What are the best desktop support analyst qualifications and training to get ahead?

What is the best training for becoming a desktop support analyst? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective desktop support analyst?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

MCSE,MCSA,MCP and CCNA. Looks impressive on a resume, and that you have a theroretical understanding, however nothing beats practical experience. A+ would be an excellent one to get.

WHAT?!?! who told you that you need MCSE for a desktop support job? LOL.

Now, for some advice from somone who knows what the hell theyre talking about.

For a network admin, you NEED CCNA. you will NOT get a network admin job without it.

for a desktop job, you NEED A+, and NOTHING MORE. if a company that isnt dell corporation tells you to get MCP or MCDST, tell them theyre a joke and move on.

for a SYSTEM ADMIN, you NEED MCSE. you will NOT get this job without it.

Career Paths:

Entry Level = Help Desk
Mid level = Desktop Support Tier 2

From help desk you get promoted to desktop support. From desktop support you get promoted to either Network Admin or System Admin, depending on what you want to deal with more, networks, or servers.

You could probably make a lateral move at some point from Network admin to system admin.

The only positions above both admin jobs are engineer positions.

oh yea, by the way, i hope youre rich or something, cause MCSE costs at least $1k for the test/coursework, and i think the CCNA test costs $250 or more for the test.

CCNA is required for Network admin. I'm noticing now that companies want both MCSE AND CCNA for system admin. I guess that makes sense since you need to know about networks before you deal with the servers. I would think MCSE encompasses both though, so i dont see the need for it.

I dont have either right now because theyre too damn expensive, and everyone thinks I'm overqualified for desktop support, so i cant get a job to pay for the certs. Companies are retarded, i hate them.

Guys a CCNA is only required should the company be using Cisco equipment, it means nothing to a company who uses any other vendor's equipment. Same applies to the MCSE, what if the company is using Linux servers? How is the experience in MCSE going to help? Those comments about not getting the respective jobs if you don't have those specific certifications are not true. Please clarify and don't mislead the OP.

AD, you're a very narrow minded individual who knows nothing of what you're talking about. Over half of the world's internet servers runs on linux, and there's a TON of companies running their backbones server on nothing else but linux. Sure they also run server 2003, but the most important stuff run on linux. I don't know what industry you are working for but I know first hand from experience - I work for the financial/ trading markets, we run a TON of apps that matter to the industry such as the FIX protocol, Bloomberg and Reuters, as well as other trading applications on Red Hat linux. Our workstations are all on a Windows domain, but the backbones server are all linux. Here, you're MCSE will not matter and MOST companies do not use Cisco equipment which is WAY overpriced in comparison to other equipment that work just as well. The company's equipment is NOT irrelevant, I should know, I am currently enrolled in the Cisco Networking Academy and the first module is general networking which a Network+ works just as well, the core instructions in a CCNA revolve around the Cisco IOS. I won't get squat from a company not using Cisco equipment. Word of advice, if you want to succeed in this industry, don't concentrate on one area like Windows, that will make you a mediocre employee and put you at a disadvantage, if you haven't noticed, a Linux Administrator makes more than you and I will ever make at our desktop support jobs. That is why I am taking the initiative to learn new technology and not make certain comments such as "I laugh at linux, its a joke". I bet who's laughing at us are the Linux Admins making double what we make.

Ok, read all the above. We have a debate I see. Well, certifications are now important.

CompTIA A+ = Useful to learn the ins and outs of Hardware. Since 2006 Then made changes to the test. Not frequently desired; but it's useful to get into IT Careers.

You need a BA in the computers, or computer business. Traditional education bears the most value to employers along with experience. You can get a job with out a college degree; some companies like to see the certifications in Microsoft, or Cisco path takes time to get paid for that. The market is tight it hurts to even fart- if you know what I mean!

It took me 8 months to find a job that's steady good pay.
(It's because I networked, not just because I got the MCSE training) Which I didn't spend a dime on the cost, I used the
UNemployment dept services to get a grant which paid for both the MCSE and CCNA training.

You not only have to get a certification but you have to network yourself constantly until something happens. You have to network with recruiters, always follow up. YOU have to get told "NO" so many times until someone says YES~! You have to pray! It's a miracle to find a job these days let alone get ahead.

