Needs some career advice feeling v confused

rockstar81

I have worked in 1st, 2nd and done a bit of 3rd line work for 11 years (now 31). Haven't done any Certs for last 6 years skills feeling a bit so so at moment.
I keep worrying that if I learn something new it will be outdated in a few years - there seems so much to learn
Should I be looking to specialise in one area e.g am interested in sccm

Keener

Depending on how you look at things, just about everything in IT is going to be outdated in a few years! LOL But don't let that discourage you. Most things tend to build off earlier versions as there is not a lot of "brand new" technologies (though there are some). Even as some knowledge gets outdated you can transition to the new skills in the same arena easier than learning something entirely new (i.e. new MCSA in Server 2008 or 2012 after having earned one in 2003). This may also open new doors for you in the future.

I had not done any certifications before this year and really didn't have the desire to either. With a gentle nudge from my employer I dove head first into them. So far, the Certs have been broad and not specific, but they have helped to fill in my knowledge gaps and open my eyes to other opportunities. My next Cert after SSCP is going to be MCSA Server 2008 so that I can get a better understanding of what I would be securing as I go down the Security specialization path.

As far as which direction to go, what do you enjoy doing more? Everything, VoIP, configuring routers/switches, virtualization? I have been a JOAT for the past 7 years, but the growth isn't there for me. I now want to specialize and become as close to an expert in something as I can. The desire to learn different aspects of Information Security, servers and networking is pushing me in a specific direction and I love it more now than I ever have. Maybe learning something new, even something generic, might peak your interest in something.

lordy

IT requires learning, always.

Of course, some technologies like TokenRing will vanish and others will take their place but the concepts stay the same. The deeper you dig the better your understanding will be and the easier you will grasp new technologies and concepts.

From your, very short, post I assume that you are looking for the career path to go?