Desktop Support...Pidgeon Holed

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Hi everyone,

I'm new here but have been lurking for a while and enjoy your posts. I'm looking for advice and thought I'd finally register. Here is my situation:

I finished school 3 years ago from a Network related college program and got hired at an engineering firm for "Desktop Support Specialist" gig. I always looked at this position as a stepping stone to something network related. Problem is there is no room for moving up at this place. We've got about 130 employees and 2 people in the IT team - me and the IT manager.

In my 2nd year he got very sick and was away for about 8 months so all the network responsibility fell on my lap and a contractor that came in to assist. I learned a lot quickly. While he was away I did the following:

-configured multiple netgear switches, have done a lot of wiring on the rack for various things eg.new stations, connection issues
-Managed Acronis TIB Backups on all servers and Symantec backup exec tape backups for weekly storage off site.
-Setup a raid backup server through freenas
-setting permissions on file server
-Managed AD/Exchange accounts, troubleshoot all exchange email issues
-managed pbx system through business control element and dealt with any hardware issues either on the device or the rack
-Hyper V....I did not implement it but their have been various times where I've had to troubleshoot issues eg.VM's disappear or corrupted.
-assisted in many server/network related problems over the years eg.exchange, finance server, ftp, etc.
-Starwind..did not implement but have troubleshooted synching between 2 servers many times.
-other tasks like managing ftp sites, BES server, occasionally updating the intranet...

A few more tasks I may be forgetting.

Now the boss returned this year and I've had to say bye bye to all of that. He sort of weened me off them slowly without saying anything and now I'm back to the usual desktop role. I should have said something and asked to keep some of those tasks but kept my mouth shut because I'm a wimp.

Right now I'm using some time at work to learn other things eg. installing MS server 2003 and 2008 on a decommissioned servers...I've never installed/configured them before.

I started studying for my ccent a few weeks ago and a lot of it is starting to come back to me when I took the 3 year network program. Hope to at least get my ccent early 2013 as well as the comptia network +. While I was in school a few years back I also did a 4 month volunteering gig at a charity and did a lot of server related work on win2003 eg.managing AD/exchange accounts/permissions and designing their network.

Anyway to my question..are the tasks I listed early on enough to get me into a Jr sys admin or network related position elsewhere. Looking for any advice. Thanks for reading.

emerald_octane

Holy **** Three years?

You've got some good experience. Get certs (CCNA/MCITP) for Windows Server and blow that pop stand. If you have GPO experience you should be able to get a cushy endpoint management gig.

NetworkVeteran

MoreMoreMore wrote: »

I always looked at this position as a stepping stone to something network related. Problem is there is no room for moving up at this place.

At this point, you don't seem to have the credentials to move up.

Hope to at least get my ccent early 2013 as well as the comptia network +.

Will those make you more marketable? Sure. Are you going to impress? Not so much for an entry-level networking-focused position, I'd be looking for a strong entry-level certification like the CCNA. There are many who want in bad enough that they're willing to spend 1-2 months studying. Some of those are fresh out of school and didn't put time in a helpdesk. I'm sure there's an equivalent if you're more interested in Windows servers.

configured multiple netgear switches, have done a lot of wiring on the rack for various things eg.new stations, connection issues

Does your network have any other networking gear that you got to play with? Say, a router, a firewall, etc? If not, perhaps Windows certs are a better option for you. You seem to have accrued much more marketable experience in the direction of servers.

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NetworkVeteran wrote: »

At this point, you don't seem to have the credentials to move up.


Will those make you more marketable? Sure. Are you going to impress? Not so much for an entry-level networking-focused position, I'd be looking for a strong entry-level certification like the CCNA. There are many who want in bad enough that they're willing to spend 1-2 months studying. Some of those are fresh out of school and didn't put time in a helpdesk. I'm sure there's an equivalent if you're more interested in Windows servers.


Does your network have any other networking gear that you got to play with? Say, a router, a firewall, etc? If not, perhaps Windows certs are a better option for you. You seem to have accrued much more marketable experience in the direction of servers.

Yes my goal is to get the CCNA but take the split exam. I'll have to rent rack space somewhere.

We have a Watchguard and while I've used it to troubleshoot a few issues in the past I don't have heavy experience. Since the boss came back he's change the pw and only given himself access. Real dbag move.

Other then that we got a wireless router and multiple repeaters that I setup. We have two core switches for fiber which I didn't setup but I've troubleshooted issues with it. I think that's about it for network gear.

