Certifications

[Paytend01]

My schools allows us to take the test for the Testout Pc Pro certification. Is this enough to get an entry level IT job (I am currently 16 and in grade 11)? or should I take the test for this one and study for the CompTia certification?

[NinJake]

Can't say I've heard of the Testout Pc Pro cert. However, I have definitely been around for the CompTia. Certs themselves won't necessarily get you a job right away, but will help a bunch. If they are available to you and you feel confident, get em!

 

I myself was tight on money through college and avoided taking certs, but have since finished school and landed a good job working for the government! It's all about how you communicate with others during the interview that lands you a job. Best of luck!

[Paytend01]

Just now, NinJake said:

Can't say I've heard of the Testout Pc Pro cert. However, I have definitely been around for the CompTia. Certs themselves won't necessarily get you a job right away, but will help a bunch. If they are available to you and you feel confident, get em!

 

I myself was tight on money through college and avoided taking certs, but landed a good job working for the government! It's all about how you communicate with others during the interview that lands you a job. Best of luck!

Thanks man, Im not the best at talking so i have to work on that But yeah i wanted to get certifications to help and put me on top of the others that apply. (Hopefully) 

[NinJake]

Well you're still young. If you have time to spare, go out and try to find a nice part-time job and that will help build relationships. The more people you meet, the better. As they can help point you in the right direction towards your dream job. Plus any extra money you make can go towards your PC build!

[Altecice]

Get all the certs you can, it looks good but having experience AND certs look better than nothing.

[Paytend01]

1 minute ago, NinJake said:

Well you're still young. If you have time to spare, go out and try to find a nice part-time job and that will help build relationships. The more people you meet, the better. As they can help point you in the right direction towards your dream job. Plus any extra money you make can go towards your PC build!

I think im going to try to get a job at best buy, I think it would help that i know a decent amount about computers and such. I also have 2 friends (they are like 25 not my age) that work there also.

[Lurick]

Certs are great on paper and can help get you through some of the HR red tape, experience is even better and showing you can apply the knowledge will really give you a leg up. So don't just study to get the cert but work on practicing it as well and keep going after you get it.

[Paytend01]

Just now, Lurick said:

Certs are great on paper and can help get you through some of the HR red tape, experience is even better and showing you can apply the knowledge will really give you a leg up. So don't just study to get the cert but work on practicing it as well and keep going after you get it.

Alright  What kind of experience should i get thats like a odd question but any suggestions?

[Lurick]

Just now, Paytend01 said:

Alright  What kind of experience should i get thats like a odd question but any suggestions?

Depends on the field you want to go into. If you can give me an idea of where you're aiming for then I can better direct you.

[Paytend01]

3 minutes ago, Lurick said:

Depends on the field you want to go into. If you can give me an idea of where you're aiming for then I can better direct you.

I really want to work as a technician (Like repairing computers for a company i guess) 

 

Preferably i would want to build computers that would be pretty cool. 

[Lurick]

1 minute ago, Paytend01 said:

I really want to work as a technician (Like repairing computers for a company i guess) 

 

Preferably i would want to build computers that would be pretty cool. 

I would see if there are any local computer shops nearby that need help and see if they have part-time positions open or anything. Best Buy might sound fun but from what I've heard most of the time it's just selling and pushing services and whatnot on customers.

[Paytend01]

1 minute ago, Lurick said:

I would see if there are any local computer shops nearby that need help and see if they have part-time positions open or anything. Best Buy might sound fun but from what I've heard most of the time it's just selling and pushing services and whatnot on customers.

Do you think I should work at best buy first and build a PC (the one in my description thing) then go in and show them i could build a nice looking PC so they know what im doing?

[Lurick]

1 minute ago, Paytend01 said:

Do you think I should work at best buy first and build a PC (the one in my description thing) then go in and show them i could build a nice looking PC so they know what im doing?

That's the thing with Best Buy, you really won't build any computers there. Mostly just fix things, add RAM, etc.

[bgibbz]

6 minutes ago, Paytend01 said:

Alright  What kind of experience should i get thats like a odd question but any suggestions?

I'm in a very similar situation as you  I would recommend just trying to work with computers whenever you can. Keep in mind, most employers want authentic, prior work experience (ie working at a computer shop), but I would suggest trying to work with computers whenever you can. Offer to help friends and family fix any technology related problems for free, some may even pay you . Certifications are useful, but having information is different from being able to use information, and employers know that. keep in mind, I can all but guarantee that wherever you start, you won't be building computers or fixing stuff right away.

