How to get a job in Networking with no experience?

Hi everyone,

I have a Masters degree in Telecommunications and networking. I graduated in December 2009. Last year the job market was bad, so i got a contract job in Software Testing, which i absolutely hated.

This year after my contract was over, i made a decision to look for a job in Networking. Its been 2.5 months now that i have been looking, but no success. Everywhere they ask for at least 1-2 years of experience, which i don't have in Networking field. I don't qualify for a lot of Recent Graduate Network Engineering jobs for big companies like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint because they require candidates who graduated with in the last 12 months.

My dream job is to work as a Network Engineer, but i know it takes several years to get to that position. I am willing to start at the most basic level. Salary or benefits are not a concern for me. I just want to get my foot in the door.

How can i start in networking field? Can certifications help? If so which one is good to start a career in networking; A+, Network+, or CCNA? Are certifications any good without experience?

I would highly appreciate any ideas or suggestions. Thank you!

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nhan.ng

start out low, like a helpdesk position/tech support, then see if you company have any opening, then apply for it. Gotta pay your due, as most companies wont let fresh out of school graduates without experience touch their network

instant000

sid101 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I have a Masters degree in Telecommunications and networking. I graduated in December 2009. Last year the job market was bad, so i got a contract job in Software Testing, which i absolutely hated.

This year after my contract was over, i made a decision to look for a job in Networking. Its been 2.5 months now that i have been looking, but no success. Everywhere they ask for at least 1-2 years of experience, which i don't have in Networking field. I don't qualify for a lot of Recent Graduate Network Engineering jobs for big companies like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint because they require candidates who graduated with in the last 12 months.

My dream job is to work as a Network Engineer, but i know it takes several years to get to that position. I am willing to start at the most basic level. Salary or benefits are not a concern for me. I just want to get my foot in the door.

How can i start in networking field? Can certifications help? If so which one is good to start a career in networking; A+, Network+, or CCNA? Are certifications any good without experience?

I would highly appreciate any ideas or suggestions. Thank you!

Hrm.

Your posting makes WGU look a lot better than other schools, as it prepares the students with the certifications that the employers will be looking for.

If you have a Master's degree in telecommunications and networking, the CCNA might be within your reach.

If you go to cisco.com and read the objectives of the certification, and feel fairly confident about them, that might be a good direction to strike in.

Also, are you willing to relocate? If willing to relocate, there are opportunities out there, but, as you have seen already, most employers want some type of certification to start.

sid101

Thanks nhan.ng!!

I have applied for quiet a few help desk jobs, but most of them require at least 1 year previous experience in Help desk. Do you think getting an A+ would make my resume look better for Help desk positions?

-DeXteR-

First of all where u from man ? How is the job scenario out their ?

sid101

Thanks instant000!!

I am fairly confident that if i study hard, i would be able to pass CCNA. But is it wise to get CCNA without any hands on Network experience? I have heard a lot of people say that CCNA is good with 1- 2 years of real world networking experience.

sid101

-DeXteR- wrote: »

First of all where u from man ? How is the job scenario out their ?

I am in Chicago. There are a quiet a few jobs posted everyday in Network/Helpdesk here. But mostly with 1+ years of experience.

nhan.ng

My co-worker has A+/Network+ and he got hired straight out of HS into the tech support position. He lasted about six months before he had enough with all the BSs and said fawk it and quit

Most people will tell you it's not worth it to get the A+/Network+ but in my opinion, it helps especially when you're starting out. It'll tell an employer that you at least know something about computer

Oh I just remember one thing, I didn't get an contract job's offer once because the Hiring Manager said his client needed someone with an A+, and even though i was well qualify, he just couldnt send me out for it.

instant000

sid101 wrote: »

I am in Chicago. There are a quiet a few jobs posted everyday in Network/Helpdesk here. But mostly with 1+ years of experience.

You have a Master's degree in Telecommunications/Networking apply anyway?

Call them up and let them know that you need the experience.

I just think a master's degree in telecomm/networking would be beyond the A+/Network+ level, which is why I suggested CCNA.

I know that I took a class for my bachelor's about networking, and it was better than Network+, so I can only imagine that a Master's in it would have to be superior.

If you have not tested in a while, it might help you to study the A+ and pass that, just to get used to testing. Be fore-warned that the CCNA is a lot harder than the A+.

I would recommend spending at least a couple hours a day making contacts with people and putting your name and resume out there. Then, spend the rest on improving yourself.

