What Can I Learn?

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  pyramid on 22/02/2015 - 20:44

  Manual resting.

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  scrimshaw on 22/02/2015 - 21:01

  +3

  Entry level jobs in IT are poorly paid, and you typically work very long, uninteresting hours with very little chances of career advancement. By that I mean you could be working in tech support for years and years and years, and never move upwards.

  My friend worked in helpdesk (he has a Comp.Sci degree from UWS) for three years for a large educational institute, they never bumped him up and he couldn't negotiate his salary — started at 39K and later 45k but that's about the maximum they paid for a Level 1/2 Support role. If you look on Seek, 45K is about the ceilling.

  He quit and then decided to do a Master's as the job market is pretty tight.

  Typically the stuff that you'll need to know might include, but not limited to

  Windows Desktops in AD environments
  Windows Server 2003 - 2012
  Small Business Server 2003/2008/2011
  MS Exchange 2003 - 2013
  MS Sharepoint
  Active Directory, GP, Microsoft SQL, Terminal Server
  VMware
  Citrix
  

  However I reckon it's more worthwhile to learn how to code, and make your own sites, webapps and mobile apps. Be your own boss and sell your own products.

  • 

    na8an on 22/02/2015 - 21:51

    +1

    thanks for the post Scrimshaw, I have knowledge on Database Admin and CSS/HTML but these seem to get me no where. I'm thinking to pursue few of the below once -

    Cognos IBM
    Cloud - citirx
    selenium testing - automation testing

    DBMS-
    Data sciences - Bigdata - structured data -Hadoop
    SAP hana - Data analyst

    Citrix XenApp
    Citrix XenDesktop
    Citrix XenServer

    Although few of them need core java, I'm willing to put sole and learn them. Would you have any idea about these technologies and jobs in present market? I have searched seek, but only about 300-400 jobs panned out through out austrlia and included experienced, interns and contract positions.

    • 

      scrimshaw on 22/02/2015 - 21:56

      +2

      I think learning Java is a good start, as well as the usual suspects of the C/C++/. [Same goes for Python and Ruby](. These guys are always in demand — whether it is in business or the banking sector.
      Learning a few core programming languages will give you more 'value', and there is generally a lack of good programmers in the country anyway. BUT Crap programmers are aplenty and people don't want them. If you do want to get into programming and make a living out of it, you have to be good, otherwise you will join the ranks of the unemployed…

      Google up "well paid programming languages" and read up on what people have to say on Quora.com and such.

      • 

        mskeggs on 23/02/2015 - 00:19

        +1

        I think advice to learn a complex program language like java/C etc is problematical for a person who has found it difficult to find work with light IT skills like web programming.
        I very much agree with the idea that poor programming skills are worth little. Programming is something I reckon is almost like musical ability - your brain has to have some affinity for it for you to be good.
        If I was to give advice on useful IT skills to learn, I would probably start with Microsoft certs, just because they directly translate into (possibly shitty) jobs.
        For disclosure, I don't have any MS certs, and I now only work on the s edge of IT, but I think if you are seeking work from an educational course, they probably provide the best ROI.

      • 

        scrimshaw on 23/02/2015 - 01:00

        Well, if you are happy to stay with (possibly) shitty jobs and don't mind being on the lower end of the pay scale, a few certs and on the job training is all you'll need. But in the long term, a uni degree can be useful as it'll allow you to land the more senior positions, in a shorter amount of time. There is a relevant thread on this on WP — worth reading, about whether the lack of a uni degree can impact your future progression.

        Think carefully on what your long term goals are; The IT market is evolving and the barriers to entry is getting tougher with outsourcing and inward migration — globalisation can be a real bitch. this is the main reason I quit IT..

        Ask yourself where you would want to be in 5 years time, and take the neccessary steps towards it. Don't rush into taking certs or enrolling yourself into any courses if you honestly cannot see yourself doing that particular job.

      • 

        na8an on 23/02/2015 - 06:29

        @scrimshaw: I have a masters in information systems by which I learnt html and multimedia, DBMS and related e-commerce website and CRM tools and other business subjects. Although these subjects promise jobs, in actual work they all need experience which is very hard to get for a recent graduate.

    • 

      mskeggs on 23/02/2015 - 00:13

      +1

      Most IT people get jobs because they have experience in the technology desired. Training is an element, but I would suggest a small one.
      Since you already have IT skills, are you able to demonstrate experience in them? Maybe getting some more experience (volunteer etc. if necessary) might be a better bet than more training credentials.

      • 

        na8an on 23/02/2015 - 06:34

        I'm looking at internships and volunteers jobs too, I'm not sure where I am lacking but aint getting any reply nor calls.