Thanks for the suggestion I'll look into some MS server certs.

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emerald_octane wrote: »

Holy **** Three years?

You've got some good experience. Get certs (CCNA/MCITP) for Windows Server and blow that pop stand. If you have GPO experience you should be able to get a cushy endpoint management gig.

Thank you, I always worry about staying in desktop. I can't wait till I get out of this place! I haven't heard of MCIT but I'll check it out as well as MSCE. Unfortunatley I have limited GPO experience on the job. Tinkered with it but I'll have to do this on my own equipment.

if anyone else has anything to say pls post. Maybe someone thats moved from desktop to anything else. Thanks.

Mutata

Hello Fellow Canadian/Torontonian!!

I can completely understand where you are coming from,I think we may have taken similar programs as well. Seems like you're in a similar situation to me...Since we know you don't want to do desktop, do you know what you want to do? are you a network guy, server guy, virtualization guy? Definitely been some good certification ideas thrown around in this thread. MCITP is one that I've been looking at, CCNA is a good idea too. With 3 years exp I would shy away from the + series. I would consider trying to complete a professional level cert, and pound the pavement see if you can get something that more suits your needs

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Mutata wrote: »

Hello Fellow Canadian/Torontonian!!

I can completely understand where you are coming from,I think we may have taken similar programs as well. Seems like you're in a similar situation to me...Since we know you don't want to do desktop, do you know what you want to do? are you a network guy, server guy, virtualization guy? Definitely been some good certification ideas thrown around in this thread. MCITP is one that I've been looking at, CCNA is a good idea too. With 3 years exp I would shy away from the + series. I would consider trying to complete a professional level cert, and pound the pavement see if you can get something that more suits your needs

Hi Mutata nice to see a fellow TO techy! I'm in scarborough. Reading the info below your username I take it it you went to Seneca? I went to HP centennial and grad summer 08. You?

I never really thought about that. My program was more network oriented but I've tried to learn a bit of everything whether it be networks, servers, or virtualization. I'll have to figure out which direction I want to go into as I'm interested in everything. At the moment I'll just continue to study for ccna and MS certs then see where I stand.

I was looking at the MCITP page and they have most of the certs listed for expiration in July 31 2013. Does that mean these certs become invalid? Excuse the noob question. I'm liking the server certs they have listed, specifically the exchange and windows server 2008 certs. MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) | Training Courses for IT Professionals

Network+..employers don't really look for that eh? I figured since I'm prepping for ccna I may as well go for the network+. Guess it's not highly regarded. I'll read up on it but thanks for the info, I can spend my time studying for something else.

Are you prepping for the CCNA as well? If so how do you plan to practice labs? I have gnsp3 or whatever it's called but I'd like to get some lab time somewhere or buy some equipment if I can. Seems like in order to get lab time you have to sign up for those fast track courses and they let you use their equipment.

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Mutata wrote: »

Hello Fellow Canadian/Torontonian!!

I can completely understand where you are coming from,I think we may have taken similar programs as well. Seems like you're in a similar situation to me...Since we know you don't want to do desktop, do you know what you want to do? are you a network guy, server guy, virtualization guy? Definitely been some good certification ideas thrown around in this thread. MCITP is one that I've been looking at, CCNA is a good idea too. With 3 years exp I would shy away from the + series. I would consider trying to complete a professional level cert, and pound the pavement see if you can get something that more suits your needs

Hi Mutata nice to see a fellow TO techy! I'm in scarborough. Reading the info below your username I take it it you went to Seneca? I went to HP centennial and grad summer 08. You?

I never really thought about that. My program was more network oriented but I've tried to learn a bit of everything whether it be networks, servers, or virtualization. I'll have to figure out which direction I want to go into as I'm interested in everything. At the moment I'll just continue to study for ccna and MS certs then see where I stand.

I was looking at the MCITP page and they have most of the certs listed for expiration in July 31 2013. Does that mean these certs become invalid? Excuse the noob question. I'm liking the server certs they have listed, specifically the exchange and windows server 2008 certs. MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) | Training Courses for IT Professionals

Network+..employers don't really look for that eh? I figured since I'm prepping for ccna I may as well go for the network+. Guess it's not highly regarded. I'll read up on it but thanks for the info, I can spend my time studying for something else.

Are you prepping for the CCNA as well? If so how do you plan to practice labs? I have gnsp3 or whatever it's called but I'd like to get some lab time somewhere or buy some equipment if I can. Seems like in order to get lab time you have to sign up for those fast track courses and they let you use their equipment.

