Monthly Archives: September 2023

In September we have been talking about IT careers and Cyber careers.  I hope you are moving forward in your studies for a successful career.  Studying for certification exams requires a systematic approach to cover the exam objectives to gain a solid understanding of the concepts and skills tested.  Don’t miss study tips in my study blog.

Prepare to pass your certification exams with study materials. Everyone has a different way of learning, it is hard to say what the is the best product for an individual to learn, you have assess that for yourself.  Determine what you need to seat the concepts in your mind!

For students who learn better in more of a classroom based learning with an instructor explaining topics, utilize computer based learning video series where an instructor teaches the concepts from the book.

For those who learn well by reading, look to exam guides, Mike Meyers E-books.  You can find a complete understanding  to prepare for a certification in an all in one book that will cover your from the basics to passing the exam.  If you are an existing tech, looking to pass the exam, I like to call you “swiss cheese” knowledge techs.  You know what you work with well, but need to fill in the “holes” to pass your exams, and don’t want a book that covers the basics. You are looking for the exam facts.

Get your hands dirty, practice, practice, practice.  Whether it is working with setting up the hardware or configuring the software, get some time working on your skills.  Use online interactive simulations to help you learn technical concepts and practice answering CompTIA’s performance-based questions, TotalSims Interactive Simulations. Hands on labs help ensure a seamless and coherent learning experience for you.

Certification practice exams are expensive, prepare to pass the first time Total Tester Practice Tests.  Practice exams are a great way for you to know when you are ready to take the actual exams.  You can use them at the end of your studies to see if you are ready to take the exams.  If you are using as a final check, don’t just trust that one pass is good enough, be certain to take several exams and ensure your scores are consistent.  If you choose to use practice questions as an integral part of their study, be certain to use a larger pool of questions.  More questions help ensure that you are learning the concepts, and not just memorizing the answers to the questions in the database.

Finally, don’t pay full price.  Save on the cost of certification exams with Discount Exam Vouchers.

Mike

Let Total Seminars help you start your journey to a new career in our new CareerPath products

Join me for a live webinar hosted by CyberNow Labs for Hands on Cyber Career Training

US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Practice Tests: TotalTester practice tests have hundreds of questions in a pool that allows you to create custom exams by exam domain or by chapter. Take tests in Practice mode with assistance (hints and explanations) or in Final mode (simulate the real exams). Includes complete explanations for each question.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and NEW! Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn more about technical concepts covered on the exams.

Total Seminars e-books are now available: Check out all of our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub

Everyone knows cybersecurity is the buzzword of the day.  Face it in today’s world, these positions are essential for organizations looking to build strong defenses against cyber threats.  But what do entry level cybersecurity positions do? And how do you get a job in cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a broad term that refers to protecting organizations from digital attacks. Cybersecurity professionals install and manage security software to search for vulnerabilities within an organization’s digital systems, and create protocols to protect companies, consumers, and information from malicious actors.

A cybersecurity team secures networks, proprietary applications, and systems against online threats.  These teams create layers of protection across networks, computers, and data. Cybersecurity analysts work in a security operations center, where they monitor security alerts, investigate incidents, and coordinate responses to security threats. SOC analysts utilize specialized software to help detect issues.  They utilize incident response procedures that help coordinate responses to threats.

Incident responders use digital forensics to investigate security events. This role includes assessing systems for risk, automation testing, and conducting system analysis to identify threats and react to potential breaches.  It is a role that requires an eye for detail and the ability to communicate across company departments. Incident responders are required to create comprehensive reports for management and communicate with those from non-technical backgrounds.

Junior penetration testers are responsible for identifying vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems and applications by attempting to exploit them, but with the intent to provide recommendations for improvement. They utilize hacking techniques, knowledge of security tools, and a commitment to ethical hacking practices.

Here’s an extra special treat only for those serious about putting Security+ certification to work in this high-paying cyber role: SOC Deep-Dive Private Virtual Tour 

Click here to take a SOC Deep Dive Pivate Virtual Tour: 

Passcode: 4theCNLs0c#23! 

To learn how to claim your FREE  Training, attend a free live cyber career info session, hosted by National Cyber Group’s CEO, Gabe Schrade.

Check out our new CareerPaths, to help you on your journey to a new career.

Mike

Let Total Seminars help you start your journey to a new career!

