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How is digital marketing, is it no fun? I've thought about getting into it. Sounded interesting. What advice can you give as far as transitioning/breaking into this career?
I'll be the dissenting voice and say that if you don't like intangibles, IT is probably not for you.
The trend is towards virtualizing, centralizing and converting services to run on Internet-based servers (cloud services, as the kids call it.) At my last job, the main objective was constantly that of reducing the number of physical devices (saves on power & cooling) - dedicated storage networks were moved to the data infrastructure, dedicated servers were converted to virtual machines, dedicated phone PBXes were retired as we converted to VoIP, dedicated cable TV circuits retired as multicast media solutions took their place. Cabling is even becoming less and less relevant, except for where it feeds wireless access points.
In short, things are getting less and less tangible, as it were, and people with screwdriver & cabling skills less and less in demand.
I'll be the dissenting voice and say that if you don't like intangibles, IT is probably not for you.
The trend is towards virtualizing, centralizing and converting services to run on Internet-based servers (cloud services, as the kids call it.) At my last job, the main objective was constantly that of reducing the number of physical devices (saves on power & cooling) - dedicated storage networks were moved to the data infrastructure, dedicated servers were converted to virtual machines, dedicated phone PBXes were retired as we converted to VoIP, dedicated cable TV circuits retired as multicast media solutions took their place. Cabling is even becoming less and less relevant, except for where it feeds wireless access points.
In short, things are getting less and less tangible, as it were, and people with screwdriver & cabling skills less and less in demand.
I can agree with all of this which is why I mentioned/recommended the Comcast/Frontier/Direct TV kind of employer. On my commute alone I can see hundreds of apartment units under construction. We just moved into a new 16 unit complex ourselves. Only Comcast had the speed we needed and their only competitor was Centruy-Link. The Comcast guy has been out to our complex every day for weeks! When these other units go online they will have their hands full keeping up with the demand for customer service. Cant automate or outsource hooking up those new subscribers.
Entry level into the IT world would be a help desk trying to resolve common user issues. If it is something beyond your scope to fix, the issue is escalated to a second level support team. While you do this, try to get familiar with hardware, software, and networking concepts. Maybe study for an A+ certification or something similar while you work in the help desk. After two-three years you should have enough experience to move up the ranks which would be a desktop support role, usually fixing individual workstation hardware/software/accessory issues, printer issues, and desktop imaging for deployments and replacing workstations.
Find out who sets up the IT at your local convention center. While the pay may not be much, I guarantee that you will be active enough working with all the clients setting up their displays.
FYI - most of the IT people I work with are not nerdy or introverted. They are creative and resourceful.
I'll be the dissenting voice and say that if you don't like intangibles, IT is probably not for you.
The trend is towards virtualizing, centralizing and converting services to run on Internet-based servers (cloud services, as the kids call it.) At my last job, the main objective was constantly that of reducing the number of physical devices (saves on power & cooling) - dedicated storage networks were moved to the data infrastructure, dedicated servers were converted to virtual machines, dedicated phone PBXes were retired as we converted to VoIP, dedicated cable TV circuits retired as multicast media solutions took their place. Cabling is even becoming less and less relevant, except for where it feeds wireless access points.
In short, things are getting less and less tangible, as it were, and people with screwdriver & cabling skills less and less in demand.
I appreciate your feedback, although that is definitely NOT what i want to hear. And honestly, I do not want to work for a direct tv or timewarner as a general technician (no offense to anyone that holds that position). So there's no such thing as an IT consultant that gets to travel and work with tangible devices? Again, i'm not saying i don't want to sit at a desk all im saying is I want a job that includes at least SOME mobility.
Find out who sets up the IT at your local convention center. While the pay may not be much, I guarantee that you will be active enough working with all the clients setting up their displays.
FYI - most of the IT people I work with are not nerdy or introverted. They are creative and resourceful.
Thanks! that's good to know. I don't want to be working with people that are like robots if you catch my drift. No one should have to deal with that ever IMO lol
Thanks! that's good to know. I don't want to be working with people that are like robots if you catch my drift. No one should have to deal with that ever IMO lol
Ahh. I'm beginning to understand. It is you who are not understanding the realities of the post recession job marketplace. Anyone in the IT industry sees the handwriting on the wall. The kids working for Best Buy and Free Geek didn't have to ask total strangers online if IT was for them. They are in it because they love it. They sit CCNA's and MCSE's and ace them after a 25 hour boot camp, they will have forgotten more hardware and software than someone late to the dance. You will be competing with them for that dream IT job with the ideal mix of sedentary and active assignments and co-workers that are lively, engaging and supportive. Good luck.
Ahh. I'm beginning to understand. It is you who are not understanding the realities of the post recession job marketplace. Anyone in the IT industry sees the handwriting on the wall. The kids working for Best Buy and Free Geek didn't have to ask total strangers online if IT was for them. They are in it because they love it. They sit CCNA's and MCSE's and ace them after a 25 hour boot camp, they will have forgotten more hardware and software than someone late to the dance. You will be competing with them for that dream IT job with the ideal mix of sedentary and active assignments and co-workers that are lively, engaging and supportive. Good luck.
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Thanks for the super-negative post/feedback... you sound like one of these basic 'robots' i referred too anyways..
Entry level into the IT world would be a help desk trying to resolve common user issues. If it is something beyond your scope to fix, the issue is escalated to a second level support team. While you do this, try to get familiar with hardware, software, and networking concepts. Maybe study for an A+ certification or something similar while you work in the help desk. After two-three years you should have enough experience to move up the ranks which would be a desktop support role, usually fixing individual workstation hardware/software/accessory issues, printer issues, and desktop imaging for deployments and replacing workstations.
This is all low end IT work, the best you could hope for is maybe 50k a year with benefits. Unfortunately for you the money is in IT work where you pretty much stay at your desk all day, Programming, Cyber security, EDP Auditor, network engineer, etc.
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