Mutata

Yes, I did the Seneca 3 Year Adv Diploma in Computer System Technology, I am in Scarborough as well. If you're not sure what you want to do yet, CCNA, MCITP:SA, LPIC, RHCSA would all be options for someone with around 3-ish years experience. the MCITP certification does expire July 31st, 2013 ; but they courses 640/642/646 will get you MCSA:Server 2008 if you don't complete them before that date. Currently, I'm trying to study for the MCITP: SA. If I complete it before July 31st ,2013 I get both the MCITP:SA and MCSA:Server 2008, if I don't I get the MCSA:Server 2008 regardless.

You definitely can go for the Network+, but with 3 years experience I'm not sure the time/effort required for the cert is worth the benefit for you as opposed to going straight to CCNA.

I've done prep for CCNA, but because of the expiry on the MCITP I switched gears to Microsoft stuff, as well as kind of flip-flopping in what I want to do career-wise.

From my understanding for CCENT you really need very little other than information resources and Packet Tracer. Packet Tracer should do you for the CCNA. But, since I like having the actual hardware I picked some stuff up on E-bay (Cisco Gear) and put together a few VMware boxes.

At the end of the day for me, I really need nothing to continue my studying..It's just finding the time and motivating myself to be productive.

FloOz

In my opinion you should realy consider speaking to your manager about the situation. Tell him that you would like more responsibility and also mention that you proved yourself while he was away sick. You manager may even think that the hired contractor was the one handling all his responsibilities while he was away, so make sure you tell him that you did most of the work. If he still does't budge that maybe its time to start looking for a new gig

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Mutata wrote: »

Yes, I did the Seneca 3 Year Adv Diploma in Computer System Technology, I am in Scarborough as well. If you're not sure what you want to do yet, CCNA, MCITP:SA, LPIC, RHCSA would all be options for someone with around 3-ish years experience. the MCITP certification does expire July 31st, 2013 ; but they courses 640/642/646 will get you MCSA:Server 2008 if you don't complete them before that date. Currently, I'm trying to study for the MCITP: SA. If I complete it before July 31st ,2013 I get both the MCITP:SA and MCSA:Server 2008, if I don't I get the MCSA:Server 2008 regardless.

Good stuff. I'll have to think about this. Not sure I want to study for ccna and mcitp at the same time but I'd like to get the mcitp before the expiration date. arrggh. I'm sure it can be done but that would be a lot of information to take in. This was helpful though. Thanks.

From my understanding for CCENT you really need very little other than information resources and Packet Tracer. Packet Tracer should do you for the CCNA. But, since I like having the actual hardware I picked some stuff up on E-bay (Cisco Gear) and put together a few VMware boxes.

I'm a hardware guy as well and will probably look for equipment. In the meantime I'll stick with gns3 and I'll have to look around for packet tracer. Last I checked cisco wasn't selling it to average joes like us unless you're an instructor or studying at a technical institute. I have wendell Odoms 640-822 book and it came with a simulator..I'll check that out as well..hopefully it is useful.

At the end of the day for me, I really need nothing to continue my studying..It's just finding the time and motivating myself to be productive.

True. I hate coming into work and doing something I don't enjoy but I just force myself to learn other things and study on the side. Are you in a desktop position mutata? Do you get network tasks?

Mutata

MoreMoreMore, did you not take the Cisco Netcad stuff at Centennial ? You should be able to apply as an Alumni and it gives you access to the material and PT after you've finished the modules..That's how I worked it. Although GNS3 is better for routing stuff hands down, PT is better for the whole package CCNA studying.

As for hardware..you can Ebay a fair bit, I think the last round I picked up was 3 Routers and 2 Switches for 200$. There are a few companies in Toronto that resell as well. I have the Wendell Odom set as well, although since I'm going for the MCITP I've invested more in those texts.

Currently I'm a Support Engineer for a Software Company. So, its a mixed bag we do Server , Desktop and some (very little) networking.

MoreMoreMore

FloOz wrote: »

In my opinion you should realy consider speaking to your manager about the situation. Tell him that you would like more responsibility and also mention that you proved yourself while he was away sick. You manager may even think that the hired contractor was the one handling all his responsibilities while he was away, so make sure you tell him that you did most of the work. If he still does't budge that maybe its time to start looking for a new gig

I guess I should be more direct with him. He knows I'm interested in networks as I've asked a lot of questions specific to work tasks eg. AD, exchange, network gear, etc. However the response I've gotten in the past to certain things like giving me access to the firewall is "don't worry about it, I'm taking care of it". Doesn't want to share anything and if I do something like setup a backup server he'll look at it and next thing I find out he's redoing the entire setup. Not because it's incorrect but he wants to do everything his way. He's the manager so he can do that I guess. I'm set on leaving early 2013 but not until I get the ccna and MS certs.