[Paytend01]

Just now, Lurick said:

That's the thing with Best Buy, you really won't build any computers there. Mostly just fix things, add RAM, etc.

I mean like work there to get money then build this pc... http://pcpartpicker.com/list/bcx4M8

[TacoSenpai]

4 minutes ago, Paytend01 said:

I really want to work as a technician (Like repairing computers for a company i guess) 

 

Preferably i would want to build computers that would be pretty cool. 

Something like that would lean me towards recommending an CompTIA A+ cert its a bit pricey at $400 (2 tests 200 dollars each one sim based one multiple choice). Although past help desk it wont do much for ya but by then youll probably have pursued more advanced ones anyways based on where you wanna go.

[Lurick]

1 minute ago, Paytend01 said:

I mean like work there to get money then build this pc... http://pcpartpicker.com/list/bcx4M8

OH! Yah, if you need money then work wherever and it can help give you something to put on your resume.

[bgibbz]

1 minute ago, Paytend01 said:

I mean like work there to get money then build this pc... http://pcpartpicker.com/list/bcx4M8

How about this PC? You can change parts to match a theme if you want, its just a bit more horsepower for your dollar. 

[Paytend01]

1 minute ago, bgibbz said:

How about this PC? You can change parts to match a theme if you want, its just a bit more horsepower for your dollar. 

That is better honestly but im a bit of a cosmetics whore. 

 

Edit - If i get the pc i listed i would upgrade the cpu ASAP

[Paytend01]

2 minutes ago, Lurick said:

OH! Yah, if you need money then work wherever and it can help give you something to put on your resume.

The way i said it was alittle confusing sorry lol

[bgibbz]

3 minutes ago, Paytend01 said:

That is better honestly but im a bit of a cosmetics whore. 

Ok  If i could make a couple of suggestions, you PSU is a bit overkill. It is VERY important to have a high end PSU, but in this price range a Supernova GS is a bit much. Also, stay away from the z170 chipset for non "k" processors. Finally (i know this may go against your cosmetics, but ill suggest it anyways) you might want to use the stock cooler, at least for a bit. It doesn't make a lot of sense to spend 35$ on a cooler that you won't really use to its full potential. If you make those changes, you should have some headroom to fit in a better processor.

[Paytend01]

2 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

Ok  If i could make a couple of suggestions, you PSU is a bit overkill. It is VERY important to have a high end PSU, but in this price range a Supernova GS is a bit much. Also, stay away from the z170 chipset for non "k" processors. Finally (i know this may go against your cosmetics, but ill suggest it anyways) you might want to use the stock cooler, at least for a bit. It doesn't make a lot of sense to spend 35$ on a cooler that you won't really use to its full potential. If you make those changes, you should have some headroom to fit in a better processor.

I think i said it above when i was quoting someone else but i would upgrade the cpu ASAP

 

Hopefully to a 6600k but i want to get a pc soon so i can study for stuff easier and play games.

[Paytend01]

29 minutes ago, NinJake said:

 

 

24 minutes ago, Altecice said:

 

 

20 minutes ago, Lurick said:

 

 

11 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

 

 

9 minutes ago, LordTaco42 said:

 

Thank you all btw, i think im going to apply at best buy, build a pc then  try to get a job at a local pc repair shop  Depends on the pay though 

[bgibbz]

5 minutes ago, Paytend01 said:

 

 

 

 

Thank you all btw, i think im going to apply at best buy, build a pc then  try to get a job at a local pc repair shop  Depends on the pay though 

Don't expect to be making more than minimum wage 

[NinJake]

Don't worry about the pay right away, if this will be your first job then you won't have experience to leverage yourself for more pay until you do get that experience. Just take it as it comes but do everything you can to maintain positive relationships.

 

Even when things get stressful, and it WILL happen no matter where you work, take a deep breath and think about your actions. Wait a while before you do perform any actions and re-evaluate after some time has passed. Try to leave your jobs on a good note, and give 2 weeks prior notice.

 

Remember though, once you have some experience under your belt and can prove that you are worth keeping, you can politely ask for a raise or once again, give a 2 weeks notice and look elsewhere. @Paytend01