Information Technology (IT)

[yeah]

Really looking to move into a BA role, whats the best way to obtain an entry level BA role. My current experience isn't specific to BA responsibilities, is there any certs or materials I can look into that will get me more familiar with the day to day responsibilities of a BA. Any help would be appreciated.

1. I'm so sorry that you work at Comcast.

2. I'm an IT Analyst and I work intimately with Business Analysts. The best way to market yourself is as a data oriented person. Most companies are looking for analysts that can quantify data and translate whats happening on the ground floor into summaries for management, as well as help out with daily operations as needed. So advertise your skills relevant to that end - do you know how to organize data? Are you able to synthesize complex information and concepts into a form that computer-illiterate people will understand? Can you speak during meetings and help explain those concepts when people don't understand?

At the same time, the definition of BA is very subjective. Its becoming a catch-all term for people who do everything at my agency, so it really depends on the company's definiton of their BA role and what they want for that particular posting.

I definitely wouldn't say that A+ is practically useless. Maybe in your area , but in the DC area it can help you get your foot in the door for a help desk position.
If you do get the A+ cert, I'd definitely get another compTIA cert with it (Network+ or Security+).

Ok, I will. Unless your aspirations end at the Geek Squad, an A+ cert is practically useless because you're kind of expected to know that info with or without the A+ cert. If you don't know the basic ins and outs of a computer, you probably shouldn't be applying for a computer related job in the first place.

Its great for people who don't have that foundational knowledge and are looking for a career change, but IMO if you're already 'comfortable' with computers, you're much better off spending that time working towards a Network+, Security+, or some type of MS cert.

 

[luckyluchiano]

yeah I wouldn't waste my time with an A+ unless you are trying to get a job doing help desk work or with geek squad, and even then you are better off enrolling in school part time and getting an actual degree, as working on a degree will get you into the same position and by the time you graduate you have a few years experience.

If you have an unrelated degree and want to move into IT (the operations side that is) you are better off getting the Red Hat or MS Server certs + a Cloud Vendors Cert ie.AWS. These will help you bypass help desk and get into a jr admin type of role.

 

[suberzat1]

 
I definitely wouldn't say that A+ is practically useless. Maybe in your area , but in the DC area it can help you get your foot in the door for a help desk position.

If you do get the A+ cert, I'd definitely get another compTIA cert with it (Network+ or Security+).

 

[capital sb]

If you have no knowledge it will be pretty difficult to jump straight to Network+ or Security+ , dude even said it himself he sees the cert listed in alot of Reqs.

For a foundation of IT with no knowledge of troubleshooting and hardware I think A+ is a good start, that is why I said pair it with another cert as well to get more technical depth.

I'm confident that my A+ cert got me my first full time internship in help desk *shrugs* .

 

[Mark Antony]

So you walk into an entry level help desk interview showing nothing that tells me you understand computers, why would I hire you? I think an A+ is fine in that scenario. You guys are telling him skip it like he can just jump right into a dream job scenario. Dude knows nothing about IT, help desk is a good place to start to figure it out while getting experience.

 

[luckyluchiano]

So you walk into an entry level help desk interview showing nothing that tells me you understand computers, why would I hire you? I think an A+ is fine in that scenario. You guys are telling him skip it like he can just jump right into a dream job scenario. Dude knows nothing about IT, help desk is a good place to start to figure it out while getting experience.

I got an entry level help desk job as a College Sophomore who hadn't even started taking classes in my major. lol Help Desk jobs like Fast Food gigs, anyone who actually knows something about computers is overqualified for a help desk job.

 

[luckyluchiano]

If you have no knowledge it will be pretty difficult to jump straight to Network+ or Security+ , dude even said it himself he sees the cert listed in alot of Reqs.
For a foundation of IT with no knowledge of troubleshooting and hardware I think A+ is a good start, that is why I said pair it with another cert as well to get more technical depth.

I'm confident that my A+ cert got me my first full time internship in help desk *shrugs* .

