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Tech Job?
I'm not sure if this has to do with hardware as much as it has to do with the people that frequently visit this section of the forums. I am in school currently working on my Bachelors degree and have been contemplating what I will do once I am out. I have greatly thought about going into business/tech and wanted some insight on anyone here that may be in the field. Anyone actually talk about or fix pc's for a living? I often wonder that about quizzical...and a few other people. Hopefully this thread is not poorly placed in this section. If so, I'm sorry 
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I currently work for a company that does remote tech support dispatches for GeekSquad, Microsoft, Lavasoft and others. I'm on track to gross a little over $1,000/week. It's not "fun" work but it pays a decent amount for those in-between times and you schedule your own hours. It's not really a career but you can certanly work it between other jobs for extra cash.
PM me if you are interested as it's a job that saved my hide over the last couple of months (also, they are looking for people).
PS: I work from home, when I want and how long I want.
I think you will need to provide a little more information before anyone can really make a decent recommendation to you.
1. What exactly is your degree for?
2. Do you have any technology certifications?
3. Do you have any experience working in an IT position?
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
Anyone one starting a computer tech career would do good to checkout the Comptia.org website. The Computing Technology Industry Association is a well regarded certification organisation with many initial certifications in various parts of computing.
http://www.comptia.org/home.aspx
They can be the starting point for many career certifications like MCSA, MCSE, Various Cisco certs, etc.
That's perfect!
I was going to recommend going to a business school for another 2 years, learn how to start your own business, and do that. But since you're already majoring in business then you're all set.
Going into the IT/computer repair field is hard right now, but since you are going right out of college I would suggest attempting to make it on your own before you decided to make money for somone else. The benefits of owing your own company are huge, especially starting young.
There are special government loans for college grads for startup money with low to 0% interest. You should look into that for your state and see what is available.
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
Look for a company or career that interests you and be prepared to start out at a very junior/grassroots position to get to your goal if you lack work experience. Specific positions require specific certifications so be sure to get the right ones. After you get hired, you'll advance rapidly. Coming from someone with eight years of experience in the industry, I can tell you that real competence and a positive attitude will be rewarded, these traits aren't as common as you think in the sector.
I would imagine these loans are harder to get these days, and with the current economy, you really need an existing business contact network to start off as a success. If you find a good niche, sure its possible and the rewards are more immediate, then again, a fresh graduate without work experience or an existing customer base faces a challenging time starting up a company, no matter what the economy looks like.
This is actually the exact thing I have been thinking about going for. I'm not the type of person that loves the 9-5 shift...working under someone...I honestly DO NOT want to make that much money, and by that I mean I would actually rather make less then more. I like simple living with a few nice things and less stress...though I like managing my own life, so having a small tech business for myself that payed the bills would make me ecstatic.
Starting a large company I could imagine to be quite difficult, but starting off as just a small tech support with a certification while in school and then possibly expanding more with an online portion once I have the business degree to back me; it seems like the idea could work, but there is always a risk involved.
All well and good, I'd suggest working and running the business on the side. A few years working in a related industry will provide you with customer and other invaluable business contacts.
True, you need a marketable product/services, a customer base, and marketing resources just to start off, nevermind the bureaucracy. I've been running my own business alongside work now for three years, and while I haven't had the time to really focus on the business, I see myself being completely self-employed within the next year.
Again, I have to stress the importance of work exprience within an other organization and the contacts I've made in my existing job as some of the pillars which have helped me make my business profitable. Then again, all you have to do is find the right niche in your local community and you're good to go.
Well everyone's plan for their life is different but I'm actually in the process of starting my own business doing what I've been doing for the last 11 years with a company here in Hawaii.
Currently I am completing 16-20 jobs each week and according to my numbers I would only need to do 5-6 jobs a week to make the same amount of money that I am currently making working for someone else. That's a difference of approx. 28 hours per week that I could be spending with my family, or doing jobs to make even more money that I do now.
You're young, I would go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
Small business loans are actually easier than ever to get (sub $20,000 loans). Most states are throwing money at anyone who says they want to start a business these days.
Obviously every market is different, but I know for a fact where I live an ad in the yellow pages and maybe some on-air time with a local news station is all you would really need to get started on your own doing on-site IT work. That is, if you do well with those first few critical clients that are going to spread your contact info around by word of mouth.
I do agree with your other post though, starting off making contacts at a large, reputable company first before venturing off on your own is definitley ideal to build up a client base, but he's coming fresh out of college, this is the best time to experiment with business plans, not in 10 or 15 years when he might have a house and 2 kids.
