How did you get your 1st IT job?

[TacticalPlinker]

Aside from the actual answers of how you got your first IT job, I think some of you guys are misunderstanding my situation.

I'm NOT looking for something that pays well or some form of high end position (I don't "feel special" because I have a degree)...

As I said in my OP, but let me clarify, I'm looking for an entry-level IT job to get my foot in the door of the IT industry and have some actual IT work experience on my resume. Right now all I have is personal experience and a degree.

As another member mentioned, degrees don't really mean anything in the current economy/IT job market, so it's been a waste of money thus far.

That said... I've taken all the usual routes, besides an employment/temp agency or adding certifications to improve my experience/resume. Both of which I will explore and hopefully help lead me into a job.

I'd also like to note I've not excluded myself to only IT jobs while job searching in 2013. I've been applying for non-IT jobs as well. However the 1 single solitary interview I had in 2013 was with Lowes, it was a non-IT position, and even with the help of a friend & fellow Calgunner who got me the interview, I did not get the job. The other temporary employment (non-IT) I had in 2013 was courtesy of yet another Calgunner.

Unfortunately I'm nothing special. I don't stand out when 50 or 100 or more people are applying for the same position. There is only so much I can do about it, so I have to find other ways of getting hired. My previous employment has come to me by way of family friends or previous experience (my last job took me nearly 6 months to get with near daily contact from the hiring manager)...

[DiscoBayJoe]

You should reach out to someone like Volt technical services and try to get on PC refresh projects. There are alot of organizations who have waited until the last minute to get rid of XP and there will be quite a bit of desktop turnover in 2014. Run through a few of those contracts and you'll have enough OJT for an entry level helpdesk job.

As someone else said, build your own "server" at home using an old PC. Play with VMware and Server 2012. Build a domain, join your computer to it. Learn how to reset passwords and assign rights.

[njineermike]

You should reach out to someone like Volt technical services and try to get on PC refresh projects. There are alot of organizations who have waited until the last minute to get rid of XP and there will be quite a bit of desktop turnover in 2014. Run through a few of those contracts and you'll have enough OJT for an entry level helpdesk job.

As someone else said, build your own "server" at home using an old PC. Play with VMware and Server 2012. Build a domain, join your computer to it. Learn how to reset passwords and assign rights.

Oracle has a lot of free pre-built VMs for training you can download from Oracle.com after you register, which is also free. MS Server 20XX will run for a time without a key, so you can use VMWARE workstation to build a virtual network and practice with that.

[TacticalPlinker]

You should reach out to someone like Volt technical services and try to get on PC refresh projects. There are alot of organizations who have waited until the last minute to get rid of XP and there will be quite a bit of desktop turnover in 2014. Run through a few of those contracts and you'll have enough OJT for an entry level helpdesk job.

I have not seen of those locally, but I did come across one such position listed in AZ. Moving to Windows 7, I assume from XP. Problem is, they were looking to hire immediately and it will be another 30-60 days before I move.

I will keep any eye out for future opportunities such as this...

As someone else said, build your own "server" at home using an old PC. Play with VMware and Server 2012. Build a domain, join your computer to it. Learn how to reset passwords and assign rights.

Oracle has a lot of free pre-built VMs for training you can download from Oracle.com after you register, which is also free. MS Server 20XX will run for a time without a key, so you can use VMWARE workstation to build a virtual network and practice with that.

I did that in school over several classes. I'm not an expert and it never hurts to practice, but it's also nothing new. However, I don't have access to (or experience with) Server 2012, only Server 2008.

[Akers]

If you want some honest opinions shoot me a PM and I'll give you my number.

I have over 20 years in I.T. and am the Sr. Mgr of I.T. a KKR owned company. I can give you any answers you need, and have some reach in Phoenix area as well if you want to work in a Colo provider.

You can get me on linkedin as well. Trevor Akers

[njineermike]

I have not seen of those locally, but I did come across one such position listed in AZ. Moving to Windows 7, I assume from XP. Problem is, they were looking to hire immediately and it will be another 30-60 days before I move.

I will keep any eye out for future opportunities such as this...






I did that in school over several classes. I'm not an expert and it never hurts to practice, but it's also nothing new. However, I don't have access to (or experience with) Server 2012, only Server 2008.

Digital river. Download the .iso and burn a DVD.

[bottomshot]

You could do what I did join the military, and choose the right rate(Navy RM got lucky went in when RM and DP were merging and got the right orders). As for Certs they do one thing they get you the interview, but you could learn a lot studying. I highly recommend CCNA I learned more studying for that than any of my microsoft training. As for finding work look for help desk our as another poster stated a managed service center. I work for a MSC as a Tier 2 but all they require to get in the door as tier 1 is ccna and a understanding of how to troubleshoot (trust me some people have it some don't) if you were staying So Cal we are supposed to be expanding our Irvine center this yea allegedly and would need tier 1's but who knows.