Applied for Network Administrator at a local casino

techwizard

here is what the post on the casino's website says under careers:

Job Title: Network Administrator
Job Type: Salary
Requirements: Should have experience with Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, Windows XP, Windows 7, Window 8, VMware 5.1, Active Directory, Group Policy, SCCM, Symantec Backup Exec, Microsoft Exchange, Juniper EX series switches and Juniper Firewalls.
Duties: As a Network Administrator you are responsible for maintaining all IT systems, implementation of new IT systems, system upgrades, providing IT service and support to staff, assisting guests and other duties.

I have 10+ years of experience running a small business as a mobile computer repair/consultation service. I have setup a few small networks. Most of them under 10 users/clients, so really no domains or major use of Windows Server, however I do have theretical experience with Active Directory and have installed Windows server 2012 on vmware workstation and am playing around with things like Active Directory, group policy, etc. I dont have my MCSA, yet. I have A+, Net+, Sec+. Not sure what to do about getting exp with Juniper devices, and not sure about the SCCM. Other then that, I have everything else covered pretty much. I am also planning to get my CCNA cert soon as well. I already applied, and have nothing to lose, but I figured what the hey. Anyone have any experience doing something similar to this? Do you have any advice?

tprice5

techwizard wrote: »

Anyone have any experience doing something similar to this? Do you have any advice?

Has anyone applied to a job that is above there level of expertise? I would imagine we all have.

NAs don't need to know about Windows Server, AD, ESXi, Group Policy, or Exchange. I would be surprised if many even knew what SCCM is.

It looks like they are wanting a jack of all trades kind of admin so in the event you were offered the position you would likely be a one man show. This will be high pressure and your lack of server expereince will be evident quickly as you will have little to no support to lean on. I would advise just moving on from this opportunity but if you are set on it just keep labbing. Maybe stand up a legitimate ESXi stack for VMware experience and build you windows environment on top.

Technet offers pretty good tutorials and guide for this...
Test Lab Guides - TechNet Articles - United States (English) - TechNet Wiki

Outside of just buying switches and labbing I wouldn't know what to tell you for the juniper stuff. Maybe an NA could chime in.

the_Grinch

The term network administrator is an ever changing title (especially lately). I work for the state and my job title is Network Administrator yet I don't administer any networks (or servers). The tell here is the "administrator" part of the title. It's been my experience that any company that uses the term network administrator is generally looking for a systems administrator with decent knowledge of networking. If they want someone strictly for networking they'll usually use Network Engineer for the title.

I can speak about the casino industry, albeit I have a bit of a different perspective (I work for a casino regulatory agency). It is definitely very interesting work and you will be doing a lot of everything. Casino IT can be a bit of a pressure cooker due to all the regulations involved. Reporting alone will probably make your head spin. Downtime cannot happen and thus you will be attached to your phone because if it's an emergency if you aren't dead you need to fix the issue. All that being said, you will learn a ton no doubt about that and with Internet Gaming slowly growing across the country you'll definitely be in a great position if you get the job.