Transition from Desktop Support to Network Administration

Any tips out there for transitioning from a desktop support job to network administration?

A little background. I went to a school for four years to earn a bachelor's degree, but never completed. With a wife and a baby on the way, I'm not going to have the time in the immediate future to finish. I have experience in call center environments, but recently, I have worked for almost two years in desktop support for a law firm.

I want to move up in career. I have taken an interest in networking infrastructure, but at my current job, there's no place for me to learn anything more.

I'm currently working on a CCNA certificate (which is actually how I ended up here). Any further advice is appreciated.

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Danielh22185

I for one can say it is doable. I recently was in a desktop / helpdesk role for 2 years. I started there with high hopes I would move into a networking role but it never happened. I had my CCNA but that job just didn’t want to commit to me. So, I started looking around. Many places turned me down because I lacked the "networking" experience to fulfill the job so be prepared to face rejection on being considered.

Now I am working as a Tier 1 Network Engineer for one of the largest enterprise Cisco environments in the world. Also, be prepared to do the grunt work when first transitioning. The most common job will be doing infrastructure monitoring or something of that nature. It’s a great way to learn the ropes of how the company operates from a network perspective, and then you can go from there.

Get your CCNA and you will be a huge step closer!

gdeusthewhizkid

great thread already.. Im in the same transition myself. going from support specialist to a administrator..

higherho

I went from a help desk position to a SA (low level SA but more powers than the Help desk) in a matter of months. If you know Active directory, DNS, server roles, and group policy well enough to be able to trouble shoot basic issues or setup policies I think it wont be an issue in getting into an Administrator role (windows one that is).

If you want to gain knowledge of those roles, look for what the position asks you to know (every administrator position I've seen is different). Once you see that then go for those skills. For a Network role I would study Cisco (of Juniper if its popular in your area). Pick up those basic administrator roles in your support position (if you can) or shadow an administrator from time to time to pick up that knowledge. I've been doing this for the past 3.5 years and its been paying off.

Just look for what companies want and focus on that and have great consumer skills. Seriously, I think this is the one thing why people are giving me a chance.

NetworkVeteran

mikeybikes wrote: »

Any tips out there for transitioning from a desktop support job to network administration?

..but never completed.

Okay so, your highest level of completed education is high school.

I want to move up in career. I have taken an interest in networking infrastructure, but at my current job, there's no place for me to learn anything more.

Someone is maintaining your network. That someone may be open to helping you if you're polite and help them in some tangible way. You scratch my back, I scratch your back.

I'm currently working on a CCNA certificate (which is actually how I ended up here). Any further advice is appreciated.

That would be a serious asset.

Good luck.

paul78

mikeybikes wrote: »

With a wife and a baby on the way....

That's great! Congratulations on your new family addition.

As for the other stuff, it sounds like you are doing the rights things. If your goal is to move into network administration, having the CCNA will be a great help. Everyone starts someplace and since you are already in IT, you have a good start.

Perhaps you can see if there are extra duties you can take on in your current job to get some experience with network administration.

Roguetadhg

NetworkVetern has the point.

You do some dirty work the guy/gal doesn't want to do herself. Gives her some RnR while you go out and mess with problems. Free work and all

Putting yourself out there is the big point. You need to take the bull by the horns and not wait for something to come your way.

Devilry

NetVet's idea is the best here, offer to help out and shadow your network engineer.. those guys are usually overloaded and would love a eager willing hand.

blargoe

I think it's more doable in a smaller company where IT folks have to wear multiple hats. That is the path that I took and many others that I know.

RouteThisWay

blargoe wrote: »

I think it's more doable in a smaller company where IT folks have to wear multiple hats. That is the path that I took and many others that I know.

Same here. I worked in a helpdesk capacity for a ~100 user company. Became pretty good friends with the sys admin and net admin. They pretty much mentored me and let me cut my teeth on their networks. Took those skills to a sys admin job for another small business ~120 users and just absorbed everything I could learn. I did networking, server admin, vmware (fell in love), etc etc.. typical Jack of All Trades.

I am about to transition from the small business realm to the enterprise level Fortune 500 company realm where there are actually different OS teams, network teams, etc. It is going to be really different from "if it has a power cord, it is my problem". My team is actually pretty small (3 people) but we are focused on nothing but virtualization.

From my experience, it is all about getting enough of the skills you want to work with and being able to translate that into a new opportunity for you.

txraider09

I currently work as a L2 Desktop Role for a large company. Ive been here two years and im also trying to get out into the network world. Still working on getting the CCNA. While my company is great and possibly have the opportunity to transition into NOC, im starting to think going with a small business is the way to go. Like what RouteThisWay stated, having to do many roles can only help you and gather your exp.

FloOz

i am in the same situation. i am a recent grad with my a+ and working as a desktop engineer. i plan on taking my n+ and ccent in the next few months and hopefully i can get a promotion

Quench24

I'm currently working as a Desktop Technician with one other guy fielding tickets using Remedy. I use Active Directory, Remedy ticketing software, and work with Windows. I image a lot of laptops and set them up for directors. I've been here a month and I've only really resolved one or two tickets.(I didn't have access to Remedy) So its like I follow a script that tells me what to do step by step to image and configure a laptop, which is using the command prompt, creating directories in dos, dos commands, and wizards. If anyone has any questions don't hesitate to ask!

scaredoftests

I have transitioned so many times between different types of roles(Network Admin to Database Manager to Helpdesk Engineer to Business Analyst to Sysadmin/DBA (to name a few transitions), so it is doable. Just relax and ask a lot of questions.

jacksonr

Exactly the same boat. Passed the Network+ in August and working towards my CCENT/CCNA.
Getting married next month so kinda put study on hold till after Christmas but after that....