I need your advice badly regarding my career path

I am so grateful that this forum exist because there are a lots of information I can learn from here. I've been here for about 3 weeks but my other username for some reason I never received a verification email so I could post anything until today I signed up with this username then I can post.

10 years ago, I graduated from college with a degree in Mechanical Engineer. Right after school, I did not pursuing my Mechanical Engineer job searching but instead I pursued Computer/networking related job and so I landed at a very small company (about 20 employees) and I worked there since then until now. I've been doing pretty much everything in the company like a one IT guy. From setting up server room, cabling, setting up Domain Controller, Microsoft Windows server, sharepoint, exchange, file sharing to desktop support, vpn, web development, etc. The bottom line, is I still like what I am doing now however the pay (salary) is very much around $60K / year. Even though the salary is low, but I like the flexible schedule that I can work anytime I want, leave anytime, come in any time. I got to be my own boss. Nothing to complain except the salary.

So after a while, I am looking to do something to increase my salary. I know the company I am working right now will not give me anymore than what I am earning now. So the only way for me to increase my income is to jump to another job. My interest is going into Networking field and specializing security. but after reading on this forum for a while, I realize that for some of you got paid only about $20/hour for a networking job. That means your earn income in one year is even less than what I am earning now. That is kind of discouragement to me. So I don't know if that is true out there or not.

I am thinking about getting a few certs before I start searching for another job. I am thinking of taking A+ (even though I know pretty much all of it for the past 10 years but still need to get a A+ cert), then Network+, then Security+, then CCNA

I know most of you will say, don't worry about the money, just worry about what I can do. But in realty, job = money and if money is not the goal to go to work everyday then what else is there. I am desperate in need for your advice and council. Whatever your 2 cents, I will take it.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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Comments

redz

Skip the A+. Save yourself the $190 or whatever and whatever hours you'd spend on professormesser.com. You have ten years of experience. A+ is entry level. You aren't.

If you're going for the N+ as a baseline Network cert prior to CCNA, then do that. Again, if you feel your networking experience is even slightly strong, and since you've already expressed the desire to go down the Cisco path, I would take the CCENT in favor of the Net+.

If you want to be security-centric, Sec+ is basically a must have if you have no security experience. It won't get you a security job, but it may get you some security-based responsibilities. Security isn't the easiest field to break into unless you don't mind doing government work.

Your salary is going to depend as much on where you live as what you do. If you're making 60/yr as a glorified data tech, you're probably near a big market. A network tech with a CCNA making 20/hr is probably living in, I don't know, one of the Dakotas.

Just some food for thought.

maganoor

Hi mrmt
i gone though the profile, u r exp i will give u simple 2 options
step 1 -- which is u r interest is the 1st option ( u may get more salary or lesser tooo)
stpe 2 -- it is purely commercial , interest here is the second option , u have done hardware/Networking But no certifications , most imp which country u r residing . in any where companies looks for first certified people next more exp people (u fall in second option),
if your are good in Hardware (system Level) and networking ( Design/Implementation/Up gradation/Trouble shooting) then Go directly
with CCNA Voice 640-461 with certification (pref etch knowledge in Routing & Switching is mandatory) once completed then go for CCNP-Voice ,
No need to go back for A+ or N+ Server+ , the final option is if u r still interested in security as u told then go for Sec+ is the option, but what is the prefetch experience to it
Mag
Technical Consultant

mrmt

Thank you so very much for your thoughts.

I am approaching my 40th birthday, the salary I am earning now can still bring enough foods to the table for my family so there is no rush into getting a job with big salary now. That is why I wanted to start from a very basic steps like getting A+ cert first, something for me to put on my resume later on. Even though, I know pretty much all about hardwares and softwares compoments from 10 years hands-on experienced.

I plan do to some self-study. Last semester I took a CCNA explorer class at community college here and the Cisco concept is very new to me. Lots of new stuff for me to learn. That is why I want to go back from beginning. I don't want to skip.

Am I doing it the right way?

mrmt

I forgot to mention that I live in Dallas, Texas

NetworkVeteran

mrmt wrote: »

I realize that for some of you got paid only about $20/hour for a networking job. That means your earn income in one year is even less than what I am earning now. That is kind of discouragement to me. So I don't know if that is true out there or not.

