The world of technology...

[Spiffness]

Is an interesting place to work.

So as all who care know I work currently as a PC Technition at a small PC store. 2 days ago my boss dropped the bomb that he was going to sell the shop to a new owner. Dang.

Now I've got it good where I am, im 19, had no previous tech experience, and no certifications. But I got the job anyway, I am underpaid but I love the position.

But this gives me just 6 months of experience under my belt to negotiate a job with this new guy. I get to reapply for my job on the 30th of this month. :rolleyes: Suckage. This is a tale of ups and downs and overs and outs though, many dimensions to my situation. If you already are bored by this thread, get out now.

Right now I manage the shop basically. I check in computers, check out computers, repair computers, run the storefront, stock, clean, make sales over the phone, provide phone support, schedule buisness appointments, sell cell phones, as well as open and close. The only things I dont do are on-site service and at-buisiness service.

My co-worker, and good friend Joel does all the onsite on business stuff. He is MCSE certified and is probably the smartest technition in washington state. Why he is allowing himself to work for less than hes worth, I'll not understand.

Essentially, we run the company. My boss owns it, but hes never there. We make the decisions, we make all the sales, we do it all. What this means is, as I figure it, this new guy would be a FOOL to not hire us both back on. Also, seeing as how im the only person there who knows the details about the cell phone plans... he would be shooting himself if he didnt hire me back. This is good, I can use this to negotiate a better wage for myself.

Im not even close to being done, so you may want to go grab some snacks if you havent already. I'll wait...

Continuing on. Enter, A.J. my co-workers roomate and best friend. AJ works for a company called Geeks on Call in seattle. This company bought him a laptop, Treo, CAR, pays for his gas, and he makes commision off every sale. Roughly an extra grand a month. 10% on sales that can sometimes be as big as $50,000 contracts. Joel (my coworker) is probably going to be joining Geeks on Call unless this new guy makes him a HELLVA offer for rehirement. Geeks on Call is also ready to hire me, once I get a cert. Any cert, really.

Heres the best part. Actually, I cant decide which part is the best part... A) Geeks on Call has agreed to pay for my cert and the cost of books if I get certified and they hire me, they'll give me a zone (zip code) to work my clientelle around my apartment, same deal: phone, car, treo, as well as start me out on a good wage + Commission. Once im certified.

B) In the meantime. If Joel leaves where I work now, I'll be THE ONLY ONE that knows how that shop works. Big time grounds for negotiating my wages.

Basically, a ton of stuff is up in the air right now. Needless to say, I have training books on the way, and about 100 pounds of books in my car to begin the cert process. MCP first, then MCDST (Microsoft Certified Professional under windows XP, followed by Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technition) then, if/when im hired at GoC (which is nothing like geek squad if your thinking it) they'll pay for me to get certified all through to the MCSE with network administration.

So on one hand, there is a ton of uncertainty. And that could ALL fall through and I could be completely jobless (though still working towards a cert). On the other hand, with a little luck, I really cant loose. :rockon:

That is all, thanks for listening.

[Kingster]

I'll tell ya, I looked at franchising a Geeks on Call a while back. It's a great concept. I damn near bought a region (which would have put guys like you under me as employees/sub contractors). They have a helluva program, and it's fun to do. The only downside is that there is the possibility of oversaturation in a market, and if that happens... Well, you don't want to be left holding the bag (depending on how things are set up with the regional manager).

That being said, I would say that your first cert should be the Comptia A+ certification, which could then be followed on by their Network+ cert. These will serve you more immediately as a PC tech. Then you can move on to the world of MCSE as you mentioned.

Lastly, as one who didn't complete college, I would highly recommend you do so, either through night classes (which I am doing now) or online (like through University of Phoenix). You'll need it eventualy (which is why I am back in school). Gone are the days of moving all the way up to the top in a company without a degree.

Good luck Spiff. It's a fun ride, and now is the time to do it (young, no responsibilities other than yourself).

[Spiffness]

I agree, GoC looks pretty nice.

I plan to get a A+ and Network+ (I actually just grabbed books for both today).

I settled on MCP and MSCDST to start because all the GoC boss wants out of me is a cert, and those 2 are the quickest. Also, he doesnt put much onto an A+ (good a cert as it is, to be honest, you dont learn anything you could just google...). Other employers like it, so I plan to have one in addition since its not a HUGE deal to get. The network+ is a deffinate though.

I guess its all about the process.

This may seem like an igorant question, but what do you mean by college? Actual in class experience (online or otherwise)? My plan was (thanks to schedule, money, ect) to study on my own (under guidence of my certified friends) and take the tests completley independant of any central school.

My longterm goal is fairly uncertain. Eventually I would like to do some official college, maybe business or more serious technology degrees. But that 'eventually' could be 7 years off.

Is that bad?

[demigod387]

i say do what King says....................cause i seen your pic.................AND YA AINT GONNA GET BY ON YOUR LOOKS!!!!! :evil: :evil: :p

na, seriously, gl bro.....you are a man of many talents :beer:

[Kingster]

This may seem like an igorant question, but what do you mean by college? Actual in class experience (online or otherwise)? My plan was (thanks to schedule, money, ect) to study on my own (under guidence of my certified friends) and take the tests completley independant of any central school.

My longterm goal is fairly uncertain. Eventually I would like to do some official college, maybe business or more serious technology degrees. But that 'eventually' could be 7 years off.

Is that bad?
I would avoid waiting that long for official college. Even if all you do is take one class a semester. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to get back into the swing of things. As far as "apprenticing" for your technical skills, that's the best way. There is no finer teacher than experience, and generally most people only do things wrong once. I've learned more here in the last year, just because there has been no real assistance for taking care of the server, but I have had a safety net of behind the scenes kinda guys helping me out, in case I really jack things up (like with the upgrade).

Anyway... What I am saying... You need to do real college - experience will get you places, but it won't get you to the top. Believe me. I know. So just take a class a semester. It' takes a while, but you'll be on your way, and when you can pick up more classes, then all the better.

[King Mango]

^^ what he said.
You dont' want to be like me and go back to college at 38... It's too ****ing late by then bro.

[elwood]

When you go to college, bust your balls and do good too. No sense in going and doing it half assed. Real world experience counts for a lot in hiring, but having a college degree is a difference in a couple million in total income by the time you retire (like, if you have a degree, you make a couple million $ more over your lifetime than if you don't). Good luck on reapplying, though, and we want to hear if you get your old job back.

[DeadMeatGF]

Short message ...
Good luck!
I too bluffed my way into my job as an IT technician - no training, no experience except what I'd done at home, but I was given the chance to demo my skillz ;) and got in.
Now, a few years later, I'm a "Project Coordinator" which means that instead of being lectured about the "customer service ethos" when I shout at people, now when I shout, people (much higher up the tree than me) jump.
I love this job :)