Question

getting the foot in the door

IT careers, Certifications, A+, Network+, MCP, MCSE

I would like to recieve some positive and resourceful responses on the best way to crack into the IT industry. I will be completing my year long college network training with the following certifications, A+, Network +, MCP, MCSE. I have no prior experience in the industry, employed in a managerial user end for 15 years. Looking forward to some expert responses in support of a rookie.


Thanks

There is a lot of advice on this board for folks like you. Search for "certification" or "experience" or other terms from previous postings. The best advice I can think of is to get experience any way you possibly can. Volunteer to fix or manage computers at your church (if you attend) or some other non-profit organization. This can really open your eyes as to what it means to support devices and users. It will be a challenge for you to make a career change to IT from being on the "other side of the fence". I'm not saying you won't like the job or challenge, but that it could take some time and be frustrating to make the change.

What part of the country are you in? What does the IT job market look like there? How is the training facility staff helping you with a job search?

I wish you luck. Remember that the certifications only prove you can absorb knowledge long enough to take an exam and pass the exam. It does not prove you have the skills to do the job. IT is a "big picture" type of job. You have to understand how your actions can affect a whole range of users, systems and services. Certification does not necessarily teach you those skills.

I would also recommend that you talk to local computer resellers and consulting firms, they may know of jobs in the area that are not posted. Remember the old saying - "it's not what you know, it's WHO you know".