I'm taking a break this Fall and going back in the Spring to finish up my 3 semesters left for my Computer Science degree, but what do I do in the meantime? As I've posted in the past, I've been interested in getting my repair business off the ground and that's happened. I now have a website and have been posting flyers and business cards. It's slow, but coming along. However, I'd also like to get on somewhere as a part-time PC technician/repairman (as a sort of internship kind of deal) and so far my resume hasn't gotten any bites whatsoever. Now maybe the companies (and colleges I've applied to) want someone with far more experience than 7-8 years, but I'm thinking it's because I haven't completed my C.S. degree in addition to fact that I don't have any certifications under my belt. I have experience, but I think with the competition out there and the fact that they probably have degrees and/or certifications, that I'm not gonna get a glance until I get one and/or the other. What do you think fellow Clutchfans in the IT/Computer industry? Why are these companies rejecting me and not even emailing me back? Given the fact that my degree is still 3 semesters away, is it time to start getting some hardware (and possibly networking) certifications under my belt?
from my experience, a degree is not always important in IT. Experience is a good bonus and some certifications like A+, Network+ and etc. are helpful. I think in IT, the interview is the most important part, you have to know what your doing and not just spit out what the book said to do. Don't come off as lazy, but come off as your always wanting to learn and improve. thats just my 2 cents.
Experience is KING in IT. Pad your resume. Entry level certs really aren't worth much. The high level stuff is more important. But that's not what you're shooting for.
How? No one seems to want to give me an interview or a reply back to my emails/job posting replies. Now I don't know everything about Mac Os, Linux, Servers/Workstations , but what else can I do to get on somewhere
I should clarify I'm looking to just take the next semester off to get my mind right and some things straightened out personally, but I want to keep learning about computers and expanding my knowledge. I figured PC Repair would be a good way to do that and I'd still be earning money too. What can I do in the mean-time until I return to school? Just go for the best part-time job available and worry about a computer-related job later? The more I read, the more I see people's opinions of certifications is that they're next to useless.
You will earn nothing from computer repair. Most people will surf the net for how to do it yourself, or take it to a computer shop that they bought their machine from, RMA the products ect... Don't know exactly what degrees you have but a computer repairman is a low end that lead to nowhere. You can put your degree to good use with these: http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges/computer-science-degree.asp
I'm 19 years old , no degrees or certs, just hardcore experience that I learned myself and I'm an IT Consultant at Ergos Technology and have worked with the aldridge company here in houston in the past. Try to familiarise yourself with Microsoft Exchange, IIS, and firewalls. I'm currently trying to get sonicwall certified.
I have a more fundamental question... Why are you getting a degree in computer science instead of information technology or computer engineering? Those would be a lot better for your apparent interest. It's too bad you didn't post this a month or two ago when my company was looking for interns; I would've asked for your resume.
Get familiar with iLO, and servers, etc. Most people in the "pc repair" business probably wouldn't even know what an active directory is. I'm specificaly talking about craigslist people, flyers at barbershops, and office max guys
Your issues is that you do not know what you want to do specifically. Computer repair does not need a degree or certs. All you need is the capability to know how something works and troubleshoot. If your Mac goes bad, you send it to apple. If you have Linux, they already know how to repair it. Same thing with servers. Figure out what you want to do in the field of IT as a profession. If you enjoy being a technician, find something outside of the field of the PC. In other words, computer repair is not IT, its more of technical work. Distinguish between which of the two you like and take it from there.
That's a good question I guess. UH has these three options Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with business option, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with science option, or Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with software design option. I want no part of the 3rd option, I don't want to deal with programming anymore than I have to. http://www.cs.uh.edu/docs/cosc/COSC Flowchart.pdf Am I looking for the business option then?
