Advancing up the IT ladder

[Oberon.Smite]

Hey guys,

 

So after building my own PC, tinkering, and learning the A+ fundamentals, I've discovered that I really love PCs. I've never enjoyed anything more than fixing problems, setting things up, just plain bulding a PC. I've been thinking about it for a while, but I kind of put it off for a while. I want to get my A+ certification, then get the rest of my CompTIA certs. and then start working. I want to start early so that I don't have to do a shit job while I'm in college, and also so I can get a head start. Any IT Pros out there? I need help finding out how to study and take the tests, which resources to use, and where to get employed. Anybody know a thing or two about IT?

[techguru]

Hey guys,

 

So after building my own PC, tinkering, and learning the A+ fundamentals, I've discovered that I really love PCs. I've never enjoyed anything more than fixing problems, setting things up, just plain bulding a PC. I've been thinking about it for a while, but I kind of put it off for a while. I want to get my A+ certification, then get the rest of my CompTIA certs. and then start working. I want to start early so that I don't have to do a shit job while I'm in college, and also so I can get a head start. Any IT Pros out there? I need help finding out how to study and take the tests, which resources to use, and where to get employed. Anybody know a thing or two about IT?

a+ is a joke..don't even bother

 

what you want is MCSE

[Aytex]

get gud 

grades

[Oberon.Smite]

get gud 

grades

I mean I guess thanks for the obvious.

[Oberon.Smite]

a+ is a joke..don't even bother

 

what you want is MCSE

No Cisco/CCNA stuff? Is it better just to get MS cert?

[SImoHayha]

No Cisco/CCNA stuff? Is it better just to get MS cert?

 Of course.

 

Microsoft is a big ass company. Saying you work there will give you some might good stares and aww's and wow's

[techguru]

 Of course.

 

Microsoft is a big ass company. Saying you work there will give you some might good stares and aww's and wow's

most of the planet uses ms software...and that cert will get you in the door for a decent job..keep in mind..its kinda a starting point

 

you could get the cisco certs as well 

[AMICLG]

No Cisco/CCNA stuff? Is it better just to get MS cert?

Cisco is for networking/VOIP so unless your want to do hardcore networking it's not what you want. A+ and other CompTIA don't matter, they want certs that has to do with the job ie: MCSE for system admin + 3-5 years it experience in IT and BS in CS or like field. It really depends on what job your trying to get, which would have to be worked up to, ie: doing low tech support and moving up over the years.

[Oberon.Smite]

most of the planet uses ms software...and that cert will get you in the door for a decent job..keep in mind..its kinda a starting point

 

you could get the cisco certs as well 

 

 

Cisco is for networking/VOIP so unless your want to do hardcore networking it's not what you want. A+ and other CompTIA don't matter, they want certs that has to do with the job ie: MCSE for system admin + 3-5 years it experience in IT and BS in CS or like field. It really depends on what job your trying to get, which would have to be worked up to, ie: doing low tech support and moving up over the years.

 

 

 Of course.

 

Microsoft is a big ass company. Saying you work there will give you some might good stares and aww's and wow's

 

Any idea of the kind of classes I should be taking in school? I'm currently taking an Info Systems class for my MS Office Cert (I know, not very useful, but still good to have some experience, you know?)

[techguru]

Any idea of the kind of classes I should be taking in school? I'm currently taking an Info Systems class for my MS Office Cert (I know, not very useful, but still good to have some experience, you know?)

learning to fix a pc...without doing it the cheating way of clean installing..is a good place to start

[Tsuki]

learning to fix a pc...without doing it the cheating way of clean installing..is a good place to start

i really hate people who do that.. doing a clean install should never be your first option when fixing a computer. it should be the very last resort.

[LAwLz]

What do you want to work as? Just saying IT is like saying you want to work with sports. What you should do entirely depends on what area you want to work in.

[Oberon.Smite]

i really hate people who do that.. doing a clean install should never be your first option when fixing a computer. it should be the very last resort.

Any way to learn how to do this? 

[Tsuki]

Any way to learn how to do this? 

its mostly just troubleshooting. figure out whats wrong, then solve it.  if something isnt working properly, figure out why. is it compatibility? change hardware. is it drivers? update them, or try an older driver. is it a virus? run your favorite list of antivirus/antimalware and a registry cleaner. every single problem has a different solution, its just a matter of doing the research and trying different things. yeah sometimes it can take a while, and sometimes its a serious pain in the ass. and yes, sometimes its simply easier to erase and reinstall the OS, but its stupid, especially when it could be a simple fix, and you dont learn anything doing it that way.

 

troubleshooting is not a rubix cube.  its like one of those baby toys with the shapes and the holes.  did it fit/work? if not, try a different solution and see if that works.

when i worked in tech support, reinstalling the OS was "the 45 minute solution to every software problem" but it was also what we used when we just wanted to get the person off the phone. and not have to deal with them.

[AGrider]

Get your basic MCSE, then study the ccna to cover the bulk of the skillset for general networking. No pc guy is worth much if they cant diagnose simple to moderate networking issues. Of special note for people just getting started will be the transitions from ipv4 to ipv6.