I will be graduating in a week and some time soon after that I am planning on enrolling into a local community college to study something on computers. My goal is to eventually work with computers as a career (PC hardware/repair/support type deal). People already turn to me when they encounter computer problems and most of the time I can just google in the problem and figure out an answer but at times when I can't figure it out I get really frustrated. I enjoy working with computers and the idea that some day I may encounter a problem and actually know how to fix it instead of calling Tech-support REALLY fascinates me. I am looking through the college booklet for classes, I'm not really sure what I'm going to do. I figured I'd try to go and acquire an Associate in Applied Sciences Degree through one of the degree programs but I'm not really sure if that's what I should be doing. There is one program that I am looking at "Computer Information Technology - Personal Computer Support" Would it be more beneficial if I go for the associates degree instead of a certificate? I see another program for a certificate "Computer Information Technology -- Personal Computer Technician" and its only for a semester. Yeah I'm not really sure which way I should go, am I even looking in the right direction? Is there another program I should try to go for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Sharon06

welcome to our very friendly forums!

You can get loads of help here and I hope you don't take this negativley, but we are based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.

Our education system is very different to the US.

Maybe a more 'local' forum would be able to advise you better.

'Local' is a bit of a strange concept now though :hihi:

Like I said, stay around. It's a great place!

GR

I will be graduating in a week and some time soon after that I am planning on enrolling into a local community college to study something on computers. My goal is to eventually work with computers as a career (PC hardware/repair/support type deal). People already turn to me when they encounter computer problems and most of the time I can just google in the problem and figure out an answer but at times when I can't figure it out I get really frustrated. I enjoy working with computers and the idea that some day I may encounter a problem and actually know how to fix it instead of calling Tech-support REALLY fascinates me. I am looking through the college booklet for classes, I'm not really sure what I'm going to do. I figured I'd try to go and acquire an Associate in Applied Sciences Degree through one of the degree programs but I'm not really sure if that's what I should be doing. There is one program that I am looking at "Computer Information Technology - Personal Computer Support" Would it be more beneficial if I go for the associates degree instead of a certificate? I see another program for a certificate "Computer Information Technology -- Personal Computer Technician" and its only for a semester. Yeah I'm not really sure which way I should go, am I even looking in the right direction? Is there another program I should try to go for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


you want to start off doing a pc essentials 1 course like i did
its a cisco qualification in pc / network building/repair
get the basics then go on to the daddy of cisco qualifications

see if theres anything informative here
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html

you want to start off doing a pc essentials 1 course like i did
its a cisco qualification in pc / network building/repair
get the basics then go on to the daddy of cisco qualifications

see if theres anything informative here
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html

Please dont say CCNA. People think a CCNA is the easy way to earning wads of cash. It isn't. I don't have a CCNA, and I can do pretty much anything with Cisco gear.

Don't get caught thinking IT is an easy way to make lots of money. It used to be, but its a crowded market.

There are lots of courses you can do to get you upto speed with basic computing. I'd look for something at BTEC/HND, unless you fancy a degree. No matter how many bits of paper you get, there is no substitute for experiance. Try seeing if you can get a saturday job in a local PC shop.

Joel

Joel, she's in Texas. Doubt they do BTEC there.

Hence my post ;)

Joel, she's in Texas. Doubt they do BTEC there.

Hence my post ;)

Well the equivalent then :P

Joel

practise more

practise more

I'm sure the OP will thank you for your thoroughly helpful response :)

I started in IT when I was 16. I got an apprenticeship with a large computer company working as a 1st line support analyst on a technical (as in, fix it instead of log it and pass it on).

I've moved through different contracts, supporting different operating systems and applications. I did some desktop support and now do PC/Server Support at 2nd/3rd Line.

I'm studying for my Microsoft exams whilst at work and by the time I turn 22 I should be an MCSE in Windows 2003, with 5+ years experience.

You may have to start on crap money, but if you stick at it you'll do well (same goes for any type of career path I guess). Just try to put together a good CV and fire it off to a few agencies etc, they should find you something.

Good luck :)

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Sheffield,+TX

Our american twin city.

Me thinks someones got lost along the way.

Okay, Q time...

1) where are you ?
2) how old are you ?
3) are you American ?
4) you said 'graduate', from what kind of education level, please define.
5) "Associate in Applied Sciences Degree" and "Computer Information Technology - Personal Computer Support", what qualifications are these ? Are they degree, or vocational courses ?

I asked these questions because this forum is UK based. The British education is very different to the American one. So you need to tell us how old you are, before we can advice you.

PC/Desktop support, and 1st line support (of any system or software) are the basic entry-level roles into the IT industry.