Mid 20s Crisis

Nytrocide

Been in IT (Field Technician in a Boston loan assistance company) for 3 1/2 years now. I have my A+ and Network+, but I'm looking to get CCENT/CCNA certified as soon as possible (started labbing with real equipment and love it) and attempt to make a jump into Networking.

I was hired when I was 20 and I'm now 24...still working at $37-38k. Is this simply an age thing where they basically said at first "Oh look let's hire this kid for dirt money and it's a win-win" since it was my first real job? (Stop & Shop prior to current job).

Also, I've been finally looking to move into an apartment but everything starts at like $1,200 a month without utilities and I can't see myself keeping afloat with $20,000 in loans and everything else added on that making around $1,950ish a month.

Any idea what the average person in the Boston area that's in his mid-20s and has A+, Net+, and CCNA would...or should be getting? Any help would be greatly appreciated and would mean the world to me.

Danielh22185

I can't really speak on what kind of money you might be looking at making but I can say from experience getting a CCNA will get you that foot in the door you are looking for. I would focus on getting a CCNA as soon as possible and move on. The cost of getting a CCNA should be pretty negligible and the end pay off will be huge! You have a good amount of experience built at your current job so I would focus hard on that CCNA then start looking elsewhere, or if you company is willing to move you into a network job within that would be ideal.

Nytrocide

I'm just afraid that if I take an internal transfer to Networking that they'll look at my gimpy salary and only bump me up a couple thousand. Do you know like...the standard minimum range for CCNAs? Sorry for all the questions!

lsud00d

the standard minimum range for CCNAs

This varies by a multitude of factors. For you the biggest deciders are geographical location, relevant experience, and years of experience in IT.

I'm ballpark guessing you could get a NOC type position for $50-56k.

Also cert != job or money so the question isn't accurately framed although I know what you're getting at

ptilsen

If you have the skills, $38K is way too low. That's a reasonable starting salary, but you need to move on. Don't think your employer is going to suddenly give you a big raise. They probably won't, and you probably have to find a different job. CCNA will definitely help, but if you've been repairing PCs for three years and never touched a switch or router, it isn't going to magically get you a better salary. You have to be able to show a significant skill set.

All that being said, I find it highly unlikely you don't have the skills to make over $40K, with or without a CCNA. I would say rush through that CCNA and start applying ASAP. If you play your cards right you should get something in the $50Ks, based on Boston metro cost of living.

If you think CCNA will take you more than a couple of months, I would start applying now. You're pretty underpaid for your experience level.

Danielh22185

I understand your concern with your current job as well. I tried to do the same when I was in a help desk role making about what you are. I had a feeling because that place knew what I was making and knew I didn't have prior networking experience they wouldn't budge much on pay. (Just speaking from my assumptions and the experiences I encountered). I even aced the interview they gave me for NOC position. However I didn't get the job and they pulled in a contractor to fill it. So that basically drew the line for me. I looked elsewhere and found a NOC job that basically doubled my pay, and I couldn't be happier with the amount of stuff I am now learning, plus the pay is nice too

On that note, It doesn't hurt anything to start interviewing now for what you are looking for elsewhere. Express in depth your interest levels with networking and where you want your career to go. Where I am at now it is not an immediate requirement to have a CCNA for a level 1 tech but it always is icing on the cake if you have one. That being said I would buckle down and focus on what you want to do and reach for it.

f0rgiv3n

I've been exactly where you are. In the past I felt like it came down to age discrimination but I think it actually has to do with experience. As you build your experience, it will start to catch up with your knowledge/certifications. At some point when your experience is equal with your knowledge/certifications, you will be amazed at the opportunities that show up. I think that is what happened to me. My mind thought I was up here - but because my experience was so low (even though i had a CCNA) I was right here _. You gotta start somewhere and my advice is to get your CCNA and just start pushing open doors... you never know what will happen!

RouteMyPacket

Nytrocide wrote: »

I'm just afraid that if I take an internal transfer to Networking that they'll look at my gimpy salary and only bump me up a couple thousand. Do you know like...the standard minimum range for CCNAs? Sorry for all the questions!

Firstly, you are looking at it the wrong way. You don't just get a "CCNA" and then every employer goes "Wow, a CCNA..well he's worth $50,000", what experience do you have behind this supplemental certification? Your experience is what will bring you higher salary and judging by your post I can tell you don't have much experience. I mean not just technologically speaking.

Let me help you here, sure getting your CCNA is awesome. With that said, you MUST know your value and be confident in what you bring to the table. NEVER answer a question from a perspective employer like "What are your salary requirements?" before looking over the job description. If you know what the job reqs are then you can easily see what skills this job will require then you can find the going rate for that using google, try salary.com or something similar. You better believe most HR and hiring managers know these numbers.

Now that you are armed with the appropriate information, you can respond to such questions with ease. As an employer, I would certainly hire you for $35,000yr instead of the going $45,000 etc.

At your current job, have you had an opportunities to shine and stick out in the crowd? As far as transferring to the networking department, what value will you bring to the team? Are you just bringing a paper that say's "CCNA"? 3 1/2yrs of what kind of experience?

