First job

[wintacs]

Hey all. I have Comptia A+ and just recently passed my Network+. I went through New Horizons Computer Learning. Now they say they can get me a job but I have not seen one yet. Just wanting to know if any of you started out with just these two certifications and what you first job was? I know I should just give it alittle time but I am ready to start working in this field. I don't want to much just a nice starting job that makes about 12 an hour. Maybe I should just crack down on my MCSA and then I know there will be a job. Thanks

Ryan
A+, Network+

 

[NickFerrar]

Unfortunately most employers would also look for some experience so I'd consider doing anything related to your chosen career to get a foot in the door.
I started straight from college on a placement scheme and basically got unemployment benefits + £10 a week extra for doing the job (40 hours a week..). The money sucked but after a year they took me on full time (still a poor salary though) and after another year I moved on, a couple of years after that I was earning more than my boss at my old company earned.
Basically just expect to start slow, experience is more valuable than any salary you could get paid in your first job.

 

[macleod1021]

This is a hot topic on a lot of boards. The general consensus is with nick. What I would recommend is to find a company that has a multi-tiered IT department. For instance a help desk, administrative and engineering. This way you can start out in the help desk and move up if theres an opening. However, never lock yourself into a job. If you work in a help desk for 6 months, you could easily move into another positon at another company and make more money. Just remember, there's more to knowledge than certifications. Like Nick said, certifications help but it's not the most important aspect.

 

[paulhthomas]

I agree with macloed.
I was lucky enough to get a job with a huge IT company, starting on first line support. On my first day I was shown how to setup outlook etc, I lierally didn't have a clue. They knew this but were willing to take me on (ok, semi crap wage), but they could see I was willing to learn.
I was studying towards the 70-210 exam at the time.
Since then, I've got a few more mcp's, and my network+, have now changed jobs within the company twice, earning, nearly double what I started on.
I don't know if all employers are the same, but if you show them you're flexible when it comes to working hours, overtime etc and you're willing to put extra hours in learning new skills, they'll love it.
Experience is everything tho.
We get people ztarting with us that have their MCSE and I'm talking through them the basics, because yes they have the knowledge, but have no idea how to put it into practice.

 

[Wishdiak]

wintacs,

Although I didn't go through New Horizons, I went through a similar company that made similar promises.

What they provide in the way of "Job Placement" is essentially a summary of what you could easily find yourself using Monster, CareerBuilder, the local newspaper, etc.

Once you start getting some relevant experience, your certs may make a difference with getting promoted or changing companies. They're good to have, but with no experience, not worth much.

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

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[Skittle]

Certifications I think have value where ever you are in your career. When starting out they have value as they will help get your foor in the door. Many companies look for cheap, keen starters such as yourself to man the helpdesk. For a starter helpdesk position you will look like a good deal. Sure experience is more important but it also depends on the job, what the recruiter is looking for and whose desk you CV lands on.

As somebody who has been in IT for 20 odd years, I still value certifications as a sign of ability. IT requires a lot of self discipline and dedication. In many ways certifications are an aptitude test for IT. Getting the certifications - especially without any support from a company requires signifigant skills.



Dazed and confused

 

[58sniper]

I worked as the internal Sr. Network Engineer for a large IT staffing company. For a while, it was experience ruled. Then it was certifications - get your MCSE and name your price. This was based a lot on the fact that they supplied a major part of the IT to the big 3 auto makers, and the auto makers required certs. So every high school grad read some books, took some tests, and before their first semester of college started, had a great IT job.

Then the employers got wise, and figured they'd rather have experienced people. And, by then, a lot of the above mentioned "test taking paper MCSEs" went on to other things. So now it's swung back in the other direction. Now, experience AND certs rule, with experience getting the upper hand.

As mentioned above, get a job as second level support (help desk), and shadow the 3rd level guys when you can.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)
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