Take a pay cut to learn new skills? (AWS / Splunk / SalesForce / Network Virtualizati

I'm currently making a very good salary as a sys admin, and have high job security. Primarily I work with Windows servers, and VMWare. Much of my time however is spent supporting specialized apps that are used in healthcare.

I have my eye on a jr. position that states they are looking for people who are eager to learn, and work with stuff like AWS, Ansible, Splunk, Salesforce and network virtualization. They also mention that they prefer someone with Python or Bash exerpience which I don't have but who knows lol.

I'd probably take a 20% pay cut. Its at an ivy league school.

What do you think? Should I apply?

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GirlyGirl

A good portion of what I do in my career has something to do with money.

With that being said, if I am making good money I am not sure if any skill is worth a pay decrease.

Those skills are great skills to have. That really are. But, go to LinkedIn and isolate the results to your state. I hope you have the prem memebership. If your area is saturated with the skills you listed, it'll either takes years or relocation in order to make the money you are currently making. Just something to think about.

Why didn't you apply first???

If I see a great job I apply THEN talk/write about it later. While you are here considering applying 6 people probably already applied two of which has Python and/or Bash experience. Never wait for a good opportunity. Sometimes those positions are quick hire and they really need people. So, the recruiter for the position might only look at the first 5 or 6 resumes. Maybe less. If you get people that have 3-5 page resumes, how many resumes are you really reading a day? Probably not that many without falling asleep with your head on your desk. We should be realistic here. If I was a recruiter I would find the first 2-3 best fit close enough has most of what I want resumes and push them forward.

GG

JoJoCal19

minit wrote: »

I'm currently making a very good salary as a sys admin, and have high job security. Primarily I work with Windows servers, and VMWare. Much of my time however is spent supporting specialized apps that are used in healthcare.

I have my eye on a jr. position that states they are looking for people who are eager to learn, and work with stuff like AWS, Ansible, Splunk, Salesforce and network virtualization. They also mention that they prefer someone with Python or Bash exerpience which I don't have but who knows lol.

I'd probably take a 20% pay cut. Its at an ivy league school.

What do you think? Should I apply?

I would do it just based on the fact you’re supporting proprietary software that may not giv you skills to use elsewhere. If you can afford to do it, I’d do it for a couple of years those skills are in high demand and you’d be able to make a huge jump in salary.

johndoee

It all boils down to finances.

Most Americans live up to whatever salary that are making. If your living quarters, debt of all sorts, and financial obligations can't sustain a pay decrease don't do it. Credit decrease, hardship, bills being paid late, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is not worth experience.

Getting 1 year of experience in any technology is still considered entry level. Two years is still considered entry level. Mid and Senior Level positions require more experience. That is also where the money is being made.

N7Valiant

Depends on your age, but if you're still young I would jump at the opportunity. I would expect AWS to shrink the pool of sysadmins, so it would be good to get ahead of the curve before that happens, and it may be more lucrative as more companies look at migrating to AWS.

EANx

Don't forget to convert the benefits to a dollar-equivalent, universities typically have better bennies than the corporate world. If the 20% pay cut allows you to still pay your bills, you might find you come out ahead. Especially if they still offer a pension.

blargoe

I am in a similar boat to the OP, I am making well above market for my current role, at least on paper, and have outstanding job security and benefits.

However, being at a company well behind the curve in technology, processes, and modern toolsets; the longer I stick around, the further behind I fall with respect to remaining relevant and marketable in IT as I enter middle age. I can only do so much to mitigate skillset obsoletion in an arena where managing infrastructure and making decisions about technology in general have been based on a mid 1990's mindset by people who were promoted well beyond their competency. Automating my own personal silo can only get me so far, if no one else is ever challenged to leave their comfort zone and embrace a better way. Things are slowly turning around (at least my immediate line of management "gets it"), but not fast enough for my satisfaction.

