Timeline: Your IT Career Progression

Nafe92014

2012

Title: Service Technician
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Summer Position at a local PC repair/sales shop. Performed virus removals, hardware installs, etc.
Company size: 12
Age: 20
Duration: 3 months
How: Applied via email, inteviewed, offered
Certs: MTA: Windows Operating Systems
Education: Pursuing College Diploma in Network Administration Technology
Pay: $11/h

*In March of 2013, I decided to take some time off from college to gain more experience before reapplying to pursue my diploma*

2013-2014

Title: Internship/Service Technician
Hours/wk: 40
Description: was allowed to work at newly opened computer business for a 3 months as an intern to gain experience without pay, afterward they kept me on as a regular employee.
Company size: 3
Age: 21
Duration: 7 months
How: Various people
Certs: MTA: WOS, working towards A+
Education: some college
Pay: $11/h

2014

Title: ICT Technician II
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Term position at a local hospital. Entered work orders, provided remote/on-site support, delivered/installed printers and toner, setup new laptops/thin clients for hospital staff.
Company size: 1000+
Age: 21-22
Duration: 3 months
How: Applied online, interviewed, offered
Certs: MTA: WOS, working towards A+
Education: some college
Pay: $14/h

*from August 2014 to May 2015, I woeked at Geek Squad, so I'll skip this job stats*
**In September, I achieved my A+ certification**

2015

Title: ICT Summer Student
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Summer position at my local hospital. Updated phone book databases and edited directory spread sheets.
Company size: 1000+
Age: 23
Duration: 3 months
How: Applied online, interviewed, offered (based on previous experience)
Certs: MTA: WOS, A+
Education: some college
Pay: $15/h

2015-Present

Title: Network Administration College Student
Description: Currently back in college finishing my last course of the year. Will continue to work towards CCENT/CCNA over the summer in preparation for the next year of college.
Age: 24
Duration: September-May
Certs: MTA: WOS, A+, pursuing CCENT/CCNA

rj1790

I wish I can get started with my IT career already. Currently 26, and no IT experience.

jws86

rj1790 wrote: »

I wish I can get started with my IT career already. Currently 26, and no IT experience.

Apply, apply, and apply some more.

silver145

Title: Placement
Hours/wk: 37.5
Age: 23
Duration: 12 months
How: Applied through university
Certs: CCNA
Education: college
Pay: $20,000

Title: graduate scheme (network designer)
Hours/wk: 37.5
Age: 25
Duration: 18 months
How: Applied directly
Certs: CCNA/CCNP/CCIE
Education: Uni degree
Pay: $50,000

Title: senior network implementation engineer
Hours/wk: 37.5
Age: 27
Duration: 3 months
How: Applied directly
Certs: CCNA/CCNP/CCIE
Education: Uni degree
Pay: $70,000

Title: Solutions architect
Hours/wk: 37.5
Age: 27
Duration: 7 months
How: Applied directly
Certs: CCNA/CCNP/CCIE
Education: Uni degree
Pay: $150,000

hurricane1091

Title: PC Technician
Hours/wk: 40
Description: XP to 7 migration contractor
Company size: 30
Age : 22
Duration: 1/2 year
How: Applied
Certs: A+, Network +
Education: 2 Associate Degrees
Pay : $17/hr

Title : Desktop Tech
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Desktop support
Company size: 60
Age: 23
Duration: 1/2 year
How : Applied
Certs: A+, Network +, Microsoft MTA
Education: 2 Associate's Degrees
Pay : $37k/yr

Title : Network Engineer
Hours/wk : 40+
Description: Design, implement, etc
Company size: 2500
Age : 24
Duration: 1 year and counting
How: Applied
Certs: CCNA RS, CCNA Security, A+. Net+, Security+, Linux+, Project+, Microsoft MTA, working on CCNP RS
Education: 2 Associate's Degrees, BS from WGU in IT Security
Pay: 55k + 10% bonus

joshmadakor

paul78 wrote: »

Ok - just to rock the boat a little.

