Scored an interview for friday - Is this a step in the wrong direction?

CodeBlox

So I scored an interview for friday. Going by the job description, it's not helpdesk but rather a desktop support type role. The company's got an internal helpdesk but it's not as huge as on the network I'm on now. This is for a bank. The position title is "Technical Support Administrator". If i do get this job, the pay would be almost double what I make now (hopefully if they don't try and low ball at the last minute). They also provide tuition reimbursement. I've been on the helpdesk that I work on now for about 11 months now. I do not feel that growth here is a possibility at this time. For me or anyone else here but thats a whole other story. Anyway, I started looking for a way to make a move and applied for this position. Do you guys think it's a step in the wrong direction if I want to get to a networking role? On the helpdesk I work on now, we pretty much have no opportunity to even meet anyone from the NOC and when they have positions, they keep them secret. I was told there were no positions by one person, someone else was told there WERE positions by someone else. Anyway, at this bank I'd report to the "network manager". So is it a step in the wrong direction if I wanted to eventually land a networking job? The previous job was on a government contract and this is not a contract.

Zartanasaurus

A lateral move position wise to a company with growth opportunity is a step in the right direction IMO. Being able to interact with the people in the department you'd like to move to is a big benefit. It gives you a big advantage over any external candidate that might apply for the same job.

Several jobs ago when I was working help desk, there was zero growth opportunity. You were a help desk guy until you retired unless you decided to become a programmer. There was 1 full-time sysadmin. I moved to a company with a bigger IT department and when a position opened up, I got in. Now I pretty much run the show.

It may not be ideal, but it is likely better than staying there another 2 years.

higherho

CodeBlox wrote: »

So I scored an interview for friday. Going by the job description, it's not helpdesk but rather a desktop support type role. The company's got an internal helpdesk but it's not as huge as on the network I'm on now. This is for a bank. The position title is "Technical Support Administrator". If i do get this job, the pay would be almost double what I make now (hopefully if they don't try and low ball at the last minute). They also provide tuition reimbursement. I've been on the helpdesk that I work on now for about 11 months now. I do not feel that growth here is a possibility at this time. For me or anyone else here but thats a whole other story. Anyway, I started looking for a way to make a move and applied for this position. Do you guys think it's a step in the wrong direction if I want to get to a networking role? On the helpdesk I work on now, we pretty much have no opportunity to even meet anyone from the NOC and when they have positions, they keep them secret. I was told there were no positions by one person, someone else was told there WERE positions by someone else. Anyway, at this bank I'd report to the "network manager". So is it a step in the wrong direction if I wanted to eventually land a networking job? The previous job was on a government contract and this is not a contract.

I would say keep looking for a network position unless your working conditions now are bad and no room to grow. Would this new job contain any networking? If you get to control firewalls, vpn, and some switches, etc by yourself then you will find yourself gaining more experience than you are in your current position. If thats the case then I would take on the new role.

matt333

sounds like already made up your mind, but yes the Technical Support Administrator position will offer more of what you want plus a pay increase. sounds like a no-brainer.

effekted

I'd take the Technical Support Administrator

CodeBlox

Thanks Zartanasaurus .

higherho wrote: »

I would say keep looking for a network position unless your working conditions now are bad and no room to grow. Would this new job contain any networking? If you get to control firewalls, vpn, and some switches, etc by yourself then you will find yourself gaining more experience than you are in your current position. If thats the case then I would take on the new role.

I've been looking for network positions but they literally almost ALL want like 3-5 years experience around here from what I've seen. It's either that or they're like 200 miles away... Where I'm at now, there are several "teams" but they're all still helpdesk and I've even offered to work in there classified workspace hoping to meet new people there. Big mistake, you're locked in a vault with no chance of meeting anyone. Thankfully I got back out of there and back on the regular helpdesk at least. Like I said though, they're currently in a state of a "hiring freeze" and I'm a "sub-contractor" so I can't even go to the NOC because I'm not a true employee there. Even so, there's no shortage of people who have been here for 2 years still doing tier 1. I really don't want to stay here for another year. With the new possible job, I at least get to touch a Cat 5e cable and as I stated, I'd be reporting to the "network manager". I'm not sure what they mean by "network manager" but it sounds good I suppose. As for where I work now, I've came to them about the possibility of converting to a perm employee but they've given me the run around. For this bank, they had another position posted for a sys admin. It was pretty detailed and at this time, I lack the experience to have applied for the sys admin position. It does give me hope though. More hope than I've seen at this place.

higherho

CodeBlox wrote: »

Thanks Zartanasaurus .



