Job Dillemna

Noctis

I've got a dilemma. In my current job I run backups and various scheduled jobs, perform mainframe hardware and software upgrades, and take support calls for basic PC and network issues, along with some other technical stuff. My job title is "computer operator".

I don't really care for my job a whole lot, for a lot of reasons, but mostly because my company doesn't pay us nearly close to the regional industry standard, nor do they respect us at all considering some of the crap they make us do on a weekly basis, like fill up vending machines and deliver mail. All of the people I work with have 2 year IT degrees, and some have certifications (not me, yet) and they have us filling up pop machines twice a week.

I am fairly certain I could get a call center technical support position with Cox Communications for a higher salary than what I make now. But, I know that I would be removed from the data center, I know I would no longer get any hands on experience with servers and mainframes, and I bet I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to learn as much.

My concern is this: where does a call center tech support position fit in the "IT ladder"? Will the job I have now look better on a resume than the call center position, or vice versa? Should I take the call center position or wait for something better to come along?

UnixGuy

Noctis wrote:

I've got a dilemma. In my current job I run backups and various scheduled jobs, perform mainframe hardware and software upgrades, and take support calls for basic PC and network issues, along with some other technical stuff. My job title is "computer operator".

I don't really care for my job a whole lot, for a lot of reasons, but mostly because my company doesn't pay us nearly close to the regional industry standard, nor do they respect us at all considering some of the crap they make us do on a weekly basis, like fill up vending machines and deliver mail. All of the people I work with have 2 year IT degrees, and some have certifications (not me, yet) and they have us filling up pop machines twice a week.

I am fairly certain I could get a call center technical support position with Cox Communications for a higher salary than what I make now. But, I know that I would be removed from the data center, I know I would no longer get any hands on experience with servers and mainframes, and I bet I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to learn as much.

My concern is this: where does a call center tech support position fit in the "IT ladder"? Will the job I have now look better on a resume than the call center position, or vice versa? Should I take the call center position or wait for something better to come along?

I think the best thing to do is to study and take some certs. I suggest you wait one year or two, then move to a better company, not necessarily call center support, depends on how much experience and knowledge/certs you got, you may get a better job.

jbrown414

Sometimes you have to stick with a job for a couple of years to build up work history or "experience". My current job is mundane and boring but the two years "experience I have there looks good on a resume. Learn what you can, get some certs and see what else is out there. In the meantime, snag a couple of bags of chips and a few cold drinks for your troubles.

bighornsheep

You're familiar with Mainframe and you're looking to make more money, I wouldn't bother moving into the call centre environment. Are you familiar with VTAM or MVS or z/VM?

Master your JCL and find a large company that will appreciate that skill, if you get lucky and land a job to replace a retiring mainframe guru, you're set for very long time.

But then again, that will depend whether you enjoy working with that stuff....