Education: some college
Certs: None until recently

Title: Software Programmer
Description: Software programmer developing graphics libraries under a grant
Company size: Private university
How: Knew someone
Age: 20
Pay : $16/hr

/snip

Title: VP, Technology
Description: Took different role in company
Company size: 20000+
How: Knew someone
Age: 45
Pay : annual $360K (variable compensation - last year)

Damn Paul!

LS1

Title: IT/Helpdesk Support
Hours/wk: 37.5
Description: General IT helpdesk support tickets for desktop/server issues.
Company size: <10
Age : 18
Duration: 6 months
How: Friend knew the owner
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls
Education: High School
Pay : $16k/year

Title: VoIP/Network Consultant
Hours/wk: 37.5
Description: Design/installation of small networks and Mitel deployments
Company size: 50
Age : 19
Duration: 5 years
How: Applied
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls
Education: High School
Pay : $47k/year

Title: VoIP/Network Consultant
Hours/wk: 37.5
Description: Design/installation of networks, VoIP, IP CCTV, etc
Company size: 35
Age : 24
Duration: 2 years
How: Head hunted
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls
Education: High School
Pay : $50k/year


Title: VoIP/Network Team Leader
Hours/wk: 37.5
Description: Design/installation of networks, VoIP, looked after a few staff, training, etc.
Company size: 35
Age : 26
Duration: 2 years
How: Head hunted
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls (certs expired during this employment, so busy renewing them now)
Education: High School
Pay : $50k/year

Title: Contractor
Hours/wk: Various
Description: Do mostly Cisco network support/design/deployment. Currently working on a long term project for the biggest organisation in the UK (public sector) supporting their infrastructure/datacentre and any new deployments.
Company size: n/a
Age : 28
Duration:8 months so far
How: Sick of working for other people
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls
Education: High School
Pay : $500-$600 per day

Kennygrow

LS1 wrote: »

Title: IT/Helpdesk Support
Hours/wk: 37.5
Description: General IT helpdesk support tickets for desktop/server issues.
Company size: <10
Age : 18
Duration: 6 months
How: Friend knew the owner
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls
Education: High School
Pay : $16k/year

Title: VoIP/Network Consultant
Hours/wk: 37.5
Description: Design/installation of small networks and Mitel deployments
Company size: 50
Age : 19
Duration: 5 years
How: Applied
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls
Education: High School
Pay : $47k/year

Title: VoIP/Network Consultant
Hours/wk: 37.5
Description: Design/installation of networks, VoIP, IP CCTV, etc
Company size: 35
Age : 24
Duration: 2 years
How: Head hunted
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls
Education: High School
Pay : $50k/year


Title: VoIP/Network Team Leader
Hours/wk: 37.5
Description: Design/installation of networks, VoIP, looked after a few staff, training, etc.
Company size: 35
Age : 26
Duration: 2 years
How: Head hunted
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls (certs expired during this employment, so busy renewing them now)
Education: High School
Pay : $50k/year

Title: Contractor
Hours/wk: Various
Description: Do mostly Cisco network support/design/deployment. Currently working on a long term project for the biggest organisation in the UK (public sector) supporting their infrastructure/datacentre and any new deployments.
Company size: n/a
Age : 28
Duration:8 months so far
How: Sick of working for other people
Certs: A+, CCNA R&S, CCNP R&S, CCSP IOS/PIX Firewalls
Education: High School
Pay : $500-$600 per day

Is this all in british pounds or US dollars

earonw49

Title: GeekSquad Computer Agent
Hours/wk: 32-40 Depending on Season
Description: Hands ON IT support, general "fix it" computer shop
Company size: 1000+
Age : 19-20
Duration: 10 months (Left Job for School)
How: I knew a guy and got in
Certs: N/A
Education: High School
Pay : $20k/year

Title: Helpdesk I
Hours/wk: 40
Description: General helpdesk/tech Support over the phone and in house desktop development
Company size: 50
Age : 23
Duration: 8 Months (Promotion)
How: Applied Online
Certs: A+
Education: High School
Pay : $32/year

Title: Helpdesk II (Same company as Helpdesk I)
Hours/wk: 40
Description: General helpdesk II support over the phone. In house tech support, sys admin apprentice.
Company size: 35
Age : 23
Duration: 2 months (Moved to different city due to marriage)
How: Promoted
Certs: A+, Network+,
Education: Some College (Community)
Pay : $34k/year


