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Thread ID: 26032	2002-10-17 21:20:00	New Career	rage32 (2268)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
90275	2002-10-17 21:20:00	Hi, It's taken about 16 years (and a lot of jobs) for me to finally find something I really want to do and since I'm posting here it's obviously in the IT feild. My question is HOW!!! I wish to get into the IT support/system administration feild. I have been working on stand-alone PC's for friends and family for approximatly 7 years, (since the release of win95) I have experience useing most major Microsoft operating systems(not NT or DOS to any great extent). I am A+ certified and I'm preparing to start doing the MCSA or MCSE certification. Although these Quals. may be fine, without experience they are almost not worth the paper that they are written on. I have been applying for entry-level work or work where I think employers are prepared to take on a little training of their new employee's and have even offered my services for free just to try and get some experience so that I have something to put on a CV. Frustratingly none of this has proven fruitful yet. where am I going wrong? What do I have to do? Please help me in my quest for a career change.	rage32 (2268)
90276	2002-10-17 21:36:00	You might need to move from Invercargill unfortunately. :( I doubt you need much DOS experience these days, - maybe more Linux/Unix.	TimRyanNZ (2223)
90277	2002-10-17 22:13:00	Your not doing anything wrong. I too offered my services for free, but still no takers. The problem is the readily available crash courses in PC support and hence a huge influx of techies into the job market. Too many unfortunately, and IMOHO only 20% of us are REAL techies... I do repairs, graphic and website design, however this is till not enough so next year I'm doing a Multimedia cert to add to all those in hope I might just increase my chances of getting a job somewhere.. SiK	SoniKalien (792)
90278	2002-10-17 22:22:00	I suggest you join a computer user group, and go to LAN parties. The only way into the industry at the moment is by knowing someone who can help you get a foot in the door.	BIFF (1)
90279	2002-10-17 23:25:00	I agree. probably even out of NZ	rage32 (2268)
90280	2002-10-17 23:31:00	Anyone out there want to give a guy a chance?.......... Oh well never mind. Thanks to all that have replied, It's much appreciated. It's bloody frustrating knowing your own potential when no-one else wants to. Keep the suggestions comeing......Cheers all	rage32 (2268)
90281	2002-10-18 00:18:00	I had the same question you had and approached someone that had been in the IT industry for a long time. He believes the problem is far too many people now are A+ , MSCE, even CCNA certified these days. He can still remember the days when CCNA was highly regarded (may still be) but unfortunately that still won't be enough to get your foot in the door without experience. I too had volunteered my time to gain experience. They used me to lug heavy equipment from one place to another (while being promised while doing it to have a chance to network PCs in a few days). The next day when I called for more experience they said they will call me back. They never did :( Well, at least their offices are clean! This IT person I spoke to said to me that if I was really keen on working in the IT industry then work towards a degree. Then emploers will take you seriously. What about certs like MCSE? According to him, "with a degree", a cert like MCSE will add another $5,000 to you salary. But with a cert like that with no experience ... "you'll be lucky". Need to know more? Try contacting those who recruit IT people and asking them what they think you will need to do. I've decided to take this persons advice and next year will be studying for a degree. I'm not saying that's what you should do!! But I do know how frustrating it is. Best of luck :)	helvista (1745)
90282	2002-10-18 02:34:00	MSCE is a realy neccesity nowadays, and it'll increase your extimated salary worth by upto $10K a year! Start from the bottom and work your way up . LAN parties as mentioned are a great idea . Talk to some people you know personally who are already in IT, they most likely have a reference they could pass you onto . It's all about Networking on the Network . I'll give you a URL to a site that has a heap of info about meeting a right people and stuff like that, can be very useful . Setup a Job Alert on Monster, Seek, and NetCheck for jobs that are what you're looking for . Location is also big, you may end up leaving invercargil and moving to wellington, christchurch, auckland, wherever . The major cities are where the jobs are at . CV's, on it put anything that says you're good at management and computers . The covering letter is highly important, make them read the first page, and then WANT to read the rest of your CV! Also, composure when you do find the job is important, you need to be cleanly dressed (Yes, probably suit and tie . . . ask about dress code once you are actually employed!) and hold yourself high, believing that you are all that you can be and more, that you are who they are looking for, but dont forget to be huble, respecting, and not cocky . Anyways, Hope that's helped you Just remember, Both my two current jobs, I was pulled off the street almost . Qualifications mean a lot, but they're not the only thing left on this earth! Cheers Chilling_Silence	Chilling_Silence (9)
90283	2002-10-18 03:06:00	Nowadays, you'll find a lot of employers will actually employ based on the type of person you are, ie. personality and whether they think that fits with their current staff. The theory is that you can teach a person skills, but you can't alter/re-teach their basic personality. So... the bits of paper will get you an interview, your personality will get you the job.	antmannz (28)
90284	2002-10-18 03:21:00	Mmm... Well said. Personally, I'm not the best qualified, I'm still only 15, with only one paper with TOPNZ (http://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz) course 3201D, and School Cert Maths (Coz I was homeschooled) and yet I have two very good jobs, concidering most of my peers have a paper run at the best, I consider myself lucky. antmannz said it very well though, Good on ya!	Chilling_Silence (9)
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