What work can I get in the I.T. industry?

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walsie

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#40896 7-Sep-2009 01:09

I've recently decided on a career change, and I am looking to get a helpdesk/support job and work my way up from there. I am currently studying MCDST. I really want to get into this line of work so hastily started this course as I was advised that it was worthwhile when looking for a entry level job. I hope I haven't wasted my money on it. What work can I get with this qualification? I have no previous experience in the industry, but I am quite clued up with computers and pick up things related very quickly. What work can I get?

xpd

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#253655 7-Sep-2009 08:26

Helpdesk/support roles (especially ISP) will pretty much take anyone who shows some knowledge in basic networking fundamentals and some form of customer service.

I started at IHUG with 6 months Windows knowledge and only basic dialup skills/troubleshooting. (Go the Amiga user!) 3 years later I left for another ISP part time while doing my A+ and looking for something a bit more "permanent". Ended up at EDS...gave me some fancy title but all it was, was the internal support desk. After a year, moved to a small mobile IT repair firm, stayed with them for 2 years then started my own and contracted to previous employer...then after a year the recession started to creep in so went back to fulltime work as a Service Desk Admin for an education firm. Helpdesk type stuff seems to be in my blood so its pretty much where Ive stayed (Although this position is a lot more than just support/admin... the other sys admins want my position to become something else as Im tied up in so many different IT areas of the company now and to hire a new SDA so Im freed up for the stuff that needs to be done which would be great :)

Once youve got a couple years of CSR/helpdeks under your belt, most people will take you on in most IT roles and go from there. Ive only just got my MCDST this year so qualifications arent always everything, experience and keeness are a huge help.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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xpd

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#253657 7-Sep-2009 08:29

Oh, when you are job hunting and get to interview stages, make sure you ask them exactly what the job is - two jobs I went to interviews for, both had the same title, but completely different views on what it involved - one said "phones support only", other said "phone support, project support, PC builds/repairs, network installations etc" - guess which I took ;)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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amanzi

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#253729 7-Sep-2009 12:50

Where are you based, Mark?

jaymz

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#253819 7-Sep-2009 18:42

xpd: Ive only just got my MCDST this year so qualifications arent always everything, experience and keeness are a huge help.

+1!

I have been working for my employer for nearly 4 years now, and the only qualification i had when i started was my level 5 and 6 DIPICT (diploma in information and communication technology). I started off on a work experience program (one day unpaid) until they offered me the job. I started off as a basic bench tech and helpdesk. Having a will to do better and not being scared to take on new challenges meant that i moved up the ranks and now i am a Network Engineer/Project manager/Security and system auditor.

I think in these times find an employer you want to work for and ask if you can come in for a few hours a week/day for free, at the very least you would have got some great real world experience!

billgates

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#253824 7-Sep-2009 19:12

I am also looking for a helpdesk job to start off with. Will work for free if I have to in Hamilton. Have MCSE Messaging 2003, MCITP Database Admin, CCA (Citrix) and B.Sc Applied Computing from Waikato.

2 years IT Tech expeience working at DSE Powerhouse. Know plenty about Windows PC/Hardware/Networking/WAN/LAN.

Have applied for numerous jobs since may and all have been rejected due to the lack of heldesk experience.

Do whatever you want to do man.

jaymz

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#253827 7-Sep-2009 19:32

@billgates, best thing is to continue asking for work. Unfortunately some places look upon retail IT experience as nothing which is a real shame. If you can get a place to give you work for free then you will learn some invaluable skills. I am also in Hamilton so if you want i can keep an eye out for work. There may be a part time job going at my workplace (only a couple of months of work though)

PM me your CV and i can pass it on for ya if you want.

amanzi

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#253830 7-Sep-2009 19:39

billgates: I am also looking for a helpdesk job to start off with. Will work for free if I have to in Hamilton. Have MCSE Messaging 2003, MCITP Database Admin, CCA (Citrix) and B.Sc Applied Computing from Waikato.

2 years IT Tech expeience working at DSE Powerhouse. Know plenty about Windows PC/Hardware/Networking/WAN/LAN.

Have applied for numerous jobs since may and all have been rejected due to the lack of heldesk experience.

