3 answers
Joshua
Student
Moses Lake, Washington
1
Question
Updated
596 views
What should I expect by entering into the world of computers?
I'm a student here at Columbia Basin jobcorps, I have my high school diploma and I'm considering taking Cisco for a trade.
What does a typical workday look like in this field?
what preparation steps should I take before entering this line of work?
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3 answers
Adit Sheth
Senior Software Engineer
98
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Adit’s Answer
Hello there! I'm Adit, proudly serving as a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft. It's absolutely fantastic to hear that you're contemplating a career in the vibrant field of computers and technology.
Embarking on a journey into the realm of computers unlocks a plethora of opportunities. You can look forward to tackling intriguing challenges, engaging in problem-solving, and leveraging technology to construct solutions. Each day brings a new adventure—some days might find you immersed in coding, others devoted to debugging or testing, and at times, you could be synergizing with teams to architect new features or systems.
A snapshot of a typical day in the tech world could include:
Coding: Crafting and scrutinizing code for diverse applications.
Collaboration: Cooperating with fellow engineers or teams on projects.
Problem-solving: Addressing issues or bugs in software.
Learning: The tech landscape evolves at a rapid pace, making continuous learning a job requirement.
Before diving into this field, it would be beneficial to consider the following steps:
Establish a robust foundation: Acquaint yourself with programming languages like Python or Java. Mastering data structures and algorithms is crucial.
Earn certifications: Cisco is an excellent choice. Consider earning certifications like CCNA to bolster your networking knowledge.
Practice: Engage in personal projects or participate in coding competitions. Hands-on experience is equally vital as theoretical knowledge.
Network: Become a part of tech communities, both in the virtual and real world, to gain insights from others and stay abreast of industry trends.
Here's wishing you all the best! The tech sphere is a hub of growth and innovation, and with the right groundwork, you're bound to excel.
Embarking on a journey into the realm of computers unlocks a plethora of opportunities. You can look forward to tackling intriguing challenges, engaging in problem-solving, and leveraging technology to construct solutions. Each day brings a new adventure—some days might find you immersed in coding, others devoted to debugging or testing, and at times, you could be synergizing with teams to architect new features or systems.
A snapshot of a typical day in the tech world could include:
Coding: Crafting and scrutinizing code for diverse applications.
Collaboration: Cooperating with fellow engineers or teams on projects.
Problem-solving: Addressing issues or bugs in software.
Learning: The tech landscape evolves at a rapid pace, making continuous learning a job requirement.
Before diving into this field, it would be beneficial to consider the following steps:
Establish a robust foundation: Acquaint yourself with programming languages like Python or Java. Mastering data structures and algorithms is crucial.
Earn certifications: Cisco is an excellent choice. Consider earning certifications like CCNA to bolster your networking knowledge.
Practice: Engage in personal projects or participate in coding competitions. Hands-on experience is equally vital as theoretical knowledge.
Network: Become a part of tech communities, both in the virtual and real world, to gain insights from others and stay abreast of industry trends.
Here's wishing you all the best! The tech sphere is a hub of growth and innovation, and with the right groundwork, you're bound to excel.
Kajal Mathur Singh
8
Answers
Markham, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Kajal’s Answer
Upside: Abundant knowledge gain and financial rewards
Downside: A bit of mental strain :)
Downside: A bit of mental strain :)
Anne Stone
Data Center Technician
3
Answers
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Updated
Anne’s Answer
I personally am a Data Center Technician, which is part of the IT career field. Computer science and IT is such a wide array of careers- every job is completely different. I have been an IT support tech, where I worked part time at my community college assisting people with their computer issues, such as password changes or difficulties accessing coursework. That job was spent primarily at a computer, with times where I had nothing to do but relax or study, and times where I was so busy I could barely think.
At my current job, I work 12 hour shifts to support a 24/7 Microsoft datacenter. This means that I go to work at 6am, go through a morning briefing and have some coffee, and then set to work repairing servers and addressing hardware concerns. The day is consistent and has a steady routine, and nearly the same amount of work expected every day. I spend little time interacting with other people unless it is someone from my own team to work together on one task, and I have lots of time to listen to music and audiobooks. This job can be done with only a high school diploma and is a great choice for people who like working with their hands and troubleshooting problems. I personally really enjoy it as a neurodivergent person that enjoys routine, but it can be boring for those that like challenge and excitement.
If you are looking at Cisco, it sounds like you're more interested in a network engineer or cybersecurity position. Both are great options with lots of jobs available, but many of the higher paying jobs require a college degree. That would likely be a standard 9-5 job, where you would spend most of your time at a desk working with others to prevent and solve problems. If you enjoy Cisco or cybersecurity, I would highly recommend looking into Security+ from Comptia, and Cisco certifications. There's lots of Youtube videos and online resources available for free to gauge your interest. Certs are very valuable to employers and are a great way to test your interest in the topic while studying. I found that I loved Cisco, and could pass Security+, but couldn't wrap my head around Linux at all. Learning that and getting specific certifications helped direct my career interests and improve my resume.
Since IT and comp-sci are such a wide field, there is nothing wrong with taking up Cisco and deciding a couple years down the line it does not work well for you. You can take what you have learned and apply it to other jobs. There will always be work in the tech industry if you're willing to try new things.
At my current job, I work 12 hour shifts to support a 24/7 Microsoft datacenter. This means that I go to work at 6am, go through a morning briefing and have some coffee, and then set to work repairing servers and addressing hardware concerns. The day is consistent and has a steady routine, and nearly the same amount of work expected every day. I spend little time interacting with other people unless it is someone from my own team to work together on one task, and I have lots of time to listen to music and audiobooks. This job can be done with only a high school diploma and is a great choice for people who like working with their hands and troubleshooting problems. I personally really enjoy it as a neurodivergent person that enjoys routine, but it can be boring for those that like challenge and excitement.
If you are looking at Cisco, it sounds like you're more interested in a network engineer or cybersecurity position. Both are great options with lots of jobs available, but many of the higher paying jobs require a college degree. That would likely be a standard 9-5 job, where you would spend most of your time at a desk working with others to prevent and solve problems. If you enjoy Cisco or cybersecurity, I would highly recommend looking into Security+ from Comptia, and Cisco certifications. There's lots of Youtube videos and online resources available for free to gauge your interest. Certs are very valuable to employers and are a great way to test your interest in the topic while studying. I found that I loved Cisco, and could pass Security+, but couldn't wrap my head around Linux at all. Learning that and getting specific certifications helped direct my career interests and improve my resume.
Since IT and comp-sci are such a wide field, there is nothing wrong with taking up Cisco and deciding a couple years down the line it does not work well for you. You can take what you have learned and apply it to other jobs. There will always be work in the tech industry if you're willing to try new things.