Looking for Advice

Not wanting to hi-jack this thread: http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/85443-advice-landing-network-engineer-position.html , I decided to start my own since I'm in a similar situation as the OP of that.

Currently, I'm a 24 year old federal employee in the DC area and have been working as an IT Specialist (2210) for the last three years. I have my B.S. in Information Systems from a large east-coast college and am working on my M.S. in Networking Technologies from the same school. I'll be getting my Network+ next month and will go for Security+ and CCNA after that.

With that, let's just say my job isn't very fun. All policy, program management, oversight..NO touching of systems, blah blah. If I wanted that life, I could easily stay in my position now and continue to move effortlessly up the federal ladder and, in turn, continue to hate getting up and going to work every day. I don't want to do that at all, I want a more hands-on type job - ideally starting out at a NOC and working my way up to be a Network Engineer or something of that sorts. I'm aiming to have the three certs listed above (Net+, Sec+, CCNA) as soon as possible, and I'd like to start looking for a new job in about a year.

My two main questions for the community are -
- Does the fact that I'll soon have my Master's help at all while looking for an entry-level NOC job?
- I can talk IT/Cyber all day and get by just fine at work, but outside of messing around at home, I don't have real technical IT experience. Does my federal IT experience make me stand out at all?

Thanks in advance

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Comments

jamthat

To clarify, when I say "continue to move effortlessly up the federal ladder", I'm not saying it's easy or trying to talk down anyone at all. A better way for me to put it is that it just seems like I've been 'floating' by because I have little motivation don't enjoy what I do. It's difficult to explain my situation because most people immediately say I have a great job and that I'd be crazy for wanting to leave, but I personally couldn't disagree more. Not trying to make the wrong impression here!

kgb

jamthat wrote: »

... It's difficult to explain my situation because most people immediately say I have a great job and that I'd be crazy for wanting to leave, but I personally couldn't disagree more. Not trying to make the wrong impression here!

I've been there and I understand what you are saying. You don't want to come across as not being "grateful" for the job that you do have. Especially considering the times in which we live, everyone should be grateful for the job they do have. However, I personally believe you can be grateful and despise your job at the same time. It's not what you want to do, you realize this and want to change it. Shame on anyone if they look down on that.

jamthat

kgb wrote: »

I've been there and I understand what you are saying. You don't want to come across as not being "grateful" for the job that you do have. Especially considering the times in which we live, everyone should be grateful for the job they do have. However, I personally believe you can be grateful and despise your job at the same time. It's not what you want to do, you realize this and want to change it. Shame on anyone if they look down on that.

You nailed it. There's no doubt I'm grateful for what I have, but I'm willing to give it up for something I have a passion for.

I guess the real question I have is..is it worth it to continue paying for my Master's degree right now