Next Move Advice: IT Assistant

Nein42

Hey folks,

I've been strolling around these forums for a little while now and finally decided to register. I have a few questions for the gurus and veterans:

I am 25, and currently working for the salvation army as an IT Assistant. I do basic troubleshooting which consists of: access to the network and domains, access to servers, AD accounts and passwords, Lotus Notes ID certifications/reset, networking printers/scanners to file servers, performing regular backups, minor troubleshooting with Cisco ATA's, Switches and VoIP. The latter is a less frequent occurrence but I have become fairly familiar with the hardware including the firewall. I also set up the wireless networks and access points as well as manage the Wireless Access Controller portion of the switch.

I currently have no certifications I was kind of grandfathered in to a lot of my current responsibilities, but I am working on Network+, and A+ with CCNA down the road a little further. I am making 25k... but I would like to be making at least 35k in the near future.

there is the background, now, given my experience and current position, what track should I go on, and what could I feasibly expect as salary realistically? is 25k reasonable for my current responsibilities? I understand that the golden age is over, but this is my first IT job and looking to move on within the next few years and would like some friendly advice from veterans as to how to proceed given the circumstances.

I also forgot to mention that I currently manage a VMware server. Albeit only running 5 servers, but I do manage it myself.

thanks folks!

veritas_libertas

Since you get to play will both Cisco and Microsoft it seems to me that you could choose either path and be successful(or both.) The big questions is where do you want to go with your career?

Nein42

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Since you get to play will both Cisco and Microsoft it seems to me that you could choose either path and be successful(or both.) The big questions is where do you want to go with your career?

It depends really. I would like to to be a network administrator, but I think that my idea of that job is skewed by what the network administrator for us does. Takes care of both Cisco, AD, and Lotus Notes issues as well as WAN and LAN issues... thats how the SA rolls. Right now my department consists of an IT director, a systems admin, and myself, and we manage the entire state of Mass. that's around 250 clients, with all of the servers and firewalls that those locations require... for three people... I would think that given my responsibilities and the shear amount of clients I could command a greater salary elsewhere, but I like working for them for now. I get a very very very broad scope of things. So to answer your question, I would like to be a network admin one day, but for now I would like to keep diversifying with a bit more pay.

veritas_libertas

Nein42 wrote: »

It depends really. I would like to to be a network administrator, but I think that my idea of that job is skewed by what the network administrator for us does. Takes care of both Cisco, AD, and Lotus Notes issues as well as WAN and LAN issues... thats how the SA rolls. Right now my department consists of an IT director, a systems admin, and myself, and we manage the entire state of Mass. that's around 250 clients, with all of the servers and firewalls that those locations require... for three people... I would think that given my responsibilities and the shear amount of clients I could command a greater salary elsewhere, but I like working for them for now. I get a very very very broad scope of things. So to answer your question, I would like to be a network admin one day, but for now I would like to keep diversifying with a bit more pay.

I would stay where you are then. I interned under someone doing similar work at a similar pay. Lets just say that ten years later that broad experience paid off very well. I'm not suggesting you have to stay for ten years but that broad experience will pay off for sure. Do you mind me asking how you nailed such a nice opportunity?

Nein42

I almost hate to say it, because it's my least favorite part of the industry, but I was moving into the area, and my old man has been working with them for 25yrs. He saw the posting told me to apply, and put a good word in. I am extremely lucky to be in the position that I am in. I just don't want to waste the opportunity I have been given by being complacent, but I also don't want to get greedy.

veritas_libertas

Nein42 wrote: »

I almost hate to say it, because it's my least favorite part of the industry, but I was moving into the area, and my old man has been working with them for 25yrs. He saw the posting told me to apply, and put a good word in. I am extremely lucky to be in the position that I am in. I just don't want to waste the opportunity I have been given by being complacent, but I also don't want to get greedy.

Hey, that is how I got the nice internship Nothing wrong with that! I'm sure people out there with way more experience than me can comment on your questions and give some great Network/System administration advice. Personally if I was in your place I would do both the CCNA and the MCITP:EA.

