3rd line - when to train to expert level in one area

rockstar81

I have been within 3rd line support for 18 months now doing a bit of everything - I am thinking its time to pick one area and really go for it - how do others keep there feet wet with everything else still or do you?

shodown

I don't bother with things outside of what I specialize in. Once I got into VoIP. I realized there is another huge area inside of it such as contact centers, presence and most importantly the business of the phones. As I started to grasp understanding the business of what I specialized in my value shot through the roof. I had to let the other things go as I had no time to really understand them. So for me I would just stay aware of the sister areas of your specialization, but spend your time on learning as much as you can with what you pick.

kohr-ah

So I specialized in networking but keep concentrations in areas that networking use as a part.

What I mean by this is I am a route switch guy. A packet pusher. Traffic redirector. Bit and Baud Warrior.

I need to keep up with Firewalls we use and issues going on with them.
Wireless - My case Aruba.
Linux basics as we automate a lot of things and NXOS switches and 3850s are essentially Linux.
and so forth.
VMWare I learned for the fun of it.

These, as shodown said, are my Sister areas. I am not expected to be a master of them but I need to know how to get around in them.

Mike-Mike

I'm at that point now, where I'm less concerned about general areas, and more focused on specialization.