Job Advice

Kezekan

So I'd like to start by saying that I'm genuinely looking for advice. I'm not just looking for someone to validate my opinion. If my idea is dumb, please tell me.
So here goes. About a year ago I decided I was tired of my job, and life in general honestly. I went back and forth from working at a prison and a warehouse. I've always had a love for computers, and I was constantly trying to either move into IT or management. I'm from a really small town and I eventually just accepted that my efforts were in vain and I needed to redirect them. I did some research and started studying for certs. About 6 months ago I was at peak depression, but I loved studying. So I just quit my job. I moved in with my parents for a bit while I studied for my A+. I knew the A+ wasn't a huge deal, but I wanted something to validate what I already knew, plus wgu said that I could get into their program if I got it. I spent about 3 weeks on each test, and so I got my A+ in about six weeks total. I started my wgu security program on may 1st. I finished my first term in about 3 weeks, and I'm now about halfway through my second term.
The problem I'm having is my new job. I got hired working from home for Xerox. I enjoy working for the company so far, the people are great. It's just that I'm basically doing a T1 help desk sort of thing. Not to sound unappreciative or anything, it's just this job is not even on the same playing field as what I eventually hope to do with my degree and certs (networking). And it's cutting into my study time... Hard. So basically I'm weighing out quitting again. Honestly, I feel like the last time I did this it ended up being a huge benefit to my life. Even though this job is in technology, I don't really feel like it's that relevant for network engineering. So I feel like the only reason I'm doing it is for a paycheck.
I live in a crappy trailer house right now, on my own with my girlfriend. But for while I'm in school, this makes me happy. My bills are ridiculously cheap. Plus I'm not going to go into detail, but I have about $400 a month in passive income, which almost pays my bills by itself. My rent is only $350. So pretty much all I want to do is quit my job and spend the next couple of years focusing on school and certs, living on ramen and dollar menu cheeseburgers. I'm thinking if I went this route I may even go for my masters and a CCNP before I hit the workforce again.
I feel like this is a good plan, it's just that I'm worried about the lack of experience. I know that a CCNP will be over qualified, but I can always just not put that on my resume if need be. Basically my concern is that my lack of experience and employment for ~3 years is gonna bite me when I try to get a job when I graduate. But at the same time, I could argue that I had been in school. So if I'm not employed while I'm in school, but I graduate and have all the certs that come with my degree plan (A+, net+, sec+, linux+, project+, Ccna, Ccna security), is it reasonable to expect that I'd be able to get an entry level network engineering position making ~40k? It's also worth noting that I'll be moving near Dallas/ Fort Worth TX when I graduate. If the general consensus is yes, this will work, I'm probably going to quit and focus on school. If you actually read all of that, thank you.
TL;DR - Thinking about quitting my job to focus on school, but worried that lack of experience is going to prevent me from getting a networking job when I graduate.

joshmadakor

Kezekan wrote: »

I've always had a love for computers, and I was constantly trying to either move into IT or management.

You don't wanna be working management if you have a love for computers

Kezekan wrote: »

I feel like this is a good plan, it's just that I'm worried about the lack of experience. I know that a CCNP will be over qualified, but I can always just not put that on my resume if need be.

As someone who studies a LOT, I wouldn't recommend studying for CCNP without having worked in any kind of networking capacity. CCNP is like the CCNA, but with much more specific detail about the protocols. I haven't worked in a pure networking role yet, but I got about halfway through my CCNP ROUTE studies when I realized I would be better off studying CCNA Security or something more generaliezd. I say this because it will give you a broader picture of networking before you start your first job, opposed to delving into nitty gritty details like the EIGRP distance formula and K-values. Just my opinion.

Kezekan wrote: »

but I graduate and have all the certs that come with my degree plan (A+, net+, sec+, linux+, project+, Ccna, Ccna security), is it reasonable to expect that I'd be able to get an entry level network engineering position making ~40k?

I wouldn't expect anything in engineering, but you could definitely work in network operations with those qualifications. I'm making the switch from SCCM Administration/Engineering into networking and I got offered an entry-level-ish networking position @$25/hr(+overtime) recently through a military contractor (I am non-prior military).
Edit: I forgot to add, this job only required CCNA and Security+

Kezekan wrote: »

If the general consensus is yes, this will work, I'm probably going to quit and focus on school.

In my opinion, for IT, certs and experience will trump formal education. For the most part, you're going to have to continuously be studying anyway if you plan to be successful in IT, so there isn't really any point in quitting your job to study more. If you're getting super burned out and on the verge of quitting something, I would put the school on hold and bust out your CCNA and CCNA:Sec while maintaining your job. These certs, with your helpdesk experience, are more than enough for you to move into network operations. You can always come back to school and transfer your CCNA/S into the program, assuming they still fit the track. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong)

I don't know you, but I'm glad to see you working toward your goals and trying to improve yourself. If you keep it up, it will all come together eventually.

ypark

Long story short, network positions are not really entry level and you will have difficulty landing them without real IT experience. I understand what helpdesk is like and most of us had to pay our dues. I would advise you to keep the job and stick with it for about a year at least. CCNA does not equal automatic position in networking.

With that said, I do admire your drive and eagerness. Keep it up and you will make it.

thomas_

I would stick with the job and just fit in your studying with the time you have and accept you might not knock out certs as fast as you would without a job. In the long term I think being at a helpdesk job for a year would benefit you more than quitting and being unemployed for a year and having a bunch of certs, especially if your previous work history is kind of off and on.

Queue

I'm going to go with don't quit. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I never think it to be appropriate to not have some sort of job. If you have to go part time in school or work that would be better than no job at all. I was able to work full time and go to school part time. The twelve to fourteen hour days are tough, but it builds character.

Kezekan

Well guys, my opinion on the matter has been swayed then. If it will genuinely benefit me, I'll stick it out. Like I said it's not as if I hate the job or anything anyway. I mostly just want to blast through my degree and certs as fast as possible, but like someone else has said I may just have to slow it down a bit. I'm definitely not burnt out on overall studying and working and whatnot, I just wanted to be able to use my time the most effectively. I appreciate all the awesome responses. And to respond to the CCNP recommendation, I'll probably just play it by ear when I'm actually at that point. I think I'd definitely focus on a masters before I did that anyway, and hopefully by the time I'm done with my masters I would actually be at a point in my career where I needed a CCNP. :P