Sleepy_Sentry

I'm a freshman in high school and am thinking about a good career. I'm very good computers and I think a career in IT would be fun and exciting. Below is my experience in the field:
1. Know HTML and can work with CMSs
2. Basic Visual Basic 2005 Skills (I'm learning it right now)
3. Can build and troubleshoot computers.
4. Planning on getting A+ certification soon.
5. Basic networking skills

I am also a good writer and have a 4.0 grade average.

Basically, I am having trouble deciding whether or not I want to work in the IT field. I really don't know anyone who is in the IT field who can give me career advice. Below are some qustions I have.

What are some good places to look for information and advice on IT careers?
What are pros and cons of the field?
Is the salary/work ratio good or bad?
What different fields in IT can I go into and which are best?
What would be good things to learn over the next four years?

Thanks!

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The Captain

Lets see, theres so many to choose from

Network Engineer
Network Security Analyst
Network Admininstrator
Linux Administrator
Help Desk Support (for small businesses, ie less than 100, they are also the IT department, and know their "SH!T," no just reading what a computer screen tells them to do)
Database Administrator
Website Desginer
Programmer
Oracol Report Designer
and on and on and on.....

basically, find out what you want to really do, then concentrate on that field, while looking at other to get some knowledge in them. That way, you highly skilled in one area, but are skilled in other areas too, so you can do other things too, ie, better chance of hire.

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Wafflesomd

Yah, I too am interested in the IT feild. But more into 3d modeling, Maya, CAD, and all that jazz.

Unfortunately, none of my family member agree with my career choice, so nothin left to do but prove them wrong!

Zaltan

Quote: Originally Posted by Sleepy_Sentry I'm a freshman in high school

Your only 15... Finish High School and then College/University before you think about a career. At least, thats my opinion.

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Sleepy_Sentry

Well, I think it would be a good idea to have a general idea of what I want to do for a career. That way I can plan what I need to study ahead of time and what college I want to go to.

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Jobistober

If you're really into networking, you can get a CIM major, which is Computer Information Management. My roommate took CIM before moving in and is now taking CIS. He is also teaching himself some Cisco Networking courses. I am also studying a CIS major, with a minor in Computer Graphics... so I'll get into Maya and CAD as well.

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Wafflesomd

Cool Jobistober, maybe we'll see each others work in the next big CGI film lol.

Im a junior in highschool, And I have no idea where to go for this stuff, my grades arnt that great, I'm a B, C student.

Nerdz

S_S, Why do you have 2 F@H icons? What makes you so special that you deserve 2? Lol.

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Jobistober

Quote: Originally Posted by Wafflesomd Cool Jobistober, maybe we'll see each others work in the next big CGI film lol. Im a junior in highschool, And I have no idea where to go for this stuff, my grades arnt that great, I'm a B, C student.

Where do ya live? I attend OPSU in Oklahoma, and it's relatively cheap and the computer department here is awesome... and it's pretty easy to get accepted!

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Dex

Quote: Originally Posted by Nerdz S_S, Why do you have 2 F@H icons? What makes you so special that you deserve 2? Lol.

I was just about to post the same thought... I feel so unappreciated now, what with my lonely one FAH award

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Wafflesomd

I live in Tipp City, OH (OK, I know your first reaction, "where the heck is that?" Look up tipp ctiy in the urban dictionary, "Phrases most commonly linked with 'tipp city': "where the heck is that?")

So I'll have to look around. Anyone got any Ideas?

Spectrum

Dude, you're a freshman, you don't need to know what you want to do. Even if you decide what you want to do right now, it will change a few times before you graduate high school. It'll then change a few times in college. I wanted to be a race car driver, porn star, counterfeiter, car thief, engineer, economist and bounty hunter at one time or another.

If you really want to get an idea of a career, shadow someone. I shadowed a doctor last summer and that's pretty much given me an idea of my major for my college education and a general education plan.

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Zer0s

Quote: Originally Posted by Sleepy_Sentry I'm a freshman in high school and am thinking about a good career. I'm very good computers and I think a career in IT would be fun and exciting. Below is my experience in the field: 1. Know HTML and can work with CMSs 2. Basic Visual Basic 2005 Skills (I'm learning it right now) 3. Can build and troubleshoot computers. 4. Planning on getting A+ certification soon. 5. Basic networking skills I am also a good writer and have a 4.0 grade average. Basically, I am having trouble deciding whether or not I want to work in the IT field. I really don't know anyone who is in the IT field who can give me career advice. Below are some qustions I have. What are some good places to look for information and advice on IT careers? What are pros and cons of the field? Is the salary/work ratio good or bad? What different fields in IT can I go into and which are best? What would be good things to learn over the next four years? Thanks!

