How did you get started in IT?
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I pretty much fell into it. In high school, I was determined to become a Geneticist. I was focusing on biology, attending genetics conferences, etc. However, I don't have any computational math skills, which would impact various of aspects of that career path. I was in the middle of the school hall when it dawned on me that I'd need to pick a different career. Not moments later, the computer teacher came to find me in order for me to bring up a crashed server yet again.
I got my foot in the door working for my high school after I graduated by doing data entry in the library. Things didn't quite work out there, and during my first summer semester of college, 3 of my classmates in my hardware 101 course pointed out a job opening on the college job board to me, and I jumped right into IT from there at that manufacturing firm.
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I was always around computers as a Kid. My mom taught Computers and Keyboarding at a Vocational school, so from 6 or 7 I would run around helping the ladies (Mostly typists, learning how to use a computer) get their computers working in the lab. After High school I got a job selling Cell phones (Back before they had camera's or texting was a thing. It was then that I realized technology was something I always wanted to be around. After I figured out that sales wasn't something I wanted to do forever, i went to a Community college to get an associates degree. Got a temporary gig at a Poultry company in the IT, department, Moved from there to my first Technician job, and 12 years later, here I am.
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@Nara said:
I pretty much fell into it. In high school, I was determined to become a Geneticist.
Genetics is very interesting stuff!
I came from a biology background - I studied Marine science, conservation, and ecology in college. -
@scottalanmiller is the Borg, so I assimilated. Once upon a time I was a forensic chemist.
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@Dominica said:
@scottalanmiller is the Borg, so I assimilated. Once upon a time I was a forensic chemist.
I am excited to hear How did you get started in IT.
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I have an older cousin by about 8 years. He was into linux and building computers and such. I use to always go over to his house when I was 4-5 years old and be mesmerized at what I saw. I started tinkering myself with a computer my parents had. Took at the components out and replaced them. Started to install windows and and configure it. Been hooked ever since.
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It all started while I was working as an automotive technician. My wife and I bought a used Packard Bell (http://www.qvc.com/Packard-Bell-Multimedia-C110-120MHz-Pentium.product.E45731.html). We "upgraded" it to 32MB RAM, 8GB HD and 56k US Robitics modem. I tossed out the PB Windows media disk with BLOAT ware (only 250MB was left) for a bootleg W95b disk. Built my next PC with Cyrix processor and W98.
Became friends with an IT tech who used to call me Captain Clicky. He would hand out OSes and programs like they were candy. I was running W2k instead of W98 or WME and had Office with Viso! By the time I started my first IT job, I was already using XP which was the "new kid" on the block. That IT job was actually supposed to be a sales and pick up pc's for the tech. Slowly I became the tech who was in sales and also started selling website design for the company. That is how my wife started doing web design for a living. Been doing it ever since.
First there was Google, then there was Expert Exchange (till they wanted money), LinkedIn groups, SW and now ML!!
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Started working at the age of 19. I wanted to get a job very soon, and upon checking found that if you do a basic hardware and networking course, you might get a job soon! Finished that and joined my first job as hardware engineer- to install and setup home computers, installing Windows XP and ME (Yeah, some wanted to use that!) Was there for about 8 months and then moved to a different city in India, working as junior system admin. Mostly worked as a one man IT so it had its own perks and pitfalls!
Mostly relied on google search, got later into server administration, then into MAC and Linux administration as well. Still lot to learn but I like what I chose as my career path.
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I was first introduced to electronics - my father being a manager for a huge oscilloscope manufacturer he showed me how "Everything was put together".
As for IT, I didn't get into the Criminal Justice program, so I opted for the next best thing - Networking & Programming. Seeing the change in majors, my parents surprised me on my 13th birthday...I was given a computer...in parts! From then on my family never bought an OEM computer again. I got a job when I was 16 as a cable technician, my boss would come pick me up from school and I would then run cable like there was no tomorrow. Whilst running cables I made a lot of contacts for IT work (Since my boss was a "Phones only" guy). Worked as a sub-contractor for two government entities and my cable tech job until I graduated HS, became full time on one of the government positions, and picked up a second job refurbishing computers (About 200 a day!). Second job moved to a far location & now I'm still at my government position working for 3 different municipality buildings and running my own IT business.
And the search for growth continues!
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Criminal justice was a program that you had to pick at age thirteen?
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@scottalanmiller said:
Criminal justice was a program that you had to pick at age thirteen?
Wow, I had no idea what I wanted to do thirteen.
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@scottalanmiller said:
Criminal justice was a program that you had to pick at age thirteen?
Well I didn't have to pick it, that's just the major that I had applied for (Vocational school) if you don't qualify for one program they ask that you list a secondary program. If both were full (And/or preceding applicants have better grades) you didn't get into the school. Needless to say it Networking/Program was a pilot program for them, so my Freshman year included 1 semester of each: Electronics Repair, Networking Basics, Programming Basics, and Digital Media. Apparently now it's MUCH harder to get in to the same school since there is such a high demand for a "Pre-Engineering" styled vocational high school.
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@lance said:
@scottalanmiller said:
Criminal justice was a program that you had to pick at age thirteen?
Wow, I had no idea what I wanted to do thirteen.
Me either, the criminal justice program seemed interesting so that was my first choice...funny thing is now I'm in IT...and running a PD's network.
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I signed up for the wrong class. The program was called "Wireless Technology" I thought it had to do with cell phone towers not 802.11a and b..... and here I am
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I played a ton of PC Games since I was a kid and I learned to install and troubleshoot things such as mods for half-life and build website for clans. Then I went to college for "Computers" because if I didn't like what I learned at least it would be valuable and relate for years to come.
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@IRJ said:
I signed up for the wrong class. The program was called "Wireless Technology" I thought it had to do with cell phone towers not 802.11a and b..... and here I am
Lol. What career were you envisioning?
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@scottalanmiller said:
@IRJ said:
I signed up for the wrong class. The program was called "Wireless Technology" I thought it had to do with cell phone towers not 802.11a and b..... and here I am
Lol. What career were you envisioning?
I was in highschool and had an opportunity to pick a vocational course. I was heavily leaning towards the automotive industry before getting in to IT. The only reason I didnt take the automotive course was the fact that I could not get certified until I was 18.
I am glad I went towards IT, though.
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Much better career options here.
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@scottalanmiller said:
Much better career options here.
Very true. Mechanics have great troubleshooting skills. To this day, I credit alot my troubleshooting abilities to all those days of a turning a wrench. Its very costly to diagnose the wrong part on most vehicles.
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Good crossover there. Too many IT people lack those same skills.
