..Cisco Jobs...hard Decisions

jbriggy

Hi All,

I really hate to get excited when headhunters call me, because (for me anyway) it almost never pans out the way I want it to. Granted its a slim chance, but if both of these positions open thier doors to me, it'll be a challenge to choose which one i'll take..

Position 1: A 2 year contract position at a Telecommunications company. I'd be a Network Engineer, responsible for the day to day maintenance and configuration of Cisco Routers and switches. I would get a ton of hands on experience with routing protocols, like BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, and that would definately help me progress my Cisco career through CCNP and hopefully through CCIE. But the tests, training, etc would still be on me. The payrate would be about $35 an hour, or $72,800 a year.

Position 2: A 6 month contract at Cisco Systems. I'd be a Desktop Engineer helping out with a special project they have going on. I can do desktop support in my sleep, so I wouldnt necessarily be learning anything new technically, but I would be learning the business. I would also be face-to-face in front of the Cisco big wigs. I'd be showcasing my skills to those people who have the power to pull the strings and bring me on permanently. Though its not guaranteed, it is possible. There would be NO switching or routing in my job description, but they may allow me to use their resources, labs, books, etc. The payrate would be about $30 an hour, or $62,400 a year.

And of course, there's a possibility that none of these will go through. (Which is why I hate getting excited) It would be disappointing for both of these to fall through.. but say I had a choice.. say you were me.. which would you pick and why?

darkerosxx

Cisco job for long-term possibilities.

malcybood

depends what's more important to you, job security or taking a job at cisco in the hope they might take you on.

If it was me I wouldn't want to go backwards even if it was at Cisco. There may be no long term prospects and it may just be a 6 month desktop rollout or something. Dunno it's a tricky one without knowing the details.

Do you have a permanent role now and what do you do as your job?

impelse

I would take Position 1, it is more stable and you can grow from there, in the Position 2 I do not bealive that you will get a good chance to work for Cisco, it is just another rollout.

itdaddy

Position 1: A 2 year contract

not hard at all do the Position1 sound wayyyyy more promsing

1. more money
2. more training
3. working with all that stuff will change you

you will get a different perspective....I woudl rather be a CCNP/CCIE than work with MS
MS changes faster and I think Cisco is more consistant in their methods
and the exams are more real world ish!

my 2cents

UnixGuy

Position #1, because you need the experience. If you get the experience it will help you get a job at Cisco later

cisco_trooper

Number 1 all the way. If you step back to desktop just to work for Cisco, that's a bad move. That desktop position is going to land on your resume, and if your current position is BEYOND desktop, future employers are going to notice you moved back - not good.

Slowhand

Take the first one, hands-down. If you really want to work for Cisco, you'll want to have stuff like that on your resume once you're in the CCNP/CCIE stage. The second position would be a great opportunity if the first one wasn't there.

mikej412

Job 1 is better experience for a longer time. Take the extra money and buy your own study materials and home lab.

Job 2 is a hope someone notices you.

JavonR

Job 1 hands down...

nel

Yep, i agree take no. 1.

That hands on experiance will be invaluable, plus its permanent and its better money.

Dont let it cloud your judgement just because the rollout contract is with cisco, stri[ each job down to the facts and its obvious which is better.

Besides you dont have to work for cisco to get where you want.

laidbackfreak

position 1 for the experience, there are plenty of roles that come up at cisco..... get the 2 years under your belt (learn something of a niche market if possible) and then go back to cisco for a perm role later

easy innit......

amp2030

One more vote for door number 1.

phantasm

You take number 1 and I'll take number 2. ok? lol.

APA

Job 1 all the way

The aim is to improve yourself... not to take a step back in hope that one day Cisco may open the door to the networking department for you...

take the first job... get the experience.... get the qualifications... prove yourself in the industry.... then maybe the big companies will come knocking on your door instead of you knocking on their's

Mrock4

Since it's election day..another vote for option #1. The experience you'll gain there would be invaluable instead of doing a bunch of stuff you already know.

MonkeyBolt

Vote for No.1 More money = More fun

itdaddy

mikej wrote:

Job 2 is a hope someone notices you.

i love little sayings and this says it all. I agree with mike- hope someone notices you job2
job1 is getting your hands dirty but coming out clean and experienced based big time
nothing beats studying for ccnp/ccie/ccvp and doing the hands on as you go wow!
yeah

again job 1 all the way!

hard work and bustingyour butt will pay off in the end haah get end! butt hahaha !
but true!

Aldur

number 2!

Ok ok, i'd do 1 also, just thought i'd try to be different

jamesp1983

job 1

m.j.boylin

job 1 sound the dogs b*****s i would go for job 1 tbh

gorebrush

Door1 = Door1 + 1;

zen master

door1++;