Where should I go? Help? 1

[kspyder]

Here is my situation. I ventured into the mortgage world from the military due to the amount of money earned there, since I spent my college years in the corps.
I enjoy and have basic networking skills. Just finished the A+ test.
BUT
I need to know a good place or what I need to get in where I can walk to at least $45k I cannot with my living expenses in cali take anyomore of a drop in income. I would really like to come to this side of career but cannot afford to do help support and move up.
Please tell me a good battle strategy on what to get or what genre to venture to.
thanks!!!

 

[Wishdiak]

kspyder,

That's a tall order, especially where you don't mention having any IT experience.

My first suggestion is to look at the IT jobs that are available in your market, and assess what certification path you'd need to persue in order to obtain one.

Then, formulate a plan to persue the requirments. For many companies, experience is the most important qualification, and without the experience $45k may be difficult to get in the IT field.

Each market is different, however, so maybe in yours a few certifications will make all the difference.

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

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[kspyder]

Thanks for the response.

I guess my main concern is....
Am I stuck in sales.... ugh.?
That is there a way to just push out certs to put me at a better start. salary? I just cannot take the pay drop due to the joys of so. cal. and a mortgage!
For a good base is this a decent route
I have A+, should I take Network+ and then MCP?
Is that enough firepower for right now??? to get something cooking?

THANX

 

[Wishdiak]

kspyder,

I began my excursion into IT to escape a sales career myself, so I sympathize.

What employers vaule in your market may be different from other markets. What kind of position do you see yourself in? Networking? System Administration?

It helps to know what you're comfortable with, and what the employers in your market are looking for.

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

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[kspyder]

Thanks!


I feel that I would be more tune to networking. But maybe if there was something more business\people skill related I could fit right in. Any ideas on these type of positions?

I guess my main concern is that.. I am trying to see if I can school(certs, etc.) while I am in my current position. Instead of walking into a tech support position and moving up the chain. As you know all of us A type (sales) personalities always want the top and quick. I think I would get distressed with going from t. support and going up thus ruining would could of been a very good experience.

Thank you sooo much for your help on this. Trying to venture into something new with little to no contacts in this is very difficult.

 

[Wishdiak]

kspyder,

I understand that you don't want to move from your current position to taking tecnical support calls. In order to find a rewarding IT position, consider these three steps:

1. Assess what you would be most comfortable with and the work that you'd need to do to achieve such a position.

2. Assess what employers in your market are looking for. Here in the Northeast for example, most of the IT jobs require MCSE certification with specialization in DBA or Exchange. Some require CCNA or CCNP certification.

3. Create a specific plan to become qualified for the openings in your market. Many employers want years of experience in the job function that they are hiring for, but you may find someone willing to hire you without the years of experience.

The skills desired by employers in your market may shift, and you need to be prepared to keep up with the changes. You might also find yourself in a postition where an unrelated skill (like real estate) may be a bonus for an employer (system administrator for a real estate company, for instance).

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

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[Kaycek]

To add to wishdiak's suggestions, find a mentor, someone in the exact field that you think you want to be in. Ask their advice. I know that security is growing all over the country. If you are actually lucky enough to still have tech support jobs in So Cal, thank your lucky stars -- even the state of Indiana tried to export their help desk positions overseas.

Definately take your Net+, and I would suggest the Security+ as well. Along with becoming an MCP, make sure you are getting hands on experience -- build a network at home, and play with it. You would be surprised at how much you learn.

READ everything you can get your hands on about your subject matter. Volunteer for a local charity to help them get their computer work done, this gives you hands on experience, as well as helping a charity get their needed computer work done.

See if you can move from So Cal -- so you don't have to have such a large income.

I also did, and do sales work. Look at it as a way to get to your goal.

What ever you do, DON'T get the certs without having the knowledge to back them up. That could end up getting you ushered straight out the door of a job.

Good luck, you can do it!

Kaycek

 

[schighway101]

I am currently in the PC repair business with Comptia A+ and Network+ certifications. This is my 1st year doing this, and if things keep going the way they are now, I should gross fifty thousand by year's end. Something to consider I think, mainly because over half the people I deal with have little or no virus or security programs installed on their PCs. But if you apply for an IT job, keep in mind that most all have to start at the bottom and work up to the bigger bucks. Maybe a PT job until your full time job starts giving you the income you desire.

 

[SimonDavies]

One word of warning, don't reasonably expect to walk out of one arena into IT and expect to jump into a senior type support position, what I mean is that there is a ladder to follow, you need to have the experience and exposure to the help desk, to progress successfully onto desktop and network support work. It's not really likely that you will be employed by a company to be their network analyst if you don't actually have any real world experience. As has already been mentioned, don't get any higher level certifications just yet, start with the basics, get the experience and move up.

I know a guy who had spent 10 years selling insurance, moved over to a helpdesk and within 3 years been the team leader of the desktop support team, this is a guy who even today isn't a really strong technical person but he knows where to find the answers... or who to ask to get them.

I myself spent 10 years in the forces, my first job when I came out was as a helpdesk \tech support engineer. In that year I earnt my CNE and moved onwards, I started out with just my Novell CNA. I am now at the point where I can take 3 months of the year off and travel to India to study to update my certifications.. meaning that there is definitely money to be earnt if you are good at what you do.

Good luck.