CC

Hello!

At the moment, I'm in an IT support role and need some advice on how to progress.

I graduated last year with a 2:2 Comp Studies and went straight into a general IT support role. I do a bit of everything - hardware, software support, a little programming, database admin etc.

At first it was interesting but now it's getting boring....plus the money is far from what I'd expected after all those years of study and student loans.

I enjoy programming although I'm no expert; I don't mind working with databases; I'm just starting to mess about with Linux in my spare time.

Can anyone give me some general advice on what to learn/study (i.e. MSCE, Oracle, etc?), whats in/whats not in demand in the IT sector at the moment?

Any comments would be much appreciated .

David_Wallis

MCSE isnt worth the paper its written on.. Id choose someone with experience anyday... I started towards my mcse.. and gave up... I work with a few mcse's and without being big headed I am better than most...

Just becuase thats the microsoft way of doing something it doesnt mean it's the right way...

I had to explain the differences between global and local groups the other day

Do something you want to do, not what you think you should do.... if you like databases then learn oracle and unix.. (no one in their right mind would run oracle on nt / 2k )

David

Molds

MCSE is very popular now. People can exam cram and pass, look good on paper, but have no server room time under their belt. The consultancy boom a couple of years back caused MCSE to become very diluted. That said big Co.s still like the paper work.

Depends how much you like the PC stuff. You'll have to be good to hit the big bucks but for job ops being Microsoft compliant you will have lots of choice. We all know Bill will rule the world in the end, by hook or by crook :-)

I program, build databases, run the network - busy boy. I love PCs, Bill drives me nuts but hey I gota job! If you don't get naffed off with support then push your way to 3rd line at a big co and you could get yourself into a £30-40K position. Programming for PC gets more accessible every year so you'll hit a mark with that and get stuck with renumeration. Similar with database admin on PC.

On the networking side the biggest industry growth requirement is in security specialists.

On the fun side of things it is web developers. You can have a lot of fun with your own web server, hosting a site using all the client side media technologies, and on the server side running SQL etc with ASP driven pages.

You need to think of the most appealing path to follow. IT has soooo many avenues. Being a jack of all trades (IT) I have found it advantages but also restrictive. OK you know you to do most stuff from basic to pro but then you have no core skill either.

List your fav stuff then pursue some experience, dont worry too hard about the paper work. I got CSE grade 3 for computing and after 10 years I am in 40% tax bracket.

could ramble all night, will stop now :-)

Good luck

Remember, don't divide by zero ;-)

Cheers

Matt