IT Professionals Please Help

[BleedBurgundy]

This is how I did it when I got out of the Navy 3 1/2 years ago:

(I already had some BASIC knowledge from being the guy in my family that always had to "fix" the computer)

LEVEL I tech support full time for an ISP, ITT Tech full time simultaneously for 2 years(not the best school but super flexible and most of the instructors were still active in the field). The level I tech support you'll learn basically everything you need for that job(basic fixes) within 2 - 3 months. It'll also help you grasp some more advanced concepts later.

Desktop Support/Network Technician for 1 year at a smaller company where I was able to do basically whatever I wanted.

Currently I'm in a position where my title is Network Admin but it's more like Admin's assistant. I work for an international company (M&M Mars) and I absolutely love my job. I learn every day, I get to play with all of the coolest toys and have a career I am more than happy to devote "off hours" to.

Like Saden said, be flexible. I am trying to get more open source experience as we are currently using Netware and will be heading that way within a few (2?) years. But the whole world speaks M$ so you really can't go wrong there, plus it's easy to break in.

Overall, just make sure it's what you really want and not just something to do for money...