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Hi I am currently studying for my A+ certification and I am curious about the paths that I can take afterwards. I’m ultimately unsure if there is a path that is good for everyone but I guess I’m kind of looking to see where other people went with their IT career. I currently am looking to get my associates in cyber security after I graduate high school. The local community college offers a couple of decent comptia certs within that course which I think would be solid. (I know I could just google old forums and what not to get this answer but where is the fun in that??)

148 Spice ups
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My first IT job ever was for a local computer shop assembling and “repairing” computers (the latter usually just meant reinstall the OS). That lead to a part time job working for an ISP helpdesk while going through University studying programming. I decided I wasn’t going to enjoy programming as a job 8 hours a day so after graduating I never ended up working in that particular field and went into network engineering instead. 20 years later that’s still my primary role, though programming is becoming fun again.

There are so many ways to take your career. Your personal interests and hobbies may influence those decisions.

20 Spice ups
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The least popular answer, help desk. A large company will work you to death and you’ll be bored out of your mind. They will give you access to nothing and most likely make your life miserable. Do your time, try to learn something they specialize in, and build it up on your resume. After a couple years, start applying for mid level positions at a MSP. They will give you more access than you probably should have and you’ll learn a lot. It will be fun but you’ll understand the importance of change control and most likely grow frustrated with the lack of oversite.

Congratulations, you’ve leveled up. You are ready for a mid-sized company with a small team. They will offer the access you want with the ability to tell the user “No, that’s just bad practice and against policy. You can’t have what you want. Take it up with your supervisor.” You’ve just about gone full circle and may even be working at the same company you started at, but you’ve now learned the most important aspect of the job, what you learned may help a little bit your probably gonna have to figure it out using the same methods you’ve been using to figure everything else out, just freaking Google it.

68 Spice ups
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Your direction in IT will depend a lot on who you are. Some of us in IT lack human interactive skills this is not bad is it just who we are. So if you know you fit into that area you want move towards IT work that keeps you working with software and hardware and not with the folks that use it. If you are someone that likes interacting with people then move towards IT work were you can interact with people. I am very social and like working between the users and network, systems, etc engineers as a “translator” if you will. I tried programing years ago and i am not personally type that is required for that type of work.

My path into IT was somewhat odd but i have run into others on Spiceworks with close to the same path. I started my professional working life as a Petroleum Geologist, that started using computers in the mid 80s i saw them as a great tool and learned what I could do with them. I started supporting other folks i worked with because the IT folks from that time period disliked users and were slow to solve problem that users needed solved. One day i had a chance to change to IT and ~20 year later i am still here.

Oh my take on help desk work, it is a great training ground on how to learn to deal with users and solve problems. My first paid job in IT was on a help desk and first i thought i was going to go nuts but then i found it rewarding because at the end of every day i could see what i had done and know that i had made people happy. I have even thought that once i retire (if i ever do) I will work part time on a help desk for “beer money”

Edit: Also when working on the help desk i did not get calls after i left work :slight_smile:

25 Spice ups
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It started when I was 10, so nearly 30 years ago, when someone gave me a computer and I took it completely apart to upgrade it to a 286 with parts I was given by a teacher at school. From there it became an obsession that helped me weed out and attend a lot of Microsoft events, where they gave me free copies of their enterprise software (NT 4 Server, Windows 2000 etc) which lead me to start building out networks in my house and play with them. Hell at 18 I knew more about active directory then people I met who where 2 and 3 times my age because I was running an NT 4.0 domain at home on some cobbled together PCs from parts I got from the trash all over the place. From there I landed some odd jobs doing computer support in peoples homes, to a Best Buy black shirt, to building and support a small OEM in town, to running my own IT/OEM computer company, to an A/V and IT designer and project manager, then to a help desk tech and then finally to a full on IT/System engineer now.

