IT/Software career thread: Invert binary trees for dollars.

One day I'm going to ask how you found my RL name and address but for now I'm just not going to open Pandora's box

Noodleface said:

One day I'm going to ask how you found my RL name and address but for now I'm just not going to open Pandora's box

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It's hidden now. Fb also has a "view as" feature.

I told Vinen if he was really super rich and successful he'd tell me.

radditsu said:

Dan Noodleface (crazyquadkid) on Myspace

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FUUUUUCK not again!!

Slaythe said:

I took a look too. It was easy to spot the metalhead among the masses of whatever your actual name is that I don't remember anymore.

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Still doesn't explain how he PMed me my address

OK I guess you can just look me up that easily

Sup nerds, I'm studying for my A+ certification right now.
I have pretty much no one else IRL that understands this shit or can consult me. From what I'm seeing, this is pretty much the first step in building a foundation for an IT career - is that true? Also, I am just curious on how much I really can apply for with only an A+...should it be relatively easy to find a job, even if it's not a super high paying one?

Anyone able to offer advice and steer me in the proper direction would be much appreciated because I really am just doing what I can learn by myself.

I haven't seen an A+ test since 2001. Does it still have Parallel cable questions still on it?

I know some of the companies around me look for Win7 cert 70-680 (Configuring Win 7) and CompTIA Sec+ but thats due to the gov sector wanting those. Private sector, not sure. And not sure if the newer 70-698 (Configuring Win 10) will cover the older requirement?

Auto industry looks for ITIL for managers and some IT folks in addition.

I have seen 2 routes to go, networking or software. You can try for CCNA for networking, seen pay starting about $40k-ish up to and over $120k. Software, windows server certs starting about $40k to to $90k.
Starting wise as just IT fixer with the Sec+ and an OS cert, $30k-$40k.

You can also do a mix as you go. As for the A+, I havent see it do much. I would venture going the software cert wise. You can go Apple, Linux or Microsoft.
I cant speak for the Apple or Linux as to industry and ppl I have ran into, do know 1 apple guy that got that cert but he is still at a small company as the normal flunky network all in one togo guy.
As for Microsoft, I have found it easier to pick an end path and work getting each cert to get the MCSA/MCSE. I think they still have a beginning cert for that first test cert you take.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) Certification | Microsoft Learning

All of this is subjective though in the northeastern to midwest-ish area? The other path that tends to be pushed into IT depending on company is coding. It can be the better path i think. If you can get into it you can make more without the rat race style of IT. That in itself is a big area with multiple paths. I have seem companies lock and chain IT folks like troll in a dungeon and then turn around and gift party with catering to the Coding Staff when they get around to coming in for work. (I joke but semi true).
One company I worked for long ago, their coder interviewed me wearing a bathrobe, slippers, boxers and white T undershirt. No joke!

But honestly, I would go for one of the microsoft certs that would be on the path know out a server final cert that way if you do wish to go further you have some of that completed. Microsoft certs are cheaper than the CompITA...and tend to get you further. Over all the microsoft is more expensive in the long run as you need 3-7 certs depending on what area vs the 1 or 2 compita. CCNA will throw you into heavy training to learn networking and most need some classes to get enough to pass that cert. Others you can semi exam cram them.

The Sec+ is better than the Network+ or A+, if you get those you will want to keep them renewed. The Sec+ will over rank the others and all will renew from the Sec+ renewal, which is a pita and crappy company just to warn you with a $50 per year starting 3 years after you lock in.

Help this helps?

I took an A+ cert in 2001 and it had parallel ports on it

Thank you so much Neir that is exactly the kind of info and shit I need to hear.

I planned on going for the Sec+ anyway but thought it would be wise to establish an A+ first. I didnt realize the Sec+ would count as a renewal for all so that is very useful, thanks. I am really disappointed to hear that A+ makes little to no difference in finding a job but oh well...it's good for my confidence personally just to make sure I know all of a bunch of basic information 100% so I can operate independently on a job, etc.

I saw the Cisco (CCNA?) cert thing but know absolutely nothing about, was going to research that soon.

If I know basically nothing other than how to use anti virus programs and all the basic common knowledge shit about computers - will I be able to pick up a Sec+ study guide and start hitting it or will I need to take classes/find someone to teach me highly specialized information?

I am doing research on my own man, haha. I get that my question/post was not specific or in-depth but it's just that I have literally no one else to bounce things off of so I just wanted to post here asking a few simple things.

Obviously I am not here for FoH to do my research and homework for me, I am here
to have a discussion about things so I can work out what's in my head and learn some things from people with experience I would otherwise not learn in professional/research text.

I appreciate your sentiments about school and a career but to be honest I don't need to be reminded of things like this. I did not just wake up a few days ago, decide I want to work in IT to make crazy dollars and post on RR asking them to guide me into a perfect career tailored just for me. I just wanted to know what to expect from a certification from people I trust. I'm 27 and have a degree in Audio Engineering and I do a lot of shit for work/to pay the bills but I have a pretty strong desire to get into the security side of computers/IT for many reasons. I am just trying to delve in without making any blatant errors that will fuck me over later on. I can probably give more background/what I'm looking to do in the future later on but it's late as fuck and I'm tired right now.

All that being said I appreciate you taking the time to respond thoughtfully.

Here is the chart on renewals for Comptia. If you hold the higher level it auto renews all lower at the same time. Bonus if you have multiple. But the company is a pita, major pita! I think its ran by 2 ppl that outsource everything out to automate it, any not in a good way.
Renewing Multiple Certifications

Ya I did the 2006 A+, Network+, Sec+ within 2 weeks of each other. A+ was 2 tests then and I think still. At that type I think it has Parallel ports on it? I know it still had BNC on it. Was like 1 question I think?

The biggest thing is just getting the job. If you can get into some small company to get started that helps. I did the paid/unpaid internships for a time. That helped a ton, in interviews they assume and never ask what your hours were at those companies. I was working both types at the same time over the same time period. They never think to ask how many hours I works for either. They assumed it was 40 total combined. You could work at a small place as a unpaid intern and they would assume you worked there X months/years full time.
It can be a pain to do but internships can help alot even if its unpaid. Volunteer at some non-for profits if possible a few hours a week can get you started. Once you have that work exp, rest starts to fall in place.

Dont think you need the server info at this time, but from exp if you start with some cert in that, it helps to guide the path just in case. That has helped.
I do none of that stuff now, I went the long route and ended up in coding now.

A quick word about ITIL. I had to go through the bullshit of Foundation certification at my Data Center job and did two more intermediate modules (where I outscored all the managers and my director in the exams, and they wondered why I was salty that I made less than the idiot who had to take Foundation 3 times). ITIL as it tends to be implemented here in America is basically process for the sake of process. It's a hammer and every problem is a nail. I don't know if it's changed any since my last encounter, but I doubt it. The entire thing was created as a means for IT companies to interact with the British Government. So the red tape is very real. Closest I got to feeling like I was back in the Navy since I got out.

That said, you can make some good money if you get through the Intermediate certs. Here's a good breakdown of the levels.

Looks like I start on sept 6th

As long as I can make it through the myriad of forms they sent me..

This health questionnaire is about 4 pages long and features such questions as "When was the approximate date of your hep B vaccine". I think that was when I was in 4th grade...