Seeking some advice on how to move from Desktop Support to Network Administration

Since I added my CCENT to my resume I've started getting calls from recruiters about NOC-type jobs in my area. At first I was excited until I came to sad realization that I'm making quite a bit more than the typical NOC job pays starting out. In fact, I may be wrong but I think I'm making more than the typical desktop support job pays. I'm still working on finishing off my CCNA, and I'm hoping this will help out.

Has anyone been in the same position, and if so how did you deal with this problem? I'm not trying to be greedy, but I don't want to be foolish either.

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Illumanati

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Since I added my CCENT to my resume I've started getting calls from recruiters about NOC-type jobs in my area. At first I was excited until I came to sad realization that I'm making quite a bit more than the typical NOC job pays starting out. In fact, I may be wrong but I think I'm making more than the typical desktop support job pays. I'm still working on finishing off my CCNA, and I'm hoping this will help out.

Has anyone been in the same position, and if so how did you deal with this problem? I'm not trying to be greedy, but I don't want to be foolish either.

If you do not have experience in the networking arena, you have to get it somehow even it means taking a pay cut. Get EXPERIENCE any way you can but the decision to take a pay cut is personal. just trying to seperate the finanacial from the logical in terms of how you are going to get experience! Experience is king and certs is good 2nd place!

veritas_libertas

I would be up to that if I didn't have a wife, two kids, and a mortgage

I realize experience is king, but I'm not quite ready to have my salary reduced to numbers I'm seeing. Not yet at least.

Mike-Mike

I guess it depends on what you make, but I had a similar issue....

I think the CCNA will get your offers higher than the CCENT, but I think you could still be looking at taking a cut or a lateral pay.

I had a post on a similar issue.....

boredgamelad

Moving from one discipline to another in this field can be a little like switching careers entirely, but there are usually skills that translate across to make things easier. Consider the pay cut temporary; the benefit of having other experience behind you is that you should be able to accelerate quickly once you've made the transition. Yes you're probably going to have to take a cut, but if you can find a position that has good potential for growth, just go after it and actively pursue the next step up.

I'm currently paid what I think is fair for what I do, but what I do is not what I want to do--and I need that low-level experience to get where I want to go. I've already accepted the fact that I'm going to have to take a pretty deep cut when I move on to my next job, but I don't plan to be there (the bottom) for long.

lantech

Have you thought about looking for a desktop support position where you could work on networking projects as well as desktop support. It won't be a full time network engineers role but at least you would be getting experience to put on your resume.

NightShade1

Have you though though in looking for a position in which you will be the provider and not the admin? for example installing the solutions and not administrating them? you learn more i think in there... Also you will get more money, and your certs means something.

Cheers

veritas_libertas

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'm going to keep working on the CCNA of course, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do after that.

Sirbloody

I am very lucky where I work, even though I am just a level 2 & 3 PC Tech I am also cross training as a sys admin on my downtime. I also have 2 3350s and hopefully 2 2950s being shipped today so I can start building my home lab.

hostingbadger

I have worked and hired for these positions and can tell you that there are typically 2 salaries available for identical positions. You may be able to find something in your current salary range but may need to look at a different company demographic regarding size. Enterprise positions typically pay less than SMB spots until you hit management. It is very difficult to enter management in an Enterprise without the experience. A catch-22 of sorts.

ptilsen

Jobs aren't about experience or certification. They're about how well you can do the job and whether or not your potential co-workers want to work with you. Every other job qualification exists only in support of those two aspects Of course, there are exceptions where partner or regulatory requirements necessitate certification, but those are less common -- my point stands.

Your CCNA will help, but ultimately it's about proving you have the skill. Experience tends to do that, but you don't need to get experience at a cost to your bottom line. Get your CCNA, make sure your resume is great, and make sure you can defend and explain your skill level in an interview.

I got every job I've ever had without either the experience or certification the employers were asking for, and I've never switched jobs on less than a 20% pay raise. I'm not even very personable, to be frank. But I do know my stuff and I'm easy to get along with, and that's what gets the job.

Know your stuff and be sure the relevant people will get along with you. After that the only challenge is getting through the interview, which comes back to having a great resume.

Another more specific piece of advice I have is to not be too selective about what "network administration" means to you unless you absolutely have a passion for R&S specifically and don't want to work with anything else. There are lots of more generalized admin jobs that might mean touching everything from PBX to Windows to Cisco to Exchange. These jobs pay well, tend to look less for specific credentials, and are great experience, especially if you're not dead set on any one specialty.

mguy

Getting jobs are about experience and certifications.

Get your CCNA and get as much experience as you can get.

