Finally a True Network Engineer!
bugzy3188
Member Posts: 213 ■■■□□□□□□□
It's been a long road but I have finally achieved my goal of becoming a network engineer! 
I started my IT journey in 2011, at first I honestly didn't even know if I was going to be able to get this career off the ground, as notated in one of my old posts (and first) on this forum:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/71973-starting-wish-i-hadnt-looked-section.html#post581684
I managed to snag some low level certifications and hit the proverbial pavement. After a few months I finally found a small managed service provider that was willing to hire me (for a whopping 12 bucks an hour!) and was quickly tossed in to the fire. During this time I spent my off time studying what I could, and started to realize that I always gravitated toward networking, I couldn't put my N+ book down! I decided at this point that this was what I wanted to do and decided to take the CCNA plunge.
After about 9 months of studying (on and off) I was finally able to attain my CCNA, I took a long hiatus in that nine months, I would say I spent about 4 solid months of actually studying. This new certification allowed me to move on from the small MSP that I had been working (for about 2.5 years at this point) in to a position with a medium sized corporation. At this point I was applying for network jobs and had originally applied for a Network Admin position but was told that I didn't meet the qualifications but was told that I would be a good fit for the help desk, I was told that I would be considered in the near future for the position after some grooming.
After about a year at this position I started to realize that I wasn't moving any closer to my goal of becoming a network engineer and I wasn't being given the exposure that I would need to put some solid experience on my resume. So I rewrote it with as much focus on networking as I could, I took my experience from my previous job and the one I was at and focused the experience as much as I could on the networking aspect without lying, also bolstering my knowledge and certification experience.
I ended up moving on to a "Network Engineer" position with a small health care company, this actually ended up being a NOC job (with one week required overnights per month...ugh). This job did have some networking aspects to it but it was mostly configuring small networks to deploy for our clients, all carbon copies of one another and all simple layer 2 networks. I quickly realized that I wasn't going to get much in terms of experience here, BUT, I had a title now...back to the resume!!
After less than a year at the most recent position I started trickling my resume out there, I had a few promising interviews but ultimately was let down more than I care to admit. I realized that I wasn't preparing properly for these interviews, I didn't take them seriously enough and it was costing me. I got a call one day from a place that I had thought to be a recruiter, she asked to schedule a phone interview, and I kind of brushed it off asking to schedule something next week, by this time I was being very selective with recruiters as they were wasting my PTO with interviews and meetings. I got a call the next week and half way through the interview (which I didn't bother to prepare for) it dawned on me...this was an ACTUAL network engineer position, for an ACTUAL company, I turned on the charm and won a second interview. I pulled out all the stops, researching the position and company preparing myself for the tough questions that lie ahead (even spent $400 on a suit!) and prepared for the interview. During the interview I was immediately called out on all of the technologies and protocols that I had listed on my resume, I was asked "What actual experience do you have with these?" I decided I had to sell myself and not my experience, so I did. I explained to them that this job is the job that I have been working toward for the last 5 years, I demonstrated my eagerness for new challenges and my passion for technology.
Honestly when I left I didn't feel great about the interview, I had been let down so many times before that I guess I just expected a call in a few days with the bad news. Instead however, I got a call the same day and was extended an vitiation to come work for them...I can't even describe how good that felt, this really has been a dream of mine.
I am on week 3 and coming along fine, they seem willing to work with me on my lack of experience but I am working extra hard to show that I am dedicated and have the skill set necessary to be efficient in my role. This position has everything that I was hoping for, VOIP, Layer 3, MPLS, BGP, Sites around the globe, etc. I am loving life right now and I have met my 5 year goal (financial and career).
Sorry for the book, just wanted to share my whole experience for those who may be starting out in this field. My humble advice would be to avoid shortcuts as well as plan and set goals. I had A LOT of disappointment during my journey but I took it in stride and kept pushing. I kept my nose in books, listened to networking podcasts, labbed, and just did what I could to get people to recognize me. The hardest part of IT is getting the initial experience, few people want to take the risk of hiring a green horn, but they are out there and it can happen.
WOOT!!!
