Advice on making the transition from Desktop Support

jukem

Hey guys, I'm a long time lurker / new poster here currently living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I recently graduated with my BS in Information Systems and have been working for the last 6 months as an on site Desktop Support Technician for a medium sized finance company. Currently I'm studying to obtain my CCNA; which I plan to fully obtain at the latest December of this year. For the last 2 months I've felt that I've learned as much as I can in my current position and have been anxious to move on to networking. Do you guys/gals think it would be wise to start looking after I obtain my ccna even though I will have not have a full year of experience? I just don't want to be labeled a job hopper.

P.s. My current position is paying peanuts ($12/hr) even for texas' low COL.

Looking forward to read you alls thoughts and thanks for reading

lsud00d

Since you have a Bachelors you should get out of a tech position and into an analyst position, even with a help desk. In HD roles you learn about the bigger picture and can acquire administrative powers to various servers, applications, or network components. Get some more XP under your belt and get your CCNA.

Or if you are good at interviewing you could go straight to a NOC position which will probably be shift duty but should be decently salaried for a first job.

FloOz

I am in a very similiar situation as you. I also am a recent college graduate in a BS in CSIT and studying for my CCNA. I plan on applying to new positions once I pass my CCNA. I have about 6 months experience being a full-time employee (I do not count the internship I had here throughout my senior year). I do like my current job though, I get good pay and benefits, so I do hope to land a promotion when I pass my CCNA. If not I will start looking for new gig.

jukem

I would love to be able to obtain a NOC position. I don't think shift duty would be too much of a problem due to the fact that I already work 10hr shifts. Should I wait until I pass my CCENT (OCT 15) and start applying or do you think I would have an easier chance of obtaining that position if I wait until I pass ICDN2 this december and then start applying? I have no kids or gf at the time so I would be willing to relocate pretty much anywhere in the U.S.

jukem

@ FloOz we're exactly in the same position except the liking the job part lol. Good luck with the CCNA!

lsud00d

Sorry, by shift duty I meant 10's or 12's 24/7 since NOC's are 24x7x365 operations nearly all the time, so say night shift Sunday through Thursday for example.

IMO since you have a Bachelors and some relevant experience, you shouldn't be working an hourly technician position. Sure the CCENT/CCNA will help but I think you should go for a full time Help Desk or NOC Analyst position now, but that's just me. I'm not sure what the specifics regarding your skillset, resume, and interviewability are

Essendon

You should flood your resume all over regardless of whether you have the CCENR/CCNA or not. Who knows how long it may take to find a new job even with the CCNA. It helps to have one but it aint a magical formula to a new job. Besides there are tons of people with the CCNA anway, so keep applying and later add the cert to your resume. Good luck!

MeanDrunkR2D2

As one who lives in the DFW area, I personally like this area having lived in various other places. Cost of living is relatively inexpensive, with lots of nice things to do if you did want to. Pay though, can be quite good here. I'm an experienced desktop Admin guy, and have been in this position for going on 3 years with my current company. I'm not paid peanuts like you are, and can completely understand the desire to get out of your current position into something that can pay the bills and will give you a challenge. Keep in mind, that not all Desktop Support positions are the same. I'm challenged frequently by new projects, acquisitions, travel, as well as testing of new technologies as they roll out. If nothing ever changed, yea, I'd be bored. Myself, I graduated in 2006 and got some bad paying jobs and moved up to to where I am now... OF course, now I'm looking to move up to a better gig at my current employer (which will compensate me very well.)

karamba

desktop support roles are entry level jobs that is good to get a solid foundation to your career.

If I were you I would do desktop support for 1 year and then move into a role that is more challenging.

jukem

So, after thinking it over last night. I've decided to go ahead and start putting my resume out there and update it with certs as I obtain them. Thanks everybody for all the great advice.

@ Karamba One of the reasons I wanted to stay at least a year was because I was concerned about be labeled a job hopper. After weighing the pros and cons I realized that I'd be wasting valuable time I could be spending gaining experience doing what I am passionate about, which is networking.

nosoup4u

Good luck on your search

the_Grinch

I don't think it's bad to look, but do try to get that first year under your belt. You're young (I assume) and have plenty of time to get a job doing exactly what you like. But when it comes to network engineering, I think you should have a really good grasp of desktops/servers. Too many times I've made the mistake of saying it was a network issue and bothered network engineers with it only to find out it wasn't the case. On the flip side of that, there have been times they were sure it wasn't a network problem, only to find out it really was. Nobody's fault, just good to have a firm foundation so you can make the right determinations.

RouteMyPacket

jukem,

You need to be looking into becoming an IT Consultant. There are many firms in your area that can assist you with this. Spending time as a consultant can really expand your horizons and broaden your experience which in turn = $$$$

As a consultant, I hire you and I bill my clients at a particular rate for your skills. As your experience grows and you become certified to supplement that experience, you better believe I am going to increase your bill rate to my client/s and in turn your salary will increase.

Also, while working as a consultant at client sites, you are building relationships with people. If you have it together professionally and technically this is never a bad thing and sometimes clients will offer you a position with them.

Sponx

I would throw yourself out there and try to get as many bites on your resume as possible... But I wouldn't probably leave your current position unless you are in stone obtaining another job that's something of a higher caliber. You should at least stay with your current company working as DTS for at least one year... Job hopping kinda is frowned upon.

jukem

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input and provide a quick update. I passed ICND1 today! ICND2 will be taken around the end of Nov(hopefully). I've also decided to stay in my current position (while passively searching) until the end of the year.