Windows 7: IT Career

Hey all!

I'm an inspiring IT Technitian (Don't know if i used that the proper way ) I can troubleshoot and fix most common PC problems. I just signed up for college at Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield Massachusetts. The course that i plan on taking is Computer Systems Engineering Technology (CSET) Associates - Computer Systems Engineering Technology program at Springfield Technical Community College



I'm just wondering... what kind of jobs can i get with this degree?

Hello Nano3;

Something for you to think about ... this choice limits you to a computer systems engineer. If you follow a broader path, say General Business, Management, or Engineering, you may find more employment opportunities open to you as an employer is going to want to train you to suit their specialty anyway. Your computer experience will be a further advantage to employing you. If you are not able to find the job you want in the field you want right away, you can still be employed while you work your way to that job.

Several years ago my case worker told me her husband was a computer programmer and the only job he was offered in that field was for $8.00 USD per hour. We both just rolled our eyes, because we knew (even if the employer didn't) the advanced skill set needed to write programs. It seems there is a glut of computer techs and programmers in the marketplace? It is kind of like being a "Handyman"?

Cheers!
Robert

"The graduate should be able to demonstrate competence in the understanding, installation and configuration, troubleshooting, and upgrading of Cisco networking equipment."

Sounds like you will be taking CCNA classes? If so, make SURE to take the certification test after CCNA 4.

Take all of the certs and tests you can, those help A LOT!

Sounds like with this degree you will be looking for Help Desk positions straight out of school. Everyone has to start somewhere, and most (if not all) companies that have Help Desks promote within. Just make sure to understand it will almost be impossible for you to graduate and then go straight into a Systems Engineer job.

Gotta start somewhere

Good Luck! If you have any Cisco/Networking/Server questions while you are taking classes make sure to post on these forums, lots of smart people here.

Hey Nano3,

Being a qualified technie myself as well as the holder of a Masters of Business, I have to agree Iseeuu but only in regards to the long term picture. Having a business degree has led to more opportunities and my IT specific qualifications have all been additional to focus upon my career direction and updating of skills. However in early development you need the IT qualifications to put you in-line for the better jobs that get you into management where the business qualifications kick in.

Fortunately university's offer a solution that not many people take. Step-by-step. Your course seems to go for 1 year, but where does that lead? Alternatively you can enroll in a bachelors or computing which is three years. But actually consists of a Certificate (6 months to 1 year similar to your course), then a diploma (2 years), and a bachelors (3 years). It stands to reason that if you enroll in a graduate certificate then after 6 months to a year you're qualified, if you want to study more (depending on your current job and where it's taking you) you can then go directly into a diploma (now you're a degree holder); but instead of taking 2 years, it's only 1 because you already did a year in the certificate (or 1.5 for a 6month cert). Following the same pattern if you feel that you need to study more do the bachelors, then your're a university graduate and you've had two rewarding qualifications already. This is useful because if at any stage you need to study business then you can go off and do that and if it's at the same uni you're likely to get credit for classes.

So although the course you looked at has all that you need to be a techie, you may feel differently about it in 2 years time and if you pick a good university you can chop and change a little and still get qualifications along the way.

If you don't qualify for uni (I didn't first time that I applied) then do a smaller course that gets you in the door. A college/university education is the way of the future in IT... to get paid enough anyway.

What ever you decide, I wish you luck.

-Timo

PS: You can study online too, to fit it in to a work schedule. I do and it's the only way for me.

Tim and Kirsch thank you both for the great responses. I just don't know what i want to do with my skills. Right now I'm studying on my own to get A+ and Network+ certified. As for universities, i don't have a clue of what schools offer a decent academic curriculum to go with. I'm 23 years old and just don't know where to start my career. I guess everyone starting college feels the same way. (I think). Reason why I even applied for STCC is because the school is only a 15 minute drive from where i work.

Nano, good luck.

I am looking to be a computer engineer (slightly different) myself, and will be attending college next year.

In regards to a job, I am not entirely sure what I (can) do, but I was thinking along the lines of a corporate systems administrator.
As Kirsch said, that would mean starting out at the help desk, and working your way up.
A management degree would probably help here.

Just remember that after school, and you have your job, you CAN go back to school! Consider additional certifications, a masters, a different (business?) BA WHILE you are working.

~Lordbob

@LordBob - That's sage advice, well said. I began my full time IT career about 6 years ago and changed careers from Hospitality Management. As to going back to school, I have an exam tomorrow... gotta go.

@Nano3 - As a young 20 something I had no idea what I wanted to be and where I would end up; so you should also be congratulated on taking the steps you've taken such as your current course and getting advice here. You'll find that everyone has their own opinion and schools are about selling that opinion to you, so talking to as many educational institutions and people as you can will help you filter away the opinions and be left with the facts.

You'll be flooded with choice so here's some other stuff to add to the confusion that just might help.

• Purchase a Technet subscription, they are half price at the moment, come with not only a tone of software like Office and Windows but also with MS learning courses that can help you qualify for the MS exams.
• If you have a registered University (and some school/college) address take a look at MS Dreamspark for free software and classes to help your IT career.
• Be aware that you need not study in the US. Other technology hubs like Australia and Singapore offer many courses and may (or may not) be cheaper. Studying overseas is personality building and boosts confidence. Or you can study online, such as in this course at Charles Sturt University in Australia. I am doing a different course with them now, they are good because your Cisco and MS qualifications are part of your degree (so you get these qualifications too) and/or receive credit for ones you've already completed.
  [*}Use this forum to further your career, by joining in, helping others and learning as you go. This is on my resume and a perfective employer can look at any of my posts and see how I perform (this is fantastic for IT entry in a helpdesk)

Good luck and stop in now and then and let us know how you're doing.

-Timo

Thanks Tim. I also have SF on my resume, though I have only actually submitted it once.

~Lordbob

I would suggest to concentrate on whatever area you want to be at. Someone that wants to be a Windows System Admin shouldn't be wasting his time on Cisco CCNA certifications. I myself prefer desktop technical support but only for corporations. I enjoy the one-on-one contact with people while you are helping to resolve their issues. I've done system admin work and although it can pay well there is just barely any user interaction. I don't like being stuck at a desk each and every day.

@JonM33 - Perhaps in your company the lack of client interaction for System administrators is true and it's definitely a lot less that the tech support desk. I agree, I'd rather interact.

@nano3 - The situation that JonM33 describes is still very common, he's not wrong. It's the way IT has been operating since it began. But if a business doesn't change then other newer models will overtake it. The modern IT industry knows this and is changing, but it's a slow process). As for the Cisco CCNA certifications, they're not as useful as a basic windows course for a 'windows' system type role. I'd probably start with the 70-680 MCP Configuring and Administering Windows 7; but it really does depend on your long term goals. Some of the Uni courses I mentioned include this qualification as part of their studies.

Back@JonM33 - In at least two companies I've worked for the System Admin plays a huge role to internal customers and for me this is just as rewarding. The challenge is not the day the day job, it's in the future planning to take in new technology, be green, produce ROI, be a step ahead of competition, to teach, to nurture workplace innovation, and to lead by example. I'm heavily involved in critical business decisions and far reaching project management opportunities meaning that I need to get in there and talk to people.... otherwise I think i'd go crazy(er).