True Career Changers

I am a what I call a "true" career changer.  Five years ago I had quit another crappy part-time job.  I'd been teaching private lessons out of my home for almost twenty years and couldn't bear another junk job.  What could I do?  The decision to go back to school was an easy one.  I wanted to finish my degree.  My son was graduated from high school and finding his way.  It was my turn.

The Tech Support, Help Desk Dumping Station

True career changers need to be aware, so I can't stress the addition of tech skills to any IT position.  The problem is, employers don't get it.  We don't all graduate knowing how to do help desk and tech support--at least I didn't.  What does this mean?  What does it mean, the unavoidable occurrence that every position I look at includes the Tech Support Help Desk Dumping Station.  I suppose as the weeks tick by and we get closer and closer to being out of money, out of credit and out of time, the only thing standing in my way of getting in the door to even have my application land on an actual desk and not in the trash is two things:

Experience and the ability to perform tech support and help desk duties.  I keep saying it, and I'm sure my family gets tired of hearing it.  Why didn't I know this?

True career changers, pay heed:

Start those certifications early.  Don't be like me.  Face with some very expensive tuition and an incomplete education experience.  The big three (or four) are out there and can be achieved by the time you graduate, if you start early:

CompTia Strata IT Fundamentals, A+, Network+, and Security+.

Making It (IT) My World

I finished school about three weeks ago and it has taken that long to realize this is my new life.  I have a something that I know how to do and degree to prove it.  It feels surreal and exciting.  I feel myself wrapping myself up in technology stuff.  Watching and listening.  Wanting to immerse myself in it.  It feels good to be authentic.  For so many years I played teacher, or musician, or secretary.  This is my thing.  IT.  I'm authentic now and it feels way too cool to let it go now.

IT Strata Fundamentals VS A+ Certification

I've been doing some research on the A+ and Strata certs.  There are a lot of opinions out there.  First, the Strata is $103 and and the A+ is $183.  There are 70 questions and the A+ just has gobs more.  It looks like the Strata is just plain easier.  I've found some conflicting evidence that that Strata is an actual certification.  I also wanted to find out if companies were recognizing the test in the same reverent light that A+, Network+, and Security+ have come to enjoy.  Not so sure on that one.  The Strata series is relatively new.  It's bringing out the dyed in the wool skeptics.  I like the idea of another series of tests.  I've been looking for a job in IT for over a year, and it seems "experience" is that dirty little secret college recruiters won't tell us.  The Strata series shows potential employers this student knows these skills.  It still doesn't replace the golden chalice of experience, but I think it brings those of us trying to break in to the mysterious world of IT an extra leg up.

Here's my opinion.  Employers claim--complain--there aren't enough tech people out there to fill the positions, yet so far every job I have looked at has required no less than five years experience and usually includes a l-o-n-g list of requirements and preferences.  I have even looked at entry level positions that require several certifications.  I have never seen a job description that includes A+ or Strata as a requirement.  That said, for the hundred bucks, if a job seeker can pass the test with at least a 70%, it's just that one more thing to put on the resume that says, "Take a Chance on me."

I have four years of school behind me and a degree in IT/IS.  I'm working on my A+ for about six months now and don't feel anywhere near ready.  I am super tempted to take the Strata and then take the A+.  My mom is supposed to be sending me some money for graduation.  If there's an extra $100 in there I may consider it as a preparation for A+.

Afterword: Study the Field

I've been thinking about being done with school now for about a week and a half.  Even though I've been "looking" at job openings and seeing what's out there for about a year, this week has been different.  I has made me see some of the mistakes I made.

My major was Information Security.  Mainly because I originally wanted a degree in Computer Forensics and couldn't find a school that had a four year degree in it.  It was mostly offered in a two year or 18 month format.  I wish that I'd done some research while I was working through school.  I certainly would have started the certification process sooner.

Most employers are looking for tech plus "blank."  For example, the job I recently applied for wanted a tech that could do help desk and monitor a data center.  This has been the story in many jobs that I have seen.  The "tech" part is what I don't have.  I only know what I have learned so far in the book I bought and the videos that are offered from the school I just graduated from.  I only relatively recently discovered this world of certifications.  I'm now pursuing the CompTia approach: A+, Network+, and then Security+.  The A+ book is the thickest at 1600+ pages.  I'm trying to be ready to take the test by December.

I recommend Mike Meyer's All-In-One A+ Certification study guide.  He has test tips and real life application tips.  I paid about $40 for the 2012 edition.  I will definitely go for his Network+ book when I'm ready.

The Disappointment of Rejection: Our Amazing Brains

It is so surprising how it only takes 48 hours for our minds to create a reality for us out of an idea.  That's the way it was with this job.  I read about it on Saturday morning and by this morning I was creating scenarios for the new car I would "have" to buy in order to commute.  I was thinking about keeping up my night owl regime so I didn't get out of practice being up all night.  (The job is third shift)  I almost bought a pair of shoes I thought might make me seem more serious about the position.  Sensible, practical shoes.  I didn't buy them.  Now I am thankful.

The job was 30 minutes each way.  I'm pretty sure my application didn't clear the front desk.  It was a strange experience.  I'd heard that companies had a rigorous screening process, but I'd never experienced screening right there in front of me with other people standing around.  It was kind of humiliating while at the same time I felt cheated out of the opportunity to show them I could learn and do.

I was also told in so many words my experience was useless.  "She" could do what I had experience in.  Without looking at the fact I had a degree in Information Technology Information Security.  She turned her nose up at me and insisted I be able to monitor their systems and troubleshoot.  Hmmm.  Very interesting.  Whatever.

I asked her about a term I'd never experienced and tried to research and still could not find.  She said that those that knew how to do that particular thing would know what it was.  Again.  She failed to hear me tell her I knew what the word was, I'd just never heard it used in that context.

I also found out that someone who makes pretty good money and has made a pretty nice little niche for themselves in the company they work for, got started simply because she was bilingual.  That on the coat tails of being told my experience and education didn't fit their narrow criteria.  Suppose I should have been bilingual.  That would have gotten me right in the door.

I'm supposed to resume running tonight.  I'm not going to.  I'm bummed.  I'm going to bed.

Done With School, Starting the Job Search

School ends for me on Monday.  I've actually been looking for a job for over a year, but not looking to get one.  I've been looking at what's out there.  Frankly, I haven't seen anything.  I interviewed for a few IT positions here locally through the schools.  What a mess that was.  I took their aptitude tests, jumped through all their hoops and got an e-mail that I "didn't fit the interview criteria."

My friend seems to think I'm overqualified for the jobs.  I disagree.  I think I need to find one company somewhere that will give me experience.  After that, if I want to move I can.