Jobs with MCSE

roxxas2roxxas2 Registered Users Posts: 2 ■□□□□□□□□□
Hey guys, long time viewer, first time poster here.


I'm studying for my MCSE for Windws Server 2012 and eventually I want to specialize in Private Cloud. I was wondering what kind of jobs I could get with the MCSE. I'm really looking for a Systems Admin/Systems Engineer or possible Network Engineer with a salary of anywhere between $45-70k. I'm currently an IT Support specialist. I have about 6-7 years of experience and I just turned 21 about a month ago. I have quite a bit experience with servers desktops, and networks within that 5-6 years. I'm also planning on getting a Security+. I'm currently in college studying for my Bachaelor's Degree in Comptuer Engineering, but I can't say I have a Bachaelor's Degree on my resume. :/ A lot of people seem to require it nowadays...
I like my job now, but I'd really like to work with servers and more advanced IT stuff... and get paid more... What experiences have you guys had with getting the MCSE? Do you all think I could get the jobs and salary I want with my level of experience with an MCSE?
Thanks for all your help!!!

Comments

  • iBrokeITiBrokeIT Member Posts: 1,318 ■■■■■■■■■□
    Go to the jobs boards and look for yourself, seriously. I am not trying to be rude but if you want information on what the market is demanding why not go directly to source? Reviewing the job boards is something you should be doing on regular basis anyways as an It professional to make sure your skills are staying relevant in case you suddenly find your employed. Dice, CareerBuilder, Craigslist, LinkedIn and InDeed are all good places to start your search. Also check out the Salary thread on this forum.

    Just because a company lists a B.S. or MCSE as a requirement for a job does not always mean they will disqualify you if you don't have every requirement on their list. The job requirements are usually a bucket list of what the company's ideal candidate would look like but they usually end up settling for less.

    For example, my current contract REQUIRED at least an Associates Degree and preferred a Bachelor's Degree. I have neither but during the interview I informed the Director that I was planning on going back to WGU to complete my B.S. a few months after starting. Thing that likely won me the job was my VMware experience at my previous job and skills since at the time I was taking the Vmware Install, Configure and Manage class locally and then going for the VCP.

    A degree and certifications will help you land an interview but your experience, abilities and skills will land you the job.
    2019: GPEN | GCFE | GXPN | GICSP | CySA+ 
    2020: GCIP | GCIA 
    2021: GRID | GDSA | Pentest+ 
    2022: GMON | GDAT
    2023: GREM  | GSE | GCFA

    WGU BS IT-NA | SANS Grad Cert: PT&EH | SANS Grad Cert: ICS Security | SANS Grad Cert: Cyber Defense Ops SANS Grad Cert: Incident Response
  • MeatCatalogueMeatCatalogue Member Posts: 145
    An MCSE in server infrastructure should net you in the $80k range without a bachelor's degree, depending on where in the country you are. More for San Fran, less for Lincoln, Nebraska. Benefits not withstanding.

    As for having a BS - Most employers are requiring this because while IT people may know how to restart a service or script really well, they can't spell and communication skills are typically very poor. This can be an extreme embarrassment to a company if you are giving a presentation and you don't know the difference between there and they're in your powerpoint slides. A BS typically also shows also that you know how to stick with something and aren't a quitter when the times get tough. Whether you agree with these ideas is up to you. Keep in mind, Bill gates dropped out within his first year, as did Michael Dell, etc.

    I always tell people - pick the technology that you like. When I got my CCNA (my 3rd cert) I realized completely hated working at layer 2/3, staring at a blinking command line cursor. When I started in Microsoft technologies I was much happier and enjoyed the work more. But the world needs CCNAs and Linux people, etc too. Figure out what you like and go with it!
  • mrodri65mrodri65 Registered Users Posts: 2 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Above poster is right, for example at my job the description said MSCE, and I'm only a MCP. They said at the end of the day that I had at least made an effort to start my cert path where as others with 7-8 more experience than I hadn't because in there eyes they did not need it, also the enthusiasm you show about the job in an interview, it goes a long way!

    It's funny because I had applied to the company directly and my resume got screened and didn't pass HR. One day I get a call from a recruiting company and they got my resume into the right hands and 2 interviews later I've got a Systems Admin gig :)
    My advice start applying for the job now, it never hurts plus, you've got a lot of experience, aren't you sick of Desktop Work by now?
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