“How do I figure out what I want to do in IT?” I could make millions if I could just answer that question for people (note to self: try to). That question must get asked an untold number of times per day. Your IT career is a personal journey, and the path is all the fun! […]
5 Clues Your Should Bail On Your Recruiter
There are many world-class recruiters in the business. Just like any other profession, there are some bad apples that give the rest a bad name. A recruiter is a professional matchmaker, connecting companies with new employees. They usually make a meager salary, but make big bucks when they place a candidate in a job. That’s […]
How to get an IT certification when you have a life
Let’s be real. I love IT certifications. I have a number of them. They make you more valuable at work, and a heck of a lot more confident. There’s also a dark side to certifications (no, seriously- why are you laughing?). You have A LIFE and you don’t want your wife to throw a frying […]
5 common pitfalls of the IT job hunt
Looking for a job in IT is hard enough. Make sure you get the most for your investment by staying away from these 5 job-hunting traps. Not telling your circle you’re looking When I look back at my working life, I see that basically all the career opportunities I’ve taken advantage of were because I […]
Surviving IT: Caring for Your Health in Technology Work
Knowledge work can be deadly. Information workers face a new set of challenges. You used to worry about getting hurt by the elements or some errant industrial machine. Today, the biggest dangers facing IT and knowledge workers are the dangers of not moving around, our furniture, and our food! For thousands of years, men and women have worked […]
IT N00b After 30: Starting an IT Career Later
This post is about making a career change to IT … a bit later than some. I am going to show you that you can begin an IT career at any age- and give you some actions you can take right now to help make that happen. I got my first “real” IT job when […]
6 Signs it’s Time to Find a new IT Job
The writing’s on the wall. It may be time to find a new IT job when you see these signs… 1. You’re bored Some IT people never get here. If you do eventually get bored, it’s likely because you thirst for challenges and learning. I say good for you! Sometimes, whether you’re lucky or good, […]
6 Weird Things IT Guys (and Gals) Celebrate
If you’re like most IT people, you know that most of our peers in the business are- how do I say this- a little off-beat. Let’s celebrate some of the weird stuff that gets technology workers happy. You have a day without a malware outbreak or hardware failure Nothing went wrong. It’s a beautiful feeling, but this […]
Jump from Desktop Support to Systems Admin – 5 One-Word Steps
There is nothing wrong with Desktop Support or Help Desk. Some I.T. folks, however, yearn to move from front lines to back office and become a Systems Administrator. I did it. You can, too. Here’s how: There are many reasons that you might want to become a Systems Administrator. Some do it for the money, […]
5 Ways to Build a Rockin’ Desktop Support Team
Desktop Support is an entry into the I.T. field for many, but it comes with challenges. As the leader of a user support team, there are things your can do, however, that will make your crew’s work (and therefore life) better and your end-users (customers) happier. Let’s face it: users are hard. Not only does […]