ITT I give you job finding advice (IT Jobs)(70k Salary)(23 y/o no degree)(Free Stuff)

[mr2rbo]

All my friends have been having lots of trouble finding jobs and they all have degrees and are recently graduated and such. I would like to help out my misc brahs especially those trying to find jobs in the IT field, and if you live in the MD/VA/DC area even better I can probably find you a job myself. Heres my story.

Im 23 working at a Hospital doing Systems Engineering

I currently make 33.65/hr Salary or 70k/year before taxes

I have no degree, but I got about 3 years of credits in Information Systems

I have worked about 3 years in the IT field, starting as help desk.

I have many IT contractor friends so not only do I have connections but I know what works and what doesnt work when applying for jobs.

If you are looking to get some certifications, I have some study guides just shoot me a PM.

Feel free to ask questions brahs.

[dweeegs]

Any engineering connections brah (cheme)

[BazBrah]

Any engineering connections brah

dissssssss

[Euphorikxxx]

IT Brah checking in, I just got my associates in CIS but I didn't have a degree up until June 2012.

Worked at Google as a Data Specialist, now I work for a Law Firm doing Systems Administration (job is super easy, and they dont pay me squat)

might be time to look for a job paying in the 60's-70k's

[mr2rbo]

Any engineering connections brah (cheme)

yeah actually you have a particular field you want to get into or doesnt really matter? also baz brah what type of engineering are you? all my roomates are engineers

[mr2rbo]

IT Brah checking in, I just got my associates in CIS but I didn't have a degree up until June 2012.

Worked at Google as a Data Specialist, now I work for a Law Firm doing Systems Administration (job is super easy, and they dont pay me squat)

might be time to look for a job paying in the 60's-70k's

How is the cost of living in colorado? DC area is pretty high so I imagine a 70k job would be harder in your area. But with systems admin under your belt you shouldnt have too much of an issue. what you currently work with?

[GabrielNovar]

keep hustlin cuz!!!

[mr2rbo]

keep hustlin cuz!!!

all about the hustle

[brainphreeze]

What would you recommend learning for actual use in jobs and in what order, generally speaking. I've just started a Network Security degree but think I could learn much quicker on my own just messing around with software/hardware/languages hands on

[PeZzYy]

this is a long shot.. got any investment banking connections

[Rhawness]

wow this thread literally popped up as my current job is pissing me off to where i want to lease ASAP. what is a good position to look for when getting into the IT industry? im about to graduate with an associates degree in unix operating systems, any advice brahs? i dont know how much longer i can hold up at my current job

[Euphorikxxx]

How is the cost of living in colorado? DC area is pretty high so I imagine a 70k job would be harder in your area. But with systems admin under your belt you shouldnt have too much of an issue. what you currently work with?

Since I don't live in downtown Denver the cost of living isn't that awful, rent is pretty affordable I think i'm paying 950 for a 2 bedroom condo right now, I'm able to save a few hundred bucks a month (obv buying **** I don't need to buy all the time) with about 35k annually which is extreme poverty wages IMO.

I checked and with my 3-4 years experience plus my degree I should be averaging about 50-60K no problem which would probably be close to you making around 70K in your area.

[mr2rbo]

What would you recommend learning for actual use in jobs and in what order, generally speaking. I've just started a Network Security degree but think I could learn much quicker on my own just messing around with software/hardware/languages hands on

A question like that is difficult because there are sooo many fields you can get into. I would say this, starting broadly, I would say that security is a much better field to get into vs networking. Networking has been slowing down, but security is becoming vastly more important and difficult for employers to find qualified individuals. If you haven't yet, you need to get your foot into the door of IT by starting at a lower level job like help desk and such so that you can start gathering experience. Experience is by far the most important thing when it comes to and IT job. However, if you are looking for something higher up, I would suggest possibly looking into certifications ONLY IF you have a job lined up that would require those certs. DO NOT GET CERTS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A JOB LINED UP. I can't tell you how many people have wasted money on certs and then they get nothing in return.

So just to pinpoint,

get your foot in the door either low level or higher level with certs
learn as much about cyber security as possible
look into getting a CEH (certified ethical hacker)
apply to become a security analyst at a place like deloitte (I have friends there if you need connections and they are places all over the world)

[mr2rbo]

this is a long shot.. got any investment banking connections

Lol my friend is an I-banker for JP morgan in New York srs. He makes 70k a year with a 70k end of the year bonus, but he hates his job. he works MINIMUM 70 hrs a week. Let me know and I can send him your resume.

wow this thread literally popped up as my current job is pissing me off to where i want to lease ASAP. what is a good position to look for when getting into the IT industry? im about to graduate with an associates degree in unix operating systems, any advice brahs? i dont know how much longer i can hold up at my current job

As I always say, if you want to get your foot in the door start low level because getting a junior or senior level job is not easy with no experience. Although with unix under your belt you have a better chance of getting more money than someone with nothing.