I started my IT journey in 2011, at first I honestly didn't even know if I was going to be able to get this career off the ground, as notated in one of my old posts (and first) on this forum:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/71973-starting-wish-i-hadnt-looked-section.html#post581684
I managed to snag some low level certifications and hit the proverbial pavement. After a few months I finally found a small managed service provider that was willing to hire me (for a whopping 12 bucks an hour!) and was quickly tossed in to the fire. During this time I spent my off time studying what I could, and started to realize that I always gravitated toward networking, I couldn't put my N+ book down! I decided at this point that this was what I wanted to do and decided to take the CCNA plunge.
After about 9 months of studying (on and off) I was finally able to attain my CCNA, I took a long hiatus in that nine months, I would say I spent about 4 solid months of actually studying. This new certification allowed me to move on from the small MSP that I had been working (for about 2.5 years at this point) in to a position with a medium sized corporation. At this point I was applying for network jobs and had originally applied for a Network Admin position but was told that I didn't meet the qualifications but was told that I would be a good fit for the help desk, I was told that I would be considered in the near future for the position after some grooming.
After about a year at this position I started to realize that I wasn't moving any closer to my goal of becoming a network engineer and I wasn't being given the exposure that I would need to put some solid experience on my resume. So I rewrote it with as much focus on networking as I could, I took my experience from my previous job and the one I was at and focused the experience as much as I could on the networking aspect without lying, also bolstering my knowledge and certification experience.
I ended up moving on to a "Network Engineer" position with a small health care company, this actually ended up being a NOC job (with one week required overnights per month...ugh). This job did have some networking aspects to it but it was mostly configuring small networks to deploy for our clients, all carbon copies of one another and all simple layer 2 networks. I quickly realized that I wasn't going to get much in terms of experience here, BUT, I had a title now...back to the resume!!
After less than a year at the most recent position I started trickling my resume out there, I had a few promising interviews but ultimately was let down more than I care to admit. I realized that I wasn't preparing properly for these interviews, I didn't take them seriously enough and it was costing me. I got a call one day from a place that I had thought to be a recruiter, she asked to schedule a phone interview, and I kind of brushed it off asking to schedule something next week, by this time I was being very selective with recruiters as they were wasting my PTO with interviews and meetings. I got a call the next week and half way through the interview (which I didn't bother to prepare for) it dawned on me...this was an ACTUAL network engineer position, for an ACTUAL company, I turned on the charm and won a second interview. I pulled out all the stops, researching the position and company preparing myself for the tough questions that lie ahead (even spent $400 on a suit!) and prepared for the interview. During the interview I was immediately called out on all of the technologies and protocols that I had listed on my resume, I was asked "What actual experience do you have with these?" I decided I had to sell myself and not my experience, so I did. I explained to them that this job is the job that I have been working toward for the last 5 years, I demonstrated my eagerness for new challenges and my passion for technology.
Honestly when I left I didn't feel great about the interview, I had been let down so many times before that I guess I just expected a call in a few days with the bad news. Instead however, I got a call the same day and was extended an vitiation to come work for them...I can't even describe how good that felt, this really has been a dream of mine.
I am on week 3 and coming along fine, they seem willing to work with me on my lack of experience but I am working extra hard to show that I am dedicated and have the skill set necessary to be efficient in my role. This position has everything that I was hoping for, VOIP, Layer 3, MPLS, BGP, Sites around the globe, etc. I am loving life right now and I have met my 5 year goal (financial and career).
Sorry for the book, just wanted to share my whole experience for those who may be starting out in this field. My humble advice would be to avoid shortcuts as well as plan and set goals. I had A LOT of disappointment during my journey but I took it in stride and kept pushing. I kept my nose in books, listened to networking podcasts, labbed, and just did what I could to get people to recognize me. The hardest part of IT is getting the initial experience, few people want to take the risk of hiring a green horn, but they are out there and it can happen.
WOOT!!!
If you havin frame problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a switch ain't one
Comments
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Mooseboost
Member Posts: 778 ■■■■□□□□□□
Congrats! You came a long ways and finally reached your goal
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ITBot
Member Posts: 114 ■■■□□□□□□□
Well done! Proof that hard work and persistence pays off in the long run! -
ccie14023
Member Posts: 183
Good job. The first one is always the hardest. I remember being in the same boat, er, 16 years ago. Been a long road since then. It's good you didn't try to make up experience but just sold yourself on your knowledge and enthusiasm. Often that's enough. -
volfkhat
Member Posts: 1,072 ■■■■■■■■□□
You Da Man!!
