How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience
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@Dashrender said in If not A+, then where should someone start?:
@IRJ said in If not A+, then where should someone start?:
Does the answer to this question change in 2020?
Where would you recommend an entry level person start in IT?
That's an entirely different question from the OP.
Yeah I think this could be forked, but its the same concept.
Someone has no IT experience where should they start?
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But like the other thread - what is the goal?
A job in IT or a bench tech job (basically just fixing windows desktops and nothing else - or working in a DC swapping components)
Yes the title says IT - but I want to make sure that is the real goal.
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@Dashrender said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
But like the other thread - what is the goal?
A job in IT or a bench tech job (basically just fixing windows desktops and nothing else - or working in a DC swapping components)
Yes the title says IT - but I want to make sure that is the real goal.
Lets assume this person wants to be in IT in long run and not bench. They may have to start out on bench or helpdesk to get where they want to be in IT , though.
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Does Microsoft even have Windows Certifications anymore?
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/browse/?resource_type=certification
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Two interesting entry level certifications. MS has free training on them as well.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-fundamentals
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I have to ask what would you qualify as IT? The term is completely open and subject to scrutiny.
If we are saying, someone is just interested in computers and wants to learn while being paid, I'd say pick up and non-bench job possibly. Preferably not Windows centric as the MS ecosystem is just washed with so many bad solutions.
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I would not start with certs. I would start as an intern. Find out what you like in the field and then grab a cert or two and try to move on.
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If you mean a working adult that needs is switching into IT with no experience, then I wold recommend Network+ as a starting point. That should get you into interviews.
While working on interviews, I would recommend YouTube and Udemy courses on subjects that you are interested in.
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@IRJ said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
Two interesting entry level certifications. MS has free training on them as well.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-fundamentals
That's what I'd suggest, or the Windows 10 one.
A non-vendor-specific one would work too having to do with general OSs and/or cloud fundamentals.
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I doubt entry level gets to do much cloud anything. Maybe some Office 365 user password resets or something.
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@IRJ said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
I doubt entry level gets to do much cloud anything. Maybe some Office 365 user password resets or something.
This I would agree with, but entry level and cloud administration aren't the same thing at all. Even with cloud you could reset passwords.
But there really isn't anything to learn there besides the web interface.
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First thing... get experience!
That sounds funny, but it is real. Assuming that the person in question is already interested in IT and already has a basic understanding of computers, networks, etc. then experience is the next step. If they don't have any background knowledge, then that's pretty obvious - get some books, start learning.
But assuming that they already have a useful amount of knowledge, getting hands on is what matters most.
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@JaredBusch said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
I would not start with certs. I would start as an intern. Find out what you like in the field and then grab a cert or two and try to move on.
Intern or volunteer. Work on certs once they start as an intern, work on certs while looking for an internship, but look for a way to get hands on somewhere as the first step.
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It's hard to go wrong with Network+. Basic networking is a definable set of knowledge that benefits you in any IT role. It's how our world works, so you can easily see it in use in your life and get your hands dirty.
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@scottalanmiller said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
@JaredBusch said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
I would not start with certs. I would start as an intern. Find out what you like in the field and then grab a cert or two and try to move on.
Intern or volunteer. Work on certs once they start as an intern, work on certs while looking for an internship, but look for a way to get hands on somewhere as the first step.
Yeah I agree here - I mentioned this to Will - If he can't find paid work - then volunteer at daycares/churches/VFWs, other charity type setups or typically stretched thin places. hell, if you have any small networking/windows level support - perhaps try to get a client or two or more.
I can't recall exactly the details, but one of my first experience builders was setting up a Windows 95 network for a small charity. There was a ton of learning involved for me on that one...
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@PhlipElder said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
This may help: https://blog.mpecsinc.com/2019/06/19/i-want-to-get-started-in-it-in-a-cloud-first-world-what-do-i-do/
Starting 1/3 and down I understand that blog - but the starter where they have you setup your own business? WTH is that all about?
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@Dashrender said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
WTH is that all about?
In general, a really, really good idea. IT is a business discipline. It's so much harder for people to work in IT without that experience of having run your own company. Not that you have to, but it is one of those experiences that goes an extremely long way in preparing you for the job. It's unbelievable how much of IT gets really easy as soon as you have basic "run your own business" skills and perspective. Especially MSP and SMB IT workers where you are dealing with "owned" companies rather than a pool of stock holders.
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@Dashrender said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
@PhlipElder said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
This may help: https://blog.mpecsinc.com/2019/06/19/i-want-to-get-started-in-it-in-a-cloud-first-world-what-do-i-do/
Starting 1/3 and down I understand that blog - but the starter where they have you setup your own business? WTH is that all about?
The person I was mentoring during this session was, and is, looking to get their own consultancy going.
To start off in IT in a silo would be a detriment IMNSHO. It's like growing one branch of a tree and not the others.
As long as the employer has no restrictions on moonlighting, then it's possible to build up those other branches of knowledge. With knowledge comes value.
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@PhlipElder said in How to Start in IT in 2020, No Experience:
To start off in IT in a silo would be a detriment IMNSHO. It's like growing one branch of a tree and not the others.
But still better than not starting at all. Anything to get the door opened, then broaden as soon as you can.