Title: Desktop Support Engineer II / Information Resource Analyst (Field Tech) II
Hours/wk: 40-60 depending on the project
Description: Desktop Support, T1 network and system admin (active directory and server repair) support, project lead/management support, deployment support
Company size: 5000+
Age : 23-24
Duration: 10 Months (Moved to different State for wife's engineering job)
How: Applied Online
Certs: A+, N+, S+
Education: Some College/Xfer to WGU
Pay : $35.5k/year

Title: Launch and Mission Operations Intern
Hours/wk: 50-65
Description: Desktop Support III, Helpdesk Support II, Cisco Routing / Switching maintenance, Server and Sys Admin projects/tasks, various rebuilds, computer builds and projects assigned by the LO and CIO managers.
Company size: <5000
Age : 24-25
Duration: 3 months
How: Applied, 8x interviews and luck
Certs: A+, N+, S+, L+ Useless CIW certs
Education: Some College (Attended WGU)
Pay : $52k/year

Title: Launch and Mission Operations Technician
Hours/wk: 50-65
Description: Desktop Support III, Helpdesk Support II, Cisco Routing / Switching maintenance, Server and Sys Admin projects/tasks, various rebuilds, computer builds and projects assigned by the LO and CIO managers.
Company size: <5000
Age : 25
Duration: 5 months (Left for School Full Time)
How: Side-Promotion
Certs: A+, N+, S+, L+ Useless CIW certs
Education: Some College (Attended WGU)
Pay : $52k/year

Title: Information Systems Network and Firewall Engineer I (Professional Development Program)
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Cisco and Juniper engineering and support. Firewall and security support
Company size: 10000+
Age : 25
Duration: Starting in June
How: Applied, 6 months of constant interviews and contact with HR/Hiring managers, references
Certs: A+, N+, S+, L+, P+ Useless CIW certs
Education: Some College (Graduating WGU in 07/2016)
Pay : Pending (60k+ a year however in negotiations for more salary because I never accept an offered salary at face value)

emek

Title: Assistant II
Hours/wk: 20
Description: Student worker position in college. Help desk duties.
Company size: 4000+
Age : 25
Duration: 4 Months
How: Applied through work study program
Certs: A+
Education: AA- General Studies, B.S. -Business/Info Systems nearly completed
Pay :$12/hr

Title: Analyst 1- Help Desk
Hours/wk: 40
Description: 1st real full time IT position post grad. Mostly newbie help desk type work (Tier 1), password resets, application support, system deployments
Company size: 10000+
Age : 25
Duration: 4 Months (Temp)
How: Applied online through University website
Certs: A+
Education: AA- General Studies, B.S. -Business/Info Systems
Pay :$19/hr

Title: Analyst 1- Tech Support Coordinator
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Same location as before but different department. This was a permanent position with excellent benefits and pension. Sole help desk person for 200 people.
Company size: 10000+
Age : 25-28
Duration: 2 years 7 Months
How: Applied online through University website
Certs: A+, S+, Started CCENT
Education: AA- General Studies, B.S. -Business/Info Systems
Pay :$21/hr

Title: Analyst 2- Desktop Support (Tier 2) Just Accepted
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Should know my duties soon, but I'll be doing some end user support, system deployments and imaging, patch management, sscm, casper suite, light networking duties. Hoping this will lead to less user support and more system admin type duties.
Company size: 10000+
Age : 28
Duration: Current
How: Referred by old boss
Certs: A+, S+, Some CCENT
Education: AA- General Studies, B.S. -Business/Info Systems
Pay :$26/hr

Kennygrow

Amazing stories

Can someone state like the location as well??

cisco-user

Hi ya guys!

Title: Fleet Operations Administrator
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Looking after huge fleet of lorries (over 270), to get them serviced and repaired on demand
Company size: 2000+
Age: 28
Duration: 4 Months
How: applied through agency
Certs: CCENT passed few days ago
Education: Some College (nothing connected to IT)
Pay: £22000/year (~ $31600)

I desperately want to change the industry from Logistics to IT, currently being interested in Networking.

