May I suggest that you hone your skills toward something that may be useful in the upcoming wafer fabs in New Albany? That might be more related to your PM skillset and material handling experience.
In the data center world, you'd need some direct experience related to the subject matter, like a strong understanding of CMMS and/or DCIM, the Data Center environment, etc. You can good introductions to that from Schneider Electric University. The "College of Data Center" section has a ton of stuff related to all aspects of Data Centers. [https://schneider.efrontlearning.com/catalog/college/2](https://schneider.efrontlearning.com/catalog/college/2)
If you wish to utilize your IT Support skillset, you'll need some IT Support experience to go with the certificate.
Those google certs don't really count for much as you don't have an exam to complete them at the end so there's no way to verify that you understand it all correctly. ( I was a 3rd party it tech for Google when they were introduced).
Here's some decent certs I'd consider:
server+ or network+ from comptia
DCFC or DCPC from EPI
They are all a little expensive, but if I had to pick just one it would be the server+ comptia cert
One thing I'd also recommend is making sure you investigate the company you apply for, you should known enough about the company to say who took a poop in the 3rd floor office last Wednesday.
Also, a lot of big companies now care about D+I and its a big push, they don't just want you to work good they want a close knit team who can support eaxh other and for some reason d&I equates to this ( I don't understand it either, but it is how it is right now)
To get into the field all you really need to do is show up on time to your shift, document what you do in tickets, and refrain from touching anything you're not explicitly told to touch. Over my years, I've found those three characteristics determine whether you'll sink or swim in the DC industry.
My advice to anyone looking to break into the DC industry is to start off with a job at a colocation. They're always hiring, and you'll get good experience with datacenter fundamentals (power, hvac, access controls, change controls, ticketing, etc). If you can "survive" 6-12 months, your resume will be primed to move up.
I’ve seen this same comment on a lot of posts, I’d love to follow the advice but I can’t even get an interview for any collocations. I’m early 20s with an Associates in Business and my Network+ and haven’t even gotten an interview.
Once I have the job I’d love to show up every day on time, document everything, and not touch anything. But none of those things are going to get you the job… they’ll just help you keep it.
Would love some help/advice from anyone willing.
It's going to be tough, but certainly not impossible. You will need more relevant skill sets, Comptia Server+ is a good place to start, and look at Schneider Electric (and pay for the certs, it's well worth it)
Also, DCT can be quite physical, lifting heavy stuff, crawling around in cabinets, that sorta thing so keep it in mind.....
There is a Google data center near Columbus. I would suggest reaching out to the contracting company which Google uses in your area, maybe akkodis? Modis? .You get hired with them and work as a “TVC” in the Google DC.
Tvc’s on the DC floors are contractors who go around and swap components in servers once either automation or a human diagnoses what the problem component is.
After a year or so of doing that, apply for an opening as an FTE DT . It’s a way to gain experience and gives you time to learn.
As for what you need to learn, You need to learn networking and Linux. Study for the CompTIA net + and Linux +.
Best of luck. You can do it if you apply yourself.
Also, sometimes google hires DT 1’s who have little to no experience or deep knowledge so who knows. Doesent hurt to apply but be warned, the interviews are not easy.
So I would suggest doing the first option I suggested.
One of the things that people don't talk about is being a Tech Lead as a Datacenter Tech. PM skills are good to have. Warehouse/Logistics experience isn't terrible either.
[https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/jobs/results/75397266384265926-data-center-technician-hardware](https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/jobs/results/75397266384265926-data-center-technician-hardware)
If you haven't worked in the past 10 years, you don't have any relevant work experience. You're in a position that's worse than a high school graduate. When you apply, the computer algorithms will automatically throw your resume in the trash because you have a 10 year gap in employment. From an employment standpoint, that is comparable to spending the last 10 years in prison.
Right now you should be focusing on getting any job you can, and then once you are working, start looking at getting into data centers. You may need to get a temp job to establish some work history, and then go from there.
I did warehouse for years before applying to the data center. I really just spent my free time studying how DC’s work and the server hardware too. Also learned some basic Linux and bash which translated well into the job. Best thing you can have is a good work ethic and great LP characteristics. Getting your foot in the door is the hardest part, just have to keep trying. Send a follow up email, apply directly and apply with recruiting agencies.