Your plan should be simple, find grant funding to pay for certifications, network your butt off, finish college degree suggest you'll need a master degree to "get ahead" It's very competitve now. Linux is important and does play the backbones of networks. Linux is a robust version of UNIX. UNIX is really the backbone OPEN BSD are many ISPs backbone. for infrastructures its mostly Cisco some Juniper. So to get ahead you have to diversy yourself. I would advise to start with A+ learn it, then MCSE or RHCE and then CISCO. Also there's CISSP or PMP path. But certs and college degrees are both ideal. I plan to finish my degrees and get all the above certs to KNOW I can make over 100k per year.

oh wow. Let me now clarify a few things. 1] specifically having a degree in computer science or CIS will not get further now than it did when it was popular. If you have a CIS degree or computer science degree, yay for you, but when you go up against someone who has 6-10 years experience, the degree is meaningless and you wont get the job. Companies these days care more about experience than anything, and you CAN get a job without a degree cause ive gotten about six or more permanent spots without one.

If you plan to do desktop support for a while before moving on to network admin, then yes, you ABSOLUTELY MUST have COMPTIA A+. that is pretty much a given these days.

Recruiters are almost ALWAYS a bad idea, because theyre lazy, never call you back, have no spines, and dont put the necessary pressure on clients that they should be putting on them to make a damn decision.

By the way, the only way in hell youre going to make 100k+ a year is by having 10 years IT experience including networks and servers, and becoming either a system or network ENGINEER. either that? or becoming a database admin, or a blackberry server admin.

The most you can possibly make as a system admin or network admin, unless the company is rich and has the money to spend, is about 60-80k.

Take a look at current wage tables for the industry per job so you get a realistic idea of what these jobs are paying these days.

Entry level desktop gets 40-45k, Mid level desktop will get you about 50-55k, system admin 60-80k, and network admin about 55k+.

The reason the industry is so "tight" right now, is because for the last ten years or so, kids who know nothing about computers whatsoever, and dont really belong in the industry to begin with, are going to computer schools, being trained like noobs, and being released into the work world knowing nothing. Dont beleive me? the managers i interviewed with who got these noobie resumes were shocked they even applied.

Ok everyone, you now have seen the comment thread, I would advise to stick with the real non biased information we presented. Not like AD, who seems to be an angry dude caught in his times and afraid of change. I won't add a single thing to what I have already said. Judge for yourself as I don't think biased criticizing opinions are helpful at all....LOL.

lol. whatever dude. when the industry changes, so will i. until then, what ive said is correct and factual. dont beleive me? go find out for yourself in interviews with companies who are not in the finance industry. Go apply to something useful like the health care industry, and tell me if any of them still use linux or unix. Publishing, health care, food service, etc. are all good examples of industry types that primarily use macintosh and windows, for both operating systems and servers. Mac hasnt updated their servers past OS X, and windows is already up to version 7 for their operating systems. When was the last time linux got updated?? LOL. i rest my case. Go find out for yourself.

how is it biased when it happens to be the truth???? when you realize the truth, then you can post. until then, dont waste my time.

dude, have you even bothered to research why the internet runs on linux? or even bothered to research what linux is? My gosh, you're really stubborn. I try to ignore you but its hard when you post without making sense. For your information, one of the biggest reasons why companies decide to run their servers on linux is because of its versatility and adaptability. When a critical bug is found in a linux application, a fix for it can be delivered within the hours because of its open source nature while in Windows you must first wait for days before a fix is even available. When was the last time linux was updated? Last I check it happened today on 10/12/2009 and the one before that happened on 10/05/2009 (www.kernel.org/). I mean don't get me wrong, I'm actually a Microsoft guy, I run all my PC's on Windows and currently have Windows 7 which I downloaded through my MSDN subscription on one of my laptops, but when I see someone talking out of their behind and start posting as if it was fact like he's the authority, I have to step in and make you see reality. A useful industry such as healthcare? Please, if it wasn't for the financial industry, the healthcare industry wouldn't even exist, millions of dollars are traded every day transmitting through a TON of linux servers. And don't even get me started on how many useful linux distributions that are out there that can put Windows 7 to shame, *cough* Ubuntu *cough* it gets updated regularly *cough* Windows 7 has no where near the 3D capability ubuntu has when Beryl is installed *cough* it's free *gasp*!

I'm stubborn?? holy jesus christ monkey balls. I guess you never heard of apps like ORACLE and CRYSTAL REPORTS, which are JAVA BASED APPLETS, and run the same damn financial transactions just as easily and cost effective.