LS1

Kennygrow wrote: »

Is this all in british pounds or US dollars

I roughly converted to USD, but did just realise I didn't convert one of them ha.

Job before what I do now, was more like $80k

Blackout

2012 - Technical Specialist (Defence Contracting) - 50K

2013 - System Administrator (Capacity Management/NMS) - 60K

2014 - Customer Support Engineer (Core Architecture) - 70K + Weekends 90K a year

2016 - Escalation Engineer Tier III (Core Architecture/AAA ISE) - 78K + Weekends 95K a year

si20

2006 - IT Technician (public sector) - 18k

2011-2014 - University (studying digital forensics)

2014 - Security Analyst - 26k

2015 - Senior Security Analyst - 40k

2016 - Digital Forensics - (22k estimated, law enforcement contract role, junior position)

So yes, I took a pay cut but i'm finally where I want to be

joshmadakor

si20 wrote: »

/snip

So yes, I took a pay cut but i'm finally where I want to be

Nice, I'm about to do this too (~30% cut) in order to move into Network operations

Iristheangel

Time for an update since it's official as of last Monday:


Title: Consulting Systems Engineer - Security (Same company)
Hours/wk: 40~
Description: POCs/POVs, interface directly with the BUs, working with clients on security solutions, etc, Lot of the same stuff I was doing before except focused on less products which makes for a saner life and more remote meetings
Company size: 10000+
Age : 33
Duration: Was in my previous role for about 2 years
How: Made a good name for myself internally: I volunteered to help people out with POCs, support issues, etc even if they weren't my clients, answered questions on global mailing lists, helped people build up their labs, etc. On the side, I would do free labs and certification and non-certification training for folks who cared to show up (inside and outside of Cisco). A couple people from these forums even showed up for them On top of that, I got a little stir crazy studying just for DC last year so I made sort of a super lab and shared it out. Lots of stuff that I personally enjoy doing and also made me feel good - I don't think I ever actively thought that I was doing it for a raise or promotion but it's nice that it worked out that way.
Certs: I think the biggest one I got since I started was the CCIE Data Center. Definitely an accomplishment but probably less relevant to my current role
Education: WGU, baby! BS, MS
Pay: Let's just say I hit another BIG milestone that I honestly never thought I'd hit. Over 30% raise from what I was making before.

olaHalo

Iristheangel wrote: »

How: Made a good name for myself internally: I volunteered to help people out with POCs, support issues, etc even if they weren't my clients, answered questions on global mailing lists, helped people build up their labs, etc. On the side, I would do free labs and certification and non-certification training for folks who cared to show up (inside and outside of Cisco). A couple people from these forums even showed up for them

Congrats!
Ive been doing similar "extra" work helping our teams (smaller scale Im sure). Staying 3 or 4 hours late each day. Responding to issues on my days off. Creating new documentation etc
Management let me know that I am being considered for promotion soon and have been asked to go on the next business trip with our top client.
Effort pays off I suppose. Ill post the update in this thread if it actually happens.

DPG

Iristheangel wrote: »

Time for an update since it's official as of last Monday:

Title: Consulting Systems Engineer - Security (Same company)

Is the pay very dependent on commissions and bonuses based on sales? It seems like that milestone is hard to get to with most companies unless you are an expert at selling the product they are pushing.

Iristheangel

DPG wrote: »

Is the pay very dependent on commissions and bonuses based on sales? It seems like that milestone is hard to get to with most companies unless you are an expert at selling the product they are pushing.

You're thinking more account managers than SEs. SEs do get paid bonuses but it's not "sell X amount of boxes and get $X." We get bigger base salaries and instead of direct commissions, we get bonuses which maybe accounts for about 20% of our pay. Those are determined from a split which combines variety of factors: Customer satisfaction, KSOs, and overall how well the overall region is doing.

wolfinsheepsclothing

Iristheangel wrote: »

You're thinking more account managers than SEs. SEs do get paid bonuses but it's not "sell X amount of boxes and get $X." We get bigger base salaries and instead of direct commissions, we get bonuses which maybe accounts for about 20% of our pay. Those are determined from a split which combines variety of factors: Customer satisfaction, KSOs, and overall how well the overall region is doing.

