Hi, im soon, to be finishing High School, and i would like to be a systems admin or webmaster as my career (or any something to do with computer and net) . HAs anyone got any tips, on subjects i should take for A-Levels, and how i may be able to learn more about these two careers ? Thanks

Matt

anything that covers linux, apache, mysql, perl, php would be a good start.

I'm not up on current school subjects (been over a decade since I saw the inside of a classroom) :)

Either career path will involve troubleshooting, and making decisions based on available information, formulating a solution, and then checking your results.

If you enjoy detective work or puzzles you're on your way.

Hmm... not exactly an iron-clad answer I suppose.

Greg Moore

I would take any Computer Science type class they offer. Also, look into a Web Development class.

Or just hang around the most geeky people, if you already don't.

Why dont you do MCSE or MCSD alongwith some course on Linux/ Unix/ Apache.

i'd go into networking generally pays pretty good. web development is kind of a flooded market. same with web hostign i think anyways...

Jobs like being a Webmaster or SysAdmin will call for knowledge on several subjects . Not just one . So to begin with , you would require a solid base / foundation of systems , their methodology and crunch situations handling experience . So apart from studying theories .... you would also require working /practical experince and practical knowledge . Those kind of things again you would be bettre able to grasp /learn from people who have been doing it for some time .
You would also should think of doing such simmilar things after you got a couple of years working in junior level before taking upon higher up jobs.

Why dont you look at colleges and see what classes they offer. That might offer some information.

Ok cheers for your input guys. I saw a career advisor on Friday, and he gave me some research to do on careers im interested in, this will help alot, Thanx.

DreamHOBO, I am one of those geeky people :D

Matt

If you're looking into college I'd really-REALLY think about a combined computers/business degree. Most local institutions offer them and the business background will provide you with the experience to one day step forward and lead the peons!

:D

-Matt

I really recomend a school that integrates work and school(co-op)

David, can u tell me more about a co-op, i dont follow...

Matt

Its what I do. I work 3 months, go to school 3 months. Right now I am just in Internal services, so I troubleshoot computers in a office. I am working twoard a comp engineering degree. I am in my final two weeks of school. The purpose of co-op is for two reason.

1. Give you work experience in your field
2. Hopefully give you a company who you can work with for a few years and land a job in at the end of your schooling.

Rochester does it for the final two years of school

kettering.edu, where I go, does it the full five years.

One thing to remember, is you cant expect breaks. At kettering its year round. You get yourt thanksgiving and christmas breaks, but there is no summer vacation. I spent my summer working.

From your intial post mcfcforever it appears that your in the UK and about to start college :). If this is the case then I'd suggest you looking to doing both Computing (not IT) and Maths at A-Level, possibly with a science subject if you can stand it heh.

Computing is alot more hands on then IT, and involves 100% more programing :). Computing is usualy the most indepth computer related course you can take at a-level.

Hope that helped and if you need to know anything else feel free to contact me.

You might want to look into a Degree in Management of Information Systems.

ok this is off topic but this has bugged me for a long time does peon mean like piss-on soudns like it.....just me though...ya im jacked up in the head what can i say

maybe go for your MCSE, cisco courses, (CCNA, etc)

Thanx people, and soulfish, yeah thats what alot of people have suggested.

Matt