Is it difficult to start working in the IT industry

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pawelk1986
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17 Sep 2012, 12:21 pm

Computer services, installing windows, disk formatting, and it is difficult to start.


I am a student of library science, I'm 26 years old, but I am also interested in computers. I have a problem with finding a job.

I'm wondering whether to start with, to provide services, specifically basic services, format the drive, install the software and operating system, i do this many times and i knew how do this. I would like to know if I can to make money it.



starkid
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17 Sep 2012, 12:43 pm

Those skills and your library science training would be help you get a job in modern library (which includes computer services), but they are too basic to be useful for an IT career. Those sorts of things would probably be done by a Systems Administrator, but you need more skills than that to become a Systems Administrator.



pawelk1986
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17 Sep 2012, 12:53 pm

starkid wrote:
Those skills and your library science training would be help you get a job in modern library (which includes computer services), but they are too basic to be useful for an IT career. Those sorts of things would probably be done by a Systems Administrator, but you need more skills than that to become a Systems Administrator.



No, I wonder if i can provide simple services to ordinary people.

I wonder if I go to potential customer. Started to install programs and remove problems with the software, if I could make money on this.

I just want to earn some extra money



starkid
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17 Sep 2012, 1:09 pm

Oh, I see. I guess it depends on how computer literate people in your target area are.



17 Sep 2012, 1:50 pm

It seems to me that it's getting harder and harder to start out in the IT industry without either a 4 years CS degree or years of programming experience. I assume the way to overcome this barrier is to have an extensive code portfolio. Inorite?



pawelk1986
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17 Sep 2012, 3:00 pm

AspieRogue wrote:
It seems to me that it's getting harder and harder to start out in the IT industry without either a 4 years CS degree or years of programming experience. I assume the way to overcome this barrier is to have an extensive code portfolio. Inorite?



But i don't mean programming, after all, to install and configure Windows to someone i don't I think do not need to know how to program, but I had the basics of programming in high school and i don't like it, because I went to the class with extended computer science profile.



starkid
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17 Sep 2012, 3:33 pm

pawelk1986 wrote:
But i don't mean programming, after all, to install and configure Windows to someone i don't I think do not need to know how to program


You're right, you don't need to program to install and configure Windows, but PCs already come with Windows installed, and the set-up process for a new computer is quite easy. Your only potential customers will be people who

A. Have messed up their computers so bad they need to re-install, or want to update
B. Cannot/will do this themselves, or learn from friends, etc.
C. Do not have or don't want to use official technical support or go to a computer shop.

There will be some people, but I don't think you can make much money unless you live somewhere where computers are very new to the population, like a third world country or a town with a lot of elderly people.



Oodain
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17 Sep 2012, 3:39 pm

basic it support for people at home are well within the grasp of most "hobbyists"

i have been doing it since my early teens, throughout my school years i maintained almost every pc owned by my classmates or their parents.
i had been working side jobs after school at a local tool and mould maker, after a while i started doing any small day to day it task, with the only actual outside support being for the homepage and server.
i learned the basics of CAD drawing, CNC and manual machining before i left there for a boarding school, i still do the odd sidejob once in a while when they are under pressure.

today i manage it at an office, i worked in the field for the same company.
i maintain surveilance of a small fleet of ships and 2 servers directly, with more relying on the systems i built abroad.

that said, were i to be fired or my hours to go drastically down then i would have a hard time finding employment at another company, all my references are from that single company, proffesionally that is.

all without any formal education on computers, having ti as a special interest since before you were ten and parents that indulged it probably does help.

so anything is possible, i still do home support for people and i know that is a quick way to start out, i had help from my grandfather who did just that, collected customers from the local area till he could sustain himself on it.

that said if you really want to passionately follow it work as a career education is the only way to go.


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VIDEODROME
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17 Sep 2012, 3:39 pm

About the only way I could see making money this way is buying computers(or accepting donated computers) that people trashed that you know how to repair. Most likely by wiping the drive and starting over.

Then find a low end market to sell to. Either low income people or pawn shops if you can still make a profit.



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17 Sep 2012, 4:14 pm

If you try and learn certain tools and basic programming which isn't too hard if you start from the basics you should be able to start somewhere provided you find openings.



pawelk1986
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17 Sep 2012, 5:32 pm

starkid wrote:
pawelk1986 wrote:
But i don't mean programming, after all, to install and configure Windows to someone i don't I think do not need to know how to program


You're right, you don't need to program to install and configure Windows, but PCs already come with Windows installed, and the set-up process for a new computer is quite easy. Your only potential customers will be people who

A. Have messed up their computers so bad they need to re-install, or want to update
B. Cannot/will do this themselves, or learn from friends, etc.
C. Do not have or don't want to use official technical support or go to a computer shop.

There will be some people, but I don't think you can make much money unless you live somewhere where computers are very new to the population, like a third world country or a town with a lot of elderly people.




I was just thinking about the older people in my neighborhood there are quite a lot.
Recently repaired computer my neighbors, older couples, after finishing the repair they wanted to pay me, but I did not take the money. Now I'm wondering whether or not to take up on repairing computers for older people for money, but a little disgusted making money on older people.



Oodain
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17 Sep 2012, 7:35 pm

as long as they are happy with the services you provide i dont see how there is anything wrong or disgusting in that.

even more so if you provide competetive pricing to shop based proffesionals,

from their point of view they are getting their pc fixed for less than it would normally cost, a win/win.

you can be sure that everyone from students with too little time or experience on their hands to the local small buisness owner will at least consider such a service as long as you are competent.


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ruveyn
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18 Sep 2012, 9:36 am

It is, if they are not hiring.

ruveyn



18 Sep 2012, 12:04 pm

ruveyn wrote:
It is, if they are not hiring.

ruveyn



Captain Obvious strikes again! :P



BlueMax
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18 Sep 2012, 3:08 pm

He's probably as competent as your average "Geek Squad" guy... Get your A+ certification (easy as pie) and get a job there. It won't be an "IT" job though... I found out the hard way that IT is all about advanced networking, not desktop maintenance.