Join me for a live webinar hosted by CyberNow Labs for Hands on Cyber Career Training

US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Practice Tests: TotalTester practice tests have hundreds of questions in a pool that allows you to create custom exams by exam domain or by chapter. Take tests in Practice mode with assistance (hints and explanations) or in Final mode (simulate the real exams). Includes complete explanations for each question.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and NEW! Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn more about technical concepts covered on the exams.

Total Seminars e-books are now available: Check out all of our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub

IT can be versatile; you can start out at the help desk and work your way up to any number of specialized jobs as you grow in your knowledge and skills. Remember if you are entering the field, you must build your resume, so take that entry level job and keep looking as you build your resume.

Entry level tech jobs

For an entry level tech, the two most common jobs are help desk technician or IT technician.  In either position you support technical issues.  Help desk and IT technicians are utilized by all sizes of corporations.

Help desk technicians tend to spend more time resolving user issues by the phone or by remote into the user system.  Help desk tends to work more with specific software or systems.

IT technicians are more likely to spend time completing work to resolve the issue onsite and tend to see a larger variety of issues. An IT technician should be able to troubleshoot, know how to use several operating systems, and understand the basics of IT networks.

Let’s face it, a lot of jobs ask for a year’s experience.  You can volunteer your time to help with tech support, you can get an internship, you need to get your hands on even if it is just practice, practice, practice. If you don’t have it on your resume, how do you stand out.  Showcase your knowledge and commitment to the tech industry by getting certifications.  Certifications on your resume help show employers your knowledge.

If you are just starting your IT career, check out my new self-study Career Paths.  Next week I will talk about entry level cybersecurity and have a demo of a Security Operations Center from CyberNowLabs hands on training lab.

See you next week,

Mike

Click to join and become a part of our community’s journey to IT certification and beyond

Let Total Seminars help you start your journey to a new career!

Join me for a live webinar hosted by CyberNow Labs for Hands on Cyber Career Training

US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Practice Tests: TotalTester practice tests have hundreds of questions in a pool that allows you to create custom exams by exam domain or by chapter. Take tests in Practice mode with assistance (hints and explanations) or in Final mode (simulate the real exams). Includes complete explanations for each question.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and NEW! Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn more about technical concepts covered on the exams.

Total Seminars e-books are now available: Check out all of our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub

People always ask me how to get into an IT career.  Let’s face it, in today’s tech driven world, IT can be a smart and rewarding choice, the field offers a wide range of opportunities for those with the right skills and mindset. If you’re interested in the journey into an IT career, here are my thoughts.

Assess yourself, honestly.  What are your interests, skills, and goals. Explore your interests and strengths to determine which IT path aligns best with your aspirations.

Set time to find and take training. Most IT careers require some level of education or training, whether self-study or in a program.  Once you have an idea of where you want to be, you must find the path.  Keep in mind that IT is a dynamic field, so you can always pivot and explore new areas as you gain experience.

If you are new or transitioning to IT, self-study can take you far so commit the time.  If you are looking to break away from the entry level, select a specialization that resonates with your interests and career goals. Self-study can work for specialization, but more advanced careers may require instructor-led training.

Especially for self-study obtain certifications.  Many of my courses focus on industry known certifications; CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Cloud+, PenTest+, and for the newbies ITF+.

Get some hands-on experience.  IT is all about getting your hands on. Consider internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities to gain practical knowledge and build your portfolio. Create personal projects or contribute to open-source projects to showcase your skills and abilities to potential employers.

For those breaking from the entry level job, follow your interest path.  Consider Internet of Things, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Analysis.  The IT industry is constantly evolving, so a commitment to lifelong learning is essential. Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies, attend workshops, and consider pursuing advanced certifications or degrees to advance your career.

It is who you know, network. Surround yourself with IT, attend industry conferences, meetups, and online forums to connect with professionals in your chosen field. Getting into an IT career requires dedication, continuous learning, and adaptability. Remember that perseverance and a passion for technology will be your greatest assets as you work towards achieving your IT career goals.

Stay tuned for more career information in September.

Mike

Click to join and become a part of our community’s journey to IT certification and beyond

Let Total Seminars help you start your journey to a new career!

Join me for a live webinar hosted by CyberNow Labs for Hands on Cyber Career Training

US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Practice Tests: TotalTester practice tests have hundreds of questions in a pool that allows you to create custom exams by exam domain or by chapter. Take tests in Practice mode with assistance (hints and explanations) or in Final mode (simulate the real exams). Includes complete explanations for each question.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and NEW! Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn more about technical concepts covered on the exams.

Total Seminars e-books are now available: Check out all of our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.