The IT Thread

[OakTree500]

I work in IT support, [At first generally through first and second line support, and now for specific software]. If you have any questions or anything, let me know. 

Thanks, Oaktree. I'm considering the following: currently, I'm able to be a full-time student and knock out the network + and security + certifications, which to my knowledge, would give me a much stronger foundation and give me more opportunities for growth (I'd like to get into security); get a job as a help desk technician to get hands on experience while studying for and obtaining the security + and network + certifications (getting these certs would probably take at least twice as long), but I'd be stuck doing help desk work until I'm able to get more certs.  What would you recommend?

In all honesty, I can only really say "get cracking". Apply for the things you want and just get some experience. 

For me personally I honestly have 0 actual meaningful qualificaitons, but I got a foot in the door because I know how to use a computer. Since then I've just learned on the job, and now I work for a software development company as a second/third line engineer for their customers.

Not sure where you're based so I may not be able to accurately say for sure, but having what you have will give you the advantage for sure [Ie you could probably get where you want to go faster than I did] and the best way to go is just apply for anything/everything that is remotely relevant, and see what sort of feedback you get. Maybe you'll get on, maybe you'll be told "get some experience" or whatever else, and if that's the case you know to start potentially a few notches down.

In saying that, having the proof that you know these things is huge and if I had gone to university, I'd probably be where I am now anyway, but only about 5 years earlier lol.

Keep learning what you can, apply for everything, and generally keep moving forward.

Edit to add: If you can get some sort of "work experience" with your current course, that would be a huge help. A friend of mine went to university, and part of his course sent him abroad for a year working. Having international letters coming into employers looks very cool, plus you can say you've lived/worked in that field also.