MusicyTechGeek

After some time with no blog entry, I started to think of something else that I could do to bring more content into the blog. I think that chronicling my journey to try to get into to the tech industry from a completely unrelated field is worth talking about. As many of you may know, my formal education experience was in Music. I was a Music Education and Music Composition student at a private college in Northern California for 3 semesters before I withdrew from the school and decided to start new and make some big changes in my life. My decisions up to this point, have gotten me to North Carolina, in an area that I would love to stay in and hopefully settle down in over time.

So…I believe it is important to start from the beginning:

What was my first exposure to computers?

I, like many born in the 80′s, have grown up with computers and have seen them evolve over time. Some of my first computer experiences are tied to my dad who was a geek at the time. He was always on the computer, and it often got him into trouble because internet connections were paid for by the minute. Also, because of where we lived it was a long distance call so it added up to a lot of money over time. Once there was a $500 phone bill that took several years to pay off, because of my dads love for technology and embracing ‘new things’. He didn’t do well in traditional school, because he was often bored. This was something I could relate to, although I did ‘alright’ in traditional school by at least graduating with Honors from high school and getting accepted to a great college. He taught me how to use DOS and how do perform functions that were relevant to me at the time. I found myself playing a lot of games, and I remember “Loom” and “Joost” more than anything else as my favorite games. I really do feel that my dad was a big part of why I discovered computers at an early age, and why I have always been intrigued by them growing up. Also, with him being gone (he left on his own will, he didn’t die), I think it is some way that I will always feel connected to him, even if we never truly have a relationship.

My first personal computer was a “Macintosh Classic” and it was given to me from my elementary school through the donated computer program that they had. We were just looking to get a computer in my hands, and it is what was given to me. To be completely honest, I didn’t really use it. I thought the OS was clunky and I really didn’t see any use for it at the time other than doing word processing. I can’t say that I did at a lot of word processing at the age of 10.

After that, I got my next computer through my moms work. They are a big company, so when they upgraded to new hardware, they sold the old hardware to employees for reactively cheap. It was a tower PC, that was pretty crappy, but I decided to take it and replace the components. I remember first upgrading the USB ports to USB 2.0 and then slowly replacing everything until it was a brand new computer. This was my first ‘hands on’ experience working with computers and taking them apart and putting them back together. I did some research at the time, but a lot of what I did was trial and error, and if it didn’t work when I put something in I just did everything I could do to finally get it to work. My mom is STILL using this computer. However, this is soon to change, because I finally got her used MacMini which will be her first Mac! I will blog about my experience teaching her Mac in the future! I don’t think she reads my blog, but if she does, I love you mom, and happy BDay and Christmas! .

That computer got me through high school and lasted through college. I did my first composition on that computer, and it is really crappy compared to my computer standards now, but it has been a beast. I got started on most computer information that way, and I may ask my mom if I can get it back at some point just to have and to store for sentimental reasons. Since college, I have had an iBook, a PowerBook G4 (FW 800) and now I’m on an iMac (current early 2009 Model). I have gone Mac, primarily because of the integration with media and the software that comes standard on every Mac. For my personal use, I couldn’t imagine anything else. I’m not a gamer, so it works for me. I will soon post a list of my favorite mac apps, and what I tend to use the most and for what purposes.

