First IT job - how long to stay for in the job before progressing?

I am in my first IT job, and looking to progress my career.

I have been in the job for 2 years. How many more years should I stay, before progressing onto another job? I don't want my next employer to think I'm a 'job hopper'.

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Comments

cyberguypr

We discussed this recently. Virtually no one will see 2 years as job hopping. If you feel it is time to make a move, then go for it.

Edit: found the thread I was talking about.

StussyNz

I'm in the same position as yourself and I've only been in my current role for around 3 months. I graduated from University with a degree in Computer Science; Majoring in Networks and Security. I've already studied and know the CCNA material and CCNAS material and have experience with configuring Cisco equipment and also a few years experience within Windows domain enviroments (AD,Exchange, Proxy's etc).

The main thing is after graduating I could only get a job on the "Help/Service Desk" - I'm only exposesd to remote troubleshooting of desktop problems as well as AD exposure. I feel that I could do most of the things that the network team do however don't have the experince to back it up

What do some of you think, 3 months to move on? I'm currently reviewing the material for CCNA and CCNAS so i can actually get the certfications to be able to "Prove" that I know the material.

cyberguypr

There's no magic number of months that you should work at any job. The key here is that you must have a compelling reason to move on. You will have to explain and convince your next potential employer why the move was justified. If you can't do that you'll be labeled as a job hopper.

kohr-ah

Also while I agree you have the degree and 3 months of help desk is an annoyance. I wont lie but let me ask this. If you get your CCNA and CCNA:S does the company you are in have room for you to move? Can you go to a NOC or assist a department you are interested in be it Cisco or Windows or a universal role?

The certs will help a lot. College Degrees show that you are dedicated to something. That you took 2 - 4 years of your life to dedicate to achieve a great thing in your life and you have something to prove it. It however doesn't mean you are knowledgable. The certifications help back that up and so does experience. So you are on the right goal but look at where can you go. If there is another company you can go to without certs and be a better position go for it but your experience on windows server and such if you don't have work or intern experience to back it up may be a bit harder.

Example - I went from helping 1800 users and 104 pieces of Cisco equipment to a NOC Level 1 position which is a side step in my career but there is room to grow and quickly and I kept my same pay. So for me I am like you going "Dear Thor this is terribly annoying" but I also seen where the other engineers go in 6 - 9 months to Level 2, 3, 4 taking on better Cisco roles and better money.

StussyNz

kohr-ah wrote: »

Also while I agree you have the degree and 3 months of help desk is an annoyance. I wont lie but let me ask this. If you get your CCNA and CCNA:S does the company you are in have room for you to move? Can you go to a NOC or assist a department you are interested in be it Cisco or Windows or a universal role?

The certs will help a lot. College Degrees show that you are dedicated to something. That you took 2 - 4 years of your life to dedicate to achieve a great thing in your life and you have something to prove it. It however doesn't mean you are knowledgable. The certifications help back that up and so does experience. So you are on the right goal but look at where can you go. If there is another company you can go to without certs and be a better position go for it but your experience on windows server and such if you don't have work or intern experience to back it up may be a bit harder.

Example - I went from helping 1800 users and 104 pieces of Cisco equipment to a NOC Level 1 position which is a side step in my career but there is room to grow and quickly and I kept my same pay. So for me I am like you going "Dear Thor this is terribly annoying" but I also seen where the other engineers go in 6 - 9 months to Level 2, 3, 4 taking on better Cisco roles and better money.

Thanks for your Input; Yes there is room to grow here, it's a very large business however I think that to move up to a Engineering role I would have to relocate, which is a bugger.

I will most likely hang tight for 2 more months - Get those Certs and if nothing comes up internally, look to branch out and move on elsewhere.

CSCOnoob

I stayed in my first part time IT job for about a year. Next IT job about 2 years.