Computer newbies forum: IT career advice. Starter

I see good programmers being bad project managers. And I see good project managers being bad programmers.

So decide what you're good in and follow that path. A career test might help (see http://www.careertest.net/ for example, although you might prefer a face-to-face one with a local office). But also ask your manager for advice; he might have a good idea of your stonger (and weaker) points.

Best of luck with your career.

Kees

and get a certification.

Get a copy of Mike Meyers' Comp TIA A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs, fourth edition. Exams 220-801 and 220-802. I use this book and the enclosed CD to teach A+. It covers XP, Vista, and W7. It covers virtually all hardware. Hundreds of practice test questions and examples. Learn it.

If you feel confident about your knowledge, take the practice tests before you read the book, see where you need to freshen up.

The next edition will cover W8 and more of the latest hardware.

Next, do Net+.

Ask youself what it is you REALLY like about IT. You say you have a passion for computers - ask yourself is that for the computers themselves or the applications thereof? You've worked a Helpdesk (well, done, I couldn't have!) so you obviously have some interest in solving problems - does that extend to providing solutions in the first place?

Why am I asking all these questions? Well, it is a truism that if you want to progress to the higher echelons of a company, you should be associated with the product line - you usually can't do it in a service department and hit some kind of "glass ceiling". If it truly is the computers that inspire you, I would seriously suggest you consider a computer manufacturer, where you can be associated with the product line. As well as the big names you will already know, there are many smaller companies doing really exciting stuff. Get yourself along to a trade show and take a look around - it will be an eyeopener. Think maybe Development or Sales Support?

But if it's the application of computers that inspire you, go with an end user company, preferably one with a progressive business outlook in a field that also interests you - technology of some sort would be an obvious choice. If you can get a general introduction to all aspects of their IT operation, take a careful look at what really drives you and move in that direction.

Hope this may give some thoughts. Good Luck!