There's three factors you can provide to get a job:
1. experience
2. certifications
3. education

Experience is usually the primary factor. However, the certifications and education are well within your own control, so you can work on those. Also, you can get experience from volunteering, but you have to strike a balance between putting food on the table, too, LOL.

I know it sucks to work on certifications while carrying a job (and going to school ... start my first Master's this summer, why limit myself, LOL).

Every day at work, I'm advising coworkers to work on their certification and education, as they don't realize that other people are out there working on those things, and you can get passed up for an opportunity, if you aren't working as hard on improving yourself as you could be.

I know a guy right now that wants to apply to jobs that he's well qualified for, but he can't, due to lacking certifications and education that he would be capable of attaining, but just became complacent in his current job.

I advise to always be preparing yourself for the next job. (Of course, the first couple weeks to months at a new job should be spent getting fully up to speed on everything first, then pressing ahead on those self-improvement goals.)

sid101 wrote:

Thanks instant000!!

I am fairly confident that if i study hard, i would be able to pass CCNA. But is it wise to get CCNA without any hands on Network experience? I have heard a lot of people say that CCNA is good with 1- 2 years of real world networking experience.

Many entry-level postings ask for CCNA. They teach Cisco Networking Academy to kids in high school nowadays. Because of this, someone fresh out of high school can have a CCNA.

I just think with your educational background, that gives you a solid base. Tack on a CCNA to a Master's in networking, and it will help a lot. Put your biggest qualifications towards the top of the resume, too, make them stand out more, which would be your degree at this point.

Everyone

I've seen job postings that say they want someone with a BS and 2 years experience that also said they would take someone with a Masters and no experience. So if you see a posting that says they want a BS and 1-2 years experience, apply anyway, they might be willing to take you.

drew726

I started off doing volunteer work.

Turgon

sid101 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I have a Masters degree in Telecommunications and networking. I graduated in December 2009. Last year the job market was bad, so i got a contract job in Software Testing, which i absolutely hated.

This year after my contract was over, i made a decision to look for a job in Networking. Its been 2.5 months now that i have been looking, but no success. Everywhere they ask for at least 1-2 years of experience, which i don't have in Networking field. I don't qualify for a lot of Recent Graduate Network Engineering jobs for big companies like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint because they require candidates who graduated with in the last 12 months.

My dream job is to work as a Network Engineer, but i know it takes several years to get to that position. I am willing to start at the most basic level. Salary or benefits are not a concern for me. I just want to get my foot in the door.

How can i start in networking field? Can certifications help? If so which one is good to start a career in networking; A+, Network+, or CCNA? Are certifications any good without experience?

I would highly appreciate any ideas or suggestions. Thank you!

You have a good degree there, but you have missed the boat on the Graduate Network jobs. So there will be no fast track.

But I still think you could land a decent job with prospects with that degree. I would be cautious of going down the A+ helpdesk route. I don't think it's necessary with your degree and you may end up lost in applications and servers.

I recommend you start the CCNA now and start trying to kick the door down on all the Cisco partners in your area. You could also try smaller service providers and telcos. You will be entry level but with your education you should find it easier to rise up the ranks.

networker050184

Turgon wrote: »

You have a good degree there, but you have missed the boat on the Graduate Network jobs. So there will be no fast track.

But I still think you could land a decent job with prospects with that degree. I would be cautious of going down the A+ helpdesk route. I don't think it's necessary with your degree and you may end up lost in applications and servers.

I recommend you start the CCNA now and start trying to kick the door down on all the Cisco partners in your area. You could also try smaller service providers and telcos. You will be entry level but with your education you should find it easier to rise up the ranks.

Agree with this here. I'd start hitting up service providers, and not just the big ones as Turgon pointed out. Someone will be willing to take a chance on you even if it is just a NOC Tech job. I'd pass on the enterprise positions at this point and avoid helpdesk. You are much more likely to get on with some sort of service provider with that degree.

cyberguypr

Have you done anything else IT related besides the software testing gig? I wonder what your resume looks like. Consider posting it here (minus personal info) so we can suggest areas to improve. I am in Chicago and was responsible for recruiting entry level Desktop Support techs at my previous job. Yes, there are a zillion out there applying for those positions. The number of awful resumes I saw on a weekly basis was ridiculous. Having said that, I agree you should look for something other than help desk.

