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Topic: Computer folks: Please help me out (Read 427 times) |
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eyes_afire
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Computer folks: Please help me out
« on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 12:43pm » |
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I'm furious about my recent job.... ahem... 'pay raise' it's pathetic and now I know it's time to 'move on'. Time to change. And I want to get into a computer related field. My 'career interest surveys' tell me that's where I should go.
Here's where I need your help. I'm considering Database Administration or System Analyst. What kind of course studies / degree should I be looking for? I realize the field changes rapidly, which is making my decision of what I should do to start out even harder along with the fact that I'm going to have to maintain my current job. Any suggestions?
thanks in advance
--- Steve
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fubar
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #1 on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 12:50pm » |
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One word Steve.... security. Get into *anything* security-related. Learn firewalls, get a certification. Everybody needs security people, and they tend to make a little better money than plain old IT folk. (no offense to plain old IT folk intended)
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"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." -- Friedrich Nietzsche
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Root
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #2 on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 1:28pm » |
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Security or Data Base Administration. The salaries are good and the opportunities to abuse the users are generally better.
Although being a Sys. Admin. isn't all bad 
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In the land of the dark the Ship of the Sun is driven by the Grateful Dead. -- Egyptian Book of the Dead
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Opus
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #3 on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 1:33pm » |
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I was planning on getting into the IT field but it looks like I will never get to school. Make sure what ever you do you learn about all the major systems. Don't get locked into one companies product. Security probably is in high demand right now with all the servers that are getting cracked. I dug into my firewall today and boy do I have a lot to learn. I hope you find a nice inside job with AC. That's what I really need.
Opus/Paul
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RevDeFord
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #4 on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 1:36pm » |
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I would take courses in
Windows 2003
Oracle
SQL Programming
Network Security - emphasis in Cisco products - CCNP
I have taken all but the data base stuff, and that just happens to be what is needed in my town. Thus I am still looking for a job since I left my last one. I have been able to install networks though on my own......some are encouraging me to start my own business.
With the above certifications, you can write your own ticket. With my CCNP certification, I could make $120,000 a year + if I wanted to drive for hours a day. I live in the booneys in a town of less than 25,000.
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I don' know why it hurts, but I pray it will stop.
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jonny
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #5 on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 1:43pm » |
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Charge chicks to ride you.....Just tell them that its so good it will set your eyes a fire......$35 one way 
Sorry bro....I know not of this puter stuff
Good luck, Dude
.....................................................jonny
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alleyoop
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #6 on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 2:56pm » |
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on Jul 3rd, 2004, 1:43pm, jonny wrote:| Charge chicks to ride you.....Just tell them that its so good it will set your eyes a fire......$35 one way |
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Jonny, you are a diamond in the rough! LMAO!!! 
Diamond in the rough- isn't that a piece of Coal? LOL!
On a serious note Eyes, last year I made the decision to do exactly what you're talking about doing. I was going to take my courses through AIU Online(fully accredited). I got a little grant $, got my loans OKed & was ready to go. When I figured out how much more income I could realize in the short amount of time I have left to work(I'm 55 now) vs. the amount I'd have to borrow, I backed down. Still not sure I did the right thing. I would definitely go along with Fubar though. I talked to a couple of friends(heavy hitters in the industry) and they both told me the same thing- SECURITY. Look at it this way, M$ will actually teach you how to hack a puter!
I wish you the best of luck man and if there's anything else that I can help you with, let me know. You're welcome to email me if you want.
Alley 
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jonny
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #7 on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 3:07pm » |
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on Jul 3rd, 2004, 2:56pm, alleyoop49 wrote:| Diamond in the rough- isn't that a piece of Coal? LOL! |
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Coal has feelings too
................................jonny
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alleyoop
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #8 on: Jul 3rd, 2004, 3:51pm » |
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on Jul 3rd, 2004, 3:07pm, jonny wrote:
Coal has feelings too
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AAAAAAAAWWWW...........Now I feel bad! I shouldn't have said that!  I hurt your feelings! NOT! 
