- Aug 27, 2013
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I'm currently located in Hyattsville MD so I would like to stay in the college park, DC, silver spring area but I'm not complaining. I get hits but they are WAY below what I know i should make. I wouldn't mind working in VA.
- Jun 13, 2014
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Anyone here familiar with service desk plus 9? My company just bought a license for manage engine and service desk came with it free for a year. We're debating using that or spice works for our help desk ticketing system.
cubanref
Supporter
- Aug 9, 2004
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Need to go through this thread...want to get into IT but have no idea where to start 
- May 4, 2011
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^Same here. For me I'm doing it kinda late but I'm graduating with a degree in bio but want to go back and get a computer science degree. Very late I know but I want to do it.
- Oct 14, 2012
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Been a Sys admin for quite a while now...tired of it. Really thinking of getting into developing and want to try Python as my first language. Any tips/suggestions from developers on here?
- Dec 1, 2011
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Need to go through this thread...want to get into IT but have no idea where to start
It can be overwhelming at first, but try to get an idea of where you want to end up. From there, it will be a lot easier to work your way back to the basics and figure out what you need to do.
There are some basics that everyone in IT should be familiar with, though. You should probably be able to pass an A+ cert exam, for instance. You can start by learning some of the material on that exam and going from there to Network+, Security+, or whatever else interests you.
IT is a huuuuge field. Computers are involved in just about every industry there is. Don't be afraid to be a little creative.
Object. Oriented. Programming. Learn what it is. Then, choose an OO-based language. Python supports OO, but a language like Java would probably take you a lot further in your career. Still, understanding how to code is more important than your preferred language.
OOP isn't the only programming paradigm, but it is the one that will get you hired. Procedural and declarative programming are cool too, but many of the jobs you'll see call for years of experience or specialized skill sets, i.e. programming flight instruments on a plane.
- Sep 18, 2013
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Get your A+ just to knock on the door... N+ to open the door and sec+ to walk through it.
Its not a guaranteed but hard work and filling out 1000 applications a day is key.. dont feel discouraged and dont set yourself up for unreasonable expectations out the gate
Its not a guaranteed but hard work and filling out 1000 applications a day is key.. dont feel discouraged and dont set yourself up for unreasonable expectations out the gate
- Oct 14, 2012
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I figured Java would be of more value, but would you recommend that to someone literally starting from scratch when it comes to developing? I was thinking Python because I hear it is a good first language to learn.
- May 31, 2011
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The way it is in college is like this Intro To C -> Java -> Advanced C -> C++
but I am just finishing up a Code Academy course on JS and I would recommend it to you. JavaScript is huge right now
- Dec 1, 2011
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It depends on the person. Just because you don't have any developing experience doesn't mean you are completely new to the concept of programming. Java is definitely more challenging down the road, but when you're just starting I imagine the learning curve is similar regardless of the language. I've never used python, so I can only speak to the difficulty of JS, C, Java, MIPS, and basic stuff like HTML. When you're making your first hello world applet, the pros and cons of inheritance in Java vs. overloading in C++ don't really matter.
If you've been a systems admin for a while, my guess would be that you aren't really starting completely from scratch - you've seen code and you probably have a good understanding of syntax and logic. Having that down puts you very far ahead of people who are considering a career switch from a non-IT related field.
Not trying to say Python or Java is the best for your situation, just saying that Python isn't the de facto choice, especially for someone like you.
Every program is different. I went JS -> Java -> C. I would not recommend JS as a first language. There are some really weird quirks in JS with the compiler and managing resources/performance that cause way too many headaches for beginners.
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- May 26, 2003
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Got accepted into Grad School
- Nov 6, 2012
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- Dec 1, 2011
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^Congrats!
yeah So just out of curiosity what did you major in college and how did you go about doing what it is that you do now? Would like to hear how people got their start in the IT field.
I majored in Computer Science. I currently work as an IT analyst for an agency that manages medical software for healthcare facilities, but funny enough I just got an offer for a developer role. I didn't do any type of internship during undergrad. Instead, I elected to do independent contracting while still in school and that carried on after I graduated since I landed a pretty decent contract with my local school district.
