Navigating the Epic Journey to an IT Career
People always ask me how to get into an IT career. Let’s face it, in today’s tech driven world, IT can be a smart and rewarding choice, the field offers a wide range of opportunities for those with the right skills and mindset. If you’re interested in the journey into an IT career, over the next few weeks I will be sharing my thoughts.
Assess yourself, honestly. What are your interests, skills, and goals. Explore your interests and strengths to determine which IT path aligns best with your aspirations.
Set time to find and take training. Most IT careers require some level of education or training, whether self-study or in an instructor taught program. Once you have an idea of where you want to be, you must find the path. Keep in mind that IT is a dynamic field, so you can always pivot and explore new areas as you gain experience.
If you are new or transitioning to IT, self-study can take you far so commit the time. If you are looking to break away from the entry level, select a specialization that resonates with your interests and career goals. Self-study can work for specialization, but more advanced careers may require instructor-led training.
Especially for self-study obtain certifications. Many of my courses focus on industry known certifications; CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Cloud+, PenTest+, and for the newbies ITF+.
Get some hands-on experience. IT is all about getting your hands on. Consider internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities to gain practical knowledge and build your portfolio. Create personal projects or contribute to open-source projects to showcase your skills and abilities to potential employers.
For those breaking from the entry level job, follow your interest path. Consider Internet of Things, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Analysis. The IT industry is constantly evolving, so a commitment to lifelong learning is essential. Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies, attend workshops, and consider pursuing advanced certifications or degrees to advance your career.
It is who you know, network. Surround yourself with IT, attend industry conferences, meetups, and online forums to connect with professionals in your chosen field. Getting into an IT career requires dedication, continuous learning, and adaptability. Remember that perseverance and a passion for technology will be your greatest assets as you work towards achieving your IT career goals.
Stay tuned for more career information in September. Until next week, start reviewing some career path information. Below are links to IT Career Paths or Cybersecurity Career Paths. Take the time to chart your future.
Mike
Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!
US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.
Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.
E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub
Back to school for IT career starters too!
Ah, the scent of fresh notebooks and the sound of brand-new sneakers scuffling down the hallways—it’s that time of year again: back to school! But wait, hold your groans and eye rolls! Flip the script and telling you why this is the perfect moment to dive headfirst into a new career adventure. Dust off your thinking cap, because we’re about to explore why going back to school isn’t just for kids—it’s a time for adults to embark on a career transformation.
Remember when the idea of homework could turn your stomach into knots? Now it’s your chance to enjoy it. In September, we will focus on talking about how you can go back to school for a new career. Forget the mandated studies in school, this fall dive into subjects you’re passionate about that can lead to a career you love.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment in computer and information technology occupations to grow, and IT offers a number of different career pathways. One of the entry level positions for the IT industry is a computer support specialist. Support specialists are the first line of defense for users experiencing computer problems, both onsite or by phone support. They provide technical assistance to individuals or organizations, helping them resolve issues with hardware, software, and networks.
The median salary for a computer support specialist is $60k. Don’t just take it from me, read it at the BLS, click for article Many jobs computer support positions do not require a degree, and even BLS suggest that people starting these careers gain certifications. Click for article The bottom line is if you are willing to study for your certifications, and take an entry level position, you have a great opportunity to begin an IT career.
It is never too late to investigate a new career. Start now and create your career path.
1. Design your study schedule
2. Choose your career path
3. Set your pace and stick to it
This time around, you’re on a mission. Procrastination? No way! Whether you are trying to break into the information technology (IT) industry or advance your current IT career, IT is the career to be in 2024. Total Seminars has the CompTIA certification training to help you start your journey. Join our blog over the next few weeks as I talk about certifications for IT careers.
Talk to you next week,
Mike
Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!
US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.
Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.
E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub
Testing strategies for certification exams
Certification bodies includes both multiple choice and performance-based questions on their exams to make them more practical and keep up with trends in certification testing. Knowing what to expect and how to approach these question types is key to your success in passing the exams. If you are reading my blog, you are likely taking a CompTIA exam. But these tips really apply to all certification exams. Let me fill you in on some facts about the exams.
