Advice for IT support roles

[asda 10]

hello guys my name is Paul and I am trying to decide what to do in regards to training I am thinking of doing a course in computing and trying to decide what to do given tuition fees are going sky high from know to the future I am unsure how to retrain so I can get a decent pay packet and train up. To give a back ground I currently have a btec national diploma in photography an hnd in communications which included graphic design video production and photography and art.

 

I failed to complete a degree in TV production due to finding it difficult getting my head around cultural studies. So what I did get was credits for 10 modules which worked out at 10 credits per module which worked out at 100 credits I needed 120 credits to pass but I did gain some credits I do believe all my qualifications is easily equal to a degree which out having the degree title. I am considering doing some sort of top up degree to top up my hnd into a degree some how doing a 1 year top up course I guess having a degree no matter what it is in a degree means some thing.

 

At present I am located in the UK near Leeds. Any way I have been looking at computer courses like some sort of top up degree however it has suggested its not worth doing that it has been suggested doing a certified Microsoft course is a better route I want to get some sort of IT technician job doing technical support for servers I work for asda online shopping sorting out the orders I am thinking of doing some sort of IT job so I could work in the IT department but feel to be able to do such a job.

 

I will need to do some sort of training. I am also been looking at the online degrees you can do does any one know any thing about these are they worth doing or is it better to go to a college in person and get your hands on the gear in person better.

 

I need some advice from some IT professionals out their. The problem is I work from 2pm to 9:30pm so only get Monday free so my hours make it difficult for me to do a course.

 

Is their any professionals out their who could advise me any comments and advise would be appreciated please post reply’s if you have the time.

 

Regards Paul.

[Berberis 10]

The key to working in IT is to either specialise in something like SQL or be as broad as you can. Also many companies are still asking for at least MCP or MCSE, MCSA ore a combination. You would be in good stead if you had at least one of these under your belt.

[InvalidUser 10]

One option for you to consider is to self-train for MCITP or similar qualification. I did this back in the days of NT4.

 

Buy the book

Set up a "lab" which can be a single PC running VMWARE

Work through the course

Test yourself with sample questions until you know it 100%, there are loads online.

Take the test which costs < £100

 

It took me a couple of months studying in my spare time. The total cost was about £150 not including the PC which I already owned. That got me my first job in IT.

[Bulgarian 10]

The key to working in IT is to either specialise in something like SQL or be as broad as you can. Also many companies are still asking for at least MCP or MCSE, MCSA ore a combination. You would be in good stead if you had at least one of these under your belt.

 

SQL is pretty good "language" to learn, but like most programming related jobs it's hard to get into a compnay without any practical experience, and things change very quickly.

[spooky3 10]

One option for you to consider is to self-train for MCITP or similar qualification. I did this back in the days of NT4.

 

Buy the book

Set up a "lab" which can be a single PC running VMWARE

Work through the course

Test yourself with sample questions until you know it 100%, there are loads online.

Take the test which costs < £100

 

It took me a couple of months studying in my spare time. The total cost was about £150 not including the PC which I already owned. That got me my first job in IT.

 

That's what I do, but then never do the exam...

[spooky3 10]

SQL is pretty good "language" to learn, but like most programming related jobs it's hard to get into a compnay without any practical experience, and things change very quickly.

 

But with SQL you always need something else...

 

Either a front end (access) or language to output it, and relational database design practice... I know people who can write basic SQL statements, and put it on their CV, but they couldn't rationalise a DB or even do a join or regex.

[neeeeeeeeeek 10]

You wont have any supporting experience so think you could be wasting your time. I have years of IT fiield and support experience and a pretty comprehensive CV and I have been struggling to get work. The majority of IT jobs are advertised through agencies, they won't put you forward for job they don't think you will get as it reduces their chance of getting paid and they will have a raft of candidates who are more suitable. You are in Leeds which does have alot more oportunities than Sheffield so if you can find the motivation do read loads of tedious IT books then go for it, you don't have a great deal to loose and could well prove me wrong.

[anywebsite 10]

Why not mention it to your manager or supervisor at Asda? They might be able to put you in touch with the IT department, then you could find out what you'd need to do to get in to it. Otherwise you might find out later that a degree or ms qualification isn't necessarily needed or relevant for their IT department & you might end up studying the wrong thing.