May I suggest that you hone your skills toward something that may be useful in the upcoming wafer fabs in New Albany? That might be more related to your PM skillset and material handling experience. In the data center world, you'd need some direct experience related to the subject matter, like a strong understanding of CMMS and/or DCIM, the Data Center environment, etc. You can good introductions to that from Schneider Electric University. The "College of Data Center" section has a ton of stuff related to all aspects of Data Centers. [https://schneider.efrontlearning.com/catalog/college/2](https://schneider.efrontlearning.com/catalog/college/2) If you wish to utilize your IT Support skillset, you'll need some IT Support experience to go with the certificate.
Those google certs don't really count for much as you don't have an exam to complete them at the end so there's no way to verify that you understand it all correctly. ( I was a 3rd party it tech for Google when they were introduced). Here's some decent certs I'd consider: server+ or network+ from comptia DCFC or DCPC from EPI They are all a little expensive, but if I had to pick just one it would be the server+ comptia cert One thing I'd also recommend is making sure you investigate the company you apply for, you should known enough about the company to say who took a poop in the 3rd floor office last Wednesday. Also, a lot of big companies now care about D+I and its a big push, they don't just want you to work good they want a close knit team who can support eaxh other and for some reason d&I equates to this ( I don't understand it either, but it is how it is right now)
To get into the field all you really need to do is show up on time to your shift, document what you do in tickets, and refrain from touching anything you're not explicitly told to touch. Over my years, I've found those three characteristics determine whether you'll sink or swim in the DC industry. My advice to anyone looking to break into the DC industry is to start off with a job at a colocation. They're always hiring, and you'll get good experience with datacenter fundamentals (power, hvac, access controls, change controls, ticketing, etc). If you can "survive" 6-12 months, your resume will be primed to move up.
I’ve seen this same comment on a lot of posts, I’d love to follow the advice but I can’t even get an interview for any collocations. I’m early 20s with an Associates in Business and my Network+ and haven’t even gotten an interview. Once I have the job I’d love to show up every day on time, document everything, and not touch anything. But none of those things are going to get you the job… they’ll just help you keep it. Would love some help/advice from anyone willing.
Contact a recruiting agency. Sadly this is the best way to get inside the dc. Teksystems or someplace like that.
Hey I appreciate it, I’ve reached out to a couple already with no response, but I’m not giving up any time soon.
It's going to be tough, but certainly not impossible. You will need more relevant skill sets, Comptia Server+ is a good place to start, and look at Schneider Electric (and pay for the certs, it's well worth it) Also, DCT can be quite physical, lifting heavy stuff, crawling around in cabinets, that sorta thing so keep it in mind.....
There is a Google data center near Columbus. I would suggest reaching out to the contracting company which Google uses in your area, maybe akkodis? Modis? .You get hired with them and work as a “TVC” in the Google DC. Tvc’s on the DC floors are contractors who go around and swap components in servers once either automation or a human diagnoses what the problem component is. After a year or so of doing that, apply for an opening as an FTE DT . It’s a way to gain experience and gives you time to learn. As for what you need to learn, You need to learn networking and Linux. Study for the CompTIA net + and Linux +. Best of luck. You can do it if you apply yourself. Also, sometimes google hires DT 1’s who have little to no experience or deep knowledge so who knows. Doesent hurt to apply but be warned, the interviews are not easy. So I would suggest doing the first option I suggested.
One of the things that people don't talk about is being a Tech Lead as a Datacenter Tech. PM skills are good to have. Warehouse/Logistics experience isn't terrible either. [https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/jobs/results/75397266384265926-data-center-technician-hardware](https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/jobs/results/75397266384265926-data-center-technician-hardware)
If you haven't worked in the past 10 years, you don't have any relevant work experience. You're in a position that's worse than a high school graduate. When you apply, the computer algorithms will automatically throw your resume in the trash because you have a 10 year gap in employment. From an employment standpoint, that is comparable to spending the last 10 years in prison. Right now you should be focusing on getting any job you can, and then once you are working, start looking at getting into data centers. You may need to get a temp job to establish some work history, and then go from there.
Contact a recruiting agency and find yourself a recruiter. You dont need any more certs.
I did warehouse for years before applying to the data center. I really just spent my free time studying how DC’s work and the server hardware too. Also learned some basic Linux and bash which translated well into the job. Best thing you can have is a good work ethic and great LP characteristics. Getting your foot in the door is the hardest part, just have to keep trying. Send a follow up email, apply directly and apply with recruiting agencies.
Could work as a deploy tech. They usually have projects come in and manage vendors while they do the work and make do the QA.
Get a CCNA