Where to go from here...

So, I'm at a point where I need some advice on which way I should/might/ought to go. Backstory: I was at WGU, slowly decided it wasn't my style, and here I am. I do work in the IT field in tech support, in a sort of specialized role. It's not Windows based, but I do deal with it on occasions, maybe 20% of the time. I love my job, I love helping folks, and where I work treats me awesome. Currently I hold the following:

CompTIA trifecta
CDIA+
A few CIW certs not worth mentioning
MCITP's in Windows Config/Server Fundamentals

I don't have any problems setting aside time to study, especially if it's something that catches my interest. WGU seemed to be a lot of stuff I wasn't interested in, and I felt a little limited by the tracks. I like a little bit of networking, but not enough to want to do CCNA. I like a little bit of programming, but not enough to want to do it full time. I like some server stuff, but don't want to get stuck on one technology. I know it seems like what I want is very broad, but it's what I like. I'd like to get into some server side stuff, maybe deeper into the desktop side, but don't want to get stuck as mainly a Windows guy. I'd like to be able to handle Windows/OS X/Linux at the same time, or at least enough to keep current on all of them. Anyone with experience in that kind of area? What should I bee looking for? What kind of certs? I've been thinking of Linux+, a few more Windows Certs and some OS X certs as well. Am I asking for too much, or is there a way I can go with this?

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Comments

LarryDaMan

Others can give better advice on specifics, but I would say that the path to riches (figurative riches) usually comes from being very good at a concentrated few things (specialization). The network guru and the server grand-master and the programming wizard can each have prosperous careers, but the generalist who is just okay at all three disciplines might have a tougher road. Maybe find what you enjoy the most and own it.

cisco_trooper

You need a job with about 50 - 75 users. You'll likely be the only IT guy, but they'll have enough demands to put your hands on a wide range of technology. Also, they are small enough that they aren't hiring consultants or the top tier specialist talent. You'll get a chance to get your hands dirty and figure out how to implement crap you've never seen or touched before. From there you'll figure out what you do and don't like and possibly specialize as your interest grows in a certain realm of IT. A company of this size will likely have a Microsoft Domain, Exchange, some SPAM filter provider like a Barracuda or something off site like AppRiver, maybe a website, some file shares, and consequently you'll have some switches, probably dumb switches, but maybe they have intelligent ones, and a firewall. Probably not a router, but maybe even a router. This is where you want to be while your interests are broad, but be prepared to be the ONLY guy, so you'll probably have to deal with phone calls at odd hours.

cisco_trooper

But like Larry said, specialization is the road to riches, and this is coming from someone who knows.

Cpl.Klinger

Maybe I'm just shell shocked from my previous jobs where I started out with promises of advancement that never materialized. There are many, many ways for me to move up and even specialize where I am, and even if the money isn't the rockstar type life some other specialties can bring, the rest of the experience makes up for it. It's just hard to get over that fear that at some point down the road the rug is going to be pulled out from under me. I put (foolishly) 8 years in my first job out of college chasing advancement that never came and it drove me to physical and mental issues, and I left my last job after 2 years because I saw the writing on the wall about what advancement would bring when it did come. There at least I knew I was good enough to move up, and was even being groomed for that jump. I just didn't want to be a slave to the store that I would have to become if I made the jump. Now at least, my stress level is more what I would consider normal and I feel like my employer cares about me, and that I'm not a slave to it.

cisco_trooper

Culture matters bro. If you truly enjoy where you work, don't leave for chump change. It would take at least $10k, probably more to get me to leave a job I truly enjoyed. And as my taxes get higher, it takes even more. Don't sell out. You always get used to the extra money, and then want more. You NEVER get used to misery, if that makes sense.

TechGuru80

I like veggies but not enough to become a vegetarian.

Ok so that is out of the way...you really need to decide which way you want to go based on what you like. It sounds like you want to go more the system administrator route. Linux+ and MCSA are good certs to go for. A lot of companies seem to use Windows so I would start that route and just get somewhat familiar with using Linux. Linux+ doesn't seem to have much traction in the U.S. and you could at least say you were familiar. Linux and Mac are both based on UNIX so basically learn one, know them all. Mac isn't used as much though.

Advice

cisco_trooper wrote: »

You need a job with about 50 - 75 users. You'll likely be the only IT guy, but they'll have enough demands to put your hands on a wide range of technology. Also, they are small enough that they aren't hiring consultants or the top tier specialist talent. You'll get a chance to get your hands dirty and figure out how to implement crap you've never seen or touched before. From there you'll figure out what you do and don't like and possibly specialize as your interest grows in a certain realm of IT. A company of this size will likely have a Microsoft Domain, Exchange, some SPAM filter provider like a Barracuda or something off site like AppRiver, maybe a website, some file shares, and consequently you'll have some switches, probably dumb switches, but maybe they have intelligent ones, and a firewall. Probably not a router, but maybe even a router. This is where you want to be while your interests are broad, but be prepared to be the ONLY guy, so you'll probably have to deal with phone calls at odd hours.

This is exactly the kind of job I am looking for!