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
A+, Network+, Security+, i-Net+
CIW Associate, CIW Professional, CIW Security Analyst
MCP Win XP, MCSA Win 2K, MCSA Security Win 2K, MCSE Win 2K, MCSE Security Win 2K, MCSA Win 2K3, MCTS SQL 2005
English Degree - Technical & Professional Writing (AA)
Have worked as a programmer analyst, IIS administrator, system administrator, database administrator, broadband technician, LAN administrator, business intelligence analyst, web developer, web designer, sharepoint developer, desktop publisher, word processor, and of course...help desk, lol.
Have worked in the legal field, government, healthcare, mass media, distribution, telecommunications, software development, and for an ISP.
The lowest I made was was around $9/hr but I never made more than $19/hr. Not having a BA/BS degree really hurt. Certs were nice, but it was the degree that really mattered when it came time for negotiating salary, trying for promotions, etc.
Often it would be a case of doing the get the foot in the door, showing them what I could do, and then moving up - a step or two. Then it would quickly dead end. The longest I held a position from '96 through '09 was four years. The shortest was 3 months. After my supervisor quit and I found out about their review practices, I was out of there - lol.
I did non-IT prior to '96 and have done non-IT since '08.
For the most part, I enjoyed the various fields in IT. Without the BA/BS degree though, I could only go so far in it.
So yeah, definitely - the four year degree thing - I'd say it matters in the corporate world.
I miss the MMORPG genre. Will a developer ever make one again?
Explorer: 87%, Killer: 67%, Achiever: 27%, Socializer: 20%
Indeed. The market here(Finland) is completely different, so running your own company is a drag deu to the stupendous taxes and other bureaucratic costs. I can tell you for example that a 20k USD loan would be just enought to start up and register the business here. I guess my country hates private enterprise.
As far as the business aspect, that is going to depend on where are and what competition currently exists. Outside of any social networking that you do that lands you business, you're going to be looking at why somebody should go with you instead of somebody else. To some extent, until you have a CV - it could be difficult. However, that is not a reason to do the research - find out what is involved in your area.
Determination will matter - lol, testicular fortitude so to speak. Depending on your area, there may be all sorts of resources available from the city, state, federal level (if you're in the US) that could help you develop your overall plan. A plan that is likely to change - requiring you to be agile and adapt.
It's almost 4 AM... I think I'll stop now, because I feel on the verge of rambling and babbling.
The best of luck to you, the best of luck.
I miss the MMORPG genre. Will a developer ever make one again?
Explorer: 87%, Killer: 67%, Achiever: 27%, Socializer: 20%
Have you ever thought of Government contracting? If you were fresh out of college with those certs and degree, we could pull you over here (middle-east). Contracts stem from 6 months-1 year (Annual salary of $$95k-180k). Cyber security and IT support sections are huge. Best field to be getting into right now in the world of contracting. Down side about contracting is of course being away from home. I don't think it would be a bad idea at all to do a year or two in your situation to come out with a large bank account and use it to start up your business/ buy a new gaming PC when your 2500k / future southern island card dies out (lol). And trust me when I say...with your experience you can get a job out here in a heartbeat.
Private message me for my AKO e mail if you are interested in learning more, anyone else as well.
*Corsair Obsidian Series 650D *i5-2500K OC'd ~ 4.5
*Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 mother board
* Radeon HD 7970
*8GB (4GBx2) 1600MHz Kingston HyperX
*240GB Corsair Force GT Series SATA-III SSD
I do a lot of freelance and local work building/fixing computers and creating websites through mine.
Only person that ever suggested this to me was my grandfather, but alas me and him have VERY different views. Thanks for the offer, but it just would not fit my beliefs in many ways...so let's just leave it at that.
In my experience, your certifications mean more than your degree.
You could have a BA in Underwater Basketweaving from University Down the Road, and be in a better position to get a job if you have the proper certifications over someone with a Ivy League degree (unless it's Google, who seems to prefer Ivy League).
Honestly, a BA/BS is more or less worthless, and even a masters to some degree - it's certifications and experience that matter the most. But most people won't even look at your resume unless you have some sort of undergrad or graduate degree - which is hypocritical because they don't really care what it's in, they just care that you spent the money for one, and then look at your experience and certifications to decide if they want to call you in for the interview or not.
That's the way it works in the States, unfortunately.
How can you say this? I would have easily been making $15-25k more if I had a 4 year degree instead of a 2 year degree.
You also lock yourself out of many jobs by not having that 4 year degree outright. You might be able to get with a company and work your way up to that position without the degree - but you're not going to make as much as somebody coming from the outside that has the degree.
Certifications are a dime a dozen...many of them also do not mean much. You could be good at taking tests, cram over the weekend, and pass the test on Monday - never having actually worked with anything involved in the test.
