CompTIA IT Pro Member Forum / CompTIA IT Pro Worldwide / Success Stories

Hello

jeanminasov — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:34:29 GMT

Hello,

I've been in the IT field for over 10 years now. Started working in a mom/pop computer shop selling computer hardware/software and later building custom pc's as my first job out of high school. My first pc before then was a 386 with iirc 4mb of ram (before I got my first PC I was into electronics, and still am when I have free time). I then got a job as a technical support analyst for Earthlink and got out before they started laying evebody off. I got my first certification, A+ back in 2000-2001 IIRC, and got a job working for Gateway Computers as a Service Technician for just over 3 years before they started closing local stores. I've since then got hired to work as a contractor for a County as a technical support analyst and shortly after moved up to the Account Administration with some emphasis on access control and network/folder security. I recently got the N+ and S+ certifications and now working on implementing and configuring MS SCCM product in our environment.

What I've learned is, don't stop once you get your first certification. I am a firm believer in getting experience and certification to validate it on "paper", so that might have been partially a reason for it, to not just get many certs...

I am getting myself into MCP and CEH once I get the SCCM down. CEH is just interesting to me, I've used linux for many years but need to brush up on it as well. MCP and then MCSA before getting into more technical world of Cisco.

Well, that's my intro.

Junior G. - a True Success Story!

wflinn — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:37:14 GMT

Like many of our proud veterans who serve their country for an entire career, Junior served in the U.S. Navy for a 20+ year career then retired. But also like many of our veterans, Junior’s job in the Navy involved a specialty that did not directly transfer to civilian life. Junior was an Operations Specialist, which meant that his job entailed monitoring a radar scope and directing combat aircraft to designated locations to intercept targets. It was a technical specialty to be sure, but nothing in civilian life other than air traffic control was a direct fit. And even at that, Junior would have had to be completely re-trained in an arduous program to learn all of the skills he was missing to be a full air traffic controller for the FAA. Not only that, but the FAA has age restrictions on air traffic controllers, and the field is extremely difficult to break in to.

After performing various jobs, including a time with the US Postal Service, Junior decided to go back to school to study for a new career in information technology. Junior attended Southeast Technical Institute, in his home state of South Dakota, as a student in the Computer Network Technician program. Junior was an outstanding student! He applied himself above and beyond that which was required of the curriculum. Upon graduation, he was offered a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a GS-5 IT Specialist. Junior applied the same sense of dedication and initiative that he applied as a student, and earned many new certifications, including CompTIA’s Network+ and Security+ certifications, as well as becoming a certified Help Desk Analyst and a Microsoft Certified Professional. Within a very short time, his skills and initiative were recognized, and Junior received a steady stream of promotions.

Today, Junior is a GS-13 federal employee and the Team Leader/Supervisor for the Western Region ITD Customer Support Team. Junior is also recognized as a Mentor, and was selected to participate in a program where he mentors other employees who are attending the Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) within USDA. Junior continues to excel, and will most likely be promoted further.

How do I know all this? Junior was one of my students at Southeast Tech! Shortly after he was hired by USDA, I received a call from them letting me know of a job opening and encouraging me to apply. I applied, was offered a job, and now enjoy my position as Desktop Security Manager. As the new position they were offering allowed me to return to my home state of Colorado, I gladly accepted. Junior is now one of my colleagues, as we work together in the same office.

By combining education, initiative, and experience, Junior gained industry certification and the admiration of peers and supervisors alike. Junior is truly a success story, and a role model for IT professionals everywhere!

Bill Flinn
IT Pro Mentor
MSM-ISS (Information Security)
MCSA, MCP, Security+, Network+, i-Net+, Server+, A+
Certified PatchLink Engineer

Journey of a Computer Services Business

pdleboeuf — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:38:26 GMT

I recently decided to start my own Computer Services Business. Starting out, I am still learning a lot and i've done a ton of research. I realize that others are probably going through the same thing. So I decided to take some action.

I put up a blog which will basically cover all my experiences with starting a new Computer business. It will start from day one and will display my triumphs, my failures, and whatever else comes my way. I think this will be a good chance for others to see the process and to learn some things....I also hope to hear from people whether its advice or just regular comments. So if you have some time, please come join me on my journey. I'm chasing my dream.....and i'm taking whoever is interested with me :)

You can read my blog at: www.teamtechcs.blogspot.com

Welcome - Success Stories

jkeszeg — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:12:00 GMT

Just get a new certification, job, or degree? Share your story with others. Your story could help someone else acheive their next goal.

June Keszeg, IT Pro Membership Program Mgr.