Yea, the financial industry in this country is doing sooooooooooooo well. Thats why companies like AIG almost lose their whole damn financial division right? cause they run cheap non cost based CRAP to run their systems, and then on top of the money theyre saving, screw over millions of people?? Talking out of my ass? pull your head out of yours, and wake up to what people are doing with their FREE crapware software.

The healthcare industry can operate independantly from the corrupt financial industry. Get your facts straight. As far as patches and fixes, yea, those can easily be pushed down from a WINDOWS SERVER?? WITHIN HOURS? AND OVERNIGHT?

You arent going to win the linux arguement, cause most companies DONT USE IT ANYMORE, and the ones that DO account for maybe 2% of the world.

Oh my gosh, wow! If you haven't noticed, Java was invented by a company called Sun Microsystems and debuted on their Unix based OS - Solaris. When they ported it to PC it ran and still does as a virtual machine. As far as Oracle goes, their database system debuted on the PDP-11 and VAX, both had OS's based on the Unix system. It wasn't until much later when they ported their database to the PC when x86 processors became available and the cost of personal computers became more accesible. Oracle still produces its database for the unix environment. I'm not trying to win a who's better argument, just setting the facts straight for the rest of the forum. I also wanted to tell you what an ignorant argument you made in blaming the financial industry's collapse on their choice of servers...LOL. Yeah, the servers made the horrible decisions that put our country in such a bad economic shape. Now let's get back on track and stop arguing about which OS is better, this thread is about what certifications are recommended for a desktop support position.

2 things. 1] i never said the servers were responsible for the collapse. The companies that run transactions through those systems are responsible, but since everything is recorded and tracked through computers these days, and since those morons knew what they were doing by screwing people over, yea, the hardware and software is partially responsible. Put two and two together tard.

2]The original topic of this thread has already been sufficiently answered, MOSTLY by me, and people have agreed with me.

You lose, and the forum didnt. End of story. Some certs are absolutely useless, while others are mandatory. Learn which ones are which like i did. I can tell you this, the ones they ARE looking for, they are absolutely checking for, cause they all have ID numbers associated with them, that belong on the resume for verification purposes.

AD in Jackson, New Jersey said: I'm stubborn?? holy jesus christ monkey balls. I guess you never heard of apps like ORACLE and CRYSTAL REPORTS, which are JAVA BASED APPLETS, and run the same damn financial transactions just as easily and cost effective.

Yea, the financial industry in this country is doing sooooooooooooo well. Thats why companies like AIG almost lose their whole damn financial division right? cause they run cheap non cost based CRAP to run their systems, and then on top of the money theyre saving, screw over millions of people?? Talking out of my ass? pull your head out of yours, and wake up to what people are doing with their FREE crapware software.

The healthcare industry can operate independantly from the corrupt financial industry. Get your facts straight. As far as patches and fixes, yea, those can easily be pushed down from a WINDOWS SERVER?? WITHIN HOURS? AND OVERNIGHT?

You arent going to win the linux arguement, cause most companies DONT USE IT ANYMORE, and the ones that DO account for maybe 2% of the world.

LOL holy jesus crap monkey balls? LMAO....I LOVE IT!

eyethinkyourcute said: LOL holy jesus crap monkey balls? LMAO....I LOVE IT!

eye,

feel free to IM me on AIM. i got tons of zingers like that. Screen name is Armageddon1st

AD in Jackson, New Jersey said: CCNA is required for Network admin. I'm noticing now that companies want both MCSE AND CCNA for system admin. I guess that makes sense since you need to know about networks before you deal with the servers. I would think MCSE encompasses both though, so i dont see the need for it.

I dont have either right now because theyre too damn expensive, and everyone thinks I'm overqualified for desktop support, so i cant get a job to pay for the certs. Companies are retarded, i hate them.

AD I am curious as to what schools in NJ offer A+ cert training? I just moved back to south jersey(near Atlantic City) and I am kind of out of the loop...meaning everything has changed since I was last here. I need to obtain an A+ cert to get my foot in the door. I have been doing law enforcement for about 11yrs and I need a change. I was told that I can just buy some books and study for the test myself. Would you recommend that I study for it myself or go and get some hands on training? I'm not sure what to do. Any advice would be great.

