| So you want to work in the Information Technology | | | | desktop and server operating system and |
| field? In this article i'll provide some advice to those | | | | networking skill path focusing on TCP/IP , DNS, |
| seeking employment in this field. Keep in mind these | | | | WINS, DHCP and routing.If you are on the |
| are my opinions, others may agree or | | | | applications path than a Computer Science major is |
| disagree.Mechanic or Engineer?The first question to | | | | going to get you headed in the right direction. Often |
| answer is which direction do you want to go? | | | | companies hire right out of college because they |
| Typically there are two types of IT Staff. Those | | | | have been teaching login and application development |
| who administer and and those who create. What do | | | | for decades.Those looking into administration can |
| I mean by this? Ask yourself if you'd rather sit in a | | | | count on resuming their education either by |
| cube and write software, create and maintain | | | | self-study using technical books, certification paths, |
| databases and develop applications, or would you | | | | home built networks and lastly for those with the |
| rather install software, manage an e-mail system or | | | | money private non-accredited coursework at various |
| create a network or remote access solution.The two | | | | ATEC'sOnce your in your in. Until your in your way |
| areas are usually comprised of employees with very | | | | out....When I got into this field ten years ago I took a |
| different mind sets.The administrators tend to follow | | | | pay cut to move from my sales position to my PC |
| a career path that goes something like this. IT Intern | | | | Technician position. This is because it is VERY difficult |
| or PC Technician performing break/fix tasks on PC's. | | | | to get hired if you've never been hired. There are so |
| As they advance they may manage the larger rollout | | | | many great applicants that there is no reason to take |
| of operating systems or software applications. Keep | | | | a chance on someone who only can tell you what |
| in mind the focus is on more mechanical or problem | | | | they know. Multiply this statement X 10 with the |
| solving tasks. Later in their career they may move on | | | | economic downturn after the dot com boom. So get |
| to network or server administration. The larger the | | | | whatever resume worthy experience and references |
| impact of a mistake the further up the ladder in their | | | | you can as fast as you can. To land even the most |
| career. Eventually they may manage a team of other | | | | entry level job you'll need it.How to get |
| administrators or perform some consulting | | | | experience?Internships are a great way to get in the |
| services.The engineers typically come from computer | | | | door anywhere. These are positions that everyone |
| science backgrounds. They may have learned | | | | understands and they are the mark of a hungry |
| programming of various languages in college. The | | | | student. If you can get an internship (preferably paid) |
| particular language is not important only the fact that | | | | at a company so much the better. If you can't start |
| they are creating or maintaining applications for | | | | volunteering for any organization that will take your |
| systems and databases rather than focusing on the | | | | skills. Churches and schools or charity's are a good |
| workings of the system its self. Many of these | | | | start. The key is to get something on your resume |
| employees are introverts. They would prefer to | | | | that says you've been in the business.Self |
| work within their group and make a cube or office | | | | EmploymentThe IT world is great for the self |
| their home. The administrator would be perfectly | | | | employed. For those who want to accept side work |
| happy being "visable" within the | | | | there are many ways to find it and you can do as |
| company.EducationFirst let me say that a four year | | | | much or little as you want. When your first starting |
| Bachelors degree is valuable to anyone seeking | | | | out why not perform PC Technician or entry level |
| employment in the IT industry. Not sure what | | | | web or application development and get paid? |
| direction you want to go? Get a basic Business BA | | | | Individuals are more likely to hire you for a few hour |
| because it will teach you how a business operates | | | | of work and you'll gain business skills and have yet |
| and get you the open door to most job interviews. | | | | another thing to add to that resume. Remember the |
| More accurately it will prevent you from being | | | | key is to walk into your first interview as if you've |
| excluded simply because you do not have a degree. | | | | been in the biz.ConclusionIn closing keep in mind, |
| If you are the administrator type i'd also recommend | | | | know your direction, get an education, and its never |
| a basic BA unless you find a program that has the | | | | too early to start building that resume. Good Luck! |
| current skills you are seeking. Mainly a variety of | | | | |