How do I get the most out of this job?

I just started a new job and tomorrow I will have been there 5 weeks. I am a school district IT tech; specifically, I am based in a K-4 elementary school. It’s a really great job so far. It’s mentally challenging and allows me to be resourceful in terms of researching. In addition to that, all of my kids and teachers are great; I have already gotten several hugs and high-fives from the kiddos! Right now I am basically responsible for everything that has a motherboard in it. My district is a 1 to 1 environment, meaning all of my kids and teachers have iPads (in addition to the teacher’s MacBook’s).

My current issue is that while I desire to stay with this job 2-3 years (just to give myself some stability), how do I get the most out of this job and give myself a leg up down the road? I have been given access to the AD, which I have been given permission to move computers around along with limited account create/modify/delete authority. I have also been getting a lot of experience with Mac’s (for someone who has always been a Windows user).

My end-game is that I want to work in a higher education environment. With that being said, are there any projects or tasks I should volunteer for? Also, I am two certifications away from topping out in way of pay. I already have the A+, Network+, and Security+. The ACMT is not specifically stated as a recognized cert but I think I have a strong case to get my boss’s boss to approve it. I really want to get the ACMT because I have seen it listed as a preferred qualification in several higher education IT jobs and it may or may not have been reason why someone else was picked over me for a job this past winter. I would consider going for the Linux+ but I am not sure if there are anything Linux in the district; there may be but I don’t deal with it. Now with that out the way, both the MTA and MCSA are both listed as recognized certs. Considering that I have only been in my job for 5 weeks and my only other experience with AD was a 6-month stint as a temp employee at a university, would I be better off going for the MTA or going big for the MCSA?

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Comments

MeanDrunkR2D2

Go for the MCSA. No company I've seen values the MTA.

BerkshireHerd

Agree, MTA may have been useful to get you the current job but it is a very low level certification with little to no ROI.

E Double U

My vote is for MCSA.

tjb122982

Thanks guys. With it being said, I should go for the MCSA over MTA; how much harder is the MCSA compared to the MTA? Maybe it's a good thing I got a email offer about getting career academy premium 1 year for $29.