That's how we do it at Red Hat too (Senior Consultant). Congrats on the promotion!

--chris--

Iristheangel wrote: »

Time for an update since it's official as of last Monday:


Title: Consulting Systems Engineer - Security (Same company)
Hours/wk: 40~
Description: POCs/POVs, interface directly with the BUs, working with clients on security solutions, etc, Lot of the same stuff I was doing before except focused on less products which makes for a saner life and more remote meetings
Company size: 10000+
Age : 33
Duration: Was in my previous role for about 2 years
How: Made a good name for myself internally: I volunteered to help people out with POCs, support issues, etc even if they weren't my clients, answered questions on global mailing lists, helped people build up their labs, etc. On the side, I would do free labs and certification and non-certification training for folks who cared to show up (inside and outside of Cisco). A couple people from these forums even showed up for them On top of that, I got a little stir crazy studying just for DC last year so I made sort of a super lab and shared it out. Lots of stuff that I personally enjoy doing and also made me feel good - I don't think I ever actively thought that I was doing it for a raise or promotion but it's nice that it worked out that way.
Certs: I think the biggest one I got since I started was the CCIE Data Center. Definitely an accomplishment but probably less relevant to my current role
Education: WGU, baby! BS, MS
Pay: Let's just say I hit another BIG milestone that I honestly never thought I'd hit. Over 30% raise from what I was making before.

Congrats Iris! Your rise since WGU/IE has been metoric. To sum up your "how" it sounds like a general enthusiasm for what you do got the job done, right?


I have my own update


Title: Network Engineer
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Financial institution; infrastructure engineer; tier 3 escalation for all technical issues
Age : 30
Duration: Prior to this I was in a MSP doing a little bit of everything for 2 years.
How: I am not really certain I can point to one thing and say "this right here, this is how I did it". I have been very proactive in problem solving (not just technical issues); owning all failures FOR THE TEAM; taking corrective actions after failures and training everyone and anyone who will listen how to be a better technician. I am still working on my BS (<12 months to go), I have put CCNP on hold because the new employer requires I get the BS asap.
Certs: CCNA RS, ITIL
Pay: 62K/year (44K/year prior)

dave330i

Time for an update. It'll be official in few weeks.

Title: Consulting Architect
Hours/wk: ~40
Description: Architect virtual infrastructure for customers
Age: 43
Duration: Just started. Overall, almost 6 years in IT. Took a bit longer than I had planned.
How: Lots of studying, lots of certs, going above and beyond.
Certs: Listed on the left
Pay: Finally achieved a personal milestone. Time to define a new goal.

Clm

Title: Information Assurance manager / Military
Hours/wk: 40
Description: Network admin
Company size: 900
Age : 21-24
Duration: 3 Years
How:
Certs: A+, Sec+
Education: 20 credit hours
Pay :$45k




Title: Signals Intelligence Analyst /Military, NSA
Hours/wk: 40
Description:
Company size: Over 9000
Age : 24-26
Duration: 2 years
How:
Certs: A+, Sec+, Opec Level II
Education:40 credit hours
Pay :$51k





Title: Cyber Security Analyst
Hours/wk: 50
Description: cool stuff
Company size: 150( But we were a MSP supporting thousands of people)
Age : 26-27
Duration: 9 months
How:
Certs: A+, Sec+, Opec Level II, CISSP
Education: 50 credits
Pay :$ 60k



Title: IT security analyst II
Hours/wk: 40
Description:
Company size: 150,000+
Age : 27
Duration: Current Position
How:
Certs: A+, Sec+, Opec Level II, CISSP
Education: AA- General studies
Pay :$ 85k+

Nightflier101BL

Nightflier101BL wrote: »

Title: PC Technician
Hour/wk: 40+ on-call
Description: Did everything - network, systems, servers, PC's, etc.
Company Size: 300+
Age: 31
Duration: 2.5 years
How: applied and interviewed
Certs: CCNA R&S, CCENT, Network+
Education: AAS in progress
Pay: $32K