I've been looking for network positions but they literally almost ALL want like 3-5 years experience around here from what I've seen. It's either that or they're like 200 miles away... Where I'm at now, there are several "teams" but they're all still helpdesk and I've even offered to work in there classified workspace hoping to meet new people there. Big mistake, you're locked in a vault with no chance of meeting anyone. Thankfully I got back out of there and back on the regular helpdesk at least. Like I said though, they're currently in a state of a "hiring freeze" and I'm a "sub-contractor" so I can't even go to the NOC because I'm not a true employee there. Even so, there's no shortage of people who have been here for 2 years still doing tier 1. I really don't want to stay here for another year. With the new possible job, I at least get to touch a Cat 5e cable and as I stated, I'd be reporting to the "network manager". I'm not sure what they mean by "network manager" but it sounds good I suppose. As for where I work now, I've came to them about the possibility of converting to a perm employee but they've given me the run around. For this bank, they had another position posted for a sys admin. It was pretty detailed and at this time, I lack the experience to have applied for the sys admin position. It does give me hope though. More hope than I've seen at this place.

Sounds great then! take the job! :0 I'm in a situation were if I do not focus more on networking I will be a server admin with only 30 % networking exp (day to day that is) which is something I do not want. You learned all you can and its time to move on! Fly away

It's a shame you cannot get a higher clearance on east you would find many networking jobs. You should move

CodeBlox

I have a top secret clearance and was able to work in the SOC. They pulled some BS and had me train some perm people and then put me back on the regular helpdesk. It turned out to be better though, you're locked in a vault back there. As for networking jobs on the east, I am on the east coast, I live in Virginia and have not seen many jobs here. I really want some networking experience though. Sounds like I can at least interact with the networking folks here. Shame the clearance will go to waste and become inactive eventually. I do feel that I've learned all that I will on the helpdesk here and I'm just tired of it now.

erpadmin

Are you willing to move to a new place where you could leverage the clearance?

A lot of places will hire you in a second JUST because you have the clearance...they'd have no problem training you on anything you're deficient on.

Thing is though, what are you gonna do? Stay comfortable at home and get a nice lateral job with little growth opportunities (or at least not for another three to five years) or venture out where you can see some real money and experience? To quote/paraphrase Blagojevich that clearance "is a ----ing valuable thing!" But you gotta go where it can be leveraged--are you willing to do that?

If you are not, and just want the money (and that's ok too...) then yeah, take the Technical Support Administrator gig and call it a day. However, we both know that's not really what you ultimately want.

CodeBlox

erpadmin wrote: »

Are you willing to move to a new place where you could leverage the clearance?

A lot of places will hire you in a second JUST because you have the clearance...they'd have no problem training you on anything you're deficient on.

Thing is though, what are you gonna do? Stay comfortable at home and get a nice lateral job with little growth opportunities (or at least not for another three to five years) or venture out where you can see some real money and experience? To quote/paraphrase Blagojevich that clearance "is a ----ing valuable thing!" But you gotta go where it can be leveraged--are you willing to do that?

If you are not, and just want the money (and that's ok too...) then yeah, take the Technical Support Administrator gig and call it a day. However, we both know that's not really what you ultimately want.

Well, thing is I can't go too far from home - This ones twice as far from home - at this time as I'm still in school. I AM willing to work school around a job that comes up however. I reached out for the Technical Support Admin job because thats what I thought I was doing, venturing out - even just a little bit - and trying to make a move to where I want to get. It's not ultimately where I want to be but maybe it's a step towards it. Believe me though, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of growth opportunity on this helpdesk so I'm trying to just get out of it so that I can move up somewhere.

Zartanasaurus

Out of curiosity, how old are you Code? Married, kids? I didn't know you had TS clearance. If you don't have a lot of attachments keeping you where you are besides school, then just go wherever you can get a job with the right exposure and pay. The current semester is almost over and you can enroll somewhere else or an online uni to finish. Experience usually trumps all in this business. Get it now if you don't have the attachments and settle down later.

erpadmin

CodeBlox wrote: »

Well, thing is I can't go too far from home - This ones twice as far from home - at this time as I'm still in school. I AM willing to work school around a job that comes up however. I reached out for the Technical Support Admin job because thats what I thought I was doing, venturing out - even just a little bit - and trying to make a move to where I want to get. It's not ultimately where I want to be but maybe it's a step towards it. Believe me though, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of growth opportunity on this helpdesk so I'm trying to just get out of it so that I can move up somewhere.

You are on the right track, but not all the way there.