While it was cool, contracting money was veryyyy inconsistent. I would make $1000+ one week, then turn around and make $200 the next. Around 21 I decided that I wanted to try the 9 to 5 life, reached out and utitilized my network, then I found myself in a Help Desk job. Busted my *** for a year, built a reputation for myself within the agency, and now I'm networking so that I can continue to climb the latter. Interviews go much more smoothly when you've played golf with the people on the other side of the table,
As far as my start in IT in general, I get it from my pops. He is a DBA and while I was a kid, he'd always have spare harddrives, motherboards, etc sitting around. It kinda just happened naturally from there. I knew I wanted to work with computers from a very young age.
- May 26, 2003
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Anyone use their Mac for programming Java? I know windows has more resources when it comes to tutorials and such. Wondering if i should throw windows on my mac via boot camp or virtual machine or even just buying a cheap windows computer to avoid hassles
- Feb 23, 2006
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For Java? Just download Eclipse or another IDE.
- Nov 6, 2012
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Yeah I do all programming on my Mac. You can download the same apps for Mac. I use Sublime Text 2, Netbeans, and Eclipse all work great.
- May 26, 2003
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Bet, i want to teach my self Swift on the iOS side and orobably take a Java class to refresh my memory on coding since i havent coded since college, eventually get into Android development too, and Java in general os more used than Objective C and Swift in the real world
da r entertainment
Supporter
- Jul 20, 2002
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I've finally buckled down and started studying for my CCENT. My father was able to get me the CBT Nuggets so I'm using those as a reference then I'll move on to the book.
- May 4, 2011
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^Congrats!
I majored in Computer Science. I currently work as an IT analyst for an agency that manages medical software for healthcare facilities, but funny enough I just got an offer for a developer role. I didn't do any type of internship during undergrad. Instead, I elected to do independent contracting while still in school and that carried on after I graduated since I landed a pretty decent contract with my local school district.
While it was cool, contracting money was veryyyy inconsistent. I would make $1000+ one week, then turn around and make $200 the next. Around 21 I decided that I wanted to try the 9 to 5 life, reached out and utitilized my network, then I found myself in a Help Desk job. Busted my *** for a year, built a reputation for myself within the agency, and now I'm networking so that I can continue to climb the latter. Interviews go much more smoothly when you've played golf with the people on the other side of the table,
As far as my start in IT in general, I get it from my pops. He is a DBA and while I was a kid, he'd always have spare harddrives, motherboards, etc sitting around. It kinda just happened naturally from there. I knew I wanted to work with computers from a very young age.
Thanks for the insight! After taking a few courses I'll buckle down what exactly it is that I want to get into. Just sucks that I'll be paying out of pocket for my second bachelors but I really want to get into it.
- Nov 6, 2012
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Have you looked into a Certificate program for Computer Science? The certificate program goes into only the core and elective classes required for a CS degree (which is the meat of CS). IMO I don't think it is best to get 2 BS degrees, unless completed as a dual degree. Or will the school allow you to use your prior classes in your first BS to go towards a CS degree?
- May 4, 2011
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Like one of these schools?
http://california-vocational-schools.com/subjects/california-computer-schools
Haven't looked into just getting a certificate but just looking at some jobs in the IT field in general I noticed that many if not all of them require a BS in Computer Science so I'm not sure if just a certificate holds much value in the long run. I could be totally wrong but I think the school will allow me to use my prior classes as electives for the CS degree. Have to double check on that.
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- Nov 6, 2012
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Yeah that is true many jobs require a BS in CS. It would be very tough to jump into an MS too.
No not a specific school, but most schools offer certificate programs along side a BS for people that have already received a BS or people that are just interested in that subject. So if you look up any school you are interested in receiving your BS or MS, take a look at their program they should offer a certificate program also.
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- May 4, 2011
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Will look into that, thanks for the info! I'll have to speak to a counselor about it and see what they say as well.
solefed
formerly exo1127
- Feb 13, 2013
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Curious to hear your opinions of pursuing a bachelors in Cyber Security from DeVry in conjunction with obtaining certs? Thanks in advance