I have been working on retooling my bag of skills for the past couple of years on my own time and trying to incorporate as much of that into my daily routine as I can, with the hope that when I do decide to make the leap into whatever I do next, that I will be able to demonstrate a basic competency, and the hit to the paycheck and retirement contributions is minimal or not a factor at all. I have never been one to live beyond my means, but that doesn't mean I don't want to earn as much as I can during my prime working years.

GeekyChick

It sounds like a job that's worth applying for. I started my career at a university and loved working there. One other possible benefit to working at a university is getting a degree paid for. I had the opportunity to have my master's degree paid for and I unfortunately didn't take advantage of it. I guess I was too young and lazy. Also, I met a lot of vendors and was able to get my next job from one of the vendors. Anyway, good luck to you.

ITSec14

I agree with the yes's. This could take your career and earnings potential to a whole new level.

LordQarlyn

I echo the yes's too. Getting in on hot technology, especially getting in early, can be very lucrative. It can easily be worth a short-term pay cut. Plan carefully, work out a budget with the lower salary, and decide if you feel it's worth it to take the plunge.

SteveLavoie

I would say if you are in your 20's, with no kids or SO to support do it without hesitation. Use this to get experience and do some Univ class at low or no cost.

chrisone

Do you really need to exchange your current salary and job security in order to learn these technologies? I am sure you are more than free and capable enough to pick up some courses / books on AWS, Splunk, Network Virtualization, SalesForce, Python, Bash).

You don't need a job in order for you to learn anything. Do not wait for someone to give you anything.

Is there something else you are looking for? another reason why you want to get this job? are you looking to change from the systems admin field? I mean the above technologies almost seems systems admin-ish, a little networking and programming spinkled into it, but for the majority it seems like system admin related.

In all honesty I am not really so sure I would jump ship for those technologies you mentioned above.

edit: looking at the glass half full at your current job.
1. You can get AWS certified on your own time and studies, during your tenure at your current work. Free account Free Student account , Learn
2. You can learn Splunk on your own and free online and possibly demo it at work. "You have to learn how to sell a product to your organization too." Install this , learn , free vs paid
3. You can learn network virutalization on the side as well. Broad term here, what do YOU "not they" but what type of network virtualization do YOU want to learn?
4. SalesForce, this is a broad term, what type of salesforce responsibilities will you be doing? are you really sure you want to get involved with managing anything SaleForce related?
5. You can learn Python and Bash free online. You can also pick up some awesome books on the subject as well. I recommend Python Crash Course. Get started with Python, another great python resource, Bash online , proper Bash.

johndoee

chrisone wrote: »

Do you really need to exchange your current salary and job security in order to learn these technologies? I am sure you are more than free and capable enough to pick up some courses / books on AWS, Splunk, Network Virtualization, SalesForce, Python, Bash).

You don't need a job in order for you to learn anything. Do not wait for someone to give you anything.

Is there something else you are looking for? another reason why you want to get this job? are you looking to change from the systems admin field? I mean the above technologies almost seems systems admin-ish, a little networking and programming spinkled into it, but for the majority it seems like system admin related.

In all honesty I am not really so sure I would jump ship for those technologies you mentioned above.

This is the best response as of yet.

You will receive positive rep in 3 seconds.

I forgot I responded to this already. Ok, the second best response as of yet.

chrisone

hahaha thanks, I added a little more based on why I viewed things as "the glass half full" outlook.

LeBroke

chrisone wrote: »

Do you really need to exchange your current salary and job security in order to learn these technologies? I am sure you are more than free and capable enough to pick up some courses / books on AWS, Splunk, Network Virtualization, SalesForce, Python, Bash).

You don't need a job in order for you to learn anything. Do not wait for someone to give you anything.

Agreed with most points, but..

No-one is going to trust you to do AWS stuff if you don't already have practical experience with it. Just like you can learn enough Python to augment your sysadmin job on the side and talk about it in an interview, but you aren't going to be hired as a Python developer.