IMO The type of people who excel in IT are people who are hungry to learn and can digest technical concepts. IMO most these certs are pretty straight forward, its just some focus on memorization rather than practical skills. IDK maybe I`m just some rare case, but all this stuff is Easy to me as long as reference material is provided to give oversight of the information.

IMO that stuff that is "difficult" is when you get to complex algorithms and stuff like that as you have to be wired a certain way understand some of that stuff while all this other stuff the study materials pretty much explain everything for you, so if you don't understand it IT may just not be for you lol.

 

[dathbgboy]

If you have no knowledge it will be pretty difficult to jump straight to Network+ or Security+ , dude even said it himself he sees the cert listed in alot of Reqs.
For a foundation of IT with no knowledge of troubleshooting and hardware I think A+ is a good start, that is why I said pair it with another cert as well to get more technical depth.

I'm confident that my A+ cert got me my first full time internship in help desk *shrugs* .

IMO The type of people who excel in IT are people who are hungry to learn and can digest technical concepts. IMO most these certs are pretty straight forward, its just some focus on memorization rather than practical skills. IDK maybe I`m just some rare case, but all this stuff is Easy to me as long as reference material is provided to give oversight of the information.

IMO that stuff that is "difficult" is when you get to complex algorithms and stuff like that as you have to be wired a certain way understand some of that stuff while all this other stuff the study materials pretty much explain everything for you, so if you don't understand it IT may just not be for you lol.

For me it's difficult w/ the certs because I can never devote enough time to actually study before I forget the information since I'm not working in IT. I learn best by doing so until I do it, the material for certs make sense to me but make a lot more sense once I actually put the info to use. You're right about algorithms, even the word makes me wanna run away

 

[luckyluchiano]

For me it's difficult w/ the certs because I can never devote enough time to actually study before I forget the information since I'm not working in IT. I learn best by doing so until I do it, the material for certs make sense to me but make a lot more sense once I actually put the info to use. You're right about algorithms, even the word makes me wanna run away

Imo hands on certs like Red hat are the best because you actually learn stuff, these other certs all you gotta do study brain dumps and you can pass the multiple choice exams, so its not a real indicator you know what you are doing.

Imo Algorithims actually aint bad, its remembering all of the syntax for various languages but thats what google is for.
But all this Machine Learning stuff thats hot now is probably super complex.

 

[Mark Antony]

So you walk into an entry level help desk interview showing nothing that tells me you understand computers, why would I hire you? I think an A+ is fine in that scenario. You guys are telling him skip it like he can just jump right into a dream job scenario. Dude knows nothing about IT, help desk is a good place to start to figure it out while getting experience.

I got an entry level help desk job as a College Sophomore who hadn't even started taking classes in my major. lol Help Desk jobs like Fast Food gigs, anyone who actually knows something about computers is overqualified for a help desk job.

And what's your major?

 

[dathbgboy]

For me it's difficult w/ the certs because I can never devote enough time to actually study before I forget the information since I'm not working in IT. I learn best by doing so until I do it, the material for certs make sense to me but make a lot more sense once I actually put the info to use. You're right about algorithms, even the word makes me wanna run away

Imo hands on certs like Red hat are the best because you actually learn stuff, these other certs all you gotta do study brain dumps and you can pass the multiple choice exams, so its not a real indicator you know what you are doing.

Imo Algorithims actually aint bad, its remembering all of the syntax for various languages but thats what google is for.
But all this Machine Learning stuff thats hot now is probably super complex.

Exactly, you learn more by doing. Studying for the CAPM and while I'm understanding things, it wasn't until I did my first volunteer PM job that it made sense because I was practicing it.

 

[capital sb]

So you walk into an entry level help desk interview showing nothing that tells me you understand computers, why would I hire you? I think an A+ is fine in that scenario. You guys are telling him skip it like he can just jump right into a dream job scenario. Dude knows nothing about IT, help desk is a good place to start to figure it out while getting experience.

Pretty much my point. A+ paired another cert will get him going.

I got an entry level help desk job as a College Sophomore who hadn't even started taking classes in my major. lol Help Desk jobs like Fast Food gigs, anyone who actually knows something about computers is overqualified for a help desk job.

