How to find your IT niche?

missjanaya

Can anyone offer advice about how to find your niche within the IT field? I have only been in the field for a 2 years but I feel it may be to my advantage to think about specializing after this year is over. I have an A.S. in Information Technology and two entry level MTA certs and a Windows 8 Sales certification. I have worked helpdesk in Non profit and for profit and am currently doing a deskside position they have labeled Network Analyst. I am not totally unhappy in my position I just want to work toward an end goal and currently I feel like I am just generalizing. I'm not even sure how to go about finding what I like to do better. Any advice is welcome.

Thanks

kohr-ah

Main thing is what interests you?
Networking?
Virtualization?
Systems?
Linux?
Security (IT, not gun wielding kind)
From there do research into it and if you can get your hands on a way to play with it then aim your goals towards that.

My case was I liked Cisco so I did my CCNA then got put in a lone on-site network engineer role at the MSP I worked at. From there my love only grew.

pinkydapimp

End goal? I think its important to know that in IT, you will always need to keep learning. Now if you can grab a BS in Comp Sci or a Masters that may help but otherwise you will always need to continue to learn and get certs.

Regarding finding your niche, i personally think its better, especially early in your career, to just learn as much as you can. You can have a specialty, but you need a strong base. To build that base, i would start with the standards of CCNA and MCSE. Then get a role that builds your skills. while there add new certs. Maybe VMware or security. Then, find a new role to develop those skills. while there grab more certs. wash rinse repeat.

ETA: i think more important than finding your niche is finding a set of skills that stands out.

philz1982

Don't just lump the basic IT skills into the "niche" category. What if you are a psychologist or sociologist with Python coding skills, or a supply chain specialist with Sharepoint and SAP skills, or a Smart Grid consultant with a CCNP Data Center and a variety of SCADA IT security certs.

To carve a niche, think outside the box, combine skills and operational focus into a role that will be needed in the future.

paul78

I couldn't agree more with what philz1982 said... And if you look at it from a high-level - IT is the niche in whatever some specific industry. I personally like many different disciplines in IT. I've been a software engineer, ran network operations, done IT risk management, etc. etc. I view myself as a generalist and my end-goal has always been about building a career where I can provide for my family. I ended up in IT management early in my career and I apply it towards the financial services industry.