I got promoted from Helpdesk to Network Engineer

amb1s1

Hi, I'm probably in the wrong forum, but it feels more OK to me to tell the cisco guy about my excitement. I just got promoted from helpdek/noc to a Network Engineer position.

Now, I have a question to the engineers. What do you guys recommend as for what books to have for a day to day network reference? I have the ISO Cookbook, do you guys think I'm ok with that? How do guys did in your first months of been an network engineer? Like how you keep your notes? I use the outlook note to keep notes of any troubleshooting that I did in the helpdesk department. I'm also thinking about writing like a daily diary, what you guys think about that?

I work night shift until I move to the NE departmet, so I went to CVS and I bought a over the counter sleeping pill because I know I'm going to need cause I'm so excite just to go to sleep by myslef. If you have any tips, please shoot at me. I'm going to sleep and I will check your reply as soonest I wake up.

ehnde

Like how you keep your notes? I use the outlook note to keep notes of any troubleshooting that I did in the helpdesk department.

I've really liked using Leo (Leo's Home Page) it's great for taking notes and writing documentation/recording steps you take. It can keep all of your different personal "how-to's" organized. It has a slight learning curve, but if you're now working as a network engineer - smart dude

I was first introduced to this multi-platform project manager by the fine folks at Online Information Security Training - BackTrack

Congratulations on the promotion. Screw the recession!

mikearama

Well done... congrats on the promotion. Hope there was an equivalent upping in the $$$ department as well.

Having an online repository for your notes is a good idea... there's two of us here, so we use a shared folder for all tips/tricks/notes to share thoughts.

However, for daily troubleshooting, having a daily diary is fantastic. Great for making quick notes, grabbing contact info, etc, etc. Mine has saved my life more than a few times.

As for references, since you're no doubt about to embark on your CCNP to shore up your new role, grab the latest ROUTE and SWITCH materials... they always make great resources. I still have my BSCI, BCMSN, ISCW and ONT material on the shelf, just in case.

Again, congrats.

earweed

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!
You may have a learning curve getting used to the new job but you'll do OK. Make sure to keep a record of stuff to update in the resume also.

Mike-Mike

congrats, I have some questions....

how long were you in the Helpdesk/NOC? did your CCNA factor into your promotion?

mikej412

Congratulations on the Promotion!!

Ryan82

Nice! I recommend picking up a copy of Network Warrior. Its a great post CCNA real world relevant text. Also the route and switch material will help to start learning some advanced topics.

jaykoolzboy

Congrats, and of course CCNA made a difference, now you should start your CCNP career.

veritas_libertas

Congratz!

chmorin

Congrats and well done!

amb1s1

Mike-Mike wrote: »

congrats, I have some questions....

how long were you in the Helpdesk/NOC? did your CCNA factor into your promotion?

I have been with the helpdesk exactly 5 years. Since I work night shift I was basically a ghost in my company, in my first two years nobody knew about me, but everything change when my company moved the NOC department to the helpdesk office. By then, the NOC guy started talking about the CCNA and that I need to speak up to try to get into networking, so I started my master plan.

First I sturdy for the CCNA myself and I after I passed, I when an email my certificate to must of the IT managers. 2nd I started pushing my manager to get some training and after couple of months after I pass my CCNA, they send me to training for the BCSI. I passed the BCSI and after a year they send me for the BCMSN and I passed that. Then I wanted to move to the NOC, but the company started to do bad and they basically layoff everybody from NOC and gave that responsibility to the engineers. At this time was that got closed with the engineers since I was working night shift, I offered them to take care the NOC stuff, so they don’t have to wake up to every single alert that they were getting while they were home. I was made sure that my manager, directors were ok with and they were especially the network engineer manager and director, so I score a huge point with them. After like a year doing this, they where couple of engineers that left the company, but since my company is doing badly, they didn’t replaced them. By that, I was frustrated and I try to find a job outside my company even the network engineer manager pull me at side and told me that I should find another job , so I did. I was not lucky, I guess because I was shooting for engineer jobs even thought I only have heldesk and some NOC experience.

Last week, the network engineer manager pull me and told me that she was leaving and that one of the other engineers too and she spoke with her director to see if he can hire me as an engineer. So this morning he came to me and he offered me the job. I got 30% increase in my salary and I going to be doing only engineer work something that I was afraid that I was going to be stuck doing only NOC. The NOC was move to another department so I’m sure I’m not going to be doing that.

It was a long process, but it was worthy because I’m going to be an engineer in couple of weeks. So right now I’m really excited and I can’t wait to start working.

amb1s1

jaykoolzboy wrote: »

Congrats, and of course CCNA made a difference, now you should start your CCNP career.

The CCNA made difference because just like me there were another a co-worker who was sent to training and never passed the test and he just give up, so I was the only with a CCNA. About the CCNP, I'm just TSHOOT away from the test and I can say I'm like 60% ready to take the TSHOOT test.

kenny831

Congrats! All that hard work paid off.

amb1s1

ehnde wrote: »

I've really liked using Leo (Leo's Home Page) it's great for taking notes and writing documentation/recording steps you take. It can keep all of your different personal "how-to's" organized. It has a slight learning curve, but if you're now working as a network engineer - smart dude

I was first introduced to this multi-platform project manager by the fine folks at Online Information Security Training - BackTrack

Congratulations on the promotion. Screw the recession!

I try to install Leo edito, but I was not succesful. Did you had any problem installing it?

earweed

Sounds like you getting certified plus your willingness to do extra work has paid off. Now it's time to get to work attaining more job skills. After a while at this position you'll be more attractive to outside employers (as your former coworkers have shown you) and if you get unhappy where you are or just need a change you WILL be getting a network engineer job somewhere else if you want it.

amb1s1

earweed wrote: »

Sounds like you getting certified plus your willingness to do extra work has paid off. Now it's time to get to work attaining more job skills. After a while at this position you'll be more attractive to outside employers (as your former coworkers have shown you) and if you get unhappy where you are or just need a change you WILL be getting a network engineer job somewhere else if you want it.

Even the director who hired me told me that he knows that I'm not getting engineer paid, but I getting engineer experience and if in one or two years I'm not happy I'm going to be an experience engineer and thats valuable.

amb1s1

amb1s1 wrote: »

I try to install Leo edito, but I was not succesful. Did you had any problem installing it?

I got it to install, but I think I'm going to ask my employer to install microsoft OneNote.

Netwurk

Congrats!!!

Here's hoping you make it kid!

sweetoctober

Congrats bro... This serves as an inspiration to geeks chasing certs. It rely pays off..,.:)