He's not in school for IT. Help desk is fast food for people in the IT field, someone with no experience good luck.

They have changed the compTIA test they arent just braindumps anymore there are 10 hands on questions now.

 

[fantastic4our]

Yeah I was gonna say, CompTia has added simulator questions to their tests so it's not all multiple choice.

I don't think A+ is useless. Some jobs absolutely require it.

 

[capital sb]

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The position is in MD, so you must be local to the DMV area.
The pay would be $25/hr or more  , you would be required to work 20hrs per week during the semester and 40 hours per week during summer/winter break.

You must be a US Citizen  for this position. You will be obtaining a government clearance.

The position is for Media Exploitation (video/imagery) Development.
Desired Languages :  Java, C++, Python, Pearl

With this CO-OP you will get benefits from day 1.

- 10K/yr for tuition reimbursement
- 401K
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance

If you are interested please send me your resume. If you have a friend who would be interested please have them send me their resume.

PM for my email.

 

[4318michaeljohnson4318]

If you have no knowledge it will be pretty difficult to jump straight to Network+ or Security+ , dude even said it himself he sees the cert listed in alot of Reqs.
For a foundation of IT with no knowledge of troubleshooting and hardware I think A+ is a good start, that is why I said pair it with another cert as well to get more technical depth.

I'm confident that my A+ cert got me my first full time internship in help desk *shrugs* .

you can say that but from my own experience corporate internship the only requirements are simply being in school. an A+ prepares you to fix computers and printers. It does not prepare anyone for most jobs in IT

 

[capital sb]

you can say that but from my own experience corporate internship the only requirements are simply being in school. an A+ prepares you to fix computers and printers. It does not prepare anyone for most jobs in IT

Simply being in school isn't enough to get a competitive internship. I know that for a fact.

If he can handle going straight into more technical IT certs with no prior IT knowledge, go for it.

 

[4318michaeljohnson4318]

Simply being in school isn't enough to get a competitive internship. I know that for a fact.

If he can handle going straight into more technical IT certs with no prior IT knowledge, go for it.

What do you define as a competitive internships? ive seen people with a business degree get IT graduate jobs. I can only speak for the companies I've worked for but I have seen reaches outside the majors. Most of the time it's about who you know and how you interview. You're not expected to know much for a lot of these companies outside of software development and security.

The biggest thing is to get yourself out there hit the career fairs and try to make an impression.

 

[Teknoman]

What do you define as a competitive internships? ive seen people with a business degree get IT graduate jobs. I can only speak for the companies I've worked for but I have seen reaches outside the majors. Most of the time it's about who you know and how you interview. You're not expected to know much for a lot of these companies outside of software development and security.

The biggest thing is to get yourself out there hit the career fairs and try to make an impression.

#Facts

Also matters what school you went to as well.

 

[capital sb]

Lol what yal are saying doesn't even apply to dude who asked for advice. He doesn't have an IT degree, isn't pursuing an IT degree, and has no IT experience. I believe he's trying to make a career switch.

Competitive internships such as DoD, Intelligence Agencies, Top Fortune 500 (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Vmware, IBM, etc), Government Contractors.

 

[luckyluchiano]

Lol what yal are saying doesn't even apply to dude who asked for advice. He doesn't have an IT degree, isn't pursuing an IT degree, and has no IT experience. I believe he's trying to make a career switch.

Competitive internships such as DoD, Intelligence Agencies, Top Fortune 500 (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Vmware, IBM, etc), Government Contractors.

An A+ ain't getting you into Google, MS, Apple, etc lol.

An A+ aint even really getting you a Geek Squad job.

A+ is useless unless you are trying to do EUC work. An A+ helps nothing when it comes to Project Management, Software Development, Info Sec, or System Engineering. It does cover a little System Admin stuff I believe but even then that depends on your environment. Either way there are far better entry Certs someone can spend their time on in 2016 than an A+ lol.

 

[capital sb]

Yal aren't reading lol. I said A+ paired with another technical cert is a good start for a career switch and can get you into help desk. My advice is for the guy making a career switch, which means he's starting from the bottom and isn't even eligible for internships.