Title: Network Administrator
Hour/wk: 44
Description: Cisco networking, VMware, Unix/Linux servers, Windows Server, some end-user PC support
Company Size: 100+
Age: 34
Duration: 1 year
How: applied and interviewed
Certs: CCNA Security, CCNA R&S, CCENT, Security+, Network+, Project+
Education: AAS still in progress
Pay: 65K no benefits (open-ended contract)

*UPDATE*

Title: Systems Engineer
Hour/wk: 40
Description: Cisco networking
Company Size: 5000+
Company Type: Healthcare
Age: 34
Duration: starting soon
How: applied and interviewed
Certs:CCNA Security, CCNA R&S, CCENT, Security+, Network+, Project+ (CCNP in progress)
Education: BAS - IT Security (in progress)
Pay: 85K with benefits

tmtex

This is cool

1994 - Southwest Property trust: Entry level Desktop. First IT job setting up PC's for Apartments on a windows for workgroups network. Corp office desktop support( 70 people), 1995, became traveling the US. Awesome time !! 7.50 Per hour, left a grocery store stocking frozen foods at 12.35 per hour
1997 -2001 The above company was acquired by a bigger one. Everyone laid off except me(low man on the pole) Left alone to support the Dallas office and Novell Network, CNA, CNE acquired along with getting AAS in CIS. 35K-50K, company moved to Colorado and I was scared to leave on my own(Age 27)
2001 -2011 Cushman Wakefield - 65K Everything under IT except configuring switches( Novell and Win2003, 2008 servers, Telco, Desktop, Lotus Notes, Security, You name it. Massive US travel. Supported Dallas, Denver, Houston, Salt Lake City offices, Quarterly NY. LA travels. ( I will not travel anymore for a Job because of this place) Laid off, new CIO went to outsourcing. 80K plus OT came to almost 100K plus MANY, MANY benefits. ( Free hotels, Limos, High dollar dinners, nice office. Basically living the exec life style. I would never do it again. Dealing with arrogant millionaires, Ahole people. Do not miss it one bit. Had to wear a freaking tie also.
2011 - XXXXX - Temp first level support(4Month temp Job) 19 per hr. Resetting passwords, imaging PC's
2011 - Prime Controls - Server builds, Cell phone administration. IT Purchasing, Desktop, cabling 75K
2012 -2015 XXXXX - Called back to run and manage the service desk. Excellent , best job ever, worked from home 1 day a week, could do whatever I want, good company. Life was the best!!!! 2013 Employee of the year, 2014 company acquired..........June 2015 laid off and all IT moved off, Service Desk operations ran out of CA. 90-110K
2015 - Temp ****, cant get a job worth anything, found out I suck ass in interviews. I had super old certifications. Many places laughed at me because I didn't even have the A+ and door was shut fast. Life sucks, I have no money, all the toys have been sold. Ex wife is helping with the bills LOL. Doing the CompTIA track, from the WIA, then MCSA on the server side. Will cert myself up. Things will be different in 12 months.

ramrunner800

Title: SOC Analyst
Hour/wk: 40
Description: SIEM monitoring and network forensics
Company Size: 5000+
Company Type: [Redacted]
Age: 28
Duration: 10 Months
How: Applied on DICE and interviewed. This was a career change, and my first IT role. I previously worked as an operations analyst in Law Enforcement, which was viewed as somewhat complementary role.
Certs: A+, N+, S+, CCENT, C|EH
Education: BA - Political Sciecne
Pay: Started 80K with benefits, ended 110k with benefits


Title: Cyber Incident Response Analyst
Hour/wk: 40
Description: Incident Response/Digital Forensics
Company Size: 50k+
Company Type: [Redacted]
Age: 29
Duration: Current Job, 1 year so far
How: Applied on Indeed and interviewed
Certs: A+, N+, S+, CCENT, C|EH when hired, GCFE and GCFA since starting
Education: BA - Political Sciecne
Pay: $130k, much better benefits, and and as much SANS as I can handle

zxbane

ramrunner800 wrote: »