I think that my ‘journey’ into computers has been pretty normal. I don’t think that I did anything really geeky until the last 5 years of my life, when I really started to embrace technology a lot more. For me, it was a big emotional struggle to change my career focus. I was only focused on being a music teacher for so long, that I really didn’t consider anything else until I had made the move out of state and started to fend for myself. It was hard for me to admit that I had made a wrong decision, and that I perhaps made the wrong focus for so many years. I love music, and it will always be a big part of my life, but when I got to college and realize that I didn’t want to study it formally like that, and that I just wanted to experience it, it was hard to handle. I struggled with ‘my purpose’ for a long time, and it truly was something I thought about A LOT. Sometimes, I do think about it now, but I’m really happy having the opportunity to be involved in the music world, and for the most part, be well respected within the flute community. I’d like to focus more on composition again, but that will happen once I get things more inline. I will not even suggest that my time in the music world was a waste. It changed my life. Music was the first thing to save my life, and teach me the things that I needed to be successful in the world. I needed it a lot when I started it because I needed some outlet for creativity, and it was there. Music is a great combination of logic, emotional, and skill, and it is something that I will ALWAYS love strongly and want to be a strong part of my life now and in the future. I know, I’m rambling, but finally, you are getting me! I think eventually, there will be a good balance between my focus on technology and music, but right now, it is time that I focus on understanding technology more and more, and making sure that I can build the skills to start a career.

My current situation:

Although I have accomplished a lot up to this point, I am not currently happy with my work situation. I’m working a job, and that is all it is. Because of that, the need for me to get into my career path is much stronger. I’m tired of having a job that I don’t care about, in an industry that I really didn’t want to really be in, in the first place. I’m just happy that I have gained some corporate experience, and I’m sure that it will be valuable as I move forward.

I am considering going through the tradition education route to get certified to work in the technology industry; however, because of time, costs and lifestyle change, I have been looking into ‘non-standard’ routes for getting in. I have developed some contacts in the area that work in the tech industry, and they all work in different aspects of it. The people I know, range from network administration to programming and consultation. I’m sure there are more, but it is a pretty good basis to get opinion on when trying to get into the industry. They have all recommended that I get into the tech industry by getting certifications. “A degree will help you move up, but certifications will get you in the door and help get you the experience that you need to move up.” That is basically what was told to me by everyone I know, and I have to say that I agree. A degree came easily become obsolete, and certifications, if kept current, can be a lot more valuable over time. I do see the point of traditional education down the road, but right now, it isn’t my first option to try to get into the tech industry.

What are my current options?

1) Traditional school – Start working my way through an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Technology and then make sure to meet the requirements for the local program that offers a Bachelors of Science online (ECU does offer this) for those who have completed an AAS and have a CCNA certification. This is a possible option, down the road, but right now, it isn’t my priority.

2) Certifications – Gain knowledge and experience by proving myself and my ability by getting technology certifications and slowly get into the industry. Either I can study for them on my own, or consider technology certification programs that help you learn and understand the material for the tests.

These are the certs I’m interested in:

CompTIA A+; Diagnose and troubleshoot computer hardware. Including building and repairing computers. This is commonly known as the ‘entry level’ certification. There is the A+ essentials test, and then the 220-602 for specialization in customer focus, 220-603 for remote repair and customer support, and 220-604 is used for repair desk technicians. The A+ Essentials is required to be passed as well as one of the other specialized test to get the certification.

CompTIA Network+; Network troubleshooting and management.

CompTIA Linux+ ; Linux administration and functions.

MCDST - Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (Install, configure, and manage Microsoft XP in the business environment)

MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (Install, configure and manage Microsoft Vista in a business environment)

MCP – Microsoft Certified Professional (Install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot many kinds of network servers)

MCSA – Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (Learn advanced server skill sets to manage and maintain a networked environment for small to large companies).

CCENT – Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (Install, operate, and troubleshoot Cisco equipment in a business environment.

CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate

CCNP – Cisco Certified Network Professional

The bold and italic listed certifications are what I plan on focusing on right now. Currently, I’m working through the A+ certification book that I have so that I can take the test by the end of the year. I’m currently looking into a certification program to help me learn the information for some of the certifications that I would like to focus on. This would allow me to have an in class environment with hands on experience. As I work through each certification, I am going to be posting key points from each that I figure ‘everyone’ should know, or at least everyone who is interested in technology as career.

I hope to be a little more involved and writing a little more as I get things in line. Getting out of my current job, and into a job in the tech industry is really important to both my partner and I right now. I really look forward to growing into things, and seeing where my skills take me.

Bye for now!

-Kyle