Send me an IM and i'll explain the process. I leave AIM up pretty much all day, so drop me an IM and we'll talk. I'd make the suggestions here, but it's too damn much to type lol.

eye,
you're still going to need hands on desktop experience no matter what you do, and NJ lately is paying in the $30k range for the entry level positions, which is well below the industry standard. Also, yes, you can study for the tests yourself. I don't know how effective the books are, but as long as they correlate to the appropriate exam #s you should be fine. You need to pass TWO tests for CompTIA A+, and they're both grueling and very technical. If you think you can handle it, then go for it.

I guess from the posts about certs none of you have any. I have an MCSA and MCSE. They are hard. They also give you a lot of knowledge on network infrastructure.

Do you know the difference between a secondary zone and a primary zone? That question does is not vendor dependent. IPSec is IPSec, etc. What about RIP and OSPF? These are all used on different platforms. These are also all covered in the Microsoft exams. Yes, the CCNA is more based on Cisco platforms, and Microsoft exams cover MS technologies, but know how your email gets from point A to point B, it doesn't matter which platform.

As far as the OP, get an A+ and grab a couple of MS certs to get you going and let your career guide your certification path.

sure, if you have $845 for more to spend on the SIX tests that make up the entire curriculum to obtain MCSE.

MCDST and MCP are a waste of time. if you think otherwise, youre a noob who shouldnt be in the industry.

CCNA will pretty much get you any network admin job you want. Network+ is for noobs, and vendor certs count for far more than basic ones do.

A+ is only good because it covers hardware and software. Personally i dont have that one, cause i really dont need it. been building computers from scratch for two years or more now, and the fact that they just updated the test to the 2009 version which im sure is more noobish than the old school test.

as far as knowing something about your certs, ive researched all of them. as for letting your path guide you, lol?? have a game plan depending on what job you want, then get the cert that guarantees you getting it. end of story. get a clue.

btw, ive beaten out people who have MCSE for jobs, so youve wasted your money, unless you are planning on getting a job as a system admin or engineer.

First off it is SEVEN tests, not six. Personally, I think you don't know the difference between a hard drive and a cpu.

Secondly, your career path will determin your certification goals. Who knows he maybe working at the Citgo right next to you.

dude, much like the rest of the people cluttering this industry these days, YOU are a moron. it isnt SEVEN tests, its SIX. go do some research noob. i checked it just yesterday.

why did you even post on this thread to begin with?? its been dead for quite some time now, much like your brain.

do you even know what the best and coolest core temperatures are for a CPU?!?! do you even know how to make them cooler? do you even know the procedure?

do you even know how to configure a raid on hard drives for both servers and PCs?!?!

until you can answer any of these questions, leave the industry, youre embarrasing it. paperwork means nothing. if you cant answer questions like these, youre a noob. thats why i interviewed for a job and the MCSE retard got fired after three weeks? cause with a simple desktop issue he told the end user to call dell? ROFL??

LOL @ you. youre the one who should be working at citgo. now go take your MCSE and bag my groceries.

CPU temps? Really? That is the best you got? I have used pelters in overclooking to NEGATIVE temps. Go look it up. Yes, I know how to configure RAID. Umm, it is pretty much the same for both PCs and servers. Do you know the difference between a dynamic disk and a basic disk? Do you know the difference between a striped array and a redundant array? What happens when 2 disks fail in a RAID array? Do you know the difference between CHAP and L2TP? Do you know the difference between your head and your arse?
Do you know what root hints is? Do you know what a root zone is? Do you know what a default gateway is?(hint: trick question)
Do you know what MPLS is? Do you know what multihoming is? Should I continue?

Name one role of an operations master?

I won.

It is people like you that are jealous of MCSEs and their knowledge versus what you know. I think you need to go back to your Citgo station and continue to sell alcohol to minors, oh wait, you are one. Nevermind.

Let me know when you want to play with grown ups with networking

Sorry for peeing in your cheerios, but it had to be done to you. NEXT!!!

It is seven tests:

Here is the SEVEN I took

70-210
70-290
70-291
70-293
70-294
70-297
70-089

Since you have not answered one of my questions, and based on the questions you are asking, you could not pass the A+

I am done with you.

Hi All,

I am looking for a reputable consultant company to get training in MCSE, CCNA, Network Plus, MCSA etc. and who help to find jobs placement ?

Looking forward to hearing from all of you guys.

Thanks.

