OT: IT career advice

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11263732#post11263732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cthetoy
.... we fired one because he kept staring at one female employee’s breasts.

"but sir, I thought I was supposed to stare at the TTY all day!".. :lol:


(tty as in terminal)

 

[Captain Quirk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11262424#post11262424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d0cdave
1) Finish the degree.... even part time.. just FINISH it. It will open door much more than just an MCSE. Things have changed since the late 90's where certified folks could just walk into ANY job and make at least 60k.

In my experience, the MSCE cert is pretty worthless overall. It helps, but it is not the end-all, be-all of certs. Get Cisco and perhaps look into some of the SANS courses/certs (pretty well recognized, and a VERY thorough curriculum!).

2) Put yourself through school doing what you like, or at least something close to it. I put myself through school with a CNA, CNE under my belt... call it good timing, but when Novell was on its way out, there was a big shortage. Get the MCP / A+ / CCNA to get into an entry level job while going to school.

The A+ is worthless IMO. Spend your money on a Security+ test, instead (if you insist on CopmpTIA type tests, that is). Relevant to todays world of lax security and how some of these things work. It's a tough test, but worth it.

3) Dont be ashamed of taking a long time to finish your degree. It took me 10 years to finish my degree. Getting married 1/2 way through and flunking out of my first school didnt help. But I NEVER took a semester off. I would advise the same.

I TOTALLY agree. DON'T STOP UNTIL YOU GET A BACHELORS! One thing that keeps me from getting promoted around here (aside from my attitude) is that I don't have a Bachelors.

(BTW my attitude is largely in part due to my inability to climb the ladder... Which brings me to another point, later in the message.)

4) Do everything you can remotely related to your degree. Dont be too choosy. Everyone in I.T. does "desktop jockey" work and its the only way you will gain people skills and make a name for yourself. If you just jump into an "engineer" title it wont look good without experience behind it.

And you probably wouldn't be able to land a job as a straight out engineer, either. And having helpdesk experience is valuable IMO.

I have 12 years in this industry. At this point I find myself in my dream job as a Senior Network Engineer. I have no regrets about my past. Sure things could have gone more smoothly had I finished my degree sooner, or not have been married. But when I graduated I had 8 years of I.T. experience already so a $75k+ job was easier to find. This year I might just break 6-figures.

I have about 13 years, and have only risen to "Senior Support Specialist" level. And I've been at this level for about 7 years (I'm fortunate in that I DO have an understanding of how to do my job; my job hasn't gotten harder over the years, it's just been more OF my job. Which is not exactly a challenge one appreciates over time). As for breaking the 6 figure mark, I don't think it will happen here. At least not for another 5-10 years.

I used to like my job. Loved it, in fact. I got to play with all sorts of cool stuff and "pull a rabbit out of my hat" almost every day. Now, I still do the rabbit trick on occasion, but because everything runs so damned well, when there's ANY downtime, I get flack for it (last year uptime was 98.96 percent - and this without much in the way of hardware/training/other support. And even that percentage isn't good enough... It's like the "110%" mindset: no matter what you do, it isn't good ENOUGH).

Were I to do this again, I wouldn't. I'd choose a different career (sales, whatever). Having a job that has you using your personal cell and blackberry/other 3000 mile leash just ISN'T worth it. Working on almost every day off - including vacation! - gets old pretty fast. Granted, I work in a small shop and I'm the go-to guy for a LOT of different stuff, so it makes sense that I'm on call 24X7X365, but honestly, it isn't worth it. Not for what I'm making and the time it takes away from my family.

I say this somewhat jokingly from time to time: were I to do it again, I'd shine shoes at Union Station, or something. Go to work with your shoe shine box, shine up some smelly shoes for a while, leave, tossing your box in the trunk, and don't worry about ANYTHING until you show up to work the next day.

Again, I USED to like my job. But I kept getting asked to do more and more and more and more, and aside from being underappreciated, I also started to feel like I was being taken advantage of. Even today that's the feeling I get...

