Need Career/Certification Advice

ewright27

I'm trying to decide what to do with my career, and would very much appreciate any advice. My situation:

While I majored in History in college, I worked at a place that built and configured desktop PCs from the motherboard up, installed all hardware, Windows, office software, etc., but no network stuff. After college, I got a job at a museum (15-20 staff). I was hired as a Museum Specialist, but since I was the only staff member with any IT experience, I was also the "IT department".

I provided desktop support for the entire agency, which consisted of: purchasing, installing and configuring all PCs, Windows, Office, Outlook, and other software, NICs, printers, video cards, RAM, etc.; making Access databases and PowerPoints; and fixing all desktop user problems. I also had a LAN installed (1 router and 2 switches) to connect us to the state network, an AV network installed to run all the audio and video in the museum, and a security camera and access system.

I was eventually promoted to "Museum & IT Director", but that just meant I was in charge of 3-4 Museum staff, only 1 of whom was able to help me with the IT stuff. I've been there for 15 years, and am maxed out at about $40k. Realizing that History wasn't a career without a PhD, I completed a BS in IS. I've done a couple of small freelance websites, taken a few programming classes (yuck), and have 15-20 years experience with every version of Windows, Office, Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver.

I was the "project manager" for the big projects, but; the LAN was installed and supported by the state IT department. The AV network and camera systems were installed and supported by contractors. My only network experience has been to add users to the domain, set up simple resource sharing (files, printers, drives), swap cables on the patch panel, etc. I have no real hands-on experience with Windows Server, routers or switches. I fear I have too much for an entry-level helpdesk gig, but not enough for an admin position. I would take an entry-level job, but I can't afford to make less than $40k.

With that in mind, I feel like I need some certs before I start looking for an IT job. In my position, is the usual CompTIA A+, Net+, Sec+ the place to start, or should I look into MCSA or CCNA? Is it realistic to think a few certs plus a BS in IS and desktop support experience will net me $40k? Thanks in advance.

stryder144

To be honest, it all depends on where you live as to whether or not certs/degree/experience will net you $40k. You "should" be able to get a job in that range, based on what you've posted.

Be strategic about the entire process of preparing for and getting that better paying job. First, research your market. Know what your kind of experience and education should be paid. Join LinkedIn and set up a profile that emphasizes your experience. Second, connect with people and groups in IT, in your area. Join Meetup and find like-minded people in IT, again, in your area. Ask questions, talk to recruiters, HR managers, and those who do the actual hiring. Third, read the descriptions and requirements for each of the certs you are thinking about taking. Balance out what your research has shown with the potential ROI. Certs, and the books/labs/training, can get quite expensive. You don't want to waste potentially thousands of dollars on a cert that won't help you in the long run. ***Talk to the people you worked with in the state IT department and the contractors you used on your projects. They could well guide you, plus they may be able to get you past the HR gatekeepers and into a better paying job.***

CompTIA cert advice: The A+ maybe the easiest to get for you, but it will be the most expensive of the CompTIA certs you've mentioned. With your experience, I'm not sure it would pay off, to be honest. As for the other two, they are foundational certs that might fill a few holes in your current knowledge set. They might be worth the cost. If you like CompTIA on Facebook and follow on LinkedIn, you can occasionally find cert exam discounts (usually 10%).

CCNA cert advice: This one is a shade expensive, but not too expensive. The ROI, for those who are network nerds like me, is pretty good. You can work for a large number of different industries (telecom, banks, governments, etc). There are tons of great books and videos online that are free or very low cost. Paul Browning, Todd Lammle, Wendell Odom are highly regarded. This forum can definitely guide you into the best resources. I'm using the great information/advice here to help me become a CCNA. For a good, inexpensive intro to CCNA, Udemy might be the ticket. Here is the thread covering a 75% off code for courses through them, posted by Bokeh.

MCSA cert advice: The certs, plus the training, for the MCSA (assuming Server 2008/2012), might be a good fit. I say this because you do have some experience and knowledge that would make understanding the objectives a bit easier for you.

Additional certs to consider: Since you've managed projects, consider the CAPM and PMP certs. Since you're the IT director, it would probably do you good to consider the ITIL Foundation cert.

Final words of advice: I noticed in you used "" a couple of times. Their use implied that you didn't place much value in the position that you hold/held. Be positive. You were a project manager, not a "project manager". Future hiring managers will not care if someone else did the work. Heck, the PM isn't normally a hands-on type of job. Emphasize the value of the projects using easily quantifiable values (money for the project, number of workers, how many people affected, etc). What was the impact? These are the things that HMs want to know.

You are the Museum and IT Director. No buts! You manage 3-4 staff members. As long as you accurately put what the staff members do (kiss babies, shake hands, connect LAN cables), then put that in the description. If they ask you how many actually did IT work with you, then you say only one. Otherwise, it doesn't matter that "only" one was your IT assistant. Emphasize, too, that you were placed in the IT role because of your experience but that you noticed that you had knowledge gaps. As such, you went back to school, you got another degree, all because you wanted to be the most effective IT guy the museum had. That is a huge, positive attribute that future HR/HMs need to understand about you. It tells them you can learn, that you want to learn, and that you are a team player. Huge, huge, huge!

Honestly, there are many companies that would jump at the chance to get someone like you on their staff. I think you've got what it takes, just make sure you emphasize the positive things you've accomplished and don't downplay any of your experience. You did all that, so let them know. Granted, don't be arrogant but also don't be so self-deprecating that it turns the HR folks off.

I look forward to hearing about the new, exciting, better paying job you are going to get. Keep us posted!

tjh87

I would really suggest skipping the entry-level part altogether. With your previous title of director and a BS degree, I don't see why you can't go for a management role. Unless you REALLY want to start your career all over again, I would start looking for director or management positions with smaller companies. While you stated that you didn't play a huge part in the grand scheme of IT, I'm sure you understand what it takes to manage people and the small IT department you had. Like stryder144 said, look into the PMP and ITIL certs. Those are huge for managers right now. You could even take on a project management role for an IT department. I wouldn't look at digressing with where you are professionally right now. And to be honest, the best you could probably do if you wanted a technical role is help desk or a Jr. Sys Admin position. Play to your current strengths and keep your eyes open. If you are in a small community, look to relocate. Texas is booming for IT right now.