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Thread ID: 94149	2008-10-16 16:40:00	Career advice	george12 (7)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
712655	2008-10-16 16:40:00	It's getting toward that time when I need to enrol at university. I'm seeking advice on what I should do to achieve the career I want. I would ultimately like to work in designing/implementing the networking infrastructure of companies, including VoIP, etc. I want challenging work that won't bore me, and I want my job to involve working with other people. I find the idea of having to renew Cisco/MS qualifications every 3 years (they expire) quite unappealing, but I wouldn't mind doing that if I know it's worth it. I would rather that sort of thing be something that I do while at a company to advance my career, than to go doing Cisco/MS exams before getting a job at all. I'm happy to start at the bottom of the IT food chain, in a really basic Sys Admin role or something. I think I could be quite content in a small business with more basic requirements for a while, but I would love to be implementing new technology at say a university or an ISP. My current plan is to do Network Engineering at Vic. Good idea? Should I look at double degrees? Any advice would be appreciated. I can't afford to waste this time with a wrong choice.	george12 (7)
712656	2008-10-16 17:07:00	Say this right here: www.trademe.co.nz If I can do something like that out of university (or a few years out), I'm happy. Further career advancement can come naturally from there, right?	george12 (7)
712657	2008-10-16 17:24:00	I never expected IT to be such low paying, that was a real surprise to see that. My Wife is on over 200k as a head of Human Resources for a medium NZ company, with direct report to the CEO, last time she was under 100K was about 15-18 years ago working in a Bank Branch	Bantu (52)
712658	2008-10-16 18:38:00	I never expected IT to be such low paying, that was a real surprise to see that. My Wife is on over 200k as a head of Human Resources for a medium NZ company, with direct report to the CEO, last time she was under 100K was about 15-18 years ago working in a Bank Branch I think the small companies can't really afford to pay big salaries. There are plenty of six figure jobs (senior engineers, team management, analyst type things) out there, but I think that would come later in my career. That was more an example of the kind of position I would like to be getting into to start with, and move up from there.	george12 (7)
712659	2008-10-16 18:43:00	I think the small companies can't really afford to pay big salaries. There are plenty of six figure jobs (senior engineers, team management, analyst type things) out there, but I think that would come later in my career. That was more an example of the kind of position I would like to be getting into to start with, and move up from there. You'd be more likely to start at around the $40k-50k range, and move up from there, depending on the company.	somebody (208)
712660	2008-10-16 18:58:00	You'd be more likely to start at around the $40k-50k range, and move up from there, depending on the company. Sounds fine to me. That kind of money is plenty when you're young and have not a whole lot to have to pay for. I never really expected more. What kind of qualifications / experience might I need to get into a position like this? www.trademe.co.nz That looks like somewhere where I could learn a lot and have a lot of room for career advancement.	george12 (7)
712661	2008-10-16 19:01:00	Don't make definite plans on where you expect to be in 30 years. Technology changes very rapidly - with flow-on effects in almost every occupation. When I look back on 50 years work history I realize that many of the skills and learning I acquired along the way seem almost irrelevant today. That's not to say that they aren't useful, but the ability to use log tables and a slide rule are somewhat eclipsed by pocket calculators and my PC.	coldot (6847)
712662	2008-10-16 20:07:00	Really I'm just trying to work out what the best thing is to do next year. People suggesting that doing a university degree might not be the best plan have left me unsure of what to do.	george12 (7)
712663	2008-10-16 20:08:00	You'd be more likely to start at around the $40k-50k range, and move up from there, depending on the company. If you're in Auckland maybe!! - if you're starting out in IT doing break/fix (a great place to start IMO) you'll probably earn $14 - $17 per hour. Basic helpdesk positions will be around $17 - $20 per hour/$35k per annum etc The most important skills in IT if you want to climb the corporate ladder aren't necessarily technical ones - attention to detail, excellent verbal & written communication, lateral thinking, and time management will get you a long way.	nofam (9009)
712664	2008-10-16 20:20:00	I never expected IT to be such low paying, that was a real surprise to see that. My Wife is on over 200k as a head of Human Resources Really. Thats good pay. I ran a small PC shop in Akld a while back, as the manager I got $30K, the other guy got $23K. I went to Work for F&P as desktop support and got $38K to start. That was good, although some of the factory staff got pretty close to that too. I have a friend who has worked at one of the Unis for the last 12 years, she's on $65 now. Actually it has its advantages at a UNi, hours are short, loads of leave, free courses all the time in IT, not just within the UNi, Auldhouse and so on too. Anyway, do your course, then apply via the usual sites, expect to deal with agencies a lot too, you'll start off doing 2nd level support but a decent company will have you doing further training all the time and you'll work your way up in no time.	pctek (84)
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