12-10-2012, 04:32 PM
....I'll wait, I know there is a lot of you - basically everyone in MM works in IT :lol: File in, theres donuts and coffee by the door.
So. I pretty much decided that I had enough of working in sales and that its time to change things up - for a better tomorrow! Long story short, I graduated in '09 with a BA that I haven't found entirely useful (Int'l Relations); unless I put up with the onerous slog of trying to find a position within the Federal Gubment (entry level position - must have GS-9 qualifications!) or I go back for a masters ($$$ and the only way any of the 3-letter companies will look at me), I'm basically left with a nice piece of paper that is only sufficient for the "hey, I'm an educated, worthwhile member of society" argument that doesn't get anybody hired anymore.
(Sidenote: if any current students are reading this, and you're working on a soft, fluffy lib. arts degree, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE: You've got to get out of there.)
Weighing several options ATM, but I've looked at getting into the IT field, of which I have some basic, past experience. I spent my summers working basically as a paid intern for the DoS (where my dad works) in various IT support offices; installing work stations (including a temporary office for Condoleezza Rice, which was pretty nifty), doing general help desk work, digitizing/cataloging stuff, etc. I did some very basic, instructed maintenance in a server room once or twice.
It was fun and good experience, but at the time I didn't have much interest in pursuing an IT degree in college. I was never a strong math/science student, with few exceptions - I scored approximately Rain Man on every geometry assignment that was put in front of me, but was fairly mediocre everywhere else. Plus, it was still the time of "do what interests you, you'll get a job after graduation". Lulz.
So, I was happy to find out more about the Cisco Networking Academy. Now, I'm still reading through the basics, but it sounds to me as though if you're capable of learning things, you can start their program from the ground level at any one of their training academies (locally, FFX county continuing education, NVCC, GMU) in pursuance of CCNET, CCNA, etc. certification to become a network technician.
Would any of you fine IT folk care to shine your light on pursuing such an endeavor? I'm still reading about the prospects of such a career (it sounds as though if you can get more certifications and work your way up to an Administrator/CCIE role, you can make some serious bank), but don't know really how to approach it. Again, I'm not a math/science wiz, but it sounds like its building-block stuff, understanding protocols, the hardware itself, etc. I'm sure I could break it down and learn it if I put my mind to it. I've looked at NOVA's program of getting an IT/Network Engineer Associate's degree (which includes some Cisco Academy certification training), or just taking the Cisco course training outright - I'm not sure which would be the better way to go in my case.
So, yeah. Any info/guidance/"I've been there" sort of stuff would be great :thumbup: Thank you.
So. I pretty much decided that I had enough of working in sales and that its time to change things up - for a better tomorrow! Long story short, I graduated in '09 with a BA that I haven't found entirely useful (Int'l Relations); unless I put up with the onerous slog of trying to find a position within the Federal Gubment (entry level position - must have GS-9 qualifications!) or I go back for a masters ($$$ and the only way any of the 3-letter companies will look at me), I'm basically left with a nice piece of paper that is only sufficient for the "hey, I'm an educated, worthwhile member of society" argument that doesn't get anybody hired anymore.
(Sidenote: if any current students are reading this, and you're working on a soft, fluffy lib. arts degree, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE: You've got to get out of there.)
Weighing several options ATM, but I've looked at getting into the IT field, of which I have some basic, past experience. I spent my summers working basically as a paid intern for the DoS (where my dad works) in various IT support offices; installing work stations (including a temporary office for Condoleezza Rice, which was pretty nifty), doing general help desk work, digitizing/cataloging stuff, etc. I did some very basic, instructed maintenance in a server room once or twice.
It was fun and good experience, but at the time I didn't have much interest in pursuing an IT degree in college. I was never a strong math/science student, with few exceptions - I scored approximately Rain Man on every geometry assignment that was put in front of me, but was fairly mediocre everywhere else. Plus, it was still the time of "do what interests you, you'll get a job after graduation". Lulz.
So, I was happy to find out more about the Cisco Networking Academy. Now, I'm still reading through the basics, but it sounds to me as though if you're capable of learning things, you can start their program from the ground level at any one of their training academies (locally, FFX county continuing education, NVCC, GMU) in pursuance of CCNET, CCNA, etc. certification to become a network technician.
Would any of you fine IT folk care to shine your light on pursuing such an endeavor? I'm still reading about the prospects of such a career (it sounds as though if you can get more certifications and work your way up to an Administrator/CCIE role, you can make some serious bank), but don't know really how to approach it. Again, I'm not a math/science wiz, but it sounds like its building-block stuff, understanding protocols, the hardware itself, etc. I'm sure I could break it down and learn it if I put my mind to it. I've looked at NOVA's program of getting an IT/Network Engineer Associate's degree (which includes some Cisco Academy certification training), or just taking the Cisco course training outright - I'm not sure which would be the better way to go in my case.
So, yeah. Any info/guidance/"I've been there" sort of stuff would be great :thumbup: Thank you.
Current: '20 Kia Stinger GT2 RWD | '20 Yamaha R3 | '04 Lexus IS300 SD
Past: '94 Mazda RX-7 | '04 Lexus IS300 (RIP) | '00 Jeep XJ | '99 Mazda 10AE Miata | '88 Toyota Supra Turbo
My MM Movies - Watch Them Here
Past: '94 Mazda RX-7 | '04 Lexus IS300 (RIP) | '00 Jeep XJ | '99 Mazda 10AE Miata | '88 Toyota Supra Turbo
My MM Movies - Watch Them Here