Also, be personable and nail the interview. Worry about your job performance later when you are actually in the field. This isn't rocket science so if you can put 1+1 then you should be good if you have enough foundation.

N2IT

I found that trying to force my path was futile. I am not saying give up, but as soon as I let things be I started getting opportunities.
I would recommend patience and let your career go where it goes. Getting the CCNA sounds like a good plan. Like others have mentioned that may get you noticed. The CCENT IMO is relatively unknown except on forums like here or too people who are really into networking.

I remember one member on here went through the MCSE cert path and all that and ended up getting a configuration management job (Not exactly technical). IMO You take what you can get and move forward never looking back.

JMHO

With all that said if you are someone who is 100% sure they want networking and that is it go for it. I found that most people in IT that work on the service desk/help desk really don't care what they go into as long as they get off the desk. I was about 75% sure I wanted management of some sort, however, I was 100% I wanted off the desk.

paul78

I was pondering your dilema and I was trying to recall what I had done in my own career over the many years. And N2IT stated it best, I basically went with the flow. Sometimes it wasn't part of the part, but it worked out. For example, I always thought that I would stay in software engineering, and I even thought that I would do embedded software development at one time. But funnt thing is that I am working in a role where I never actually considered 10 or 20 years ago. Things change so going with the flow isn't always so bad.

YFZblu

I'm in the same spot, although I'm hoping now that my CCNA is complete the offers will be a bit better. Back when I lived in Phoenix I was getting calls for $9/hr NOC jobs working third shift. Totally ridiculous IMO, but what can you do when the competition is willing to work for a low wage?

I think the key is not just to be a CCNA, but to be a 'strong' CCNA as NetworkVeteran puts it. Once I finish my CCNA: Sec I think it will be time not only to refine my CCNA-level knowledge, but learn about additional topics such as BGP, MPLS, 802.1x (not in CCNA: Sec), etc. These are the protocols used in the enterprise, and these are the topics we should have working knowledge of, even if it means at a basic level.

NotHackingYou

Where are you putting your resume so that random people are calling you?

pert

I hate to go against the grain here, but if you want to go into pure R&S the grass is not going to get greener. The lower end networking jobs where youre getting hired without real experience or certs don't pay well period. I'd worry more about what the job is exactly, because NOC and Networking positions no longer mean what they used to. Make sure it isnt a help desk, and that it actually is pure R&S work. If it is I'd take it if you can make due with the paycut. If you can't, expect to be looking for a while and progressing no further in your career in the meantime. I don't know what is you're doing now, maybe networking is not the best move if you need the income you currently have. You may be better off looking into more specialized server admin or all in one IT guru jobs for a SMB. These offer career growth as well, without forcing you to move to the bottom rung of a different ladder.

lantech

Geeze YFZblu, what companies were those and how long ago was this? I've been contacted about several NOC positions with the lowest paying $20.00 and hour. The job I just accepted is paying above that.

I've seen tech support positions for internet providers that only pay $9.00 an hour. But I wouldn't call that a NOC position.

fslima0

where do you guys find jobs, btw? I have been applying forevery job position there is, and no ones responds to my emails. I am CCNA (have been for over a year) and I seem to be forgetting some of the knowledge I learned.

Pishof

It really depends on your location. In my area, Careerbuilder is a great resource for IT admin/JOAT and support jobs. However for a networking or NOC job, there would only rarely be a posting and it would be difficult to find a network focused role.

YFZblu

lantech wrote: »

Geeze YFZblu, what companies were those and how long ago was this? I've been contacted about several NOC positions with the lowest paying $20.00 and hour. The job I just accepted is paying above that.

I've seen tech support positions for internet providers that only pay $9.00 an hour. But I wouldn't call that a NOC position.

Looking back at that post it was a little grim - I should also say that I was receiving calls for 20/hr NOC jobs and data center jobs as well. As far as who the $9/hr employer was, I couldn't tell you. I zoned out after that wage was mentioned.

veritas_libertas

I just realized I hadn't responded to the additional advice/comments given. Thanks. I've been a little frustrated lately with my employment as well as trapped. Your advice/comments have been appreciated.

lantech

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I just realized I hadn't responded to the additional advice/comments given. Thanks. I've been a little frustrated lately with my employment as well as trapped. Your advice/comments have been appreciated.

I certainly know how that feels. Felt the same way in my last position. Felt like when prospective employers saw who I am currently working for that I would just be crossed off the list of potential candidates immediately. I finally found someone who would give me a chance. Hopefully the job I start next Monday turns out better than the one I have now.

Keep plugging away and you will find a better position.