You shouldn't have to work for free with those qualifications, and even though your experience is with DSE in a retail environment, it should still count towards something. I would be suspicious of someone who's willing to offer you employment for no remuneration - I would assume that they were taking advantage of your eagerness to get experience. Who have you applied for jobs with in Hamilton? There's a number of vendors who have reasonably large customer bases in the area - Gen-i, DTSL, Datacom, Indeserve, to name just a few.

jaymz

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#253832 7-Sep-2009 19:51

amanzi: Who have you applied for jobs with in Hamilton? There's a number of vendors who have reasonably large customer bases in the area - Gen-i, DTSL, Datacom, Indeserve, to name just a few.

I know there is a company in Hamilton that has lost a few techs this year (rather not name and shame on a public forum) might be an idea to contact them (i sent you a PM)

Are you working at the moment? or are you still studying?

rvangelder

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#253863 7-Sep-2009 20:56

Why dont you answer a few questions per day on Internet Help boards, or Microsoft Newsgroups?
After a couple months, you can say you have Online Helpdesk experience. Your reference is a hyperlink, and employers can see for themselves.

walsie

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#253875 7-Sep-2009 21:48

amanzi: Where are you based, Mark?

I am currently living in Perth, but will be living in Wellington start of next year.

amanzi

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#253890 7-Sep-2009 22:13

walsie:
amanzi: Where are you based, Mark?

I am currently living in Perth, but will be living in Wellington start of next year.

Perth's a long way from Wellington so can't help you at the moment. But feel free to flick me an email when you get to Wellington.

billgates

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#253921 8-Sep-2009 00:06

amanzi:
billgates: I am also looking for a helpdesk job to start off with. Will work for free if I have to in Hamilton. Have MCSE Messaging 2003, MCITP Database Admin, CCA (Citrix) and B.Sc Applied Computing from Waikato.

2 years IT Tech expeience working at DSE Powerhouse. Know plenty about Windows PC/Hardware/Networking/WAN/LAN.

Have applied for numerous jobs since may and all have been rejected due to the lack of heldesk experience.

You shouldn't have to work for free with those qualifications, and even though your experience is with DSE in a retail environment, it should still count towards something. I would be suspicious of someone who's willing to offer you employment for no remuneration - I would assume that they were taking advantage of your eagerness to get experience. Who have you applied for jobs with in Hamilton? There's a number of vendors who have reasonably large customer bases in the area - Gen-i, DTSL, Datacom, Indeserve, to name just a few.

I apply for jobs daily on Seek, Trademe and Waikato times job section. I visit Gen-I's website regularly but haven't seen a job (helpdesk) in Auckland or Hamilton Advertised. Geekzone Jobs is pretty good as well and apply from time to time when anything with helpdesk related is out.

@jaymz - Will surely PM my C.V to you tomorrow. Finished studies for now but will continue later on when have some $$$. I attempted CCNA as well but missed out by 6% in the exam.

Thanks heaps.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Mark

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#253984 8-Sep-2009 10:00

billgates: I attempted CCNA as well but missed out by 6% in the exam.

Aha! I see a problem with your personality!

You are being honest, and you are offering information to a prospective employer that the employer really should not need to know unless they flat out ask for it! don't say things like "I failed an exam by only 6%" .. just say "I'm working on getting my acreditation." :-)

Maybe an interview tip list would help you out ?

Regards and good luck! The market is quite sucky out there these days, especially with as lot of the big IT houses "outsourcing" or worse bringing in cheap people from overseas.

Mark

amanzi

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#253997 8-Sep-2009 10:26

billgates: I apply for jobs daily on Seek, Trademe and Waikato times job section. I visit Gen-I's website regularly but haven't seen a job (helpdesk) in Auckland or Hamilton Advertised. Geekzone Jobs is pretty good as well and apply from time to time when anything with helpdesk related is out.

What sort of jobs are you applying for? I wouldn't just limit yourself to helpdesk roles - try for desktop support or field engineer roles too. Don't let the job title put you off, companies have varying ideas on what each title stands for.

insane

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#254241 9-Sep-2009 01:46

billgates:

2 years IT Tech expeience working at DSE Powerhouse. Know plenty about Windows PC/Hardware/Networking/WAN/LAN.

I did 3 years at DSE in Glenfield while I was at uni and learnt more useful real word stuff there than while doing my degree IMO. I also did the 'work for free on a Friday' for a local company which certainly impressed when I went for my first and last interview after Uni.

I guess it depends on your personality/work ethic but by looking at your other quals you're accumilated you're not shy to get out there and learn, employers love that. keep trying and good luck :)