AD in Jackson, New Jersey said: oh yea, by the way, i hope youre rich or something, cause MCSE costs at least $1k for the test/coursework, and i think the CCNA test costs $250 or more for the test.

Hello,

If you are unemployed you can get some financial assistance from the state up to 10,000.00 max if you qualify. Go to your local unemployment office. If you are in TX then you would register with the Texas Worksource Commission. Hope this helps :0)

@AD in Jackson, NJ:

Didn't really read through all of this thread; what do you do for work? I'm also located in Jackson and am looking for an IT based job as either an instructor, or administrator. I'm looking for help with studying/learning about SharePoint. Any Suggestions?

...just wondering, I am also collecting unemployment, can you share with me how you went about having them pay for both the MCSE and CCNA training.

Thanks!

Hi, I have a old Networking degree and a A+ and I'm trying to get my foot in the door as a Desktop Support Specialist, I bought the N+ booklet and I'm studying that as well. What other qualifications do I need?

Thanks

If you already have A+ why are you still having problems getting a desktop job? I'm guessing you have no experience? That's problem 1. Problem 2 is network + is a worthless cert, and i wish you retards would stop trying to make it popular.

The only network cert anyone should go after is CCNA, which actually requires you to know network troubleshooting, and requires a brain in order to pass it.

Hi
I have a Bachelors In Computer Science Engineering from a foreign university and I'm going to write my A+ Exam in a few days to beef up my resume. I wanted to get a job in networks (want to go for CISCO certifications in the future) + I have interest in programming (but need more training).My prior work experience is not in the computer field and I'm going for a career change. Recently a recruiter said she will try to get me a job as a help desk/desktop support. I have no prior experience in the industry. My situation brought me here to this forum.

What would you guys advice?

You will NOT get a desktop or help desk job simply by having A+. If you have no experience in either position, or the network admin position, your paperwork is meaningless, and you will NOT be able to get those jobs. Period. Also, youre first now changing your career BACK to IT? The market for good IT techs, especially with little or no experience is too saturated as is, so my advice is leave the industry.

Leave the industry? 4 yrs of college and a month preparing for A+ and your telling me to quit? I worked in factories and put myself through college and now I want to change careers for a better future. Is there any industry that a Computer Engineer like me can start in?

AKR in Houston, Texas said: Leave the industry? 4 yrs of college and a month preparing for A+ and your telling me to quit? I worked in factories and put myself through college and now I want to change careers for a better future. Is there any industry that a Computer Engineer like me can start in?

No, don't quit. Find some volunteer opportunities if you can and get your feet wet that way while you contiue to enhance your skills and knowledge even if it's through self-training. I wish you the very best and hope something pans out for you.

No, don't quit. Find some volunteer opportunities if you can and get your feet wet that way while you contiue to enhance your skills and knowledge even if it's through self-training. I wish you the very best and hope something pans out for you.

AD in Jackson, New Jersey said: riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.. Ok carebear of the year award winner. Do you even know what's currently going on in the IT industry? Have you even looked at any information on it? If you had, you would NOT have chosen it as a major. First of all, foreign peices of garbage are taking those jobs because theyre doing jobs that should pay $20 or more an hour for about $13/hour.

If you want NOT to waste your time being unemployed in IT, then QUIT. Btw, there are no "volunteer" jobs in IT.

LOL. tards. where the hell do they find you people......

Could you stop with your dumb advices. You make it sound as though IT is only for experienced people. My questions are for people who can advice me on career paths not just in IT but in the Computer industry in general.
Thanks rw for your post.

Listen --- just quit IT and become a Hairdresser .......

Update. Just Passed A+ . So looking for level 1 desktop support jobs. start at the bottom and work up. Thanks to all the people that offered good advices.

AD you are such an assclown, enough with the internet tough-guy schtick, it is getting old. Seriously, grow up, you're showing your pitiful maturity and serious lack of intelligence. Also, to respond quickly to earlier, I've been in IT for 15 years off and on, mostly in desktop support and networking support, and could run circles around you in any OS and language, including G code (you're going to need to look that one up).

Back on topic: Good job AKR, that is the first step in a line of certs you will end up getting. Level 1 support you might be able to get in to, more likely you'll need to get experience working in a local shop doing AV, OS installs and hardware upgrades. Also, it doesn't hurt to do volunteer work for charities and/or churches, you won't need to do much just be reliable and you'll have a good referrence for later. Get some experience while aiming for MCITP Desktop Support 70-680/685 tests, a month or two of studying should net you those, then get real familiar with subnetting and protocols.

Won't hurt to have either Net+ or CCENT either, more stepping stones to show your willingness to learn and become savvy with different areas of IT. I must really recommend the VMWare certs, anything VM is red hot these days, showing you can handle even the lower level tasks and troubleshooting will help immensely.

That is a very similar route that I took, A+ Net+ then 5 years doing shop/lvl 1 support, then mild network support and now VMWare deployment. Takes about 5-8 years if you're in school as well.

Good luck :)

Hey Andrew in Ottawa, what did you mean by telling AKR about getting experience working in local shops doing AV? What is AV? Audio/Video??
By the way, sounds like good solid advice you gave to AKR, am following the same path myself.

Andrew in Ottawa, Ontario said: AD you are such an assclown, enough with the internet tough-guy schtick, it is getting old. Seriously, grow up, you're showing your pitiful maturity and serious lack of intelligence. Also, to respond quickly to earlier, I've been in IT for 15 years off and on, mostly in desktop support and networking support, and could run circles around you in any OS and language, including G code (you're going to need to look that one up).

Back on topic: Good job AKR, that is the first step in a line of certs you will end up getting. Level 1 support you might be able to get in to, more likely you'll need to get experience working in a local shop doing AV, OS installs and hardware upgrades. Also, it doesn't hurt to do volunteer work for charities and/or churches, you won't need to do much just be reliable and you'll have a good referrence for later. Get some experience while aiming for MCITP Desktop Support 70-680/685 tests, a month or two of studying should net you those, then get real familiar with subnetting and protocols.

Won't hurt to have either Net+ or CCENT either, more stepping stones to show your willingness to learn and become savvy with different areas of IT. I must really recommend the VMWare certs, anything VM is red hot these days, showing you can handle even the lower level tasks and troubleshooting will help immensely.

That is a very similar route that I took, A+ Net+ then 5 years doing shop/lvl 1 support, then mild network support and now VMWare deployment. Takes about 5-8 years if you're in school as well.

Good luck :)

Thanks Andrew.

I am currently learning JAVA, C/C++. just incase

Host said: What is the best training for becoming a desktop support analyst? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective desktop support analyst?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

What do you do when you have a CCNA, A+, a BS in Telcom what does one have to do to get Tier 2 position.

My question is what does one need when you have your CCNA with practical Experience, your A+ and over 5 years in the Networking Command Center , a BS in Telecom and you want to move over to Network Admin or a Sys Admin position. What do you Need.

Oh yea I am in Tampa Florida, not Leavenworth Kansas.

I think no matter what you have to start at the bottom. But after a few months' contract at one place, you move to another, and so on (most work is contract work these days.) By "bottom" I mean helpdesk or worse. I had all these certs (and a Bachelor's in another discipline) but started as basically an office manager in the IT department. Wasn't really even allowed to work on computers! And I knew my stuff. After that contract, I got a job at a small company. I worked my way up, each contract I pointed out what I had done on my resume that was inline with the title "desktop support" and then sold myself as a Desktop Support person. Took 2 years. I am making above $50k, but it's still contract work.

I think that "what's his face" (...AD) should be treated like a naughty child, ignore him. He is only looking to wind people up.

I have been in the desktop industry for 10 years. I have no A+ though i do have an MCDST. I, also have an N+. This cert is not outdated - the point is that it provides base knowlege to build on and it is NOT brand specific. This is important. A+ is good too but not very highly prized around here.

The important thing to understand is that most ICT certs are proprietary. Microsoft have the MCxxx certs; there's VM certs for those of us who fiddle with Virtual Machines etc. Pinpoint what it is you'd like to specialise in and then start from the bottom up. The 5 year plan is important here.

As for the gent that has a degree, well done. The thing that naughty-boy-AD will never understand is that a degree teaches a person mental agility and equips them for strategic thinking. Clearly he lacks this ability and, frankly, it looks to me like he is trying to discourage you to ensure that you not enter the industry - with your education you're likely to be his boss soon.

Good luck to you and the best advice is to be persistent. That is how I got my first job.

Not only are you wrong and clearly have no clue what the hell youre talking about, but i dont work with or gor morons so anyone being my boss is highly unlikely. Retard.