General Forums >> How Do I >> Break into IT
Break into IT
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Posted 4 months ago I am a college student that just turned 40. I have been attending Davenport Universuty in Caro Michugan for 2 years now to attain a bachelors degree in Networking and Network Security. I am not always sure I am getting all I could from the classes I have been taking. I have learned alot, but some of the hands on has not been up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the experience and like the teachers and thier advice. What I am worried about is if it is enough to get my foot in the door. I don't have much money to invest into equipment to experiment and apply the skills I am attaning. I would appreciate advice on things I could do to improve my skill set outside of school. Caro is in the thumb area of Michigan and is not a hot bed for IT jobs. Anybody who wathes the news is probably aware that Michigan is also in deep economic trouble making just finding a jod difficult. I don't want to move until I have finished college which is still 2 more years away. What more can I do to help myself break into the IT field? |
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| Posted 3 months ago I feel your issues. I have been in the construction business for over 16 years, with a 14 year hobby in computers. I have been in school for 6 months now, and have obtained certs in A+, N+, MCP, and CCNA. I am currently working for MCSA, LINUX, Security+ and MCSE. I am trying to get enough to change careers. I am having trouble even getting interviews, due to lack of "experience" ... and 'HR' always seems to deny me before I can show someone what I can learn and do. I wanna get my foot in the door somewhere, and am willing to take a pay cut to do it. Just seems like this field is hard to get into. |
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| Posted 3 months ago i'm in the same boat, majoring in computer science looking to get a jump start into IT |
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| Posted 3 months ago Dear Dkillian what I will suggest you is that you can join any Hardware or Networking Implementation firm. Where you will be able to shine your skills you lernt in college. You can also start your own business this you can do later on when you get the required experience both in the Networking, Hardware and Business sklls with customers. (I do not know if your college is covering this part ). Banks will help you once you show them your experience.
Thanks Nigel
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| Posted 3 months ago Thanks for the advise Nigel. I was thinking that would be my best option, but there doesn't seem to be any companies like that in my area. I will talk with a teacher that I trust at school that may know of one. All the jobs in my area seem to be System admins and they want years of experience and lots of skills. I have read on the site here that employers don't expect you to have all of them, but that doesn't seem to be the case where I'm at. Thank You again. Dan |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Well Dan... this might help as well. Since we know we are in economic slowdown, we know that companies have minimized or completely cut technology departments. Or some companies, especially small to mid sized ones, haven't ever had one. What you can do...that will help save you money from starting your own business, is to offer your services as a 1099 employee to organizations. This actually will probably be quite easy for you to do. I would pick the small-mid sized businesses in your area, and either compose a nice formal letter, or better yet actually go in to meet the owner. I would first clearly state you are not there to sell anything because this is the general assumption when someone just walks in without an appointment and starts asking for managers or owners lol. Explain your situation... I attend ____ college and have ____ semesters left. Currently my GPA is ___. Since the employment market for my field is somewhat strained with the economy the way it is, a good solution is to have an outsourced IT contact. Basically...make it a... I need experience....and you need someone you can afford that knows what they are doing. Have some contact cards made...and ask them if they would bill out as a 1099.... this makes it so you give them an invoice and they straight pay you...whatever you all decide is a decent price per hour. You would make more by getting a regular position in a company...but what you need now is experience. 1099 makes every party responsible for taxes...you and them...which are reconciled at the end of the year. This is an advantage to the employer because they don't have to pay all the workers comp and all that stuff on you...technically it saves them money. And it saves you the hassle of actually becoming a business and all that jaz.
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| Posted about 1 month ago That's really a good idea, Magi! It also has the advantage of building a personal/professional reputation. In a small market like Dan is talking about, word-of-mouth ends up being the best possible advertisement for business. A good reputation amongst the business community may lead you to be busier than you ever expected. I know that from personal experience in my former profession, as well. 90% of my clents - some 300+ total - were brought to me by someone else's recommendation. |
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| Posted 7 days ago Something that I found is http://www.onforce.com/. You register and put in your skills, and you can look at people needing IT support in your area. You bid on the job, and set it up to go do it, then get paid after the job is done. I think OnForce gets like 10% or something. I signed up and am now waiting for them to approve me.
Christopher |