Hopefully you don't end up like me, however be aware that it CAN happen. IT guys are EVERYWHERE now... Even McDonalds has an IT staff that helps fix it's stuff. In part because of that - and that most of us aren't unionized (not gonna go there in this thread; that's another quagmire in and of itself!), our skills are devalued. And that doesn't even mention outsourcing issues...

I have a Computer Science Degree from Cal State Long Beach, a CCNP, and I plan on going forward with a CCSP and eventually a CCIE in routing/switching or security.

Just PLEASE dont quit school.

Looks like Dave is on the right track, and has landed a job he is happy with. Kudos to Dave!

I guess the only thing I would beg you to do is to not settle for something you don't like. Try to improve yourself at all times, and look for opportunities for GROWTH instead of just taking on more of the same. I'm in a rut that's lasted far too long, and honestly, it's my fault because I haven't moved on. Having tremendous financial responsibilities will do that, though: I don't have the freedom to just up and leave without risking financial disaster for my family.

Finish school. Use your head. Don't allow your skills to be trivialized.

I hope this is of some use to you...

 

[abendx]

No offense Captain Quirk, but you are your own worst enemy.

 

[abendx]

Captain Quirk,

You box is full. So I can respond to you here.

I really mean no offense to you, but you are bitter. The poor kid needs positive advice that can help him get more from his career... and life.

My point is, if you don't take charge of your life, your life will take charge of you.

 

[Captain Quirk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11266177#post11266177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by abendx
Captain Quirk,

You box is full. So I can respond to you here.

I really mean no offense to you, but you are bitter. The poor kid needs positive advice that can help him get more from his career... and life.

My point is, if you don't take charge of your life, your life will take charge of you.

I cleared my box... Thanks for trying.

IMO I gave some solid advice (don't waste your time on the A+, stay in school, do what you like, etc). I also gave information about some of the pitfalls to watch out for. All in all, again IMO, there is some good information there.

I just took a bit of offense in your initial message in that it didn't have any qualifiers for the remark. Expanding on it gives me a different perspective on why you said what you did.

I don't disagree with your assessment. With all due respect, however, I've earned the RIGHT to be bitter... Again and again and again.

With that said, I don't disagree with your assertion that if one doesn't take charge of their life it will take charge of you. Not in the LEAST would I disagree... My only response would be to again note how some situations in life make it extremely difficult to maneuver to another job or career. I'm "stuck" due to my family situation, really. I mentioned that as something to look out for as he navigates his way though the professional maze.

Thanks again for clarifying your remark.

 

[abendx]

Agreed... situationally, things can be difficult. I recently watched a movie that was hard to swallow, but was amazing. It 100% fits with what we are talking about.... maybe rent it if you have the time. It is titled, "The Pursuit of Happyness."

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11266314#post11266314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by abendx
Agreed... situationally, things can be difficult. I recently watched a movie that was hard to swallow, but was amazing. It 100% fits with what we are talking about.... maybe rent it if you have the time. It is titled, "The Pursuit of Happyness."

I saw that movie about a week ago and I felt so bad about spending money on all these reef equipments... I asked myself 'why waste perfectly good money to keep animals that the ocean can sustain by itself?' I ejected the DVD and promptly returned it, then spent more stuff in the LFS on my way back... lol

 

[abendx]

Good man!

 

[d0cdave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11266404#post11266404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
I saw that movie about a week ago and I felt so bad about spending money on all these reef equipments... I asked myself 'why waste perfectly good money to keep animals that the ocean can sustain by itself?' I ejected the DVD and promptly returned it, then spent more stuff in the LFS on my way back... lol

That's awesome. That movie hit home with me too.. thinkin about my boys and all the toys I buy for my own selfish means. But that's why I put up with the 24X7X365 on-call for a growing company. I enjoy being the master of my domain and I feel appreciated and well compensated for it. So, in that light, I dont mind spending a few bucks on my hobby or other toys from time to time. I dont drive a fancy car, live in a big house, have a golddigger wife or a huge amount of debt... well I do have a good amount of debt. I have a lot to show for the 11 years of marriage and the sacrifices Ive made.

