I have a BFA in Visual Communications. I worked (kinda) in the field until last year, when I got laid off. The job market svcks, haven't found much there.

So I'm considering getting some certifications and becoming an IT guy. What are the ones I need? What would be the best way about getting them? (Classes, books, etc.)

Is it worth it? There always seems to be demand for IT in my area, so that's a plus.

http://www.aplus-certification-training.com/default.asp?article=gooap&gclid=CKCw5Lv4-aYCFQO8Kgodw3j_Cg

Consider investing your resources into network certification. Networking support is more viable than hardware support if you are considering a long term career.

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html

As far as I understood, most certifications, excluding Ciscos weren't worth much :shrug:

This is from a programmers perspective though. (And one in University at that).

I've looked into both A+ and Net+. I have a pretty strong understanding of hardware, and a rudimentary knowledge of Networking.

If I may ask, why is that Yacoby?

Ok. Maybe not worthless, but education and experience tend to take precedent over them. As mentioned I am looking at this from a programming perspective, where experience is easy to get. I am not sure what it is like in other areas of IT.

Last I heard Ciscos certifications were good mainly because the problems were more like real life situations. As I said, there may be others considered good. Or relevant. I have however http://stackoverflow.com/questions/49832/is-a-certification-relevant some bad things about A+.

Also, another avenue may be to look at jobs, see what certifications they are looking for. :shrug:


However, I am some random guy on the internet. Take everything I say with a grain of salt. Also, I have very little experience of IT outside programming. (I have done bits here and there. Mostly unpaid)

Thanks, Yacoby. I've been scouring the job boards and see a lot asking for the certs, so I'm not sure.

Anybody around work in the field? Any input?

I am taking my A+ exam next week. Then CCNA next year through my school. Very good basic certifications to get started with. A+ seems pretty easy, but with the new rules, if you werent certified by January 2011, you have to re-certify every 3 years.

As someone who works in the field, I'd say experience is highest priority. Education in the field is helpful, but knowledge and practice are quite different in the field. Cisco's somewhat helpful because it deals with actual problems. If you're in an interview expect a couple example situations, maybe questions on what your most difficult task was, things like that. Customer Relations is pretty important too. They'll probably ask if you've dealt with upset customers before and how you handled the situation.

Electronics & communications should explode here soon. You've seen the thread, Canada and our communications business problems. Mabey should check out that scene in your area?

Also, you can prolly check up info on http://education-portal.com

If your down to go back to school hardcoe --> Chemistry/Physics & Computing together, unless you know programming/computing already then go for the physics/chemistry. Get experience in hardware/video hardware technology sector, then switch to gaming/software sector, seems like a sick plan for being sought after.

*snickers* Indeed, most certifications and college degrees are not worth much. Most employers prefer practical experience over theoretical knowledge. At least I do, as do others in my acquaintance.

However, Cisco Certification is often listed as a job requirement for anything more than very basic support positions. Based on recent experience, it has more value than a college degree in computer science in the more lucrative positions.

You have to do the job to gain experience. You need certification to get the job.

I may not approve of the relative worth assigned to certifications and degrees by society and employers, but this post is based on knowledge gleaned from practical experience.

I disagree.

If anything, getting a degree, no matter WHAT it is, shows that you have the responsibility and work ethic to go to college and make it out with a degree. That counts for a lot, I would think.

MCITP, CCNA are the basics. If you are into user support, my suggestion is thoroughly knowing the in and out of Outlook, Excel and Word in order. Get a Linux certificate when you have money to spare, then Oracle. As you work and started to accumulate experience, begin to get your hands on Citrix and VMware, how they incorporate into a good network structure. If you are in system administration, Windows AD will have your primary attention. Create new accounts, profile conflicts, group policy management, disabling accounts, etc.

Don't know what it's like in the States, over here IT is the worst paid job in proportionate to the workload. Unless you can handle all sort of mundane trivial stupid user requests and keep your smiley face all the time, it's not recommended.