Where to find Information Technology associations? (Riverside, Pomona: schools, universities, camps)

[NthPower]

Hello,
I have moved to CA a year ago and currently in Riverside County, about 3 miles from the Orange County line. I have been looking for jobs in desktop support or in a help desk position in the greater LA area. I prefer Southern California, but I can consider NorCal.

I understand that many companies prefers more local candidates or perhaps, I am one of thousands applying for each available position out there.

Are there an IT groups that I can look into to start networking?

Thanks!

[mayorhaggar]

You want to work in a tech call center? Jobs like that have gone to cheaper parts of the US like rural Iowa or to India. I can't imagine there's any professional groups dedicated to getting call center jobs.

[NthPower]

I have the A+ (hardware & software) and Network + certifications.

Would going to the next level be either network or system administrators?

Would either of them be in demand here? I need to get more certs and find a junior level net or sys admin position.

Thanks!

[mayorhaggar]

I'm not the person to ask but you want to get a systems administration kind of job where you're setting up and managing a network system for a company. You want to do that kind of hands-on work, or coding stuff--lots of companies that run websites, build hardware, write software etc in the Bay Area. And any business or government office of any kind needs an IT guy to set up and manage their network. You don't want to do easily-outsourced stuff like working in a call center. I'm sure someone here can point you in the right direction as far as training, and it might be best to try and find a board with a lot of computer science people, maybe try this one:

//www.city-data.com/forum/science-technology/

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by NthPower

I have the A+ (hardware & software) and Network + certifications.

Would going to the next level be either network or system administrators?

Would either of them be in demand here? I need to get more certs and find a junior level net or sys admin position.

Thanks!

Well, I work for a large company that hires Sys Admins, Network Admins as well (sometimes) help desk folks. I wouldn't recommend help desk unless temporary while you get more training/education. Most of the Network and Sys Admins we hire have some kind of technical degree (CS, MIS, IT, Math, EE, etc...) as a minimum. And while getting that degree they take on part-time jobs/internships which offer valuable experience.

Experience is King in IT. And to get it you have to start with some basics like an education. Many of the entry level internships/part-time gigs are arranged/referred from the local universities. Its hard to take short cuts here, though many try and some do, especially with military experience/training. But if you have no formal education beyond certs this will come up during interviews or resume reviews. You will eventually need it along with experience and certs.

Keep in mind when you apply to even entry level or part-time jobs you are competing with others who have these other skills as well. Ask yourself what it will take to make your resume stand out so that a company will want to hire you over the next guy/gal? The problem with certs only is that hiring managers and others who perform resume reviews realize people can go to bootcamps and memorize facts for a test. But that doesn't necessarily make them good candidates for a job in and of itself. That's where school comes in.

Best IT group to join is your local university and their job placement center/career fairs. In your area Cal Poly Pomona is a good place to start.

Derek

[NthPower]

I do have a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from another state.

I have been in service desk or help desk capacity in almost 15 years outside of California. I thought about going to net or sys admin for many years.

However, I have no work history in Calfornia and thought that if I find work that I am most familiar with and work my way up, then I may have a chance getting into a sys admin position.

I guess going back to school to get a Master's would my next best thing, however I would like to do so while employed.

Any suggestions of what study materials to start preparing for a MCSE?

Thanks!

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by NthPower

I do have a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from another state.

I have been in service desk or help desk capacity in almost 15 years outside of California. I thought about going to net or sys admin for many years.

However, I have no work history in Calfornia and thought that if I find work that I am most familiar with and work my way up, then I may have a chance getting into a sys admin position.

I guess going back to school to get a Master's would my next best thing, however I would like to do so while employed.

Any suggestions of what study materials to start preparing for a MCSE?

Thanks!

You know starting a masters at night even with one class would be a good way to get your foot in the door at the CA universities, and their placement centers/career fairs. Keep in mind local companies have relationships with the schools which you can then leverage. The fact that you already have a degree will definately help your cause. Another option since you already have a degree is a targeted Certification Program from a respected university such as in Sys Admin or Networking. Some may even be available at night. That would offer more depth and breadth than an MCSE. I know that if I was interviewing someone for an entry level position I would prefer that over a cert.

We hire people from out of state with good experience. So I wouldn't worry too much about out of state experience. You just have to build your professional network in California now. I think that's more impotant than MCSE at this stage. Though certs can help some. If you switch to Sys Admin treat any opportunity for experience as Numero Uno, even if the pay isn't what you might want initially. That will be a building block for future opportunities - skill and resume building.

Derek

[NthPower]

Thanks Derek. I hope to find a club or a group to start networking or at least talk to people at universities to get started. Or applying for a entry level sys admin position to see what happens. If not, I may have to relocate to where there are more opportunities.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by NthPower

Thanks Derek. I hope to find a club or a group to start networking or at least talk to people at universities to get started. Or applying for a entry level sys admin position to see what happens. If not, I may have to relocate to where there are more opportunities.

Yes, sometimes you have to follow the work. The main thing is to get your foot in the door if you decide to make the switch.

Regarding IT specific clubs/groups, I've never attended them. I have networked in more natural settings, if you would, where people go for other things, like school, church, sports activities, hobbies, etc... That's not saying you won't find some worth attending, if you can even find them. But most I think would be more filled with ppl looking for work rather than with folks who actually know who is hiring. Although it doesn't hurt to try.

Derek

[NthPower]

Would you know of any in SoCal area that may know about what companies are hiring for junior sys admins besides the universities? I don't mind being a technician again if that would be a stepping stone to either network or sys admin.