Some of the things i would suggest getting. Get your A+, most companies require it to be hired. Although the test is getting outdated and irrelevant, its still shows needed experience. Other companies may not require the A+, rather a MCP ceritification, which is one of any of the Microsoft tests. However, dont stop at just an MCP, I would suggest getting the MCSA, which is four Microsoft tests. The bonus is that is you take two "elective" tests, ie two CompTIA (A+, Net+, Security+, etc.), or another nationally recognized test, that it will equal one Microsoft test. So if you take the 70-270, 70-271, A+, Net+, 70-290. That will give you your MCSA, and if you feel really ambitious, take the 70-291, 70-292, and 70-293. I'm stating those specific tests, because it will give you the most broad range, showing that you know WinXP, as well as Server2003, Domains, and ExchangeServer. That will give you your MCSE, which is the highest level of the Microsoft Tests you can go. Most companies will give you anything you want to hire you if you have your MSCE.

I just got my MSCA aswell and my company gave me a 20k a year raise, and made me a System Analyst. I just started 3 months ago as System Tech making 36k a year. The work to salary ratio is very good. In my area, i'm making well over the norm.

Keep in mind. Starting fresh in the field out of college you will be starting low. Yes you will be certified, but you still need the "in job" experience. The hours may suck at first, and you may be doing menial work, such as setting up new PCs or cleaning printers, but its determination that will get you ahead. It does not take long to excell in this field. If you work hard, and do the best at what you are given, you will climb up the perverbial ladder.

As far as which field you want to go into, its what ever your passion is. Some its running network lines, terminating them, setting up PCs. Others like the backend database stuff. While there are alot of different fields to go into, that is just something you will need to decide in the next four years. Do whats comfortable to you.

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Gzim

I am/was in the same situation, I'm a Junior now in high school, with an A+, Net+, and Win2k (working on server03). But after personally experiencing what it is to administrate a large network server, I gotta say, it sucks. Exspecially with all the paper certifications people have (call me it and i'll destroy you), the market is so flooded with people with such "qualifications" that the jobs don't pay too well any more or are even in that much demand. Same would go for programmers. Dotcom bubble burst and there are millions looking for scraps. I won't be one to give advice (then what was the above paragraph?) , but I'm planning to pursue a career in the general field of engineering...

(Just my thoughts on the subject, I am by no means an authority, nor do I (or should I) claim to be)

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Sleepy_Sentry

Quote: Originally Posted by Gzim I am/was in the same situation, I'm a Junior now in high school, with an A+, Net+, and Win2k (working on server03). But after personally experiencing what it is to administrate a large network server, I gotta say, it sucks. Exspecially with all the paper certifications people have (call me it and i'll destroy you), the market is so flooded with people with such "qualifications" that the jobs don't pay too well any more or are even in that much demand. Same would go for programmers. Dotcom bubble burst and there are millions looking for scraps. I won't be one to give advice (then what was the above paragraph?) , but I'm planning to pursue a career in the general field of engineering... (Just my thoughts on the subject, I am by no means an authority, nor do I (or should I) claim to be)

That's one thing I've been thinking about. It would suck to find myself in a position where the was a technology bubble burst and I couldn't get a job. And then I would be stuck with education and certs that would be useless in other fields.

Good thing I have time ahead of me to think about. I also think being a meteorologist would be cool. It requires computer skills, is fun (who wouldn't want to be on the Weather Channel in a hurricane lol?), and the courses you take to become one can be used in a variety of fields.

And I have no clue why I have two F@H icons. Maybe the F@H gods like me more than everyone else?

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Gzim

Quote: Originally Posted by Sleepy_Sentry And I have no clue why I have two F@H icons. Maybe the F@H gods like me more than everyone else?

Am I hallucinating or do they look just slightly different?

Edit: Yep, eyes suck. Image Properties confirm they are one in the same...

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PurpleDiamond

There is some good reading about jobs on money.com - they rated the top jobs in the US and 2 of the top 10 are in IT. IMHO if you want a good job in the IT world you need a college degree. A software engineer with .Net experience earns very well. If you are looking for something that doesn't require a college degree look for network security positions.

I am a business analyst and the market is pretty good. If you specialize in a certain kind of business (around here insurance is really big) you can find some jobs that pay some big money if you have 5 years of experience or more.

In the meantime just focus on getting good grades and on getting into a good college.

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Ator