My advice to you would be to continue on the track you are on, but get hold of some cheap used servers and just play with the things, set them up, tear them down, break their configs, if for no other reason than to find out which aspects of the field you really are drawn too. Trust me when I say that you will never have as much time to this than you do right now.

28 Spice ups
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I fell into computing by accident back in the early 80s. I was working at the local (ish) KFC, and my mum came in with an advert for a job in local government. She was so excited.

“Job for life, dear!” She said. “You have to apply!”

So I did, got the job and became an Assistant Scientific Officer. Mum was over the moon!

I arrived at the job on my first day and was told to sit with the ladies in reception, who were very lovely, and pointed me in the right direction for the security things I had to do. I also spent the next 3 days in there with them… Doing nothing except waiting to be told what I should be doing.

So when someone approached me and said, “You interested in computing?” I leapt at them and said YES! They found me an office (not far from my reception lady friends), an Apple IIc, and a BASIC programming guide, and left me alone.

Super fun times. I learned as much as I could about BASIC, and haven’t looked back. I was a pretty sound coder, moved on to Pascal at a mortgage firm (to the wails and breast-beating from mum!) to become one of their best coders, flunked uni and never looked back.

I moved into support, which I love (although PowerShell satisfies some of my desire to knock out a bit of code now and then), and I’m heading towards infrastructure. I’m not the very best tech, but I’m the best at customer facing!

Last year, just after my 55th birthday, I passed my first ever certification - CompTIA Network+, followed this year by their Security+.

And today I’m doing watchguard training. I’d better get up…

Get those CompTIA certs - they’re nicely broad and give a good understanding of the subject. They’ve been way more helpful than I expected!

25 Spice ups
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It helped that I had a buddy already in an IT department. When an opening came up he told me. I was already studying IT stuff at that time. It was enough to get my foot in the door, definitely helped my buddy worked there. After that I just proved myself and kept learning.

5 Spice ups
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I started working for a computer repair shop owner. I worked as an ‘apprentice’ for him for roughly two years before deciding that he, nor the shop, were ever going to be in a position to hire me full time. Shortly after that stint, I decided to upgrade my role as weekend warrior (US Army Reserve) to GI Joe (Active Duty Army), did a tour of duty overseas in Germany, deployed to Bosnia in Operation Joint Endeavor, and returned home a few years later.

During my TOD (tour of duty), I went from performing my job as an 88M (Motor Transport Operator… aka, truck-driver) to working in an admin office managing a proprietary database system, training up on the repair and maintenance of PCS, INFOSEC and more. That, couple with my prior civilian experience, paved the way for me to exit the Army and pursue my new-found love of IT.

Returning stateside in the late 90’s, I landed my first IT job with a consulting firm and was farmed out to a large medical equipment manufacturing company. My role was mostly tech support (aka, helpdesk) and I learned a TON very quickly. After that gig was completed, I didn’t have enough experience to move up the ladder yet, so I engaged in a side-quest as an EDI analyst. Again, I learned a TON very quickly but just as rapidly found that I did not want to languish in that field, it just wasn’t for me. Next stop? Junior Network Admin.

Maybe a year or so after my stint as a young admin-to-me, I found myself in conflict with my boss, the IT director, who seemed firmly entrenched in his position. I resigned from my post and struck off to work for a large tech equipment (think NewEgg) distributor with a tantalizing sign-on bonus. Fast forward 6 months and I get a phone call from the president of my former workplace. The IT directory resigned and the company wanted me back, sizable bonus and 30 days of pay until I resigned from my then present position. So, off I went.

LARGE fast-forward… presently working for a large health-care organization, engaged in tier IV support. I’m narrowing my field of vision down to Cyber Security and Network Engineering to finish out my career. No heavy interest in the top-tier positions of CTO or CIO, so I’m happy with this. It’s been a WILD, entertaining, eventful ride. And largely done with few certifications, but a boat-load of real-life experience.