Since I don't live in downtown Denver the cost of living isn't that awful, rent is pretty affordable I think i'm paying 950 for a 2 bedroom condo right now, I'm able to save a few hundred bucks a month (obv buying **** I don't need to buy all the time) with about 35k annually which is extreme poverty wages IMO.

I checked and with my 3-4 years experience plus my degree I should be averaging about 50-60K no problem which would probably be close to you making around 70K in your area.

What jobs have you had previously?

[dyel90]

Currently working for a company that I feel is underpaying me. Im currently working as a network administrator doing pretty much everything (multiple hats) in this company working over 50 hours a week this month and with more projects underway and getting 40k a year with a 3 percent raise that was requested from my boss which i dont think i will get anyways. I have a bachelors already, and looking to get my masters degree(why not) and some certs. I work in NH at the moment, but close to the boston area.

Whats certs do you have and what would you recommend doing in this situation?

[cgrimaldo]

In to help give advice/get advice. 9 years in IT for me. Undergrad in Cyber Security, want to start working on CISSP.

[Euphorikxxx]

Lol my friend is an I-banker for JP morgan in New York srs. He makes 70k a year with a 70k end of the year bonus, but he hates his job. he works MINIMUM 70 hrs a week. Let me know and I can send him your resume.



As I always say, if you want to get your foot in the door start low level because getting a junior or senior level job is not easy with no experience. Although with unix under your belt you have a better chance of getting more money than someone with nothing.



What jobs have you had previously?

Before I was in school I was personal training, after that I did Tier 3 Tech Support for T-Mobile, from their I was a Data Specialist for Google in Kirkland,WA then I moved down to CO and become a Systems Admin for this Law Firm. I've worked at the Law Firm for almost a year and a half, not a single raise given this day (fuk dis gay earth).

[mr2rbo]

Currently working for a company that I feel is underpaying me. Im currently working as a network administrator doing pretty much everything (multiple hats) in this company working over 50 hours a week this month and with more projects underway and getting 40k a year with a 3 percent raise that was requested from my boss which i dont think i will get anyways. I have a bachelors already, and looking to get my masters degree(why not) and some certs. I work in NH at the moment, but close to the boston area.

Whats certs do you have and what would you recommend doing in this situation?

How long have you worked with your company. My advice, start looking for a project managment job especially once you get your masters. You won't be as hands on and you will make triple what you are making now. I currently don't have certs even though my job required them. I work more on connections and interviewing talent rather than resume even though my resume is pretty decent. Your job sounds like it is ****ing you unless nh has a super low cost of living which I can't imagine it does. Ever considering getting some cisco certs like ccip or ccna? I imagine you won't need to study much for it and it should put you at 90k if you can get your ccna.

[PeZzYy]

Lol my friend is an I-banker for JP morgan in New York srs. He makes 70k a year with a 70k end of the year bonus, but he hates his job. he works MINIMUM 70 hrs a week. Let me know and I can send him your resume.

**** dude... yea please... I currently am in Uni.. but I have both series 7 license and 65 license... I bankers work **** load of hours... but the bonus is such hnnnnng

always wanted to go into stock broking but as i got older was really interested in the whole IB field

[mr2rbo]

Before I was in school I was personal training, after that I did Tier 3 Tech Support for T-Mobile, from their I was a Data Specialist for Google in Kirkland,WA then I moved down to CO and become a Systems Admin for this Law Firm. I've worked at the Law Firm for almost a year and a half, not a single raise given this day (fuk dis gay earth).

Wrong place to be for your field. Best place to work for IT besides IT dedicated jobs are healthcare jobs. Healthcare informatics are on the rise, aka if you can get a healthcare admin masters and get a job for any large number of hiring sites you can make bank. Law firms are very limited for their IT needs so they won't pay as much. I suggest looking for a new job at a better place, large businesses, large it firms, analyst companies are huge

[sword_]

70K in Maryland. Cost of living is pretty high there is it not brah?

[mr2rbo]

**** dude... yea please... I currently am in Uni.. but I have both series 7 license and 65 license... I bankers work **** load of hours... but the bonus is such hnnnnng

always wanted to go into stock broking but as i got older was really interested in the whole IB field

send me a message and ill give you my email so you can send me your resume. Also, if you are interested at all in living in europe, my cousin owns a lot of private equity firms so I can also send him your resume as well.

[mr2rbo]

70K in Maryland. Cost of living is pretty high there is it not brah?

yeah but of course it depends on what part. For example me and my brother last year were living in north bethesda and our rent for our apartment was 2500 total a month for a 2 bedroom. Now if you get a place in areas like silver spring or college park or gaithersburg, its substantially lower, really depends on what county and city you are in, but since its so close to DC cost of living here is generally pretty high.

[blazin-asian]

Currently working for a company that I feel is underpaying me. Im currently working as a network administrator doing pretty much everything (multiple hats) in this company working over 50 hours a week this month and with more projects underway and getting 40k a year with a 3 percent raise that was requested from my boss which i dont think i will get anyways. I have a bachelors already, and looking to get my masters degree(why not) and some certs. I work in NH at the moment, but close to the boston area.

