Getting a Job in IT.

[dhicks]

Quite baffled how a thread about getting a job in IT has resulted in discussions about moving abroad

 

Because the original poster is only 15 and hasn't even finished GCSEs yet - there's all sorts of interesting options out there for him, including moving to Holland to do a degree (which, from Colchester, would be quite do-able - I think the boat/train ticket to Amsterdam was still £25 one way last time I looked). I'm sure leaving school at 16 and doing a bunch of vendor exams can net you a well-paid career, but it does sound rather dull.

[Netwacky87]

....but it does sound rather dull.

 

Sadly pays those pesky bills though doesnt it!

[MrKJLS]

Thank you for all the posts. They have been useful.

[SW-ICT]

Hi, im 15 and i'm currently doing my GCSE's. I'm in Year 10 and soon moving into Year 11. I was wondering what type of collage courses I would need to do to work in IT or to become a techie.

I do quite a lot of IT at home and i do it as a GCSE. I am mostly self-tough with the enterprise IT i do at home

 

Kieran

 

Hello,

 

I was 15 when I started to work in IT

 

When I finished school I went back one day a week and worked in the IT department so i had some experience.

 

Then after a year I did a two year apprenticeship in It practitioners level 2.

 

Then managed to get my 1st fulltime ICT technician job job roll.

 

 

After a year I moved to Bristol (from Plymouth) and started work as an ICT Network Technician.

 

I kinda fell into It but I think the work experience set me up the most as my network manager gave me a very impressive reference.

 

Hope this helps

[mattianuk]

I got offered a job when I left 6th form as an IT technician at that school, I did some IT courses, but non relevant - but with IT they don't get relevant till you can choose specifics at HE.

 

I am now a NM after 7 years (2 schools, now on 3rd)

 

It is a long slog, but bare in mind that whilst you might now think a technicians job will do, when your 25-30 - will it still be? Will you want to be a manager (as that is really the only progression in edu IT) - being a NM is a completely different job in many cases. I now spend a lot more time arguing, budgeting, planning etc - but I do get the satisfaction of doing things my way, and getting good results because of that.

[jamesbmarshall]

You might want to aim a little higher by way of career choice, too - "IT Technician" is a perfectly decent job, but at 15 you really might as well be aiming at "rocket scientist" or "nuclear physicist" (both of which would require plenty of computer-related work), and you might end up with a really interesting job.

 

I can't agree with this strongly enough! I left school at 18 and went straight into employment as an IT Technician, and then eventually a Network Manager. At the time I thought it was amazing and in truth, of all the jobs I've had since, working in schools is what I miss most but at your stage in life you should be aiming high. You can always "come back" and work in schools, but while you've got the chance, and you're young, see what other work is out there!

 

Being young and working in schools can be a tough gig.

[jdell]

I have been turned down for many jobs previously in schools for being too "young" which is stupid considering I spent 6 years in training and my age has nothing to do with how well I can preform my job. I don't agree with this aim higher stuff as a school is a great place to start a career especially one which is driving forward with new technologies like we are, I am using things which most business wont touch for 5 years because its too cutting edge, So in my career this is the start and I can only move up and into other sectors rather than working in other sectors and getting nowhere which I have done in the itermim to getting this job.

 

If you want to work as an IT tech I would say the best courses I found where the particle ones - BTEC Nat Dip for IT Practitioners and the BTEC Higher National Diploma (In either of the 3 specialisms) (2/3rds of a degree). I did both of thoose plus A levels etc but found they really gave me the skills to compete for the jobs and gave me the skills I needed once in the business.

[TomCollins]

Being 17 and in the first year of my A levels I am in the same situation as you. Fortunately, my secondary school hired a friend & I as 'technicians' over the summer and I couldn't if had a better summer. Some tasks were repetitive, such as rebuilding 10 year old computers and moving furniture about, but I enjoyed every moment of it. Luckily, I got on with all of the Drama&Music teachers, so whenever there is a production or a show on, for example the upcoming BTEC Performing Arts exams, I get called back in to help, and still get paid at an hourly rate.

 

Anyway, to stop babbling on, the advice I keep getting given is yes qualifications are key, but above that people are also looking for work experience, so, as a first place, offer help with some technical things around your school, I did, and I haven't looked back.