Question for those in the IT field

[Street_Kings]

So, I am currently, for the lack of a better term, not doing shit with my life. I've always been really good with computers, but kind of screwed myself by dropping out of college 5 years ago.

I'd like to actually get paid to do what I like, and I feel i'm pretty proficient in anything technical really so it makes more sense than wasting my life away as a waiter.

Question is, how did you get your start?

I've got my A+ Certification (which is absolutely nothing, honestly lol) and am planning to go back to school next semester. I worked at an upstart for 3 years that fell horribly on it's face (bad marketing, horrible management, company went bankrupt) building custom systems from desktops to servers and on site configuration/support (running cables, seting up network, configuring data backup, etc.) but since then i've not had any success in anything IT related other than doing some contractual programming work.

I was thinking of getting my associates and stacking certs, (ccna, MCP/MCSE, maybe a Network+), or would it be better in your guy's oppinions to go with a full bachelors and skip the certs?

Lastly, anyone know of any internships or entry level/part time jobs that I could possibly do for a while to get some more experience and buff my resume a bit? I can't go full time unless it's a lucrative position as I have a mortgage i gotta cover =/

[HondasTrail]

IMO the best way to get started is to go back to school and take it a step at a time from there. I would venture to say it's almost impossible to secure a lucrative IT position with out a college degree. As for the Associate vs Bachelors, I'd start off with an Associates and get a couple of certs to lay some roots down. It presents itself as an opportunity to get yourself out of where you are now.

After you're done with your associates and have a nice comfortable position, then start working on your Bachelors. I have a friend that is a year away from graduating with a bachelors in CIS I believe. Currently he's an IT manager for the school he goes to (UNC) and for the summer he's holding an IT position at a small company in Greeley. Oh and he's still doing his certifications after he graduates. I'll see if I can get some more info from him for you.

[Conrad]

lower certs get you in the door.... education and advanced certs get you paid.

[yapann]

how did you get your start?
1) tried to talk to forum people @PM how to start with IT (having few answers (and more ignorance (yes my English must have help it))
2) counting on myself.

(what is ‘A+ Certification’ ?)

I was thinking of getting my associates and stacking certs, (ccna, MCP/MCSE, maybe a Network+), or would it be better in your guy's oppinions to go with a full bachelors and skip the certs?
bachelors.
You have all your life for the rest!

[myshtern]

You should just pound out a bachelors degree in 2 years.

[Street_Kings]

You should just pound out a bachelors degree in 2 years.


I don't think I could handle the 30 credit hours a semester, tbh lol

[myshtern]

If you're motivated for a degree, you can do 20 credit hours a semester and take summer semesters.

Both my sister and one of my cousins did this.