Damn, you must work at a university or somewhere public sector, right? Dat feel of measly annual raises and no bonuses.

OP: I'm currently doing tier 2 support for our enterprise applications like our financial system (Peoplesoft) and reporting tool (I.B.M. Cognos). I feel like in addition to IT experience, I am learning a lot of useful business process information. I'm currently studying for HDI help desk certification which work is paying for, but I simply want more money. Anything you would recommend I get into besides ethical hacking?

PS. Did not know I.B.M. was censored.

[Euphorikxxx]

Wrong place to be for your field. Best place to work for IT besides IT dedicated jobs are healthcare jobs. Healthcare informatics are on the rise, aka if you can get a healthcare admin masters and get a job for any large number of hiring sites you can make bank. Law firms are very limited for their IT needs so they won't pay as much. I suggest looking for a new job at a better place, large businesses, large it firms, analyst companies are huge

Word healthcare is huge I am actually aware of this, if I still lived in my hometown back in WA my best buds mom is the VP of the hospital in the area. I talked with her a few months ago when I went up to her daughters wedding and she told me if I was still living there I'd be a Network Admin or Systems Admin for their company without hesitation, would easily be making 60k and the cost of living there is so retarded cheap makes me wanna move ;(

[dyel90]

How long have you worked with your company. My advice, start looking for a project managment job especially once you get your masters. You won't be as hands on and you will make triple what you are making now. I currently don't have certs even though my job required them. I work more on connections and interviewing talent rather than resume even though my resume is pretty decent. Your job sounds like it is ****ing you unless nh has a super low cost of living which I can't imagine it does. Ever considering getting some cisco certs like ccip or ccna? I imagine you won't need to study much for it and it should put you at 90k if you can get your ccna.

I see well I've been working here for a year and a half. I do feel they are screwing me pretty badly. I have my ccent(icnd1) already I just need to take the second half to get my ccna.

[averagejoeseph]

thread is very relevant to my my interests will pm you op.

[jehims1]

im thinking about getting a masters in IT after my RN degree, so I can work in 'nursing informatics'. If not, I might just get a MSN/MBA dual degree and work in healthcare administration. How is the salary in the IT field? I know I can make 70k+ as an RN easily here in NYC, but I don't know how much I'll be making in informatics. I know for healthcare administration, I'll need to take a paycut starting out as a manager (60-70k) and move my way up to ADON/DON/CNO (100k+).

[mr2rbo]

Damn, you must work at a university or somewhere public sector, right? Dat feel of measly annual raises and no bonuses.

OP: I'm currently doing tier 2 support for our enterprise applications like our financial system (Peoplesoft) and reporting tool (I.B.M. Cognos). I feel like in addition to IT experience, I am learning a lot of useful business process information. I'm currently studying for HDI help desk certification which work is paying for, but I simply want more money. Anything you would recommend I get into besides ethical hacking?

PS. Did not know I.B.M. was censored.

The fact that you have specialized knowledge (peoplesoft and cognos) can either be a huge positive or a huge negative, the question is do you want to continue in your field or move on to something else. If the answer is that you want to stay in your field, you are in luck. Having specialized knowledge pretty much guarantees you a job if you choose to look. A lot of places need people like you that have general IT knowledge but can also work with the software they use. Use that to your advantage, start looking into craigslist and if you can find IT recruiters. They do all the work for you to find you an amazing job, and with a resume like yours I can't see it being a problem at all. Two huge IT recruiting companies are Convergenz and Quadrant. Don't know if their stretch reaches to Michigan, but recruiters are a huge source that people rarely look into. They find the job for you and the job creates a 3 month (usually) contract where they pay you a little less so that the recruiting company gets some, but after 3 months you usually get hired full time to work with them. Look into it.

If you don't want to stay in your field, start looking for different financial firms that need IT help. Even if you won't work with the same software, you will understand a lot of what is going on, which saves them money, aka making you more appealing to them. Start there.

[mr2rbo]

I see well I've been working here for a year and a half. I do feel they are screwing me pretty badly. I have my ccent(icnd1) already I just need to take the second half to get my ccna.

Get your CCNA. Absolutely worth it, brb instant job, brb 90k, brb eventual CTO or CIO

im thinking about getting a masters in IT after my RN degree, so I can work in 'nursing informatics'. If not, I might just get a MSN/MBA dual degree and work in healthcare administration. How is the salary in the IT field? I know I can make 70k+ as an RN easily here in NYC, but I don't know how much I'll be making in informatics. I know for healthcare administration, I'll need to take a paycut starting out as a manager (60-70k) and move my way up to ADON/DON/CNO (100k+).

Great way to get into healthcare IT. IT field has some of the best starting and average salaries besides super specialized skills like ****ing underwater welding or w/e. 70k as an RN is great, but you are sacrificing hours when you can make the same + more with more chance of moving up with IT. Healthcare admin is a great way to get management position in healthcare, and healthcare besides government has some of the best job security. Especially since you have your RN, you don't need to worry about job security hahaha