Getting my foot in the door

Human_Warrior

Human_Warrior

New Member
Since this is my first post here Id like to say hello to the community, give thanks for any help that follows this post, and start hoping for the best. :P

So onto the topic of the thread.

Ive been into computers for years now and have become familiar with what i guess id call "Basic Software Troubleshooting"? Also im very well-versed in all of the adobe programs (not just the typical Photoshop / illustrator most are). But I've never looked into hardware, advanced problem-solving, or anything too in depth. Ive just always been that one guy around my town who knew just a little bit more than most haha.

But recently I've decided that career wise i want to try for an IT position in the future.

So I'm here to ask you guys to help me with links to articles, websites, or books that can help me establish a good foundation to start actively expanding my knowledge of computers.

While reading this of course ill be messing around with old computers i find to get a little hands-on experience. And eventually when I'm comfortable with what I've learned, I'll most likely enroll in a few classes.

Any help is appreciated :)

 
Are you sure that IT is what you want to do? It's fairly broad but more concerned with networks, handling data, management and communications. Make sure you know what you are heading into. Unless you are a genius, some formal courses and qualifications would be essential. It does not sound as though you are looking to get to degree level, "I'll most likely enroll in a few classes"!

There are plenty of local technical colleges and courses like DeVry. For those you should look in the area where you live or online courses.

You could google "information technology careers" to get a broader look and see what companies are recruiting for. You could also look at "software engineer", "software technician", "computer technician".
 
Nanobyte said:
Are you sure that IT is what you want to do? It's fairly broad but more concerned with networks, handling data, management and communications. Make sure you know what you are heading into. Unless you are a genius, some formal courses and qualifications would be essential. It does not sound as though you are looking to get to degree level, "I'll most likely enroll in a few classes"!

There are plenty of local technical colleges and courses like DeVry. For those you should look in the area where you live or online courses.

You could google "information technology careers" to get a broader look and see what companies are recruiting for. You could also look at "software engineer", "software technician", "computer technician".
Click to expand...

I suppose i made it sound a little more nonchalant than I intended. I am looking to get to a degree level, I just don't feel like I have the skills I'd like before choosing which classes id want to attend. Thank you for the heads up about an IT position, I'll be honest i assumed ITs were simply the company's person to handle all computer related issues (due to a lot of very non-descriptive articles I've found around the web). And yes im aware certain courses and certifications are VERY important when trying to find the job im looking for. But like i said i was looking for info about Pre-college level knowledge i could learn to make the learning curve into more advanced computer knowledge a little less steep.

***

Ok so 2hrs after writing the previous paragraph my interests seem to be swaying towards computer hardware. Ill be actively looking for good info about this subject and others to see if any others spark my interest.

But please provide any articles, websites, or books that've helped you in the past or that your actively reading and loving. I could use any help at all.

And again Thank you Nanobyte for that IT heads up, i feel like at some point i would have probably done extra research and found that an IT position actually wasn't for me. so you potentially saved months of my life.......potentially. lol
 
Your idea of IT is what most people conceive of the job - the guy that runs the network and fixes PCs. That is the most visible aspect and is perhaps the most enjoyable type of job for those that play around with PCs. It would be most helpful to you if someone in this forum who did that type of work can give their input.

I was asking someone I know, who is an IT manager at a significant company, what they do. I was amazed to find out this individual had no detailed knowledge of the software they were purchasing. To this day I cannot figure out how they could do any sort of IT job given that. I had a similar concept as you up to that point!

Other than getting input from others, you can find lots of information by googling as I previously noted. I was originally going to post a link of university courses to give you some idea of the diversity, but left out due to your nonchalance! Here it is, a listing of online courses in the US. As an example, this is the variety from just one university:

Bachelor's in Organizational Security and Management
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Web Development
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Software Engineering
Associate in Information Technology - Networking
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Networking & Telecommunications
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Database Administration
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Information Systems Security
Bachelor in Information Technology - Multimedia and Visual Communication
Associate in Information Technology - Web Design
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Business System Analysis
 
if your looking at playin around with hardware on a much more advanced level than just plugging things into each other and troubleshooting them you may also consider courses/ degrees in computer engineering.
 
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Nanobyte said:
Your idea of IT is what most people conceive of the job - the guy that runs the network and fixes PCs. That is the most visible aspect and is perhaps the most enjoyable type of job for those that play around with PCs. It would be most helpful to you if someone in this forum who did that type of work can give their input.

I was asking someone I know, who is an IT manager at a significant company, what they do. I was amazed to find out this individual had no detailed knowledge of the software they were purchasing. To this day I cannot figure out how they could do any sort of IT job given that. I had a similar concept as you up to that point!

Other than getting input from others, you can find lots of information by googling as I previously noted. I was originally going to post a link of university courses to give you some idea of the diversity, but left out due to your nonchalance! Here it is, a listing of online courses in the US. As an example, this is the variety from just one university:

Bachelor's in Organizational Security and Management
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Web Development
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Software Engineering
Associate in Information Technology - Networking
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Networking & Telecommunications
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Database Administration
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Information Systems Security
Bachelor in Information Technology - Multimedia and Visual Communication
Associate in Information Technology - Web Design
Bachelor's in Information Technology - Business System Analysis
Click to expand...

I found out recently that one of my friends was an IT guy for a bank around my area. The funny thing is we've been friends for about 5 years and he never mentioned it haha. He suggested this website for a good starting point in hardware and basics.

Thanks for the list also its very informative and the more i read the more i realize that id definitely like to find an experienced person in the field to talk to about specializations and more detailed info.
 
innercx said:
if your looking at playin around with hardware on a much more advanced level than just plugging things into each other and troubleshooting them you may also consider courses/ degrees in computer engineering.
Click to expand...

Speaking of courses I'd like to find some inexpensive online courses, not full enrollment to college or anything, to prepare myself for the more advanced hardware study.....because to be honest i wouldn't want to jump the gun and go into hardware only to find i like Programming more or something like that.
 
Human_Warrior said:
....He suggested this website for a good starting point in hardware and basics.
Click to expand...
I have no idea what formal IT courses are likely to cover but if you want to play around with the hardware, a separate, formal technician qualification would help a lot. I would think that is particularly true in small organizations that want the typical "run and fix-it" guy. There are definitely contributors to this forum that have done/are doing that type of course/exam.
 
Human_Warrior said:
Speaking of courses I'd like to find some inexpensive online courses, not full enrollment to college or anything, to prepare myself for the more advanced hardware study.....because to be honest i wouldn't want to jump the gun and go into hardware only to find i like Programming more or something like that.
Click to expand...

Mate i completely agree, it took me a while to realise computer system engineering or medical engineering was the thing I want to do and i still dont know which one to choose :)
before i researched all the options and worked out what i love the most i was thinking of applying fr what i now know was really the wrong course.

I dont know where you're based but colleges in the uk offer things like night classes which last around three months or so on a wide array of subjects that are quite inexpensive and could be something worth looking at.

Ive done alot of research in this subject recently due to fact i will be applying for a the start of a degree soon, I've looked at all options and most big colleges seem to offer course that aloow you to study for a bit and even if you dont like it yu usually get some kind of qualification at the end, which i always helpful.
 
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