Hey IT Guys - Need Career Advice

11-05-2008, 01:29 PM

I was at one time a help desk maestro. I hated it. With a passion. Still do. Talking to people who have no clue about what you need them to do. Ticketing systems are always ****ed up.

I attended ITT Tech for the equivalent of four semesters. I tested out of a lot of classes, they were very easy. Granted I had previous experience. Their general education classes are a review of 5th-8th grade. Also, ITT Tech has an unrealistic attendance expectation. You are penalized for taking breaks.

RBOrrell · 11-05-2008, 02:12 PM

I am an IT guy - currently looking for work by the way. Anyone need an iSeries-i5-AS/400 Technical Specialist? I am willing to telecommute!

I've been in the industry since 1981. I have done operations, programming, analysis, project management, telecommunications, networking, help desk, etc.

As our BOTL from Mesa says above, Help Desk is awful. Not only for all of the reasons he mentions, but you are the center of the crap universe. No one calls you because they are having a good day or things are working as they should. Their problems are always the most important problem.

A piece of advice if that is where you'd like to hang your hat. Don't let it effect you. I was accused a few times of not caring about their problems. The reality was, I cared but I did not let it get to me and become emotionally involved. It may seem like the end of the world to them, but it hardly ever works out that way.

As far as certification is concerned, I would look at the ITIL Foundations. It is not hardware or software specific but precedure oriented. Technology comes and goes, ITIL will be consistant.

Ollie · 11-05-2008, 02:22 PM

For what you describe I'd recommend getting some basic certifications - A+, anything Microsoft, etc. Then trying to get on with an IT consulting company. You won't make a lot to begin with, but once you demonstrate that you're reliable and learn fast they will guide your education based on their clients needs. You'll get exposure to many different systems / company envoronments, then as your experience and knowledge grows you can decide what area you want to concentrate on and if you'd rather shift to the corporate environment you can.

11-05-2008, 01:29 PM	#1
MithShrike Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Hey IT Guys - Need Career Advice I was at one time a help desk maestro. I hated it. With a passion. Still do. Talking to people who have no clue about what you need them to do. Ticketing systems are always ****ed up. I attended ITT Tech for the equivalent of four semesters. I tested out of a lot of classes, they were very easy. Granted I had previous experience. Their general education classes are a review of 5th-8th grade. Also, ITT Tech has an unrealistic attendance expectation. You are penalized for taking breaks.

11-05-2008, 02:12 PM	#2
RBOrrell Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bruce Location: Aurora, Ontario, Canada Posts: 130 Trading: (6)	Re: Hey IT Guys - Need Career Advice I am an IT guy - currently looking for work by the way. Anyone need an iSeries-i5-AS/400 Technical Specialist? I am willing to telecommute! I've been in the industry since 1981. I have done operations, programming, analysis, project management, telecommunications, networking, help desk, etc. As our BOTL from Mesa says above, Help Desk is awful. Not only for all of the reasons he mentions, but you are the center of the crap universe. No one calls you because they are having a good day or things are working as they should. Their problems are always the most important problem. A piece of advice if that is where you'd like to hang your hat. Don't let it effect you. I was accused a few times of not caring about their problems. The reality was, I cared but I did not let it get to me and become emotionally involved. It may seem like the end of the world to them, but it hardly ever works out that way. As far as certification is concerned, I would look at the ITIL Foundations. It is not hardware or software specific but precedure oriented. Technology comes and goes, ITIL will be consistant. __________________ Bruce "Hurry Hardddddddd"

11-05-2008, 02:22 PM	#3
Ollie It's gon RAIN Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Quahog Posts: 78 Trading: (5)	Re: Hey IT Guys - Need Career Advice For what you describe I'd recommend getting some basic certifications - A+, anything Microsoft, etc. Then trying to get on with an IT consulting company. You won't make a lot to begin with, but once you demonstrate that you're reliable and learn fast they will guide your education based on their clients needs. You'll get exposure to many different systems / company envoronments, then as your experience and knowledge grows you can decide what area you want to concentrate on and if you'd rather shift to the corporate environment you can.