motivates you and the decided which route to take for certification.

A+ is always a good starting point for anything in IT.

 

Hello and welcome to CF!