I was thinking at my end of year review next month I'd ask for a title change from desktop support to IT - Network/Desktop Support. Just sounds better then desktop support on a resume and I should get it since I've done plenty of network tasks here. Thnx for the advice bro.

Akaricloud

Since you have the experience, grab a MCITP or CCNA and start applying. After that you should be able to get a Systems Administration position or something more network related.

ptilsen

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

At this point, you don't seem to have the credentials to move up.

I disagree. OP has a wide variety of SMB/generalist sysadmin experience. Credentials would help, but he can move up without them.

If I were still at my last employer, a managed services provider, I'd hire OP in a heartbeat for a level 1/2 field engineer position, provided he interviewed well (and relocated to Minnesota, if you want to get technical). Certifications are nice but the experience here is valuable enough to get OP into something better.

That being said, I won't discourage certifications. They would complimented your experience nicely. Go for an MCSA 2008 and CCNA and you're all set. I would still look around for jobs if I were you, but focus on one of those with a new job as a secondary goal. Either cert will definitely make a big difference, but if you want out right now it's only a matter of presenting your experience right on a resume and in an interview.

I would advise against any plans to stay at your current employer long-term. Another year would be too much. The opportunity for growth is just not there in an organization that size, and it's never going to be. Even if you had your manager's job in fact, it should get boring and unfulfilling after a year or two. They certainly will never pay you your market value.

Get out and get certified, in that order or not.

paulgswanson

I figured since I'm prepping for ccna I may as well go for the network+. Guess it's not highly regarded. I'll read up on it but thanks for the info, I can spend my time studying for something else.

Theres really nothing wrong with N+ if anything else is proof that you further concreted your knowledge and skills. True it is not a fore runner in value but it is still worth more than not having it. All of the stuff on N+ is on the CCENT and CCNA exams anyway so theres really no extra time spent studying it. I say take it and pass it right after your Cisco exams!

Also the new MCSE are cloud based solutions exams (they just don't make them like they used to... )so unless thats what you are looking forward to I'd pass the new ones over for MCITP or MCTS

Mutata

I Think the general consensus is certifications

WiseWun

Looks like this thread is full of Torontonians! OP, why don't you look else where? There isn't much career growth unless you want to take your managers position. I would do the same thing if I was in his shoes, nothing wrong with him continuing his old tasks which helps him justify his job. Get some certs and start looking.

WiseWun

Just read ptilsen's post which compliments what I've said.

MoreMoreMore

All helpful information guys. It's clear what I need to do now which is get some decent certs.

@WiseWun yeah I've been CCNA prepping for a few weeks. I'm aiming to take the test early 2013 maybe january/february so I'm gonna study hard. I scanned the job boards last week and almost every network/server position required a CCNA or MS cert which I don't have. All these years I thought hey as long as I have the hands on experience I can walk into a network position! Looks like that's not the case. I'll be doing the certs first before walking. And never looked at it from my managers POV...still, he's got enough on his hands he can afford to toss a few tasks my way. Anyway thnx.

@Mutata I've stayed away from that place and haven't looked into what perks alumni receive. Honestly the program was a joke "computer systems & networks technology CO-OP" and I was glad to leave. I gained most of my knowledge through co-op. I may stop by the school on my way home from work tonight and see what's what. Thnx for the tip.

@Akaricloud, ptilsen, paulgswanson, thnx for the advice guys.

lantech

I'd start looking right now. Post your resume on here and ask for opinions on how to improve it.

Just because a posting says something is a requirement doesn't mean much. There were things like experience with VMware for the new job I got that I don't have even though they were requirements. But I have experience in other areas and a desire to learn what I don't know.

It's all about finding the right opportunity. Don't let opportunities go to waste just because you don't have a cert. Heck, all I've got is my CCENT and I'm getting the chance to work on Cisco Nexus equipment.

Mutata

Yea , I learnt so much from Co-op but the program is in a lot of senses what you make if it.

If you use an IM feel free to add me or something, I'd be interested in bouncing studying ideas off each other. I'm not sure what you're using for IM but you can e-mail me at some_generic_name@hotmail.com.