Exam facts:
There are several different types of questions you may see in certification exam:
- Multiple choice – the standard question, choose the right answer
- Multiple response – choose all answers that apply with more than one correct answer
- Fill in the blank – fill in the answer to the question
- Drag-and-drop – image or question where you drag answers to match the image or text
- Exhibits – answer questions relating to an attached picture or diagram (variation to multiple choice)
- Performance-based – detailed question, open dialog boxes or other configuration windows and configure as needed
CompTIA and other certifying bodies also use drag-and-drop and performance-based questions to their exam pool. You may get as few as 2-3 or as many as 10-12 of these type of questions depending on which exam you are taking. The more of these questions you get, the fewer of the traditional multiple choice, multiple response or exhibit-type questions you will have, depending on the difficulty of the performance-based questions you get.
How new question types are graded:
Two important pieces of information about the new drag-and-drop and performance-based questions that you need to know:
- Partial credit – Scoring credit may be offered if a candidate answers only part of a question correctly.
- Negative credit – A candidate should be aware if the certification body uses negative credit. When certification bodies do not use negative credit, you should answer every exam question, even on the ones where they are not sure of the answer. CompTIA does not employ negative scoring on exam questions, so you won’t lose points for incorrect answers.
Testing strategies:
The question types, like drag-and-drop and performance-based questions, show up at the beginning of the exams. If your exam has these types of questions, read up on how they are presented, and be prepared. These questions can be more complex and take longer to answer than traditional multiple-choice questions. DON’T GET BOGGED DOWN WITH THE PERFORMANCE-BASED QUESTIONS. If the certification body allows you to skip questions and come back and answer them at the end, work through the questions that you are confident in answering, and come back to more difficult questions. Here are some strategies to use when taking the exams:
- Know how the questions will be presented and how many to expect.
- Skip the performance-based questions and come back at the end to answer them so you aren’t bogged down and run out of time.
- Count the performance-based questions as you skip them so you know how many you have to do when you come back to them at the end.
- Read over all the performance-based questions and answer the ones you are most comfortable with first; leave the ones you are less confident about until the end.
- If you are not sure about some of the steps in the performance-based or drag-and-drop questions, give it your best guess, you may receive partial credit.
NEVER pay full price for CompTIA exams by purchasing Discount Vouchers.
CompTIA provides information that may be helpful in preparing for the performance based questions at the following links – Click here to review
Talk to you next week,
Mike
Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!
US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.
Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.
E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub
How IT and Cyber Lingo Can Help Drive Your Career
CompTIA certifications have emerged as a definitive standard for validating the skill competencies in cybersecurity. Beyond technical skills, one overlooked aspect of certifications is the terminology you master during your preparation. Have you ever really looked at the full objectives for certification that you are working on obtaining? You should! CompTIA calls it their Acronym List, it is pretty much the last thing in the objective They all have a great list of terms that a certified technician should understand, mastering the terminology demonstrates your commitment to the IT field and your ability to learn new concepts.
A comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity lingo not only highlights technical expertise but also shows professionalism. Employers, clients, and peers are more inclined to trust professionals who can talk the talk. Attaining CompTIA certifications not only signifies preparedness but teaches the terms you need to know to succeed.
Professionals in this field must interact with colleagues and clients to convey intricate technical concepts, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies. Mastery of this lingo facilitates clear and efficient communication, reducing the risk of misinterpretations and fostering effective collaboration. CompTIA exams frequently feature scenario-based questions, where accurate interpretation of technical jargon is essential for precise problem-solving.
Learning the terms helps you grasp the underlying concepts and technologies. Cybersecurity frequently describes specific attack vectors, such as “phishing,” “ransomware,” “SQL injection,” and “DDoS attacks.” Familiarity with these terms empowers professionals to identify potential threats, assess risks, and enact appropriate countermeasures. CompTIA exams evaluate candidates’ proficiency in recognizing and responding to these threats effectively.
Knowledge is a tech’s armor, and familiarity with the language field is a pivotal piece of that armor. CompTIA certifications validate a professional in these certifications beyond technical knowledge. Knowing IT and cybersecurity lingo facilitates effective communication, practical application of skills, identification of threats, adherence to regulations, and demonstration of professionalism. As you embark on your journey towards obtaining industry certifications, remember that speaking the language of cybersecurity is not only an edge but a necessity in today’s digital world.
Talk to you next week,
Mike
Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!
US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.
Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.
E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub