Need help breaking into the industry.

Hi there i am new to this site in fact im pretty new to the industry altogether.Last year i took a course in computers recieving 2 MCP's 210,215 A+,Net+ & I.net+ and currently studying for the 218 for my M.C.S.A the problem is finding a job without a vast amount of experiance i am more than willing to start at the bottom and work my way up although i just cant seem to get a break anywere.Has anyone any suggestions that may help as it is becoming increasinly more dis-heartening.

Thanks.

Keep trying. You've identified the key yourself - experience. If this is the industry you really want to work in, you need to take a long-term view and look out for openings that will give you experience. You may have to take something with low pay for a yesr or two, or even do voluntary work for free while you work a different job, but it will pay off in the medium term. Also don't discount any experience you gain in your own time. Invent little projects for yourself at home, do jobs for friends etc. And, most impotantly, build up a sort of portfolio showing all the projects you have done (whether for work voluntary work or privately). Make a folder showing what you did, the kit or software you worked with, the problems you encountered, how you overcame them and some sort of end result. You can then show that to prospective employers and it will differentiate you from the crowd

Thanks for the reply really appreciate it.You've gave me some goods ideas namley the portfolio.Its definitely the way i wanna go but it really is chicken and egg scenario I did do some voluntary work in South Africa implementing school networks although there was so many hic-cups with equipment not arriving when it should that by the time i was leaving the good stuff was only starting.At the moment im in helpdesk role its ok but not really what im looking for long term but like i said im willing to start from the ground floor.Thanks again.

No problem. Everyone claims they have exprerience but you will be able to provide some evidence for it

I can understand this issue completely. I live in an area with a federal communications installation nearby that is constantly hemorrhaging retirees who are more than willing to take up all the entry level IT work for whatever rate is available, leaving those who are just leaving school or tech with nothing to build on.

My saving grace was joining a company doing repair work and then helping them implement their own IT department.

Never give up.

Another thing is once you do get somewhere (don't worry.. with perseverance you will), stay there for at least two years unless you get a definate position elsewhere which is better for you. The first two years in I.T. are where you keep you backside firmly on the seat.

Once you have got that two years you are fairly safe but don't sit back and relax. Use that two years to get your fingers into every pie you can and keep up your certifications (even if your job doesn't require them or your colleagues are too lazy to study their own).

Don't be afraid to move to a new job unless you really enjoy what you are doing and are getting a lot out of it in return. Get yourself into the frame of mind that work is flexable in your favour - you're the one with the skills everyone is after. There are no such things as jobs for life anymore so there is no point going looking for one.