How do i break into the networking world?

monorion

Hello All,

I'm sure this topic has come up a bunch of times, but I would still like to hear everyone's thoughts. So I passed my CCENT in November and currently working toward CCNA (hopefully take this by end of May). I am currently working on the PC helpdesk/desktop support role and have been for the past 2 or so years, and I really want to move away from this role as I am no longer learning anything new or using any networking skills.

So as the title says, how can I break into the network realm where I would be troubleshooting network devices, what jobs should i be searching for on job boards? everything I find requires 3+years experience in a similar network job role. Ideally i would love a junior network engineer/admin but we'll see about that.

thank you for the advice!

NetworkNewb

You'll need either work with your manager and talk with them, let them know your interested in networking, and see if you can come up with a plan to move into a more networking role. Might let you work on some lower level networking tasks or maybe even doing some shadowing with the networking team at your company. If you've been there more than 2 years your boss shouldn't be surprised by this and understand your wanting to do more.

Could even try and go straight to the people in networking at your company and let them know your interested as well.

Or start just applying elsewhere, even to those jobs where you don't meet their experience requirement. Your resume will definitely look better with the CCNA finished too.

monorion

Thank you NetworkNewb, I have been doing it for 2 years but with a couple different companies, and the current one I am with the IT team is 4 people including myself, so I thought i would be getting exposure to everything but I am stuck doing only desktop support which is understandable due to the job title. and I don't think there are enough issues going on where they would need to move someone to work on the infrastructure that is pretty much covered by 2 other people.

I agree CCNA would be a huge benefit but I really want to move up and out of the helpdesk role. I defiantly will start looking else where.

Thank you!