my situation

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Hi y'all,

First of all, I would just like to thank everyone involved in the board for making a first-class resource. I find the whole thing very interesting reading, and the advice given is invaluable.

This is only my second post since joining, but felt I had to share something.

I have been working in IT for about 20 months now. I gained employment at EDS (before they were consumed by HP) in a 1st line support / helpdesk role, supporting the UK government's Department for Work & Pensions.

Originally the job was just taking calls - catch and despatch - passing incidents on to other teams and resolver groups. I eventually got my 'technical training' after about 10 months. This was to a basic Microsoft standard - learning fixes such as folder redirections, remote software rebuilds, MS SMS, profile rebuilds, registry fixes, Windows XP and Office fixes, etc - basic 1st line stuff. I scored the company's highest ever grade for the final tech training test!

I have surprised myself, I have found it relatively 'easy' and natural, Made me wonder why I didnt get into IT sooner. Prior to this I worked in the music industry for over 7 years - followed my dream.

However, since then I havent looked back. That gave me the inspiration and motivation to look into this IT stuff more - signing up to this forum, reading lots and looking into certs.

I feel I have learned a lot in the relatively short space if time I have been at EDS / HP. I am looking to move on and up and have had a few interviews but nothing has come to fruition yet.

I signed up to do a degree with the OU - BSc Information Technology & Computing as I feel this would stand me in good stead later (much) down the road. I have just started this course (I get a grant that covers all the course fees, so would be crazy not to)

To couple that I am currently doing my A+ (using the highly recommended Mike Meyers All-In-One book) and MCDST 70-272 (MS Press Self-Paced book) - all self-study.

I am 35 now, was 33 when I started this job. I had no 'business' IT experience - I have been around computers most of my life and am pretty well knowledged in a 'domestic' sense.

I've got my foot in the door and built up nearly 2 years of vital experience.

So I just thought I would share this with you all. I happy story really. Hopefully this will inspire others - no matter what age / background, if you really want to work in IT badly enough then you can.

One last thing - wanting a bit of advice really - I am still undecided as to what area of IT to specialise in - so any advice as to where to go after my A+ / MCDST / career advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again, and up the good work.

 

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Good testimony!

I'd recommend the Network+ certification to round out your entry-level certification tracks. I would also try to get into a role where you can help out with basic server administration so you can build your server admin experience, preparing you for the MCSA.

For the record, you don't HAVE to specialize in ANY area of IT. I had made a VERY successful career as a jack-of-all-trades who could be depended upon to do ANYTHING regarding server or network or security administration for a healthcare company of 450-500 users.

 

thanks for the feedback / advice

 

Nice story, thank you for sharing james. I am yet to find my first IT job. I can't really answer your question but would appreciate if you expand your story with how did you get your first job?

 

Well like I said, I always thought I would end up in IT, just being around computers for so long, since quite a young lad.

I worked in the music industry for over 7 years for quite a big record company, (mainly admin, marketing, some technical music studio stuff) who unfortunately ran into financial difficulties. This prompted me to leave and set up my own independant label, which I ran for several years. This was something I always wanted to do, so at the time, was pretty much my dream job. However, it is a very fickle, inconsistent and unstable industry to work in. Then the time came when I needed to get a 'proper' job - kids came along, house, car, etc so needed something more stable. But by this time, the novelty of working in the music industry had long worn off.

I saw an ad in the local newspaper for Entry Level IT Helpdesk Support jobs supporting the Government, so I applied, to see how I would get on. First I had a standard telephone interview about past job experience, customer service experience, etc. I passed that and was told to go in for a technical test. Was pretty basic stuff - multiple choice questions about what various terms meant, how would you map to a network drive, how would you do this and that, etc, questions along that line.

I passed that and started 2 weeks later. The rest goes as per my first post.

I hope you and others can take encouragement from this.

Hope this helps, and thanks for the interest

 

There's been quite a bit of development with my career since this first post of mine.

Have been working for HP for just short of 4 years in a 1st Line / Helpdesk role. After studying hard for my MCP, MCDST and MCTS, the beginning of this year saw me 'promoted' to Technical Lead on a team of twelve - this meant 50% on calls, 50% basically 2nd Line, but still on the same wage.

Having zero interest in becoming a team leader (on the admin side, where the majority of progression opportunities are where I am) and the progression opportunities along a technical route few and far between. Having unsuccessfully interviewed for several internal positions and my search for a job elsewhere proving unsuccessful also, I was beginning to lose faith.

I had an interview for an internal HP position last week, and was offerd the job on Wednesday! I start as a Development Build & Support Technician (in the same building where I work now, 5 mins from home) on 24th Oct.

My new role involves my basically looking after and backing up the benefit mainframe systems via VME. It'll be a steep learning curve, but I am absolutely buzzing and cannot wait to get started. New job, a chance to really get my teeth into something, it'll be a big challenge, the opportunity to learn some pretty niche skills, and to top it all off a nice pay rise as well.

Keep the faith people and keep plugging away.

 

Well Done Bro.. you are on the right way keep it up.. May God bless you in all aspects of your life.. if you wish & feel comfortable with your above stated just carry on with server side. Good Luck!