Advice? Listen to the guys with experience. Engage in a blend of hands-on with obtaining certs. Don’t neglect your soft-skills, they will serve you well. Always remember to network and never burn bridges if you can avoid it. Sounds pretty rudimentary, right? You’d be surprised. Fare thee well, fellow SpiceHead!

15 Spice ups
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I feel like I should get royalties for this story.

9 Spice ups
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There is a lot of good info in this thread and great stories of peoples path in their lives.

5 Spice ups
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I started off as a dial-up support WAY back in the day.

Did some sales for servers & networking. Did server builds. I worked retail for a while, did cable and high speed internet installations…

Made a decision a long time ago to be a generalist in IT. I have done support (well, you always do support) T1-T3, systems engineering, networking, systems admin, linux, mac, window$, VMware, nutanix, hyper-v, JIRA, On-prem exchange, O365, cybersecurity, SOphos, Cisco, Fortigate, et al… I made this decision because I, personally, like to be a jack-of-all-trades and many departments need that IT person. My further goal was to be an IT Leader. I have, thankfully, made it to that goal with an international medical non-profit.

I’ve been in IT for over 20 years. I have a coupla certs, but I don’t typically bring them up. My experience speaks louder than a piece of paper. I never went to college, either. However, full disclosure, that has prevented a few job offers. Keep that in mind.

My advice? Listen to the guys that have been doing it for a while. Dabble in random things, get your feet wet. But always have an idea of what you want to be when you grow up. (I didn’t make that decision until I was in my late 20s.) Empathy will take you a long way. Customer service is an integral part of what we do.

13 Spice ups
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I took jobs that moved me in the direction I wanted to go, but weren’t necessarily IT jobs, but there weren’t a lot of them at the time anyway.
Anything that I could use to get my foot in the door for the next job. I had quite a few jobs and some were nightmares, but it helped me refine where I was heading.

Now, it’s a lot easier to go right into the field, but I’d still say the strategy would apply. Focus on where you want to go and start working in that direction. Don’t be afraid to take jobs that pay less than optimal, if you can afford it, and work for the experience. You could even start by offering your services to non-profits / community organizations that need, but can’t always afford, IT services.

4 Spice ups
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Same as many, doing basic tech support. Took on as many projects as I could to boost my skill set and made the most of my opportunities. Doing network and systems engineering today, probably going to migrate into security engineering.

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14 Spice ups
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Hey OP! In case it’s useful, we have a great resource for “Breaking into Cybersecurity”: How to Break into Cybersecurity | ISC2 https://www.isc2.org/-/media/ISC2/Resource-Thumbnails/Resource-Center/eBooks/Breaking-into-Cybersecurity-eBook-FINAL.ashx?la=en&hash=30CEE2EA14E8C20CD7CB3C9C4CCCF734AF95A909

Should you ever need more help in how to go about a career in cybersecurity, let me know! I can link you up with my team for additional info.

5 Spice ups
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My life in IT started with me working in the grocery business and me thinking that I was going to be a Store Manager and ended with me in the Mail room. Long story for another time. From the mail room I went into procurement, accounting, real estate (NOPE), Vending, Graphics back to purchasing. The one common denominator that was always there has to be a better way, a more efficient way than the way we are doing it. “It is 1990 something and we can do this better” (My mantra which is still with me. I just update the year) Something in IT will work. So the path turned toward IT. Then, for me it took another 15 years as a “super user” to figure out how and where to jump into IT. Now I cannot imagine doing anything else. For me it is like I am getting up and going to do a hobby I love and get paid for it.

The many twisted paths we have all taken to get to IT “enlightenment”. The one thing that you can take from all of our stories is we all found something that we loved and grabbed onto it with both hands. From building systems at 10 to a Geologist to the boy from the Mail room. (Another long and painful story) It is what you find fun and fascinating. The best sage advice is from @owenmpk know if you like working with people or not. After that the field is literally wide open. Have fun and never stop learning. Do not be afraid to fail. You will and it is ok.

