i think socrates said it well...

this is the thing to do. start making a reputation for yourself now, and by the time you graduate HS and go out into the real world you'll have plenty of experience under your belt. it'll make a difference when you go into a job interview, i'll tell you that.

Well getting expirence sounds like the right hting to do, but with just my A+....there is alot of other people out there. I have ben an aide to my Computer teacher for quite some time (3 years now) Me and my nerd buddies have worked around the school fixing the very comptilcated (novell network S***) to the very simple (replacing ink ) And to PanicX i actually seen those commercials, but those damn cars...id have to shoot myself. I thank you all for your replies, i am feeling alot better about my situation, as daunting as it is. Please if you feel like you have anything to add, even just a simple suggestion, let me know, the little stuff counts too.

Now i do have a local PC repair shop (its called CMC computers) Very small place, and i have noticed a help wanted sign. Well i have delt with them in the past (but not too much...as they are expensive lol) and i actually have a buddy that used to work there. Now with just my A+, and my 3 years of school PC expirence, do you think they would laugh me out? Or should i check it out?

Thanks

Sean

check it out. if you know what you're doing then why not? if you're under 18 ther might be a trick or two to getting a job in your state...

Put together a resume that explains your computer related experiences. Wording it right and you can include many things you haven't before. Ever fix a computer or two for your family? Ever get paid for fixing someone else computer? (barter counts) then you've been freelancing and that counts as experience. Ever taken a programing or electronics class in high school? That counts towards education. Anything you can add that makes it look like you're active in the field and putting more into it than some dumb kid that plays mine sweeper all day, will give you a leg up.

Don't forget a "hobbies" section which can detail PC repair, overclocking, Home Theater setup's, server OS installations (buzz words count!!).

FYI, when you make it to an interview process, don't "slam" any specific technologies, I almost lost a client once because he mentioned that Mac's are the only PCs worth dealing with and I laughed at him.

You mean i shouldnt tell them that i only work with Intel and think AMD is just a "cool" trend? Just trying to raise the blood pressure of you AMD fanatics


BUt as far as expirence, hell i might as well list em out

A+ cert.
100+ hours in school repair
One simester of Network Installation & Repair (Votec)
One simester of PC repair
Countless One the side jobs (i would go into detail here)
Built my machines

Maybe i could get some teachers or neighbors as references

Is that too much you think? Should i take some thing out or add something in (that may be obvious, i know you dont really know what i have or have not done)

And to zep about getting a job under while being under 18, well i have one right now, and as long as i dont work 40 hours a week, i am fine.

Thanks

Sean

AtK

I think what Zephead is referring to there may be tax breaks avail.
to potential employers and such, Insentives.
Not to mention working scholarships...College credits for working.
Employers-->reembursement for college while working for them.

I really wonder, if I'd had a mind like yours, at your age,
Katey bar the doors, I might've gotten Bill's G. job :haha:

toffeapple: Thats very kewl!!!

Damn this is good advice... I'm stuck working for the county council doing IT in schools, but I wish I took the time to bugger off and work around. It's still on the cards but it's a lot harder to leave a good job that you've settled into.

perhaps i should shed some light on a very important but overlooked subject: legal matters. before you go out to work independently, you should understand that, as a given establishment's technician, you can be held accountable for losses a business suffers should there be any slip-ups. this can lead to a nasty lawsuit should you be in this unfortunate position. the way to avoid this is to enact a contract with your employer that has a hold-harmless clause.

Legal jargen

Too True!
non-disclosures is another term to get used to as well.

i've actually seen technicians get sued over things they did (or didn't do), and it's not a position anyone wants to be in.

we've all heard the horror stories though...

to protect himself from personal liability, he would need to incorporate.
A small subchapter S or C incorporation should suffice. I'm not a lawyer, but he should get legal advice before starting such a business.