As instant000 suggested, go out there and network. Don't rely solely on job sites. Any given month there are 15+ free vendor events in the Chicagoland region from EMC to Cisco, CDW, Softchoice, etc. which bring together IT people from the top companies in the area. I've made some great contacts at those events.

sid101

Thanks Everyone for your valuable suggestions!!

I am gonna start studying for CCNA. I am posting the plain text version of my resume here minus the personal info, i would appreciate any suggestions on improving it.

Name
Address City, State, Zip Code Cell 000)000-0000 email@domain.com

OBJECTIVE: Targeting Entry Level Positions in the field of Network Engineering/Administration.

EDUCATION
* M.S. in Telecom and Networking; GPA: 3.4
University Name, City, XX; Graduation: December 2009
Relevant Coursework:
* Digital Communication Systems
* Telecom Network Analysis and Development
* Computer Communication Network Engineering
* Software Development in Telecom Networks
* Telecommunications Networking Programming
* Network Security
* Wireless Communication and Multimedia Applications

TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY

* Networking: TCP/IP, LAN/WAN, Ethernet
* Programming languages: SQL, C++
* Software Applications: MS office 2003/2007/2010
* Databases: Oracle, SQL Server
* Operating Systems: Windows XP/Vista/7, Unix

WORK EXPERIENCE
* Software Test Analyst: ABC Corporation, City, IL; Feb 2010- Mar 2011
RESPONSIBILITIES
* Analyzed the Business, Functional Requirements and streamlined the testing activities.
* Developed Test Plans, Test Scenarios and Detailed Test Cased based on the Use case Document, Business Requirement and Functional Specifications.
* Analyzed the results, tracked the defects and generated reports using HP Quality Center.
* Performed Regression test to ensure product integrity after modification and enhancements.

TECHNICAL SKILLS HIGHLIGHTS

> Recent graduate offering a strong academic background in IT combined with excellent Analytical, Communication and Interpersonal skills.
> Passionate about technology and very eager to learn new technologies in Networking and Telecom.
> Good understanding of networking technology at the physical (twisted pair, fiber optic) and logical (Ethernet, TCP/?IP) level including the various networking equipment like Routers, Switches, Bridges, and Hubs.
> Good understanding of OSI Network model, TCP/IP, DNS, LAN/WAN, Networking concepts and various Protocols like DHCP, SMTP, FTP, HTTP/HTTPS etc.
> Equally successful in both team and self directed settings.
> Strong service oriented approach and able to manage multiple projects in an environment where work priorities change rapidly.
> Strong demonstrated troubleshooting capabilities as well as problem solving skills.
> Excellent Organizational and Time management skills.

sid101

cyberguypr wrote: »

Have you done anything else IT related besides the software testing gig? I wonder what your resume looks like. Consider posting it here (minus personal info) so we can suggest areas to improve. I am in Chicago and was responsible for recruiting entry level Desktop Support techs at my previous job. Yes, there are a zillion out there applying for those positions. The number of awful resumes I saw on a weekly basis was ridiculous. Having said that, I agree you should look for something other than help desk.

As instant000 suggested, go out there and network. Don't rely solely on job sites. Any given month there are 15+ free vendor events in the Chicagoland region from EMC to Cisco, CDW, Softchoice, etc. which bring together IT people from the top companies in the area. I've made some great contacts at those events.

My only real world experience is in Software Testing, unfortunately i dont even have any internship in Networking. Also how can i find about these vendor free events in chicagoland area? Any website or forum?

cyberguypr

sid101 wrote: »

My only real world experience is in Software Testing, unfortunately i dont even have any internship in Networking. Also how can i find about these vendor free events in chicagoland area? Any website or forum?

Here are some ideas.

- Cricket Liu LIVE! - IPv6 - Chicago, Illinois
- TechTarget Events
- VMware Forum
- Twitter
- Chicago VMUG | Official home of the Chicago VMUG
- Chicago Technology Network group | LinkedIn

tbgree00

A powerful way to get in the door that seemingly very few people use is leveraging your peer and alumni networks. I doubt you were the first person to go through that masters program so there may be some luck that a friend or someone with strong university ties would throw you a bone. I'm always surprised at how deeply some people value the school they went to, even 20-30 years later.

If your school has a career services or alumni association it's a good place to see what they can do for you.

cyberguypr

tbgree00 wrote: »

I'm always surprised at how deeply some people value the school they went to, even 20-30 years later.

Tell me about it. I know someone who paid a few millions to have a college arena named after him at his Alma mater. Also: Bose donates majority of Bose Corp. stock to MIT - Apr. 29, 2011