To be honest, you just need your foot in the door to the networking department and you will most likely have to accept a salary on the lower end of the spectrum. With that said, if Networking is your passion and your "thing" the foot in the door is the key, once inside you shine through willingness and ability to learn and all the while supplementing your experience with your certification tracks and before you know it you will be looking back amazed how far you have come.

MAC_Addy

RouteMyPacket wrote: »

Firstly, you are looking at it the wrong way. You don't just get a "CCNA" and then every employer goes "Wow, a CCNA..well he's worth $50,000".

I see this way too often. A lot of people think that by passing the CCNA or ICND1/2 that they'll get an automatic pay bump. You've got to go into networking because you WANT to, not because you're in it for the money. The money is just the perk if you're actually really interested in it.

ptilsen

To expand on RouteMyPacket's post, I would say you should also clarify what your career goals are. CCNA is good to have, period, but if you're not really looking to break into networking as a specialty it might not be the most logical next step.

But yes, the point should be made that no (well, few) certification automatically results in a certain amount of money. As I said, it depends on what you've been doing now and what you try to move into. A true networking role as your next step might not pay as much as a generalist sysadmin position, regardless of what certification you get.

lantech

Also if you do get your CCNA and they do bring you on the networking team at your company don't look at it as not being paid well now but rather that you are gaining experience that you might find it harder to get. Once you have some experience under your belt you can then move on to another company making a better salary because that experience will serve you well in the future.

Whiteout

You also mentioned you have student loans, so I assume you have some college under your belt? Maybe try to finish that up along with the CCNA. A college degree is sometimes necessary to get past HR, no matter how much knowledge you may have.

karamba

swap jobs

Nytrocide

Forgot to mention that recently they have been mentioning an entry level networking job opening in a couple months and they have been swinging by my desk and bringing me into the back room and show me some basics.

I'm really good friends with most of the people over there since being in Helpdesk we're always going back and forth with activations etc., so hopefully all this translates into a transfer! I'd be perfectly fine with the same pay and going over there to start and learn as I go.

nosoup4u

Sort of in the same state, turning 25 in a few weeks. Got a good job 6 years of experience in IT but had no certs up until a few weeks ago and realized if I want to move forward its going to require a bit of work from me so here we go!

sharkezo

I think A+ and N+ won't get you the kinda money you're looking for , on the other hand the CCNA is just the first step and i don't think it's gonna make a huge difference, the reason why is because they're all considered entry level certs.You got Cisco path and Microsoft path , moving up the certification ladder on either path is what you should really do to get that promotion you want.

networkjutsu

lantech wrote: »

Also if you do get your CCNA and they do bring you on the networking team at your company don't look at it as not being paid well now but rather that you are gaining experience that you might find it harder to get. Once you have some experience under your belt you can then move on to another company making a better salary because that experience will serve you well in the future.

Ditto. I was in four different departments in the same company and every time I was transfered to another department, it was only a small bump in pay. I did, however, increased my salary to ~20% after a year joining the network group. Pretty good raise in my opinion since I exceeded my manager's expectation. From zero professional networking experience to one of the top performing guys in the group.

Jumping ship almost always guarantees a big bump in pay. Don't do it often though.

Jackace

My experience and that of many people I know shows that if you want a bump in pay or to move up it is usually easier to do both by finding a new job. I wish it wasn't that way, but every promotion or new opportunity I have had in my career came from finding a new job. I hope that changes at my current company, but every other place I have worked they don't seem to promote from within very often if at all. Sure they all say they promote from within, but when the openings or opportunities came up I was always passed over for an external hire.

Sponx

I would start looking at either

A: Trying your best to move up the ladder at the current company by marketing yourself, building your certification/experience, or kissing some a$$.
B: Start looking towards another company in possibly another department, something that can build your experience better, or something different completely that can pay you what you're looking to make.

If you don't move up in a company within 5 years it's sometimes better for yourself to look elsewhere... Unless of course you're at a 'retirement' income and happy with what you're making.

tpatt100

I wish I was in my mid 20's again.....

I think the Cert=money deal is way long gone from the .com days when I got my MCSE originally. It's different so try and look at every opinion presented here and don't get too frustrated or impatient.

RouteMyPacket

Nytrocide wrote: »

Forgot to mention that recently they have been mentioning an entry level networking job opening in a couple months and they have been swinging by my desk and bringing me into the back room and show me some basics.

I'm really good friends with most of the people over there since being in Helpdesk we're always going back and forth with activations etc., so hopefully all this translates into a transfer! I'd be perfectly fine with the same pay and going over there to start and learn as I go.

