Well as some of you may know, I recently lost my job. Despite the dissapointment, along with it comes a great opportunity.

The Texas Unemployment department has a program that pays for up to $5,500 dollars for schooling. So now this is my time a opportunity to make the best of this situation and go to school.

There are only certain courses and schools that are eligible.

Anyway I am interested in going onto the field of computers. I like trying to fix computers, solve problems all on my own. I like the challenge.

So the question is what type of training to you all have?

I am trying to figure out what to do, as they have programs thatare 4 month job ready training, to actual schools for AAS degrees.

Microsoft MCSE on NT4.0, then on to Windows 2000..
Cisco CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CSE


after working for years, eduction doesn't count much anymore, it's more what projects have you worked on, what cost savings have you provided, and what have you implemented...

after that, well..there's no after that.. this is where I am... self employed (freelance consulting specialising in network architecture and network security).. it's a great field to work in.. just realise that once you're in it, your eduction will never end.. there's always something new to read up on... and you can become absolete in no time.. a dinosaur (like they're called).. you just have to stay on top of it

Everyone wants a website designer.

I'm with Salibas - the certifications are an entry point, but beyond that, it's all what you've done.

That being said, there are some certifications that are valuable for exactly that purpose...

Microsoft MCSE
Cisco CCNA
Novell CNE (not so valuable anymore)

And the non-vendor-specific CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). This last one might be the most valuable of the lot, in todays climate.

The certifications I have/have had are CNE, MCSE and CISSP.

But it really does not ever end...

quote:

Originally posted by salibas007:
after working for years, eduction doesn't count much anymore, ...

I understand where your coming from Sal, but I have to disagree. If Gespinoza has a chance for a virtually free degree, I think he should take it, all the while trying to avoid becoming a dinosaur. More education, earlier in life is never a bad thing.

I don't think anyone is trying to discourage him from training formally. All they're saying is that the (necessary) education is just a jumping off point. What you do with it forms the basis of your career.

Same with me -- college just laid the groundwork. I wouldn't have been able to accomplish what I have without it, but no one ever asked me about my schooling or even my GPA. They only want to know how I used what I learned and more importantly, how my applied knowledge can benefit them as a client.

Well an entry point is fine with me. All the warehousing and machine operating I have been doing since I graduated high school has took its toll on me. I want a new field, I dont want that type of production job anymore.

I scan the list of programs in a min so you can see what there is.

quote:

Originally posted by Extensioncord:
I don't think anyone is trying to discourage him from training formally. All they're saying is that the (necessary) education is just a jumping off point.

And I agree.

My comment was directed toward Gespinoza's statement, "I am trying to figure out what to do, as they have programs that are 4 month job ready training, to actual schools for AAS degrees."

Also, while experience does count significantly - and although I've always said that a degree's main purpose it to demonstrate that you are "trainable" - I do think the more training/education he can get now AND have a good portion of it paid for, then that should weigh heavily in his decision.

IMO

I agree with everyone, I know its about experience and what you have done. As of right now I have very limited experience in the IT field, so ther is no way I could probably get a door open. I thought that with schooling In 2 years I would have more experience than I would if I just went back to work in a warehouse. At least I may be able to get a door open a crack, get my foot in somewhere.


So here are the different programs, the program only pays $5,500 so I was looking at staing right around 6k, some of those are more expensive.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gespinoza1,

Disclaimer - I am not in the IT field (I couldn't tell a "1" from a "0"), I just jumped in to express an opinion about education in general.

a bunch of the programs sound intresting.. not sure what the exact curriculum is, but they sound intresting..

my recommendation to you would be to get an entry level Cisco and Microsoft certifications (such as a CCNA & MCA), and once you have both, you'll know a bit more which field of IT you're intrested in (assuming you're not looking at the developpement or database side of things)...

then you'll know more if you,re more intrested in the techie work (client, server and windows) or the network side (architecture, design, maybe even security)

I've been in the it field for nearly 10 years now. Along with my MIS degree, I have Windows NT MCSE and Windows 200 MCSA certs. The certs are great in getting you past the initial HR screen. However, your experience and how well you interview are key since the certs are a dime a dozen. Its a sort of Catch-22. How can you ever get experience unless you get hired? If I was in your position and wanted to get started in IT, i would get the bachelor's and start off with the A+ and Windows Vista MCP and work your way up the MCSA track. This also means getting a computer or two (or use Virtual PC) so that you can actually play along with the books and labs in your studies. The cert track you take is really dependent on what you want to accomplish in IT and that can be fleshed out in school as you would be exposed to the various disciplines. Anyways, I hope i was helpful.