Keeping up with school is commendable, but I have to go with Zartan on this. If you don't have any attachments like kids, family, etc, then you have to venture out even further than your comfort zone. TS clearance is something you can use as leverage for writing your own ticket. You got a CCNA and Security+, so you can get those sweet DoD 8570 jobs that are out there. Even if you are lacking in skill, that's ok because you have the clearance.

That clearance separates you from other experienced candidates who lack clearance OR are unable to get clearance because of a couple of dings in their past (bad credit, a couple of misdemeanors or just straight-up felonies, whatever...)

You are one of the few exceptions to the experience rule, and that's only because of the clearance. Now, you might not be seeing the money (yet) but that will come with time if you hook up with a contractor that will keep up your clearance when it's up for renewal. It would be such a shame for you to let that drop.

Zartan is right about school....you have so many viable options that you can do online, or even at the new place you may end up at. But you have an opportunity to find yourself a new gig with a need for TS clearance...do not be limited by geography...

ChickenNuggetz

I'm with a few of the other guys here in saying that if you were willing to relocate, you'd have a much easier time finding work in networking. I have a few friends who live in the DC metro area and say that finding a networking gig with a CCNA and Security+ isnt all that difficult. Especially with those two certs and your experience, you could probably find a nice entry-level DoD job and join the other "beltway bandits" up there. There are tons of data centers in Ashburn, Dulles, Sterling, Centreville areas plus several major ISPs.

As for schools, there are a ton of them in the DC area, all of which are great for IT (George Mason has a very good IT/networking program from what I hear) and you could transfer your credits up there. The cost of living is a bit higher up there, but honestly I know for a fact that you can find a room to rent for very cheap (probably less than what you're paying now...unless you arent paying anything haha) if you're willing to deal/live with roommates. Just some food for thought! Regardless of what you do, good luck!

CodeBlox

Hm, I wasn't expecting these types of responses at all. I'm 23 years old and still live at home with my mom. No children, and no wife/girlfriend (although, my ex called me the other day about the possibility of shacking up to which I said no thank you). As far as relocating, I know it sounds like I'm trying to make excuses bringing up the fact that I'm in school or that I don't feel that I'm ready to move out of state just yet and I apologies for that. One particular reason that I haven't put much thought into relocating is that I have been wanting to be close to my mom. I know that really sounds like an excuse but the reason being (and I've mentioned this before), I can help out around here with the bills and around the yard and such. My dad passed away almost 3 years ago expectantly and he used to do all these things. I know I shouldn't use it as an excuse but I guess I just haven't gotten over it and always promised to take care of my mom should something happen to him. How can I do that if I move elsewhere?? I know I can't stay at home forever and she says shes going back to her home state after my youngest sister graduates high school anyways and I am NOT going there. I appreciate the advice guys and I will look into it, really! Also, if I'm not mistaken, the clearance is good for two years after you leave the government correct? So if it doesn't work out at this place (assuming I got the job) I could go back to the government work. It would be nice to get off the helpdesk now though. Even though I help lots of customers each day and make people happy, it's gotten old. Decisions decisions...

erpadmin

First of all I'm really sorry to hear about your dad and your family situation. I can totally relate with trying to be a good son.

All I can say to you at this point, and I am totally respectful of your situation by the way (No sarcasm, facetiousness or anything like that at all), is that you are 23 years old. You need to keep in mind that you need to start making a life for yourself since you've pretty much reached that stage of adulthood. Your mother will totally be understanding of that, and if she's going back home someday, it will probably be easier for her to do that if you start planning your own next move. Your father, I would like to think, would want you to start making those moves as well.

It will take some time for you to reconcile those feelings, but you will do it. Losing a parent at any age is never easy.

Certainly do some soul searching and make your move based on your situation. Maybe it will be a good idea to have a heart-to-heart talk with your mom.

For what it's worth, I had discussion with one of my professors about my own career. Long story short (I'll write the long story in my grad school thread), I've been dealing with IT work for 15 years (professionally...getting a W2 for 15 years dealing with IT). We both came to the conclusion that I'm not happy with how my career has gone. I'm ready to move into being a part of driving the IT strategy--not implementing or maintaining it. I'll get more into that at a later time, but I figure I'd share that with you because I do sense that the "helpdesk" thing is getting old for you. You're ready to move into the next stage of your career (just like I did when I was your age). If you feel that way, and you have an opportunity to explore an opportunity that you can definitely do (because of your clearance) TAKE IT. Otherwise, I promise you...you will regret it and you will forever hate yourself for it. I can 100% guarantee that.

Just really consider that before doing anything. Do some soul-searching, talk it over with your mom and really consider planning the next stage of your career. Believe me when I tell you it is not always about the money.