To be honest, I dont know what all is involved in being a Systems Admin...

Yes I would like to assemble consumers computers, do computer repairs, and develop new chips and such... thats what i want to do right there.. I would absolutely love doing those things..

Thanks for the replies!! Keep em coming!

 

Sounds like you really want to be a Computer Engineer. I'd say apply to a good 4-year college or university, if you don't like it (or cannot make it), you can always fall back on your PTi option. Don't sell yourself short before you even get started.

As others have said, the job market in the Bay Area is not what it used to be. But the good ones are always employed. Hot areas will be security, networking, and data storage (at least from where I am now).

Good luck.

 

...or have the right connections. Right off the top of my head, I can think of two or three people who aren't particularly bright (and that's being diplomatic) who are employed.

 

Well.. Remembering back to when the "financial advisor" told me about the IT program, He had said that it covers a broad amount of information. I also talked to a student who said that they are always working with software AND hardware in class... That hes constantly learning about them both and being trained to do things in both situations.. Thats why I went with it and I still think their program is going to be good for me, i just hope im right...

So what do you think the chances are of me getting a 200k+ job in CA??
^^ that question is based off of after like 5 years of working in P burgh..

Based on stats, all the people that graduated from that program and were "job placed" made no lower than 40k and up to 65k a student was offered fresh out of the 2 year program at PTi in PITTSBURGH!! It sounded pretty good to me!!

 

I'm in a similiar boat as you. I have worked tech support for the past few years with a family company, and I now have my own private consulting company for local technology issues (mostly simple computer work).

This is tiding me over for now, but I am anxious to get threw school so that I have something to fall back on if these ventures don't grow to something I can do for a career.

I have my A.A. in busines management, but I'm quickly learning business is not really what I want to specialize in. I.T. has always been my passion growing up and the university I am in now offers a bachelors in Information technology. Previously they only offered computer programming or engineering. These two don't interest me as much as I'm not the strongest math student.

I'm highly considering the I.T. bacehelors program to refine and expand my skills and get a bachelors under my belt. I'm just terrified it's going to be a waste of time when I could major in something else and just go get certified got misc Microsoft areas. I also can't imagine the I.T. world as we know it will be anything similiar in 30 years as to what it is today. Look at how obselete you would be if you studied technology and computers 30 years ago in college.

I'd appreciate any input, maybe we can be of help to each other Dizings2k =)

Best wishes,
J

 

Usually it's one, or the other. I'm a systems engineer and administrator, but occasionally I also do some hardware stuff to keep myself in good spirits (i.e. installing servers into a rack, adding a RAC controller into a server, and so on).

What do you know about IT so far? It encompasses a HUGE repertoire of stuff to do. From installing computers, to helpdesk, to router reconifguration, security expert, administrator, programmer...

The economy IS getting better, but the IT sector is pretty much the only one still in quite a slump. For example, in my company, the only department that experienced headcount cut, was the IT department (by about 8%).

Yes, it can happen, but depends a lot on the job itself. Those jobs do exist, but I'd be surpried if anyone was willing to pay that much for ONLY 2-3 years experience...

This is true. I also see it being the norm. You'll be earning poor salaries if all you decide to do is repair computers. Same for helpdesk. Too many companies outsourcing to India, and those who do hire HD people, end up losing them 6 months down the line when the HD person gets so tired of whining users that they decide to 'upgrade' themselves in the field.

Create user accounts, move mailboxes, plan migration strategies, make a lot of documentation, reset passwords, plan for the future...

Make 'chips' and repair computers? Two different things IMO. You'll either work as a delevoper/engineer of hardware (which will require more then two years study), or you'll end up a computer repair jockey, which anyone can do with some basic knowledge of PC's...

More like 10-15 years. I do know a few people who make up to 500k (like in my parent company), but they're really amongst the BEST of the BEST in the field. We're talking about a guy who dedicates 6 months of a year to plan for an AD GPO structure for a company with a million AD objects in the 2k3 domain.

Anyway, having said all that, It is a cool field, if you can survive it. Like was mentioned, security and storage will become more important with time. You could also go the Cisco route (this field is moving along quite a bit too), and checking up on Microsoft Certificates is nice, but not what it used to be (some companies don't think of it as highly as they used to). There was a time when having an MCSE could get you an entry level 100k job no problem. Not the case anymore, you're lucky to get 60k with a single MCSE degree (I have several, MCSE Messaging, Security, both for 2000 and 2003, as well as CompTIA, CIW, Office Expert, and so on). It helps to have as many as possible, but the most important part is to have experience in the field.

 

I'd say the chances of this happening are pretty low. I wouldn't count on it. Really, these jobs do exist, but they are relatively rare, and you need to be very good at what you do and/or lucky.

 

All ive ever been told is that IT jobs have the potential for high pay salary. Ill admit money is what im looking for in the IT field.. I want to be sure that 5 years down the road ill probably be paid like 150k or so in CA..

So do you guys think I should try and specialize in something or just go through the IT program and see from there?

Based on my interests ive listed, what do you guys recommend that i specialize in??

 

I would absolutely agree with that statement. It's really who you know. I too have seen IT staff who, let's just say aren't quite up to speed getting hired. It absolutely drive me insane thinking how they were able to get in

Just to give you a heads up, there is a trend coming along in where companies are outsourcing their IT department. As many industries have a small IT task force and are utilizing this resource to its fullest. I have been in two companies who have outsourced their IT department, and I've also seen where they outsource the helpdesk to another country

In terms of hitting 200k right out of school or even several years after school is very unlikely (sorry to burst your bubble). But not impossible. In my experience, moving out of the hands-on arena and progressing into the supervisory/management/director role has shown to be the next step to making that type of figure. I've made that transition, but in doing so have myself losing my technical skills. I am now having to learn business, financing, Project management, and management of staff in general. Making a high $$$ as a CA.AE. is not too uncommon, just unlikely as a new careerist.

 

Ok, I'll level with you: I don't think your salary expectations are very realistic at all. Yes, it's possible that you'll be making that kind of money after a few years, but it's not likely.

The industry is very competitive, and there are many highly skilled people out there. If you expect to make $150k after 5 years, you're probably setting yourself up for disappointment. When you're in college, you have visions of grandeur and think of all the riches that will fall into your lap after you graduate. But reality doesn't work that way.

Also, when it comes down to it, whether you're going to be making $150k in a few years, if ever, is going to depend on a lot more than what you learn in school. Lots of people go to school, work hard, and learn a lot, and that doesn't guarantee a high-paying job. You need to have something special, and that usually takes years in the industry to acquire. Very few employers will give someone with only 5 years of experience a $150k job. This isn't 1999 anymore.

But you don't need to take my word for it. Obviously you've heard differently elsewhere. I recommend researching salaries for yourself. Don't listen to me or the guys selling your school's program. Look up independent research data and see what it says.