Career Direction

So its been quite a few years since I visited the board. When I was here last I was working on my certs and since then became lost in the abyss.

I am looking for some direction from the veterans. I have been working with computers since 1998. After HS I went and got my BA in Information Systems. After that I went for my certs: MCP, Sec+, Net+, CDIA+, Server+, I am one exam away from MCSA 2003.

I am completing my Masters this May in business.

My resume looks like Swiss cheese. Each move was justified. Below is my track.

1999-2005- Junior Admin, programmer two different jobs HS, Junior College, College
Graduated College -5/2005
9/2005-5/2006 Helpdesk left to go for a network admin job
5/2006 -9/2006 Network Admin job, but budget cuts a few months later cut my job
11/2006 - 3/2007 contract month to month helpdesk job to pay bills
3/2007 - 5/2009 Perm Job. Applications support rolled into Network Admin job. Hard times with the economy forced layoffs.
Present - I am working a contract gig for a desktop support.

I thought about getting out of IT, but this does not seem to be right time to be changing fields. It would require a lot of time and money to retool myself. When it gets down to it, I only dislike doing the entry level IT jobs.

Currently I am looking at taking the Cisco classes and going for the CCNA and CCNP certs. I have always loved networking and system administration. I have done programming but after a few years of that in college I decided it was not for me.

From my research the only way to move up in the IT business is to specialize: Data networks, VM, Security or Networks.

Any advice is appreciated. I am currently 27 and feel like I am going to miss the bus if I do not do something soon. The one positive thing going for me is after I graduate this May I am able to move wherever necessary.

Thanks,

Jason

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Comments

brad-

I was just about to say, be available to relocate and go where you can get a solid job. Also, if you are inclined, dont forget about the military.

mikej412

Finish/get the MCSE 2003 & CCNA and try for a something with a growth path to get you away from desktops.

Maybe aim for a large corporation (or outsourcing company) data center support position to maximize the opportunities.

Then target and focus on the Certifications that will keep you away from end user phone calls or visits to their desks. Virtualization and SANs are two good places to aim for to hide from end users (if you have those options at work).

odysseyelite

I have been looking at the Army Reserves. Benefits are TSC and student loan reimbursement. Anyone previous Military to chime in and speak of their experience?

brad-

odysseyelite wrote: »

I have been looking at the Army Reserves. Benefits are TSC and student loan reimbursement. Anyone previous Military to chime in and speak of their experience?

I did 3 years active and 5 years NG, I ETS'd in 03. I wouldnt be where i am today without it. I wasnt technical, I wanted parachute infantry. I got a B.S. with the GI Bill when I got out. I also had saved a substantial amount of money while on active duty that basically kept us afloat until I got back to work full time.

However, I think if I had dont a more professional type MOS - something computer/networking related, I might have made it a career.

2E151

odysseyelite wrote: »

I have been looking at the Army Reserves. Benefits are TSC and student loan reimbursement. Anyone previous Military to chime in and speak of their experience?

I've spent 6 years in the Air National Guard. It was the best decision of my life; because of it I have a great civilian career and a great reserve military career. In 14 years I'll have a good retirement lined up for when I hit 60.

The skills I learned in the Guard helped propel me into the Telecom world; it's a great thing. Because of the contacts I made and the experience I learned I've got a job making 65K a year as a Satellite Engineer with no college yet.

ck86

A lot of positive military experiences here.

I don't want to ruin the positive, but coming from my 5 year experience as active duty in the Army I'll say that my experience was quite different. My MOS is 25U (Signal Support Specialist).

While it has admittedly given me a solid foundation for now doing things that before (for me) were not possible, I can say that overall the journey has not been great. School, VA benefits, and life experiences (over two years in Iraq) are something that will have both positive and a little negative impact on me forever. Personally, I have not received squat in training or in-depth experience like I had expected. All depends on what job you get assigned and what the missions are of your unit, and what level you are working.. all of which is mostly random. I have felt like I received the short end of the stick since basic, many people in for 10+ years have/could hear some of the stuff that I went through and cringe. It's a roll of the dice, just like many other things. I'll be receiving disability pay for the rest of my life and always deal with pain in my knees from a combat incident my first deployment. I've seen great guys with great plans have their life cut short because the reality is that we are still (and for the foreseeable future) in a war. This is a little adversity that you'd not really experience or have to overcome if you do not delve into the military world. Reserve, NG, Active all pretty much get deployed regularly in -most- cases now.

I also have a brother in the Air Force, a sister at West Point, and a father in the Army (was AF, got out, went to med school, joined Army to pay off over $100k in school debt) and they have had much different experiences. AF definitely shines if you want to do something IT related from what I have heard from talking to many soldiers/airmen. Just realize the military is not for everyone, and once you're in you are stuck in that contract and fulfilling those obligations, and just as it can have a positive impact on you and your future, there are many cases where it has done the opposite.

Once again not trying to squash the good, just giving a healthy dose of reality. Best of luck in your decision and hope it works out!