Anyone in the IT field?

JQ1986 · #1 06-04-2009, 09:55 AM

I'm about to finish my first quarter at tech and I'm starting to think about what I can do when I graduate (I have a long way to go, but it doesn't hurt to get advice early). Right now I'm just going for my Associates Degree (might go for a bachelors later) and I'm thinking about either getting certified to be a Computer Technician or something with networking. So does anyone have any experience with one or both and do you enjoy it?

James Hart · #2 06-04-2009, 10:08 AM

I work with both Systems (Solaris, Linux, MySQL & Oracle) and Network (Cisco, Juniper, Tellabs... both IP and Voice circuits) for a major VoIP provider... and love it!

I'm starting to work towards the DBA side of things as a next career step... but I've just been handed a lot more Network / Carrier tasks at the office.

If I was starting over... I'd get my BS in Computer Science with a strong start towards a BS in Electrical Engineering. I've never been certified in anything. I've basically taught myself and been slowly advancing... Guys (and Gals) fresh out with degrees definitely have the advantage but I continue to give them a run for the money

DeluxeRed · #3 06-04-2009, 10:15 AM

Kinda depends on what YOU want out of it. Do you like working with people? Then look at higher-level system deployment and management, or maybe sales/support. Are you a little bit more shy? Then maybe lower level hardware and/or design. (By "higher" and "lower", I'm talking the tech stack, not the social stack). If you're looking for versatility and portability, then system-independent skills, like web design and implementation, or SQL data mining, are useful.

Get a minor in business while you're at it. It's not how you do computers, it's what you do with them that pays. Being able to "talk shop" with--that is, understand the needs of--people who have "Chief" in their title (CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, etc.) can help a whole lot.

And keep in mind that all of the IT fields are fast-moving sidewalks and you'll be spending your lifetime keeping-up, and things may be completely different in 5 years.

It'll be busy and hectic, so don't let the music slip away. It's one of the few things worth hanging on to.

(30+ years employed in IT and software development)

MJ5150 · #4 06-04-2009, 10:32 AM

Do you like change? If not, stay out of IT.

Security is still a biggie for hiring, although there are more people entering that field everyday. I see lots of work for .NET programmers around here.

I am a technical engineer with McKesson. I do everything from network design to DBA work to application troubleshooting at the end user level. I like my job, and I like working in IT.

-Mike

JQ1986 · #5 06-04-2009, 11:28 AM

I'm not a shy person when it comes to work. In my personal life I am a little shy but if I have to open up it's not a big deal. I do like change; hence why I was attracted to the field. I hate doing the same thing over and over without any change. A few people that are in my class are going for security, which I am somewhat interested in myself. But I know for sure that working on databases all day everyday isn't going to be my thing since we did a brief stint on them in one of my classes and I was bored to death. Web design wouldn't be too bad either, but in that sense I'm not artistically inclined. I really don't think I'll lose the music since that's what keeps me sane through any crap that gets thrown at me. But I gotta get back to paying attention in class. Thanks for the info everyone!

MJ5150 · #6 06-04-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JQ1986

But I know for sure that working on databases all day everyday isn't going to be my thing since we did a brief stint on them in one of my classes and I was bored to death.

Me too. I despise the days I have to do DBA work. I usually try and get one of our actual DBA's to take care of it for me in exchange for me doing some network engineer work for them.

-Mike

tplyons · #7 06-04-2009, 11:50 AM

Get certified in something.

I was a test away from my CCNA when I decided not to persue a career in IT. I may go back for my A+ someday, and MOUS just so I can have more letters on my resume.

JQ1986 · #8 06-04-2009, 12:12 PM

I'm for sure planning on getting my A+ Cert., just trying to figure out what else would look good. Luckily we're going through some of the main certifications in my one class.

MJ5150 · #9 06-04-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JQ1986

....just trying to figure out what else would look good.

If you're into the cert thing, someting like a CTP would be good. Convergence Technologies Professional.

The whole unified communications thing is still hot.

-Mike

adammazza · #10 06-04-2009, 01:37 PM

In my experience (started out years ago as a BSD/SunOS admin) most of the certs are pretty meaningless. The only one that used to have any credibility was the CCIE.

I've enjoyed my career in technology so far. As someone else mentioned, you have to be able to embrace change. But if you really love technology, this shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck,

Adam

guitar ed · #11 06-04-2009, 03:33 PM

Back in my time..... Back when dinosaurs ruled the computer world..... OK, back in the mid-1980's, I took my degree in PoliSci & became a computer programmer.

I don't know from certifications, other than they can't hurt you. But the one thing that I would say is: An Associates degree in engineering is pretty much worthless. You want a Bachelors. In something. Anything. It would be better than the afore mentioned Associates degree.

The other thing I would do, if I could do it all over again, is a major from either the "math & sciences" or "liberal arts", and a minor from the other. Even double major if you can swing it. I used to work with people who CompSci degrees, with no real back ground in the liberal arts or business classes. And they were great programmers. And horrible people. No sense. You could not put them in front of a customer.

To end where I started, how did I go from PoliSci to programming? I took a few basic programming classes, got my toes wet. A long the way I realized something: PoliSci is the study of how people organize themselves to make decisions & manage information. What do we use computers for? Same things.

Take care,

edg

jmacke · #12 06-05-2009, 02:05 AM

I am a network administrator, in a school, looking after some 1500 users, 350 systems.
Its nearly always busy, not boring. The other part of my work is that I am also AV technician, working with PA systems, Lighting rigs and repairing musical instruments , again in the school. A good mixture of things that interest me. I think the important thing is that you try to envisage what you would like to be doing , as a full time job, day in , day out, and work towards that goal by chosing the right paths and qualifications.
Bass playing just keeps me sane in my free time.
best of luck in your courses.
John

JQ1986 · #13 06-05-2009, 01:49 PM

Network Admin was another job that caught my eye as well. I haven't taken any classes on programming yet, so I don't know if I'll like it or not. But I'm keeping my mind open for that option as well. Although it seems the trend for companies is to out-source programming over seas.

adammazza · #14 06-05-2009, 02:01 PM

Even if you think you may want to go into system or network administration, a comp sci degree will only make you a better admin. If you understand how things work at the deepest level you can figure out all the high level stuff later.Things like the algorithm classes, etc will only help you later on.

Adam

mjolnir · #15 06-05-2009, 02:25 PM

I'm a hardware tech with experience in networking and systems administration plus a little dabbling in voip and the old style telecoms systems. Basically I'm a jack of all trades, one of three in the IT department of my company. It's fun work, always a new problem to solve, new system to figure out. Keeps me on my toes.

Unfortunately the whole outsourcing thing is killing jobs for us nerd types, hell, even my company has been throwing around the idea of getting rid of my department for a while now, though the VP in charge of operations has no interest in getting rid of us, thank jeebus for that...