Entering the IT world 1

[Beatles76]

Not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but I will be starting my new job as a "configuration technician"
next week. I don't have any certifications, but I will be working on getting my A+. I was lucky to get the job, being that I've been in computer sales with my employer for 5 years and they were able to work with me and move me over into the Config position (paying me the same salary 40k plus quarterly bonuses and onsite work). Not overly excited about the work, (mostly imaging and installing Nic cards ect.) but I hope that I could gain some experience and make some noise. I like the software side of things. Hardware is not were I want to be. I like troubleshooting and creating when it involves software...I could spend hours upon hours messing with my home pc until I get it right. So my question is, what should the next step be after A+? (and is A+ necessary).

sorry for the ramble.

Pete

 

[tfg13]

Not to sound blunt, but what do you mean by software? Do you mean Operating systems software, or are you talking application type software?

The simplest thing that I can say, is regardless of whether you want to get into software, you will be dealing with hardware. For example, can't run an operating system without hardware, and can't run application software without an operating system. Can't run a biometric software application without the hardware, and vice versa. You should be well rounded when it comes to PC/Server entities. Know both the hardware, and software. If something breaks, you have to have both the capability to troubleshoot the software, and hardware to make a determination of which one broke. You can see many of these examples in the various Desktop software forums that simply put, people thought it was the software, when the problem stemmed from the hardware, and vice versa.

Since you are just starting out, the A+ cert is not going to hurt you at all. Beyond that, you have to really sit down and decide for yourself what you want to be doing in 5 years. Then, set goals for yourself, then you will be able to formulate a plan to attain those goals. Once the goals are there, then you will know how to formulate any type of certifications you need to attain that goal.

Good luck....

 

[schase]

well put tfg13

"Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?"

Stuart
A+, Net+, Security+

 

[Wishdiak]

Beatles76,

To add to tfg13's comments, is it applications or OS software that you enjoy working with? Which is relevant to your new position?

The A+ certification is useful, because it demonstrates your ability to troubleshoot and correct problems. They will occassionally come up when configuring computers and installing NICs, and you may be called in for break/fix work on machines that you've configured.

Beyond the A+ cert, if you'd like to prove your skills with Windows, get Microsoft certifications. If you'd like to prove your skills with application software, get certifications from the vendor(s).

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[DavidChuckRice]

I am new to this forum and the IT business and I enjoy reading the posts in here for valuable educational reasons.
I am as of late getting ready to graduate from a 1 year NT course which covered a broad range of IT areas, and I myself am trying to figure out what area I would like to get into..So I really liked tg13's view on things. I think that is basically a good plan...I believe I am most interested in obtaining MCSA myself...hopefully I will work things out but goodluck Beatles76 and by the way not bad $$money$$ for installing nics lol