RE: wanting to do MCSA (it's a bit long tho)
From: Marko (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 02/08/04
- Next message: V: "2000 or 2003 ??"
- Previous message: Marko: "RE: MCSA"
- In reply to: richard: "wanting to do MCSA (it's a bit long tho)"
- Next in thread: LnkWizard: "Re: wanting to do MCSA (it's a bit long tho)"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2004 20:56:05 -0800
Richard: All the advice offered so far is good. Very good.
To Richard and others who see themselves at his level,
I offer this: Realise that you have been willing to do a lot
of IT work for no money. Setting up small networks for
friends; trouble shooting problems at work, when IT was
not in the job description; generally saving others money
when they may have thought about thumbing through the
local phone book for an IT person to pay to do that same
work. This is one reason why IT is not seen by many as
a profession employing professionals: it seems just about
anybody can fix computers, software and network problems
with just a little knowledge. If you have a little more
knowledge, you may get paid for IT, but, generally, you need
a lot of extra knowledge for a reasonable job in IT.
In essence, I feel that, unless you are a standout person,
in personality as well as proficiency, a career in IT is difficult
to develop, certainly requiring some very strong foundations.
I would suggest that those who try and land jobs with large,
solid companies, that would allow you to show off and
develop IT skills secondary to your primary role with that firm,
have a very good chance to work IT as a career, although it
may not start out that way.
I know of a fork lift driver for a freight company who solved
IT issues until he was moved full time to this role.
I know of an accounts clerk who was fixing all sorts of IT issues
for years until SHE was renamed the Chief Information Officer.
I know of the guy who dabbled at home for friends and family
and was a school teacher who now heads IT studies and is the
main person to look after that schools network.
With all the Burger King and McDonalds jokes, I also know of a
guy who worked at his local McDonalds. We have three in my
town, population 85,000. He would deal with their IT issues and
was asked to go fix issues at the other two stores, frequently.
One of the stores was part of a pilot project for new software,
and he wrote up very detailed bug reports and quality suggestions
that caused him to be invited to the development meetings. Not
his ideas, but he would accurately relay the suggestions of others.
He was then invited to help roll out new IT to other restaurants
across the state; motels, expenses, travel all provided. His job
continues in the area of software development, procurement,
training and implementation. He makes truckloads of cash and
has fanatastic entitlements and salaray packaged benefits. And
this started when he was in his early twenties.
I could probably think of a lot more examples. I guess you only
have to look at those you may know who are working good IT
jobs, examine how that came to be, and the answers may be
just as surprising.
A lot of advice given in these forums is along the lines of
"volunteer" for a school, lbrary, etc. I guess most who work in IT
realise that they came in via a side or back door, rather than the
front door, early in their careers. Once you have the decade plus
of experience, the extensive knowledge and certification history,
things will be a little easier than for a relative novice.
If the front door isn't open for you, look for an alternative entrance.
- Next message: V: "2000 or 2003 ??"
- Previous message: Marko: "RE: MCSA"
- In reply to: richard: "wanting to do MCSA (it's a bit long tho)"
- Next in thread: LnkWizard: "Re: wanting to do MCSA (it's a bit long tho)"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]
Relevant Pages
|