Dude,

if u really want to do something special and really get into the "COMPUTER PHILOSOPHY", get into computer science, if u can somehow get the dough. then you are talking fat coin!

I know this doesnt help u much, but just my suggestion. i have a buddy here in H-town who has his degree in computer science, and well, his 6 figured salary starts with a 2. just an idea. that is of course if u have the chops.


Good luck with your quest man, may God bless you with his divine favor and annointing.

(i am a spiritual long-time Lakewood Church member, couldn't pass up the chance to speak the word of God. Even in Cyber-space.)


-FS

Okay the things I like doing I do not know what category they fall under.

I want to lean more to fixing pc's. Viruses, computer crashes, Programs dont work, etc. Or is that a relatively small field?

quote:

Originally posted by Gespinoza1:
Okay the things I like doing I do not know what category they fall under.

I want to lean more to fixing pc's. Viruses, computer crashes, Programs dont work, etc. Or is that a relatively small field?

It isnt a small field, there is a big demand for them, but thats the other thing, they are A LOT of them. Meaning it may cause u to be expendable. (Spelling?)

But if u enjoy it, then go for it man! in reality, i dont know more then a handful of people that actually TRULY ENJOY their jobs.

How is your customer service background?
If you have a few years under your belt in retail and you can prove you are a nice guy, you can initially skip the certs and work for a help desk answering phones and doing tech support.
That will teach you ALOT and probably pay for any certs as you move up the ladder.

I'm a Unix administrator. I started off as a computer operator, then a assistant Unix admin, then Unix admin. I do not have a degree, but
I attended Solaris, Veritas, AIX, HACMP, LPAR/Virtualization, and Performance/tuning classes. They were paid for by the companies I worked. Each class cost roughly 2-4k.

Unix security administrators also make good money. Storage administrators can make upwards of 80k.
There are more careers in IT than just Microsoft, programming, and networking.

quote:

Originally posted by Gespinoza1:
Okay the things I like doing I do not know what category they fall under.

I want to lean more to fixing pc's. Viruses, computer crashes, Programs dont work, etc. Or is that a relatively small field?

The "job" you are describing here is a desktop support technician. With a few years of experience here in Texas I see these jobs pay on average $36 to $42k (in Dallas anyway). But to break into the field you will probably have to start on a support helpdesk somewhere. Entry level jobs in this field start are 10 to 12 bucks an hour typically.

I would definately look into getting A+ training and the A+ certificate as a starting point. Then start down the MCSE track as mentioned by signalhill. You will want these certs to get to where you want to go but if you have decent PC skills and have experience with Microsoft Office you should be able to find an entry level helpdesk position to break into the field.

I am totally self-taught in computers and do not have a degree. I started 12 years ago on a support helpdesk for HP. 5 years ago I was managing a support desk for a law firm in Dallas. Today I'm a software sales engineer (moved over to the dark side of sales) and can't tell you how much happier I am. (Not to mention how much better paid) So you never know where it may take you.

One thing I wanted to add, be wary of any MCSE "Bootcamps" that cram the entire MCSE course down your throat in 2 or 3 weeks. Yes, they can get you your certificate very quickly but you will have ZERO real world skills. When I was a manager of support at that law firm I could spot these guys in a heart beat and never hired them. Get the A+ and then work hard to get a job in the industry. Learn real world stuff while studying and acquiring the certificates and you'll be in a much better place.

In real life … or was until all this Army stuff came along … I am / was a software developer. Note that this isn’t PC tech support or systems administration.

I would tend to stay away from PC support because if you want to get technical, computers really aren’t fixed anymore. Computers are a commodity. In many cases it is cheaper to toss a server out than it would be to spend time troubleshooting it.

Another one of the big problems with the IT world is that you get laid off or fired every couple of years. I am getting sick of it and I’m only in mid-career.

If I could do things all over again, I would have become a mortician. No, I’m not a member of the Addams family and I don’t have a hump back. But I take a look at the aging baby boomer population and I realize that sooner or later, they are going to pass away and will need funeral directors to make burial arrangements. Median income is $48,000 per year. If your Texas unemployment covers the course and you are not turned off by the subject matter, you may want to consider it. This is a business that will always be around. You will never get laid off and you will always have a steady stream of clients.

Hey, best of luck. I was fired back in January because of my upcoming Iraq deployment. I know it stinks.

SSG Big Tobacco

damn bro, u still dont have a job??

time to get your ass in gear