There are certs that set themselves apart from this - some of the CISCO certs come to mind in that regard. There are others that are lab tests rather than mental regurgitation tests.
The four year degree shows you've stuck with something for at least four years - for a company looking to hire somebody, even that simple fact - even if it is in underwater basketweaving - shows a commitment that they are looking for from employees.
I miss the MMORPG genre. Will a developer ever make one again?
Explorer: 87%, Killer: 67%, Achiever: 27%, Socializer: 20%
You didn't say anything I didn't say -
You need the degree to open the door - and to that regard, for most jobs, nearly ~any~ degree will work. However, your degree isn't what gets you the job, it just makes sure your resume doesn't get thrown out in the first cull. I place very little emphasis on the degree, I only look at it because my superiors list it as a requirement.
To me, a 4-year degree tells me that you were able to pay for it. It doesn't say anything about what you learned, what you were supposed to learn, or if you can do the job I am hiring for or not. I just says you can pay an institution (or able to borrow enough to do so), and can maintain a minimum level of performance to not get expelled. I've seen enough people with excellent GPA's from nice programs and even post-graduate degrees get their boots on the ground and be totally lost, and require as much or more on-the-job training as someone straight out of the military with no college experience at all.
Your experience (or certifications which can substitute in a pinch) tells me if I want to interview you or not. And then the interview is what decides if I hire you or not.
In my not-so-humble-opinion, this notion that every ~needs~ a degree has watered it down to something that now everyone has, and in doing so makes it more or less useless in differentiating job candidates. All it does any more is open the door, it doesn't actually teach you what you need to know to do the job - you learn that by doing the job, or by getting certified to do the job.
Perhaps I replied too quickly there. I went for a smoke, so here is my new reply after further thought.
You're assuming that everybody has the BA/BS degree. You're doing such, because the odds are that you do not see the resume unless the candidate has such. So for you, everybody has the four year degree. Therefore, since everybody has the degree - certifications stand out.
I'm coming from the point of view of the person trying to get his resume seen. There is no four year degree there. So regardless of the experience and certifications, the resume is not seen.
I see the order of preference from an employee ranked as such (descending):
BA/BS, Certifications, & Experience
BA/BS & Experience
BA/BS & Certifications
BA/BS
Certifications & Experience
Experience
Certifications
Nothing
Based on your reply, I'd say you're entering that list at #4. I'm looking at it from #8.
I miss the MMORPG genre. Will a developer ever make one again?
Explorer: 87%, Killer: 67%, Achiever: 27%, Socializer: 20%
I would say start off with a network certification. Even if its your CCNA. Every company has a network of some sort. I have found that after that you should concentrate on various certs dealing with servers. Learn Active Directory and Exchange fundamentals. Everyone wants there scanner to fax a copy to their email and user share. Take some time to learn citrix. Lots of companies utilize citrix clients. Dont forget about VoIP.
To say you want a "computer" job is a bit of a grand scheme. It is literally impossible to understand everything. But, all companies have computers. A+ trouble shooting helps alot. Everyone has a network.. hence network certs. It can be amazingly complex when your client has 200 computers or more. Everyone has a server for centralized data shares and email. Id say these three aspects alone are enough to wet your teeth. You could get a decent job with these skills.
I started off as a gamer nerd who wanted to fix his own computer. A decade later and I realize what I dont know could fill the grand canyon, but what I have learned in that time is a source of pride. Pick a point of intrest that you think about alot and go with it. Hell, you may want to be a programmer. You may want to build websites.
If you look hard enough there is always a niche. I spent alot of time working for a health system. It became apparent that a company this size (1000s of employees) might need an application that simply tells you what AD groups they have, what AD groups their position should grant, and when the fuck their confidentiality agreement ended. SqL helped lol. I was able to learn alot while working on an application that provided that.
I have since left my health system time and moved on to another comapny that services a wide array of companies. Come to find out many schools have clinics inside them. My health system niche came back into play and I am still able to assist with database issues. I still get to utilize my cerner skills.
I guess my point is, go with some aspect you love. Buy that badass cpu/mobo/ram/vid card/case/hdd and put it together. Pray to god you fuck everything up. Return piece by peice to newegg untill you get it working. Figure out why your moms friggin microsoft access wont open up. Put all the computers in your home on a domain and figure out how to put a cd in one computer and run that install on a computer in the kitchen. Give your printer a static IP and get it to print from a computer.
Good luck. IT is a wonderful career. It is not for the faint. Be prepared for customers to expect you to know everything. I dont knw shit about peach tree. Better belive the friggen accountant at the car dealership expects you to fix her problem lol. Learn humbleness. Learn to accept failure. Learn from your mistakes.