AWS certs don't really matter.

This is a great opportunity for the OP and I'd do it in a flash.

chrisone

It all depends on his goal. If you are just trying to learn new technologies, I don't think its necessary to quit your job. If you do not like your current job and want to move to another department, I get it, you have to go where you want to go.

shochan

I don't think I would ever take a pay cut unless I had already sold off all my assets and downsized to where I moved back home with my parents. I am sure everyone's circumstances are different.

minit

Thank you for all the input, you guys are awesome. I probably should have added that I'm totally burnt out on my current job and can't stand it lol. I do have a couple young kids so it's a bit scary, but I'm a saver. So here goes nothin!

chmod

You need to have a clear idea of where you want to be to do something like that, learn just to learn is nice if you have financial stability but learn to reach certain goal might be worth it if you will get a ROI.

minit

The ROI will be the experienced gained in rapidly growing technology.

LordQarlyn

chrisone wrote: »

Do you really need to exchange your current salary and job security in order to learn these technologies? I am sure you are more than free and capable enough to pick up some courses / books on AWS, Splunk, Network Virtualization, SalesForce, Python, Bash).

You don't need a job in order for you to learn anything. Do not wait for someone to give you anything.

LOL we all know that. There is a big difference between self taught versus on the job training. If I am interviewing two candidates for a position that requires experience in a new technology, I am going to weigh heavily (but not automatically choose) towards the one who has paid professional experience versus one who read a few books and watch a few videos. Real world experience trumps education most of the time.

yoba222

I'd be wary, particularly because of a pay cut. What they describe in the job ad and what they say you'll be doing on the job might not be what you end up doing.

ITSpectre

I will do the honest thing and say no. no. and NO again.....Never wait on someone to give you anything. Since you do not already have the experience and knowledge you have to take a pay cut...... which hurts you for now but will you make up for it later??? Depends on you.

I would honestly not take the pay cut but instead focus my time and energy on learning what you wish to learn.

Everything listed are things you can learn online, for free, in your spare time, for NO pay cut. if you don't know, then you can learn. Learn the things you need to learn then you can walk in with a Higher pay grade vs a pay cut.

ITSpectre

yoba222 wrote: »

I'd be wary, particularly because of a pay cut. What they describe in the job ad and what they say you'll be doing on the job might not be what you end up doing.

Exactly..... another thing to keep in mind.

soccarplayer29

There's been some mixed opinions in this thread. You know your circumstances better than us. OP says they have savings and fed up with current work environment.

You've committed to your decision to take the leap. You seem passionate and you'll learn these new trending technologies quickly because you're motivated. You'll jump back to your current salary level quickly and will have some more transferable skills if you don't progress as you had hoped and can move to other companies. I commend you for taking the hard road and self-examining yourself and your skillset and taking actions to align with what you're seeing in the marketplace.

Stay focused and driven and enjoy all the learning!

chmod

You need to have a career plan, learning just for the sake of learning is great if you don't affect your situation or make unnecesary sacrifices, like learning another language or getting your MBA while working and making decent/good money in something you enjoy/like, you may use those skills or may not but you have the money and time and want to improve yourself.

Making a sacrifice just to learn something that may not use or is not aligned with your career plan/path, IMO makes no sense.

If you want to become a software architech or a high level telecom consultant/engineer, you should prepare to get there, to get where you want to be and work hard for it.

If you want to become an integrator/sys admin/consultant of/for a SaaS/CRM/Cloud apps or something along those lines, taking a pay cut to get htose skills to later make a move to that arena, then it is a great idea and go for it.

Just make sure to invest your time/money and effort in something that is aligned with your life plans(profesionally speaking). you will always find jobs posted with several skills you might not have and that sounds interesting and exciting, but if it is not something you see yourself doing the next few years and building a career upon it & to therefore get wherever you want to get, as i already said IMO makes no sense.