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I know that the Good Lord won't put any more on you than you can stand, but sometimes I wish He weren't quite so PROUD of ME!
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eyes_afire
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #9 on: Jul 4th, 2004, 11:17am » |
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Thanks to everyone for the good advice and well wishes. My biggest problem is trying to figure out how to get 'from here to there'... I guess I just don't understand what I need to do to get started.
--- Steve
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Lobster
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #10 on: Jul 4th, 2004, 1:22pm » |
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First you get to figure out what you want to do:
code?
admin? (system, database, web)
project management?
business analyst?
system analyst?
If it is hands-on work (DBA, coder, sysadmin) you will need to pick your platforms fairly early in your training:
coder? (java, c++, COBOL, some suite (ie SAP))
DBA? (DB2, Oracle, SQLServer...)
Sysadmin/System Programmer? (Linux, AIX, Solaris, HPUX, z/OS...)
Web Admin (WebSphere...)
Thoughts:
'be a microsoft guru' commercials - ignore... completely.
experience - more important than any degree or certification.
coder - you are competing with half the population of India, plus kids who have been coding since they were 12. Today, I would only use such skill as an adjunct to another primary skill (ie SysAdmin, DBA, WebAdmin).
DBA - always work for DBAs. with a home PC you can learn any of the 3 major databases (DB2, Oracle, SQLServer). Note that to be a decent DBA you must at least know how to code apps to some degree (my opinion... I turn people away who claim to be DBA's that do not know how to do development)
Sysadmin - fun job. also typically in demand due to server sprawl. also something you can learn at home to a degree (ie Linux). Assumes you have -some- coding skills, since part of your job will typically involve scripting (Perl, JavaScript)... and if you are a better sysadmin you may be the developer's go-to guy (assumes you know everything they know + some).
project management - really easy to get certified in. in demand. perhaps a good way to get your foot in the door... get basic certs, then become an assistant/entry level PM.
systems analyst - assumes you have certain other skills... that you have climbed up the ladder. ie development (coding), understanding of a piece of the customers IT business or suite of apps that the customer is using, understanding of database design, etc. typically difficult to leave school and land any meaningful SA job (although lots of jobs have the SA title that are really just design/development (coding).
business analyst - nice job. implies that you are an expert on an element of the industry (ie 'inventory control' if you work for a retail group, or 'provider relations' if you work for a health insurer). the more you know, the more valuable you are, the more coin you make. also holds true for a given application suite (ie SAP, Oracle Financials...)
Security Guru... typically assumes that you are really well rounded on you platform of choice (sysadmin, dba, webadmin). Now being a Security Admin is far easier, and perhaps way less rewarding (ie Reset Bobo's password please).
So Steve... are you a techie wannabe or a people person?
Are you the kinda person that can self-teach yourself shitloads of stuff? (everyone says 'yes', 85% of them are liars but do not know it yet)
Download DB2 and some Java development tool (ie VisualAge), and perhaps WAS. Hook them up and code something... see if you are ready to kill someone after a week. If not, you may want to go techie. Otherwise PM or BA might be the ticket.
Good luck...
Lobstah
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jonny
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #11 on: Jul 5th, 2004, 10:59am » |
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Good post, Wrock
Cant say I understand it but I bet "Eyes" can
....................................jonny
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Root
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #12 on: Jul 5th, 2004, 1:11pm » |
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Exellent info.
Might as well stick my oar in the water for N*x Sys. Admin.
Start with Unix Sys V it is the base of Unix operating systems.
Linux is the up and coming system in the Enterprise today. Although I prefer BSD.
The most populer is Red Hat. They have plenty of online documentation. You can download Fedora Core 2 from http://fedora.redhat.com It uses the new Linux 2.6 kernel and is as good a place to start as any.
You will need Pascal, C++, J++. Perl, Python, PHP and Javascript for languages. You should also be able to pass a Cisco CCNA, CCNP certification.
Invest in the best Cattle Prod you can find. It is an invaluable tool.
With all that in hand you can have a lucrative career spreading fear, panic and chaos. Luser abuse is just icing on the cake.
Be carefull out there. Remember we're pulling for ya.