Point is, you may not always make the right choices, but be sure the choices you do make line up with that one goal you set your mind to. I wanted to finish my degree. Giving up was not an option. Even at 4-8 units a semester, I finished it. Dont give up on your goals and dreams. You'll kick youself later.

 

[HenryTran]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11266404#post11266404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
I saw that movie about a week ago and I felt so bad about spending money on all these reef equipments... I asked myself 'why waste perfectly good money to keep animals that the ocean can sustain by itself?' I ejected the DVD and promptly returned it, then spent more stuff in the LFS on my way back... lol

:lol: that cracks me up. i love those types of movie, "1 person out of 1,000,000 will be like me" movie.

 

[jjirsa78]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11263732#post11263732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cthetoy
Wow, lot of tips here. Here are some tips from the interviewer point of view since we hire lots of part timer here for the City Government

1. Be on time for you interview. Yes we get plenty of no shows and people coming in 10 min late.

Hahahaha. I did the 2 minute rule for everywhere I hired, and anytime I'm dealing with vendors or potential clients. That is: Show up 2 minutes late, if they act like an *** about it, they're probably not going to be someone you want a relationship with anyway. If I were 2 minutes late to an interview, and the company acted like it was a problem, I can only imagine what sort of problems they'd come up with when real time intervals were involved.

Then again, I found a very good company to work for, as I sit here on RC wearing flipflops and a t-shirt. Still have the 24x7 sidekick w/ ssh thing though, that's my only regret.

 

[chainsaw5vent]

Re: OT: IT career advice

<a href=showthread.php?

I'm currently making close to $30K...which is more than most of my 22 year old friends...but I'd really like to double that within the next two years if possible. What's my best career path? Should I finish my 2-3 years at community college then transfer to a UC? Should I just go for an MCSE? I've seen job postings for MCSE's anywhere from $60K-$100K
post. [/B]

finish your schooling. then spend 2 years in pursuit of emergency medical technician, paramedic, state cert firefighter 1 and 60k per year will be your base pay. and you'll make 100k + including overtime. <a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.smileycentral.com%252F%253Fpartner%253DZSzeb008%255FZN%2526i%253D7%252F7%255F5%255F128%2526feat%253Dprof/page.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_5_128.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0"><img border="0" src="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fimgfarm%252Ecom%252Fimages%252Fnocache%252Ftr%252Ffw%252Fsmiley%252Fsocial%252Egif%253Fi%253D7%252F7_5_128/image.gif"></a> and you'll still have time to pursue the computer career.
one of our retirees (injury) was a financial services geek BEFORE he went to medic school and fire academy. now that he's retired, he makes megabucks off of everybody else's money. last report was he has purchased a ford GT<a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.smileycentral.com%252F%253Fpartner%253DZSzeb008%255FZN%2526i%253D3%252F3%255F4%255F11v%2526feat%253Dprof/page.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/3/3_4_11v.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0"><img border="0" src="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fimgfarm%252Ecom%252Fimages%252Fnocache%252Ftr%252Ffw%252Fsmiley%252Fsocial%252Egif%253Fi%253D3%252F3_4_11v/image.gif"></a>

if you can, always have a fall back career option.

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11266314#post11266314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by abendx
Agreed... situationally, things can be difficult. I recently watched a movie that was hard to swallow, but was amazing. It 100% fits with what we are talking about.... maybe rent it if you have the time. It is titled, "The Pursuit of Happyness."

lol... the man played russian roullet and won.... I cant respect someone like that. The odds were that he would end up homeless. Do you know that in real life, his kid was a toddler when they were homeless/during the internship? I guess they took creative liberty in making his kid like 12...so people wouldnt realize what a loser he was.... <my .02 />