A whole lot of luck and some smooth talking

theanimal

I don't post on here too often though I do log in every day and lurk/read/learn.

Since I was little, I have always loved IT and thought I knew it all, working at Staples as an Easy Tech for about a year. Two years ago, I joined the USMC Reserves as a Data Network Specialist and went through the Cisco Academy for the CCNA, but we did not get to test out on the certification then, and I didn't take it upon myself to get it. I did obtain my A+ though.

About 1 year ago I got a job as a NOC at a medium-large retail business; which upon being hired they told me I was the least qualified candidate and I mostly got hired because I had a direction, determination, and goals. It was once I got this position that I realized how much I didn't know in the world of IT and how miniscule my actual knowledge was. Our NOCs work with all the different IT groups (server, AD, web tech, programmers, security, and mostly networking) doing various tasks for them to get exposure to each field, which is actually great in my opinion. Over the last year I realized how much I love all the different aspects of Network Security.

In all reality I don't know have that much knowledge though I do study and read a lot, and I just started WGU for IT Security on Apr 1st.

Well my company wanted to 'expand' their Security department but decided to go a different route, they opened a position for a "Network Security Trainee". I applied for it and had a couple of interviews, and I got the job. I will train underneath the Sr. Network Security Analyst for 6 months, after which time I will be promoted to a Network Security Analyst I, where I will start to work on my own with slight supervision. They're looking for someone that they can invest some time into that they hope will grow, learn, and eventually lead if necessary. I know a lot of guys on here are against sticking around the same place too long but as much as this company has helped my life, I see myself staying for a good while.

This is truly going to change my life because only after 3 years in IT at the age of 23, I will be a Network Security Analyst and be much further in my career than I ever anticipated. As lame as this sounds, I would probably settling in my NOC position and not advancing my career had I not joined techexams. There's a lot of great and brilliant members here who are truly inspiring.

I have a lot of goals for myself over the next 2 years. I'm going to focus heavily on learning as much as I can from my OTJ training as well as finishing WGU in no more than 3 terms which I don't think should be an issue. After that I would like to start studying for the CISSP.

I know my story probably isn't very common and there was A LOT of luck involved. What I have learned from all this though is that, being likeable and being able to converse well with people can get you a long long long way.

Sorry for the wall of text.

lsud00d

I believe in "luck" but more of the chance/probability (quantitative) side of things...you took proper steps that when the opportunity happened to arise (chance), you were there to seize it, so congrats on the fruits of your labor! It sounds like you are heading in a good direction. Just realize that more often than not staying with a company will render you underpaid and to stay competitive you should be abreast in your local market for other opportunities.

Danielm7

Nice work! That's a great story, good luck in your new role.

About7Narwhal

Based off the title, I was expecting a guide to getting women...

All joking aside, that is great news! I am kinda envious of a lot of people around here who have really taken off and are where they want to be. That isn't a bad thing though, it gives me drive and gives me great examples of people who are going through the exact same trials and have come out better for it. Stories like these give those of us who aren't quite there yet a little bit of hope on the horizon.

I hope to hear good news from you over the next few months! Keep us posted.

PurpleIT

I'd say you made your own luck by having, "a direction, determination, and goals," - way to go!

YFZblu

Congratulations!

theanimal

Thanks everyone!

About7Narwhal wrote: »

Based off the title, I was expecting a guide to getting women...

All joking aside, that is great news! I am kinda envious of a lot of people around here who have really taken off and are where they want to be. That isn't a bad thing though, it gives me drive and gives me great examples of people who are going through the exact same trials and have come out better for it. Stories like these give those of us who aren't quite there yet a little bit of hope on the horizon.

I hope to hear good news from you over the next few months! Keep us posted.

Haha about the guide to women. I used to feel the same way when I would read some of the posts on here, and now that I'm in that position, I almost feel bad. Though, the happiness is overwhelming and I realize I must have done something right to move up the ladder as I did.

lsud00d wrote: »

I believe in "luck" but more of the chance/probability (quantitative) side of things...you took proper steps that when the opportunity happened to arise (chance), you were there to seize it, so congrats on the fruits of your labor! It sounds like you are heading in a good direction. Just realize that more often than not staying with a company will render you underpaid and to stay competitive you should be abreast in your local market for other opportunities.

Thanks, as I mentioned above, I guess I just feel bad because there are people that have been there for years and years and really wanted this opportunity yet I, the guy who has been there for a little over a year got it. But yet again, I know I must have done something right to make that happen. As it currently stands I was moved from hourly to salary and my pay went up slightly over 100% so my skills are far behind my current salary, so I have some catching up to do!

shodown

Great job. Another thing I want to point out is interview they told you that you were the least qualified, but the most driven. That means you have management that gets it. This sounds like a place where you can get good tech skills and managerial skills by watching them work.

TimByte

Congrats to the OP! It fells good to read a success story, thanks for sharing!

apoole15

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Congrats on being "lucky" but even more congrats on being prepared for when the opportunity presented itself.

webgeek

Congrats! Sounds exciting!

JoJoCal19

shodown wrote: »

Great job. Another thing I want to point out is interview they told you that you were the least qualified, but the most driven. That means you have management that gets it. This sounds like a place where you can get good tech skills and managerial skills by watching them work.

Yea, I wish the management at my employer would "get it" too. Unfortunately all they care about is who has most stuff on their resume and don't care to at least give internal employees an interview to see what they are about. It will come back to bite them as they are bleeding very driven and hard working individuals to other firms.

shodown

JoJoCal19 wrote: »

Yea, I wish the management at my employer would "get it" too. Unfortunately all they care about is who has most stuff on their resume and don't care to at least give internal employees an interview to see what they are about. It will come back to bite them as they are bleeding very driven and hard working individuals to other firms.

In today's society we have more MBA's than managers. What I'm basically saying is that we have people who get a nice shiny degree and think they can run the show with little experience. Management is a trade just like any others and it can be taught. In the military for example they believe leaders are made not born. However we have very few places that can build leadership.

What this leads to is what you said about how your internal management doesn't know how to spot employees. The best qualified on paper may get short term projects done, but the smartest and most driven will usually overtake that person if they are put in the right enviorments. We hired someone not long ago who was very technically sharp, but didn't have the design experience we were looking for. We hired him over more qualified people and yes he needed much more ramp up time, but what that amounted to is me working with him and when he asked me a question I would point him to documentation and ask what do you think and what have you seen in the past. The 1st few projects this required me doing a lot more re-work of what he was doing, but now he gets it and I dont' even check his work anymore.

Psoasman

Congrats to you! It sounds like an awesome opportunity!

-hype

Im still amazed you got a NOC job with just an A+

Your hiring manager sounds like the guy everyone wants to work for. Im happy to see there are employers out there that are willing to give someone who doesn't have 5+ years of experience a chance.

Good Luck on your new role!