:]
I quit my Server Admin job and took the summer off.
Now, i'm starting my new career working as an entry NOC.
lol
Posts like YOURS are why i made the jump :] -
manchild
Member Posts: 25 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats Bugzy. I'm sure you'll have much success in your new role.
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DatabaseHead
Member Posts: 2,754 ■■■■■■■■■■
First off congratz on a job well done, great goal and even better to complete.
@Volf HUH? You quit a sys admin job to go into an entry level NOC? You must be IN LOVE with networking! -
volfkhat
Member Posts: 1,072 ■■■■■■■■□□
DatabaseHead wrote: »@Volf HUH? You quit a sys admin job to go into an entry level NOC? You must be IN LOVE with networking!
i been around the block a few times, lol.
Tired of competing with all the paper MCSA's in the workforce.
Watching vmware trend downward (imo).
Just ready to try/learn something new :] -
Ismaeljrp
Member Posts: 480 ■■■□□□□□□□
Outstanding!!
Never stop learning take the opportunity to further your certifications based on the experience you will be getting. -
josephandre
Member Posts: 315 ■■■■□□□□□□
+1 for the suit. A lot of folks vastly underrate how much this can help.
good job and congrats. -
--chris--
Member Posts: 1,518 ■■■■■□□□□□
Congrats, feels good huh!?
Now, don't slack! Have a "pizza" but skip the "booze". Celebrate some, but keep your focus and aim to kill this positions duty. Work on your next cert. Refine processes in your new position. Volunteer for those shitty jobs (after hours, weekends, etc...). -
DatabaseHead
Member Posts: 2,754 ■■■■■■■■■■
i been around the block a few times, lol.
Tired of competing with all the paper MCSA's in the workforce.
Watching vmware trend downward (imo).
Just ready to try/learn something new :]
Hey a man/woman with a plan, love it. I wish you all the successes! -
bugzy3188
Member Posts: 213 ■■■□□□□□□□
Thanks for the kind words everyone!
Next step is the CCNA Collaboration, we rely heavily on CUCM, Jabber, Cisco soft phones, seems like it would be helpful. After that I may work on some non-Cisco stuff for a while, Wireshark, ITIL, not sure, then on to the CCNP! and IE!...some day haha...If you havin frame problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a switch ain't one -
bugzy3188
Member Posts: 213 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats, feels good huh!?
Now, don't slack! Have a "pizza" but skip the "booze". Celebrate some, but keep your focus and aim to kill this positions duty. Work on your next cert. Refine processes in your new position. Volunteer for those shitty jobs (after hours, weekends, etc...).
Already have a Sunday switch replacement in the books
If you havin frame problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a switch ain't one -
networker050184
Mod Posts: 11,962 Mod
Congrats man!An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made. -
mgmguy1
Member Posts: 485 ■■■■□□□□□□
Great Story, Congrats! Gives me hope I will find a better position in the future"A lot of fellows nowadays have a B.A., M.D., or Ph.D. Unfortunately, they don't have a J.O.B."
Fats Domino -
Verities
Member Posts: 1,162
I am on week 3 and coming along fine, they seem willing to work with me on my lack of experience but I am working extra hard to show that I am dedicated and have the skill set necessary to be efficient in my role.
First off, congratulations! Second, its super important that you are doing what needs to be done outside of work to better your skill set. So many people are not willing to do studying outside of work that you are noticed when you do.
Good luck and keep up the hard work. -
coffeeluvr
Member Posts: 734 ■■■■■□□□□□
Congratulations!! Thanks for sharing your story!!"Something feels funny, I must be thinking too hard. - Pooh" -
joemysterio
Member Posts: 152
Congrats! That's really amazing. I've been doing desktop support all these years. Recently started applying for networking roles. I had a phone interview with Cisco Meraki which turned out to be a help desk/call center type of job. I thought I bombed the interview when they asked me some basic technical questions. Somehow, they liked me enough that they want a second interview. But it's essentially a call center - I'm not sure about that. I'll keep on applying and studying and hopefully I can land a real network admin or engineer role sooner rather than later.Current goals: CCNA/CCNP
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doublehunter
Member Posts: 59 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats sir! Very inspiring story. Made me motivated to work on my certs now.