8 Spice ups
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I got my A+ last year, and my Net+ this year. I first started working with computers when I worked for my dad. Started on the computer systems in tractors and combines, then that developed into me working on their computers in the office and at home. Eventually I moved away and got a job at a helpdesk for about a year. Then I lucked out and got a system support role at a small-medium local company, which is where I’m at now. I got my A+ almost as soon as I started here. When I’ve asked my supervisor why they chose me over the other more qualified candidates, I was told it was because I was honest and better dressed. I was not at all afraid to tell them that I would often use google to research problems, and that I’ve had to tell my clients ‘No’ before. And dress for the role you want.

TLDR; helpdesk for as long as I could bear it (1 year), started looking for jobs I was underqualified for and got a chance. A+ Net+ along the way. Dress nice for interviews (jeans, button up, tie.)

9 Spice ups
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Well, right after I was born, I fixed the monitoring unit that was attached to my mom, played a drum beat on my bassinet to help her sleep, and signed my name on my hospital bassinet with the nearest available medium. Ok, I missed the letter H but how was I to know it was silent—I was just a baby.

It was all technology, music and artistry for me after that.

Then there was a long lull where I just did cute baby stuff.

Later, during my more formative years, my mom gave back to me in many ways growing up. She was an avid reader and part of a book club membership so I got to read Frank Herber’s “Dune” series and a lot of other books probably not intended for kids my age. Throw that in with making rockets from matches, throwing flairs into cloudy ponds and pretending Godzilla would soon be here, climbing vines on trees like Tarzan, rolling down hills in a 50 gal drum. This all explains a lot of why I am who I am, now that I reflect on it.

Anyway, we did have our fantastic Atari 2600, but the tables turned when she bought us a Timex Sinclair 2068 (The version with the raised keyboard keys) so we could play and write programs. Also had a speedy tape drive for saving and loading—we were extreme hi tech and nothing could stop us (me and my brother). :slight_smile:

Timex_sinclair_2068_(2).jpg
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By Gregory F. Maxwell gmaxwell@gmail.com PGP:0xB0413BFA - By uploader, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=889535

Then, in high school, a small geeky gang of us would program on the TRS 80’s Model III. With its great graphical resolution of 128x48—we rocked some great games there. Then, when the Model IV came out—it had (I think) sixteen different sounds (a single scale of beep like tones) and WHOA! we were off and running adding sound and making music.

Yeah, there’s more but I’m guessing that’s my start.

9 Spice ups
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I got my start after initially being enrolled in Aeronautical Engineering and got talked into moving over to the IT program at my local college … I had taken some programming and computer classes back then and the teacher was like ‘how about you try some more computer classes’ and it went from there. If you want to get more in depth options and an easier transition into the job market post graduation, as you are in college, see if there’s anywhere that does internships too. Almost every business now has someone or an MSP for IT. I basically became a ‘student aide’ in my college for the IT dept once I switched to that program, so I also got 2yrs of experience prior to graduation and then was able to walk into a full time IT position a week after graduating. Prep ahead, if your courses offer certifications, take them, take them all, the more the better, and experience in the form of even a student aide or intern position with spare hours here and there during college means you have experience prior to graduation. Easier to get the better job once you graduate. There’s also companies like TekSystems who can do placements for small projects etc too, so maybe weekend jobs for helping migration or installations etc. I tagged Dylan on this, as even if he isn’t your local rep, he may be able to get you referred to a local branch where you are.

@dylancarroza @mac1029

5 Spice ups
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Come now Robert you weren’t around with Ben. I recall seeing you before then. LOL =)

@rhummel

8 Spice ups
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Love your story—I loved programming but didn’t feel like it would be my career. Like you, anything I can find, scripting, Powershell, cmd line batch files, etc. helps satisfy my need for that nagging programming bug.

@sianday3

6 Spice ups