Good! Remember, all we need is an opportunity! Once you have been presented an opportunity, seize it and never look back. You have the right attitude, because salary shouldn't be your focus right now. Gaining practical experience is the number one goal.

sieff

Definitely get the CCNA while gaining more time in the work field. I'd start querying www.glassdoor.com or other job sites that list positions in your area to get a feel for what type of compensation you should be getting. For a loan assistance company your compensation sounds about right, they could always get an intern to fill your position. In my 20s I went where the jobs were, I was flexible with relocating if the opportunity was there. My first "networking" gig was in 1999 making around $50K in a NOC. At the time I had no certs, just some vocational training.

networkjutsu

Sponx wrote: »

I would start looking at either

A: Trying your best to move up the ladder at the current company by marketing yourself, building your certification/experience, or kissing some a$$.
B: Start looking towards another company in possibly another department, something that can build your experience better, or something different completely that can pay you what you're looking to make.

If you don't move up in a company within 5 years it's sometimes better for yourself to look elsewhere... Unless of course you're at a 'retirement' income and happy with what you're making.

You definitely need to market yourself if you want to move up the ladder inside your current company. You also need to be in the good side of the hiring managers of where you want to go to next. If you don't build a right relationship with that manager, then you won't get a job in his/her team no matter how good you are. I've seen people getting hired not even knowing the job pretty well, but that person built a right relationship with the manager so she/he was hired. You also need to build a good relationship with his/her people too because if you don't then a lot of these guys/girls would not recommend you or worse sway the manager to not hire you ever.

powerfool

I think if you don't have the feeling of crisis occasionally, you have blinders on. Things are always changing. You need to ask yourself how you can prove to potential employers that you take yourself seriously and are willing to invest in your personal development. Do you have a degree? If you don't, I am not surprised that your salary hasn't increase significantly (not to say that you cannot do well without one, but that is more of an exception). You are also listing more entry-level certifications that you have (and are looking to pursue). I would say from the credential perspective, there is a lot left for you to do to improve your position.

Employers are looking for value in exchange value, just like any consumer. Give them something more if you want something more in return. Honestly, I am just throwing this out here... I am a rugged individualist... my suggestion would be to read, cover to cover, Atlas Shrugged and/or The Fountainhead, both by Ayn Rand. The philosophy involved will change your life, certainly... you will either agree with it or you will think it is hogwash, but it will certainly change you; however, if you agree with it, I think you will start to be shaped in a way that will make you ambitious and have high expectations of yourself, and others. Howard Roark, from The Fountainhead, is an uncompromising idealist that stands against all opposition steadfastly... and ultimately is rewarded for his determination. Atlas Shrugged deals with those aspects spread throughout many different characters at different stages in their development and calls things as Rand sees them. Atlas Shrugged, at least at one point, was the longest novel written in any European language (it is in English, rest assured)... so it is not to be taken lightly if you choose to go down that road.

In any event, this personal feeling of crisis is an opportunity for self-examination. You have some work to do.

Best wishes.

paul78

Nytrocide wrote: »

Is this simply an age thing where they basically said at first "Oh look let's hire this kid for dirt money and it's a win-win" since it was my first real job?

The reality is that's fairly common. Not necessarily "an age thing". But more of a supply and demand thing. There are lots of people looking for entry-level and a foot in the door.

There is a school of management thought that entry-level staff is not retainable so the idea is to keep the staff as long as possible - if there are gems on that staff then promote or wait for them to apply for other internal jobs. In some larger companies, the weight of inertia in promotions don't work and there is an expectation that bright people could leave and it's considered just a part of doing business.

So - my two cents - it sounds like there are internal opportunities for you. But I would suggest that you also look externally at the same time. Depending on the management culture where you are - your management may support internal career paths - but if not - then you may have to go external.

Good luck.

Nytrocide wrote: »

Mid 20's Crisis

Think of this as practice for when you hit your 40's or 50's (like some of us) and have a real mid-life crisis.

lunchbox67

Agree, good books

powerfool wrote: »

I think if you don't have the feeling of crisis occasionally, you have blinders on. Things are always changing. You need to ask yourself how you can prove to potential employers that you take yourself seriously and are willing to invest in your personal development. Do you have a degree? If you don't, I am not surprised that your salary hasn't increase significantly (not to say that you cannot do well without one, but that is more of an exception). You are also listing more entry-level certifications that you have (and are looking to pursue). I would say from the credential perspective, there is a lot left for you to do to improve your position.

Employers are looking for value in exchange value, just like any consumer. Give them something more if you want something more in return. Honestly, I am just throwing this out here... I am a rugged individualist... my suggestion would be to read, cover to cover, Atlas Shrugged and/or The Fountainhead, both by Ayn Rand. The philosophy involved will change your life, certainly... you will either agree with it or you will think it is hogwash, but it will certainly change you; however, if you agree with it, I think you will start to be shaped in a way that will make you ambitious and have high expectations of yourself, and others. Howard Roark, from The Fountainhead, is an uncompromising idealist that stands against all opposition steadfastly... and ultimately is rewarded for his determination. Atlas Shrugged deals with those aspects spread throughout many different characters at different stages in their development and calls things as Rand sees them. Atlas Shrugged, at least at one point, was the longest novel written in any European language (it is in English, rest assured)... so it is not to be taken lightly if you choose to go down that road.

In any event, this personal feeling of crisis is an opportunity for self-examination. You have some work to do.

Best wishes.