Turning 18 years old and want to get into the IT field need help

Kewicase

New Member
How can I enter the IT field? where can I start if have no work experience in IT?
I have basic general knowledge of computers, I familiar with the existent of certain computer tools such as CMD, Hyper-V, Powershell, using control panel, installing Windows OS, Disk management, Partitioning hard drives, understanding Firewall, I know the basics of CPU, RAM, Video graphics card, the mother board components.. etc. I am currently running windows server 2012 R, on VMware workstation so I can learn active directory, and group policies.
So out of these very basic little knowledge where can I apple for a IT position?
Thanks:)
 

beers

Moderator
Staff member
Is there a specific discipline you like more than others? Network, server (Windows/Linux), programming, database, virtualization, security, etc

Usually the easiest path is through University/college and gaining your knowledge there. The degree portion helps a lot when having no real job experience. It's possible to enter the industry with your own self taught skills but there's a proportionally less amount of people willing to give you a chance when hiring.
 

Kewicase

New Member
Is there a specific discipline you like more than others? Network, server (Windows/Linux), programming, database, virtualization, security, etc

Usually the easiest path is through University/college and gaining your knowledge there. The degree portion helps a lot when having no real job experience. It's possible to enter the industry with your own self taught skills but there's a proportionally less amount of people willing to give you a chance when hiring.

Yes I enjoy more Servers, Database, and general helping desking, until I have more knowledge to feel comfortable to enter networking.
I will definitely check out my local college for options! easy place to start!
 

beers

Moderator
Staff member
until I have more knowledge to feel comfortable to enter networking.
It's kind of it's own discipline. We have a few professional network engineers on this forum. You don't necessarily have to know about servers or database to run a good network, but those skills do help yourself and others when troubleshooting problems.
 

Darren

Moderator
Staff member
Sounds like your leaning towards a System Admin type role with what you have so far as that's pretty similar to where I'm at. I'm 21 and now in my senior year of a Bachelor's in Information Technology - Management Information Systems. I work in a computer repair shop currently, have since about a year ago. I'd strongly suggest a 4 year degree if you can, makes it much easier to get into the field but it's still doable with certifications and experience.

Tinker around with everything and find what you like. I'm getting more into the managerial/businessy side of it than I expected. Hoping to do SysAdmin or IT director eventually. I was a huge hardware nut at 18ish, and still am, but doing break fix stuff gets old after a while. Just gotta find what you like, although from the sounds of it you enjoy much of the same stuff I do.
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
Get a computer engineering degree and find a job at an MSP and you'll figure out soon enough what does and doesn't interest you.
 

gbud

New Member
I'm also looking to get into an IT career. Used to be a bit of a computer wiz when I was younger, dropped out of college and slowly learned how much life sucked without a real career type job. So now I am going back to school, starting with an AAS in IT and will see where it goes from there. Would like to start with something like network management, database admin, web design and hardware repair. Not sure I have the math skills for programming.
Perhaps some local PC repair shops would have some sort of entry level jobs to gain experience? Any other ideas?
 

Darren

Moderator
Staff member
That's good experience to have and is also where the big bucks are earned.
Bingo.

I'd like to think I've got a somewhat knack for managerial side of things compared to a lot of my fellow IT nerds and can bridge the gap between nitty gritty technical stuff and communicating with the more conventional business world.. I get immense satisfaction of coordinating technology to help people get stuff done, especially people that wouldn't think to use technology or know how to do so efficiently. Watching some of my older customers "click" with newer tech is immensely satisfying. I also serve as a functional manager at my job in most things but title so working that side of things even now.

OP, definitely scope out your local repair shops. I've learned a great deal at mine.
 
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