Network Support Analyst vs NOC Specialist

try2pingit

Hey everybody! I was hoping for some guidance from you guys...

Here's the deal I'm 22 and like to plan ahead, so I set a long term goal of becoming a Network Engineer (5 years?).

I'm currently a Network Support Analyst, however I believe taking calls for MS Office and printer issues are more for a Tech Support role... At this rate I will never become a Network Engineer... So I started job hunting and got a call back for a NOC Specialist position, which I agree with you guys as this being ideal in this situation. I was told by the staffing agency that the job pays 25/hr which is exactly what I make now...ironic?

At my current job, I've gotten the sweet benefit of paid training mid last year from a Cisco Learning Partner (CCNA - $3,000). I haven't been able to put this into any use whatsoever other than making switchport MAC changes once in a while...Telecommunications is a 1 man team here and that's that.

Here are the differences between my current job and the prospective:

Current:
Perm - 50k - 1.5 miles from home (5 min commute;1 way) - Work Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, Off from tues thru thurs. (work from home Sat & Sun)

Prospective:
Temp - 25/hr - 21.7 miles from home (33 min commute;1 way) - Work Monday thru Friday 9 to 5.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I'm going to an interview with the agency next tuesday at 10:30am. That would give me an opportunity as well to negotiate $.

This is probably a no brainer one way or the other to some of you, but that's exactly why i'm posting here

VAHokie56

If you are looking to move into more of a engineering role and don't feel like that is going to happen at your current job then make the move. However I would confirm that in the new job you would be getting exposure to more network related task, it would suck to jump jobs and end up doing the same ol crap

Hypntick

try2pingit wrote: »

Monday thru Friday 9 to 5.

That would be enough to put me off the job. I hate that kind of schedule, I love working weekends. Current job however for me is 8 to 5 mon-fri .

erpadmin

This is a no-brainer...forget job duties or your aspirations...you have no reason to leave a PERMANENT job for a TEMP job.

Listen, you're a young guy, making $50k a year. Mind you, that's no money in NYC, but that's a very decent living. Spend your time working on getting more certs if you have to, or perhaps going the higher ed route like you plan. But don't quit your job for a temp job where you seem to be doing alright in the current job you have now.

Trust me, in NYC, opportunities will always come. This temp job, IMO, isn't it. Yes you are young enough to take risks and gambles, but it should be done smartly. Just keep up with your Cisco knowledge so that it isn't forgotten if you're not going to get to use it at your current job.

Take a pass on this, and concentrate on finding a perm job that offers the same duties.

the_Grinch

I'd say go and see what they say, but I have to agree with erpadmin find something that is permanent.

cisco_certs

its really up to you but its tough to find a permanent job in this economy. Try looking for a permanent job.

NOC is a tough but fun job. You always learn something new.

aldous

why not stay where you are and boost your training (CCNP etc). although your job isn't as networky as you like its networkey on paper (des that make sense?) so later on when more qualified/bit more experience you can use that to move into a full time position rather then leaving for a temp job (and temping normally sucks, very little rights etc.

try2pingit

@VAHokie56 - Yeah thats the thing, titles could be misleading the way some people use them nowadays, I wouldn't want to be in a NOC just taking calls and opening up incidents all day.

@Hypntick - Your right, having a couple of days of in the middle of the week is not to bad, I could use that for some grad studies and the CCNP route.

@erpadmin - "forget job duties or your aspirations", wow you really tell it like it is don't you? I'll take a pass on it and head the CCNP route but will definitely have to go over CCNA material again. I'll stay put and do some major self study.

@the_Grinch - I don't know if I want to do that anymore...lol

@cisco_certs - It's not easy looking for permanent job these days. I've seen that alot of them are contract work.

@aldous - that's exactly what I decided to do!

Thanks guys for all your advice. I'm going to stay where I am and put some serious effort into CCNP studies and try and get into grad school. It's crazy though, everytime I go job searching, the majority of network jobs I find are Network Engineers and up. I'm no where near that level. So on to some studying ... If I could be a real CCNP (meaning not just on paper) within the next two years that would be awesome!

tomahawkeer

try2pingit wrote: »

Hey everybody! I was hoping for some guidance from you guys...

Here's the deal I'm 22 and like to plan ahead, so I set a long term goal of becoming a Network Engineer (5 years?).

I'm currently a Network Support Analyst, however I believe taking calls for MS Office and printer issues are more for a Tech Support role... At this rate I will never become a Network Engineer... So I started job hunting and got a call back for a NOC Specialist position, which I agree with you guys as this being ideal in this situation. I was told by the staffing agency that the job pays 25/hr which is exactly what I make now...ironic?

At my current job, I've gotten the sweet benefit of paid training mid last year from a Cisco Learning Partner (CCNA - $3,000). I haven't been able to put this into any use whatsoever other than making switchport MAC changes once in a while...Telecommunications is a 1 man team here and that's that.

Here are the differences between my current job and the prospective:

Current:
Perm - 50k - 1.5 miles from home (5 min commute;1 way) - Work Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, Off from tues thru thurs. (work from home Sat & Sun)

Prospective:
Temp - 25/hr - 21.7 miles from home (33 min commute;1 way) - Work Monday thru Friday 9 to 5.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I'm going to an interview with the agency next tuesday at 10:30am. That would give me an opportunity as well to negotiate $.

This is probably a no brainer one way or the other to some of you, but that's exactly why i'm posting here

Knowing what you want to do, is a great thing, it truely is. There are people on these boards, that have been doing IT for a long time, and still, dont know the ideal job that they want to do. I applaud you for that, as its not an easy thing for a lot of people to know so early in your career.

With that being said, I have to agree with the majority of people in this thread, and say, that looking at your 2 options here, that "Idea" would be your only reason for leaving. You currently have 3 days per week off, can work 2 days at home, and the days that you do have to go into your office, its litterally just a short walk away. On top of that, from the sounds of it, with the training they are providing, and the fact that the pay is almost identical, the only thing that your going to get out of this other job, is what you have decided is your "Ideal" job. Put that on top of going from a Perm. job to a Temp job, and in my opinion, its a no brainer! I would stay where your at!

Also, the pay is a wash either way, unless there is bookoos of overtime at the hourly position. If I was in your position, I would stay where im at, and work my way up the ladder there!

erpadmin

try2pingit wrote: »

@erpadmin - "forget job duties or your aspirations", wow you really tell it like it is don't you?

Being from Jersey, I kind of have to....

I subscribe heavily to the "Keeping It Real" philosophy. (Of course, it is tempered at times.... )

I am glad you got my main point though...I only said what was quoted because I don't deal with the networking aspect of IT (though I am familiar enough with it.) I would never leave a permanent for a temp gig just because it (on paper) deals more with what I want to aspire to. That was my point.