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jhammer
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #13 on: Jul 6th, 2004, 11:01am » |
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It appears as though all the good programming jobs are heading overseas where people do that kind of stuff for $5.00/hr. If I were you I'd stay away from specializing in any one area specifically (although security would be a good bet if you do). I just graduated with a BS in Comp. Sci. but the job market in PGH is hurtin' to say the least. I'm starting a new DBA position in a couple weeks, but keep in mind that on the 'Admin' side of things there aren't very many opportunities within one company for people like that (unless you work for GE or a huge company like that). 'Business' or 'Systems Analyst' types are what is in demand as well as 'Project Manager' positions.
For the next couple weeks I'll still be employed by a College Admissions Office, if you need any help getting started PM me, I can give you some pointers.
Incidently our slogan is 'You can get there from here'.
~Jake
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floridian
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #14 on: Jul 6th, 2004, 11:40am » |
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I read a good essay about a year ago - written by someone who was basically a computer 'plumber' - made housecalls, set up networks, removed virii, installed/debugged software, provided simple training, customized office software. Not a position everyone would want, but not likely to be outsourced to third world countries. Depending on the market, these digiticians charge $30 - $120 per hour. Skills? A+ certificiation or similar might be valuable.
I couldn't find the original article, here is a more recent one
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2004/03/01/plumber_el ectrician_digitician/
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Racer1_NC
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #15 on: Jul 6th, 2004, 12:03pm » |
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Floridian may have hit on something for you. IF I wanted to, I could make a good second income doing just what he discribed. On average I could fix 2-3 PCs a week just for the people I work with and I am just a very experienced home user with no formal training.
Most home users know how to turn a PC on....nothing more. When it doesn't work like it should, they have no idea what to do. Most of the time it's simple stuff. The last I brought home and worked on was a Win98 machine that had never had a single update and was full of spyware. The complaint? "It's so slow we can't even use it anymore." All I did was update it, installed and ran Ad-aware, stopped some programs from loading on start up, and defragged it. It did need more memory, but they didn't want to spend the $$. The guy tried his best to pay me, but I refused as he was a friend from work.
You wouldn't believe the people that will pay just to have problems like this taken care of....
Bill
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Root
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #16 on: Jul 6th, 2004, 12:06pm » |
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Your lucky day.
There is a CCNA course book available for free download. It is in M$ Word and is only 5.1 Mb.
It might be a slow download as everybody and his dog is downloading it right now
Heres the link. http://www.spcollege.edu/star/cisco/Matt/list_of_current_papers_and_brie f.htm
Have lottsa fun
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jhammer
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #17 on: Jul 6th, 2004, 12:11pm » |
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You're not kidding...I once got paid $200 just to sync a PDA up to a PC and get the contacts and stuff to flow back and fourth. I tried to refuse the money, but I only do that once...after that it's all mine.
Just watch on the certs too, 5 years ago if you had your MCSE you could write your own ticket...now your 'a dime a dozen'. Also a two year degree would cut it. Now employers are looking for at least a bachelors degree and 3-5 years experience.
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eyes_afire
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #18 on: Jul 6th, 2004, 7:13pm » |
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Thanks a bunch, folks. All this info helps point me in the right direction. I'm not necessarily searching for a pot of gold.... just trying to avoid impending financial troubles. I have got to make myself more marketable in some fashion. Right now, my job is so specific that I'm almost totally unmarketable... plus I'm in a bad field.
I actually have a meeting with the group leader in our computer applications department (based on Oracle). My goals are:
1. to learn.
2. to convince them to groom me for a position.
The plan may work, as I have worked with him on projects in the past and have my current boss' blessing after today's meeting. Of course, this will not help the short-term financials but it will start me on the way to becoming more marketable. The process may be a gradual transition. My employer doesn't want to lose me... but they don't want to pay me enough either.
ahh.... patience.....
--- Steve
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jonny
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Re: Computer folks: Please help me out
« Reply #19 on: Jul 6th, 2004, 7:22pm » |
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The best of luck to you, Steve!!!
.....................................jonny
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