Question to Network Engineers

crisb20

I have just graduated with my Bachelors degree in telecommunications no work experience and I am currently working on my A+. My question to any network engineer reading this is what steps did you take to get into the positions you are in now. I realize right out of college with no work experience I won't even get considered for a engineering position and have to pay my dues at the help desk but it is my long term goal and I was wondering how to go about to achieve this?

Olajuwon

Start at the bottom and move up.

Slowhand

I'm with Olajuwon on this one. You're going in the right direction, coming out of school. Since you can't simply "get" experience, out of thin air, start with whatever you can get, be it helpdesk, administration, or even McTech at a place like CompUSA or Best Buy. Experience is experience. Keep working on the certs, though, because they can very well be your ticket to getting up to the next rung on the ladder, especially when paired with your degree. I'd say push forward with you A+, then your Net+, and possibly the Linux+ and Security+ certs, then move on to an area you enjoy, like MCSE or CCNA, or anything else you find enjoyable.

Slowhand

One thing I forgot to mention in my last post. Take a look at the job market in your area, and find out what's in demand, too. If you see lots and lots of requirements that call for CCNA, then maybe you should look into that. If they call for MCSE, SCSA, whatever it may be, look into those certs and see what you can do to move in that direction.

Some helpful sites to get an idea of your local job market are:

http://www.dice.com
http://www.careerbuilder.com
http://www.monster.com
http://www.craigslist.com

And there are lots more. Don't forget to check local listings, too, like want ads in the paper and local job faires, that sort of thing.

ms_visio

Olajuwon wrote:

Start at the bottom and move up.

Short, simple and correct and i would like to add something to it. Dont hesitate to work as a volunteer. It's sometimes really helpful to get some experience which would help you in getting some better paid job later on.