Nein42

Yea, it's about the only way I could find into the field without experience.

What I'd like to know from the veterans is do I stay for the diversity of experience, or do I leave 2-3k more a year? I've been to interviews, and I'm open to relocating anywhere. I guess I'd like to know how valuable the diverse experience is going to be in the long run vs just looking for better salary. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot for a few more bucks.

Priston

How long have you been working there?

I would agree that 25k is low, maybe you could ask for a raise.

techlady007

Wow, you certainly have a lot of broad experience while just starting out. I wish I could say that I have experience with those different technologies, but I don't. You truly have a rewarding start, but only with low pay. At the end of the day, you have to do what is best for you. Either way another gig is going to come up. From there you can take what you learned and apply it in other positions. If I was you I would aim for a couple of certs that your experience can actually vouch for and move on.

Nein42

techlady007 wrote: »

Wow, you certainly have a lot of broad experience while just starting out. I wish I could say that I have experience with those different technologies, but I don't. You truly have a rewarding start, but only with low pay. At the end of the day, you have to do what is best for you. Either way another gig is going to come up. From there you can take what you learned and apply it in other positions. If I was you I would aim for a couple of certs that your experience can actually vouch for and move on.

Agreed. I think the Network+, A+, and if I stick around maybe CCNA. would all be things that I can say that I have legitimate real world experience with to go along with the certs. CCNA maybe a bit of a stretch, but the Network+ is something I deal with all the time.

I'm toying with VM certification, since right now I am the only in the department dealing with it. Nothing fancy just server creation, maintenance and supervision really. so I may be able to read up on that and get that cert to and have the little experience I have with it to back it up.

veritas_libertas

Nein42 wrote: »

Agreed. I think the Network+, A+, and if I stick around maybe CCNA. would all be things that I can say that I have legitimate real world experience with to go along with the certs. CCNA maybe a bit of a stretch, but the Network+ is something I deal with all the time.

I'm toying with VM certification, since right now I am the only in the department dealing with it. Nothing fancy just server creation, maintenance and supervision really. so I may be able to read up on that and get that cert to and have the little experience I have with it to back it up.

Make sure you stick with value when it comes to the certification you get. The CompTIA certifications will get you an entry-level job, but from where you currently are Cisco and Microsoft will help keep you in Networking/Server roles. I honestly don't think CompTIA will help you any at this point.

Nein42

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Make sure you stick with value when it comes to the certification you get. The CompTIA certifications will get you an entry-level job, but from where you currently are Cisco and Microsoft will help keep you in Networking/Server roles. I honestly don't think CompTIA will help you any at this point.

Interesting... This has never been brought to my attention. I was told that Network+ was a solid mid level cert, but perhaps I was mistaken. so I should be more concerned with CCNA, Server 2008, and perhaps VM? I guess now I want to know where I should go, Network+ is currently what I have on my plate but if the track needs to I'm eager to know the direction.

Pishof

Nein42 wrote: »

Interesting... This has never been brought to my attention. I was told that Network+ was a solid mid level cert, but perhaps I was mistaken. so I should be more concerned with CCNA, Server 2008, and perhaps VM? I guess now I want to know where I should go, Network+ is currently what I have on my plate but if the track needs to I'm eager to know the direction.

Network+ is definitely an entry level cert. With your various entry level experiences I agree you're be better off skipping comptia and focusing on more advanced certifications to expand on what you know. Virtualization is also very hot now for system administration.

If you want something like network+ trade that for CCNA instead and get your MCITP as well.

Dryst999

25k is low even in the rural south, how long have you been with the company? If it's been near a year ask to be bumped up to 30k, just simply talk to your boss about it and say that your happy with the experience your getting and love the company but 25k is well below the market value for your responsibilities and it's not enough for you to live off of. They would much rather bump you up 5k then having to hire someone else and retrain.