Yup! You can find "networking guys" making anywhere from minimum wage to $200k/yr.

A+ cert), then Network+, then Security+, then CCNA

For an entry-level networking specialist position, the CCNA is the only one of those I'd care much about.

But in realty, job = money and if money is not the goal to go to work everyday then what else is there.

That may be your reality, but it's not everyone's. Other goals might include work that's enjoyable, rewarding, challenging, educational, and/or career-building. Alternatively, co-workers you enjoy being around, and understanding boss, a flexible work schedule, a corporate culture that meshes with your personality, etc.

ptilsen

I think Redz has some good advice for you. Skip the A+, really. It just won't do anything for you at this point.

I would add a stronger recommendation to skip Net+ and head straight for CCENT and CCNA:R&S. There's very little, if anything, you'll get on the Net+ material that you won't get from CCNA, and it's another entry-level cert that doesn't make you more marketable.

Security+ is something to consider, and could help you get your foot in the door.

If you were looking to stay in more generalist roles, MCSA Server 2008 or Server 2012 would be a good choice, but if you really want to focus on networking or network security, I wouldn't go down the Microsoft road.

Realistically, unless you want to get into a SMB consulting firm or some other generalist role, you won't get a big salary boost from your initial switch. You've got good experience with lots of breadth, but not enough depth to get you into a huge salary in short order. However, with the right cert plan and the right job choice, you could be moving into the $70-90K range in 2-3 years. I think you may end up having to take a lateral move to get there with your focus plan, however. Of course, anything's possible, and you could end up being really valuable to the right organization with your existing experience.

redz

mrmt wrote: »

I plan do to some self-study. Last semester I took a CCNA explorer class at community college here and the Cisco concept is very new to me. Lots of new stuff for me to learn. That is why I want to go back from beginning. I don't want to skip.

Am I doing it the right way?

Short answer, yes. There's not a "wrong" way to improve your knowledge level, as long as you're learning, but there are efficient and inefficient ways. I would still skip A+, but go for the Network+. Again, you may look at this as "starting over", but you're not starting over. You're bringing in a decade of multi-platform integration and troubleshooting experience. It may not be specific to networking, but it is valuable.

The average Network Administrator salary is just north of 70/yr in Dallas, according to a couple internet searches. So... you probably won't have to take a pay cut.

EDIT: I would personally skip N+, like ptilsen said, in favor of CCENT/CCNA sooner. That depends on your comfort level, though. Network+ isn't going to find you a job. A CCNA will.

instant000

mrmt wrote: »

I forgot to mention that I live in Dallas, Texas

In this case, you need to go to the Cisco Users Group meeting tomorrow evening. Todd Lammle will be in town. He'll be giving out some freebies and talking about the new CCNA. Also, this would be a great networking opportunity for you.

DFW Cisco Users Group - meetings

Hope this helps.

mrmt

instant000 wrote: »

In this case, you need to go to the Cisco Users Group meeting tomorrow evening. Todd Lammle will be in town. He'll be giving out some freebies and talking about the new CCNA. Also, this would be a great networking opportunity for you.

DFW Cisco Users Group - meetings

Hope this helps.

Wow, this is a great group. I am not too far from Cisco buildings. I will be there tomorrow night.
Thanks

mrmt

redz wrote: »

Short answer, yes. There's not a "wrong" way to improve your knowledge level, as long as you're learning, but there are efficient and inefficient ways. I would still skip A+, but go for the Network+. Again, you may look at this as "starting over", but you're not starting over. You're bringing in a decade of multi-platform integration and troubleshooting experience. It may not be specific to networking, but it is valuable.

The average Network Administrator salary is just north of 70/yr in Dallas, according to a couple internet searches. So... you probably won't have to take a pay cut.

EDIT: I would personally skip N+, like ptilsen said, in favor of CCENT/CCNA sooner. That depends on your comfort level, though. Network+ isn't going to find you a job. A CCNA will.

Thank you very much for your wise council.