Only brought up those companies because other guy said simply being in school is enough to land a competitive internship, which is far from the truth unless you're at a top school.

But, yal got it. Goodluck making a career switch.

 

[Mark Antony]

Devops? Pm? System engineering? Famb the man has no idea about anything it, where to start or where he wants to be. I don't think y'all are getting that. Let's be realistic and actually useful here as opposed to what sounds good.

 

[4318michaeljohnson4318]

Yal aren't reading lol. I said A+ paired with another technical cert is a good start for a career switch and can get you into help desk. My advice is for the guy making a career switch, which means he's starting from the bottom and isn't even eligible for internships.

Only brought up those companies because other guy said simply being in school is enough to land a competitive internship, which is far from the truth unless you're at a top school.

But, yal got it. Goodluck making a career switch.

I think you are looking at it from a software developer/cs landscape. Outside of people working in security and a few companies (usually those who own managed services) most companies will take risks on new college hires and interns. I have been on both sides and have been a part of two college graduate programs. There is hardly any competition in IT operations. I landed a job offer at MetLife for example in their tech graduate program coming out of school, the job position was within their DBA group, in my interview I forgot what a foreign key was. Something so fundamental about common knowledge of the job wasn't even required. I worked at SAIC as well and our interns weren't required to know anything coming into the job. There is nothing on most job requirements that an A+ even helps you with outside of desktop support. College hirers look for people who have much more soft skills because they expect to train. i can't tell you about Silicon Valley but most IT jobs aren't for Technology (in the purest form) companies. I just finished working with a Tier 1 investment bank in our program specifically we've had supply chain majors,finance majors, and business majors take on jobs in the tech graduate programs. Most of or interviews are behavioral based as well.

All in all I think many of us the anti A+ side believe an A+ won't get you a quality job as a bachelors degree would. The time learning for the A+ would be better off used learning BA skills or PM skills to try to get a lower level BA job. Getting into desktop support is a dead end for most. Even with an unrelated major the fact he would take time to learn something like SQL or get some knowledge on the SDLC methodologies and a lot of the software skills would impress recruiters more than an A+

 

[Teknoman]

Comptia A+ is garbage and its 2 tests.

Comptia Network+ is ok.If you are actually trying to get job with no degree better off getting the CCENT or CCNA.

 

[Mark Antony]

Yal aren't reading lol. I said A+ paired with another technical cert is a good start for a career switch and can get you into help desk. My advice is for the guy making a career switch, which means he's starting from the bottom and isn't even eligible for internships.

Only brought up those companies because other guy said simply being in school is enough to land a competitive internship, which is far from the truth unless you're at a top school.

But, yal got it. Goodluck making a career switch.

I think you are looking at it from a software developer/cs landscape. Outside of people working in security and a few companies (usually those who own managed services) most companies will take risks on new college hires and interns. I have been on both sides and have been a part of two college graduate programs. There is hardly any competition in IT operations. I landed a job offer at MetLife for example in their tech graduate program coming out of school, the job position was within their DBA group, in my interview I forgot what a foreign key was. Something so fundamental about common knowledge of the job wasn't even required. I worked at SAIC as well and our interns weren't required to know anything coming into the job. There is nothing on most job requirements that an A+ even helps you with outside of desktop support. College hirers look for people who have much more soft skills because they expect to train. i can't tell you about Silicon Valley but most IT jobs aren't for Technology (in the purest form) companies. I just finished working with a Tier 1 investment bank in our program specifically we've had supply chain majors,finance majors, and business majors take on jobs in the tech graduate programs. Most of or interviews are behavioral based as well.

All in all I think many of us the anti A+ side believe an A+ won't get you a quality job as a bachelors degree would. The time learning for the A+ would be better off used learning BA skills or PM skills to try to get a lower level BA job. Getting into desktop support is a dead end for most. Even with an unrelated major the fact he would take time to learn something like SQL or get some knowledge on the SDLC methodologies and a lot of the software skills would impress recruiters more than an A+

Know what, I can't even disagree with that.