Nein42

Dryst999 wrote: »

25k is low even in the rural south, how long have you been with the company? If it's been near a year ask to be bumped up to 30k, just simply talk to your boss about it and say that your happy with the experience your getting and love the company but 25k is well below the market value for your responsibilities and it's not enough for you to live off of. They would much rather bump you up 5k then having to hire someone else and retrain.

I have been here for about 8 months. In those 8 months though, my responsibilities have tripled... Literally. I was hired to image machines and install them along with peripheral devices. Within two months, they saw that I was adept and threw All of the above mentioned things at me. Hopefully, now that they are beginning to notice that I am in the certification process, and they have begun taking interest in it, they might start doing something about it. I'm very hesitant to leave since I think I can pull a lot of experience out of this place with just one more year. My boss wants to make me salary instead of hourly, so he's working on that with his superiors. It would naturally come with a pay increase, we'll see how much though...

veritas_libertas

Nein42 wrote: »

I have been here for about 8 months. In those 8 months though, my responsibilities have tripled... Literally. I was hired to image machines and install them along with peripheral devices. Within two months, they saw that I was adept and threw All of the above mentioned things at me. Hopefully, now that they are beginning to notice that I am in the certification process, and they have begun taking interest in it, they might start doing something about it. I'm very hesitant to leave since I think I can pull a lot of experience out of this place with just one more year. My boss wants to make me salary instead of hourly, so he's working on that with his superiors. It would naturally come with a pay increase, we'll see how much though...

I agree, stay at least two years before you start hunting around. In the mean time knock off some certs to match your experience. I really think CCNA + MCITP:EA will greatly benefit you.

Turgon

Nein42 wrote: »

Hey folks,

I've been strolling around these forums for a little while now and finally decided to register. I have a few questions for the gurus and veterans:

I am 25, and currently working for the salvation army as an IT Assistant. I do basic troubleshooting which consists of: access to the network and domains, access to servers, AD accounts and passwords, Lotus Notes ID certifications/reset, networking printers/scanners to file servers, performing regular backups, minor troubleshooting with Cisco ATA's, Switches and VoIP. The latter is a less frequent occurrence but I have become fairly familiar with the hardware including the firewall. I also set up the wireless networks and access points as well as manage the Wireless Access Controller portion of the switch.

I currently have no certifications I was kind of grandfathered in to a lot of my current responsibilities, but I am working on Network+, and A+ with CCNA down the road a little further. I am making 25k... but I would like to be making at least 35k in the near future.

there is the background, now, given my experience and current position, what track should I go on, and what could I feasibly expect as salary realistically? is 25k reasonable for my current responsibilities? I understand that the golden age is over, but this is my first IT job and looking to move on within the next few years and would like some friendly advice from veterans as to how to proceed given the circumstances.

I also forgot to mention that I currently manage a VMware server. Albeit only running 5 servers, but I do manage it myself.

thanks folks!

I dont know how long you have been there but I would say after 2 years you have topped out on what working for a small department has to offer. You can leverage the experience well in the job market but I would get CCNA and or MCSE on to your CV.

In terms of career progression you could look at working in an enterprise environment and specialise more or try a service provider of some description. You will have to decide if you want to move up in the technical or semi-technical streams of work. If technical you should look to a move that gives you lots of project and design experience so you can move into an architect role. If semi-technical you want a job that gives you supervisory experience followed by management experience as soon as possible.

Nein42

Turgon wrote: »

I dont know how long you have been there but I would say after 2 years you have topped out on what working for a small department has to offer. You can leverage the experience well in the job market but I would get CCNA and or MCSE on to your CV.

In terms of career progression you could look at working in an enterprise environment and specialise more or try a service provider of some description. You will have to decide if you want to move up in the technical or semi-technical streams of work. If technical you should look to a move that gives you lots of project and design experience so you can move into an architect role. If semi-technical you want a job that gives you supervisory experience followed by management experience as soon as possible.

I think I would like to stay on the technical end of things. Though I am not sure what you mean by semi-technical, if you mean manager positions than I am not really interested in that, I'd rather stay on this side of things, albeit with much more challenging and interesting work.