[Closed] Job question for the IT lot

Starting from scratch is pretty hard. Try and get a first line job somewhere on low end money and work your way up.

Most places will recruit people into those roles based on personality as no one really has any professional qualifications.

You will be up against people with IT A Levels and maybe degrees. You could always take evening classes to get a basic qualification or two under your belt?

get some experience or qualifications
Do you konw C++?
SQL?
Java?
C#?
How would you virtualize a server setup?
How would you back up a corporate data drive?

Try asking in the GTAV thread, cos they're all pulling a sickie today!

I personally value experience over qualifications - someone who is good at learning new stuff, with good problem solving skills who is able to demonstrate both is probably more important than a string of qualifications which rapidly go out of date anyway.

As above, start in a first line / helpdesk role - volunteer for everything and work up from there.

If you wanted to learn stuff whilst keeping your current job then what about looking to see if any community / voluntary organisations in your area want some assistance with their IT.

I'm thinking community IT training schemes, youth centres and tech recycling schemes.

Or are there opportunities to get more involved in the IT where you work currently?

Lots of opportunities to learn stuff off your own bat too - it's easy enough to learn the basic principles of virtualization using free software like Xen...same for SQL with MySQL and the like.

What sort of stuff would you actually want to get into? IT jobs covers a pretty damn big area!

As someone mentioned above, I got into IT via working on an internal helpdesk for a bank. Gave me a grounding on the basics of a lot of stuff. Did that for 2 years and then got recruited into a 'proper' technical team where I learnt the ins and outs of one of the industry leading software deployment tools. Then jumped (a sinking) ship taking in a promotion on the way to another bank and then jumped again to a slightly different role which I've been in for 3 years and really enjoying it.

Unless you've got some kind of degree then entrance via helpdesk type role is where you should be focusing your attention.

mikewsmith - Member
get some experience or qualifications
Do you konw C++?
SQL?
Java?
C#?
How would you virtualize a server setup?
How would you back up a corporate data drive?

1-English, do you speak it?
2-Blues Brothers 2000?
3-[img] [/img] - got heatrburn now
4-Tell the boss he's got a server and keep the money. Run it on Amazon Cloud for a month and hope his attention moves before the minimum contract runs out
5-With tape, in 2013, A HAHAHAHAHAHA. My sides.

what everyone else said really; I bluffed my way into a first line helpdesk role with IBM 13 years ago and just made sure I got involved with any and every technical project/issue that came our way, then a year or so later got promoted up to a 2nd line role. At the time I had O level Computer Studies but no other related qualifications, just a background in customer service type environments.

what ^ said.

apply for a first line support job, highlight in your CV enjoying working with people, good communications skills and problem solving including examples.

then work your way up the food chain.

5-With tape, in 2013, A HAHAHAHAHAHA. My sides.

Not sure if you are implying that no one uses tapes anymore ......?

Basically been working in outdoor shops since I graduated with a geography degree

How long is that? If not too long then IMO the best thing would be to get on a graduate program as you'll find progression quicker and you'll typically get less menial/more interesting work.

Otherwise, you'll be up against proper geeks who've probably built the Gibson at home and already know about servers, etc - eg you're going to be poor in comparison on skills. As suggested above, that means you'd need to work right from the bottom - first line support where there are usually scripts to follow rather than having to actually have the answers and it's a good way to get a foot in the door. The pay is crap though and it's often quite dull. If you are personable and efficient though, you will quickly stand out and it'll allow you to develop a career in IT.

This

Unless you've got some kind of [IT related] degree then entrance via helpdesk type role is where you should be focusing your attention.

get on a graduate program

No no, tape's still in use, [url= http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/09/12/oracles_titanic_tape_drive/ ]I know[/url]. Just makes me chuckle, that's all.

Where do you live ?

Just try to sneak into any large IT corporation, if you are barking psychopath with basic Powerpoint skills and enjoy wearing a suit you'll be a manager or director in a year.

(+15 years in the industry myself and some things never change...)

Use them as an opportunity to learn what 2nd line do

Pass tickets from 1st line to 3rd line 🙄

You want [url= https://ig5.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_durham01.asp?s=4A515F4E5A565B1A&jobid=82928,1298156587&key=79739099&c=516535487476&pagestamp=semewvjmczurjwdxfy ]this exact job here[/url].

Working for a university is an ideal introduction to the world of IT. You'll encounter all sorts of systems, platforms, hardware and "characters". I loved working in this environment: myself and a few of my former colleagues always say that we'll retire back to a univeristy. In no other IT position could the senior operators get away with firstly rendering the entire university mail system inoperable thanks to a botched patch and then clearing off at 5pm with a shrug of the shoulders and a "we'll fix it tomorrow"!

The best thing though is training: universities are fanatical about investing in their workforce and will nurture the promising and talented in a way that no other employer would ever consider. On top of that the holiday allowance is stunning: 27 days + bank holidays + all of Christmas as "customary days".

Hanging around 11000 students can be fun too!

Oh and don't be put of by the "Desirable section in the job posting, it's on there to make them look like they know what they're doing.

Like many on here, I started at the bottom - 1st line helpdesk support.

Without a degree (or any industry qualifications) its pretty much the only way to get in - unless you know of a job going (and an employee recommends your skills - despite lack of professional experience - to their boss).

Consider joining the BCS (as an associate member) and join in with things going on - it opens up a whole world of IT professionals...

Most importantly - do you see IT/tech as a hobby/interest, or just a career you fancy 'cos it sounds interesting?

(Been in IT for about 9 years now, currently responsible for the infrastructure of a multi-million pound engineering company...)

Or if you don't want to get into the techy side, apply for a graduate scheme in a business change or IT department doing something like a business analyst role or project management. They will train you up and give you real life experience and the pay will likely be better than front line support role.

I did Geography at uni and now manage IT and Business change projects.