Title: SOC Analyst
Hour/wk: 40
Description: SIEM monitoring and network forensics
Company Size: 5000+
Company Type: [Redacted]
Age: 28
Duration: 10 Months
How: Applied on DICE and interviewed. This was a career change, and my first IT role. I previously worked as an operations analyst in Law Enforcement, which was viewed as somewhat complementary role.
Certs: A+, N+, S+, CCENT, C|EH
Education: BA - Political Sciecne
Pay: Started 80K with benefits, ended 110k with benefits


Title: Cyber Incident Response Analyst
Hour/wk: 40
Description: Incident Response/Digital Forensics
Company Size: 50k+
Company Type: [Redacted]
Age: 29
Duration: Current Job, 1 year so far
How: Applied on Indeed and interviewed
Certs: A+, N+, S+, CCENT, C|EH when hired, GCFE and GCFA since starting
Education: BA - Political Sciecne
Pay: $130k, much better benefits, and and as much SANS as I can handle

This sounds like a great opportunity. Make solid pay and get tons of expensive training that will only make you more marketable. Congrats!

Out of curiosity, what area are you in and what industry is this with?

markulous

Title: Support Specialist
Hour/wk: 40
Description: Reset passwords, minor browser troubleshooting
Age: 30
Duration: 3 months
Certs: None
Education: AS IT
Pay: $10 an hour

Title: Desktop Support
Hour/wk: 40
Description: Temp job, migrating XP to 7 for a large company
Age: 30
Duration: 3 months
Certs: None
Education: AS IT
Pay: $16 an hour


Title: Service Desk Technician
Hour/wk: 40
Description: Remote End-user support
Age: 30
Duration: 8 months
Certs: None
Education: AS IT
Pay: $16 an hour


Title: Service Desk Level 2
Hour/wk: 40
Description: Take escalations, Exchange, DNS, firewalls, some end user issues also
Age: 31
Duration: 11 Months
Certs: MTA: OS, S+, N+, CCENT, Project+
Education: AS IT
Pay: 45k

Title: Technical Support Engineer
Hour/wk: 40
Desc: Work for VMware supporting various products, mainly View
Age: 32
Duration: 7 months
Certs: CCNA R&S, CCNA S, Linux+, N+, P+, S+, MTA OS, etc
Education: BS IT Security
Pay: 65k-70k after bonuses

Title: Support Services Engineer
Hour/wk: 40
Desc: Provided SIEM support
Duration: 2 months (Yeah, they sucked)
Certs: CCNA R&S, CCNA S, Linux+, N+, P+, S+, MTA OS, etc
Education: BS IT Security, Enrolled in MS
Pay: 63k after bonuses

Title: Systems Administrator
Hour/wk: 40-45
Desc: JOAT for around 100 end-users. Systems, networking, security, etc.
Duration: Current
Certs: CCNA R&S, CCNA S, VCP6-DTM, Linux+, N+, P+, S+, MTA OS, etc
Education: BS IT Security, Enrolled in MS
Pay: 57k, then 60k after probation period.

Yeah slight paycut for this job, but WAY better commute, and I get to learn a crap ton of stuff which will get me into an infosec position.

joemc3

Title: Fledgling
Hour/wk: 80
Description: I would throw bottles and paper wads at super heroes. I usually got an annoying glance. I am looking forward to them noticing me.
Company size: 100
Age: 23
Duration: Starting in April
How: Applied and interviewed
Certs: None
Education: Streets
Pay: 100k


Title: Nemisis
Hour/wk: 60
Description: Things have went well, I was able to lick from the nemesis pop sickle thus granting me actual superpowers. Batman didn't see it coming. Those 54 chevies are heavy....good times. I ran and grabbed a beer, he threw out the bat signal. I am on my 3rd beer...relaxing
Company size: 1
Age: 26
Duration: Starting in April
How: Recruiter
Certs: None
Education: Streets
Pay: 1 mill

Title: Arch Nemisis
Hour/wk: 30
Description: I can't ask for more. Through study I have been able to hone and deepen my skills. I was through through the side of a taco bell today. Batman finally caught up with me. We fought for a bit, I through hot fire grease on him. His belt slipped off and he wasn't any use to anyone anymore. I grabbed a crave case out the door. Time will tell where my career takes me.
Company size: 1
Age: 29
Duration: Infinite
How: Word of mouth
Certs: None
Education: Streets
Pay: 1 bill