Getting out of help desk- path to moving to a jr. sys admin or network admin role?

At this point, after being on Help Desk for 2 years now I'm completely burnt out. I honestly can't take it anymore. What was the path you guys took to get out of the help desk? I have my network+ booked for April, Security+ for July and I'm teaching myself Python & Powershell throughout the year. Next year, I'm going for the CCNA & MCSA Server 2016, which I have VM's for & CBTNuggets. Is there anything else I should be working on?

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scaredoftests

have you applied to Jr. sys admin positions to see if you get a response? Are there positions where you work that you can move up to? Do you have a lab at home to practice on?

musicjunkie

Haven't applied to them yet. I'm still looking to improve on scripting, then I will apply to them. I'm looking to make the move next year. Sadly, there are no positions at my current place where I can technically move up.

NetworkNewb

To get out of the help desk I would say get the CCNA or MCSA asap. Sec+ and Net+ teach a good foundation but I wouldn't count on those helping you much past entry level positions. Depending on what position you want to go into would determine which you would want to do first. (Systems side or Network side)

With 2 years experience you should probably try and apply to other positions you're interested in though.

TheFORCE

musicjunkie wrote: »

Haven't applied to them yet. I'm still looking to improve on scripting, then I will apply to them. I'm looking to make the move next year. Sadly, there are no positions at my current place where I can technically move up.

Don't fall in the same trap than other do. The logic of "i lack this skills so I'll get better at xyz before i apply" is flawed.

why? Because lets say you get good at scripting, then you will be overqualified for whatever role and then you will say, well i lack virtualization experience so I'll get a cert on that.

What you are doing is essentially raising roadblocks on your own.

Instead, if you want to move, you should look to move to jobs that you can do 50/50 or even 40/60 aka junior jobs so you can keep moving forward in experience but also learning skills in the new job rather than learning the skill prior to getting the job.

There's always going to be knowledge and skills we lack but thats expected, perfection cannot be achieved and if you try you will always see your self as always failing.

so, just go and apply to whatever job interests you now, not later

ThePawofRizzo

Honestly, study for CCNA or MCSA if you want an Jr Admin position, although if you're studying for CCNA, you could probably do a quick segway after to Net+ as you would probably be in a good place to pickup a Net+ book for a quick review and testing.

I would do Sec+ in time, but I agree the more advanced certs would probably get your a Jr Admin chance faster. Keep learning scripting as that is helpful, and actually I don't run into too many IT admins even that know much about scripting.

I was fortunate after about three year Desktop support to find a role that was an "analyst" role supporting desktops and a few on site servers at branch offices, wireless access points, etc. Kinda smart hands for the admins. That helped me use the skills I knew and learn new ones as a "bridge" to an admin role later.

mikey88

+1 TheFORCE

You completed step one which is realizing that you need to gtfo out of helpdesk early on before it drains the life out of you. Next step is take a leap of faith and apply to positions you are not fully qualified.

Muhammed H

Do you really need CCNA+MCSA (Full) for a junior sys admin position? Specially the amount of materials covered in MCSA (both 2012 & 2016) are pretty well above than the Junior sys admin position!

N7Valiant

Muhammed H wrote: »

Do you really need CCNA+MCSA (Full) for a junior sys admin position? Specially the amount of materials covered in MCSA (both 2012 & 2016) are pretty well above than the Junior sys admin position!

Given that everyone and their cats are looking to get out of Help Desk? Yeah.

TheFORCE

N7Valiant wrote: »

Given that everyone and their cats are looking to get out of Help Desk? Yeah.

"Everyone" is not from the OP's location. When you are looking for a job the first person you are competing is with yourself.

N7Valiant

TheFORCE wrote: »

"Everyone" is not from the OP's location. When you are looking for a job the first person you are competing is with yourself.

And a close 2nd is other people.

Just saying, retail was the only job I ever applied for where I didn't face stiff competition. An MCSA would be quite the competitive advantage.

Mike R

I've seen plenty of people take on the Jr (insert role here) and have 0 experience outside of school. To be quite honest we had an intern with a BS from a well known school who couldn't do squat. His internship was canceled and now he's a sys admin somewhere.

I wouldn't get to hung up on the titles and look more towards what are the requirements of the role. I do everything at this small MSP, Help Desk, Network admin, Server admin, and sales. You could put 4 different titles on what I do but as of right now I'm a Network Admin.

Your plan is great! Aim for a CCNA or MCSA and you'll find yourself fielding multiple offers if you do reasonably well at interviewing. Certs and degrees can help get you into the interview room but ultimately it's the interview that determines if your hired (with or without certs/degree).

IIIMaster

I agree apply for the roles. You have experience just talk your way in at that point. Study the certs on the back end as it will only make you more desirable.

technogoat

MSCA is more crtical priority for Sys Admin than CCNA

I never see Sys admin jobs requiring CCNA since it's for networking people

why not just go for MSCE ?

you should keep applying to jr sys admin jobs as well

Onita

You really should decide on a direction to head - systems or network side and focus on that. Apply for jobs while studying.

DoubleNNs

I agree. Pick networking or OSes or automation or cloud, etc. Go deep in that one subject until you get a job off of that skill. They start to branch out after.

backtracker

+1 on the Server track MCSA (since there are both on the MS side). Doesn't hurt to have a server and client OS cert in the vendor you are hoping to manage.

yoba222

I got out of my first entry level job by applying elsewhere over and over and over and over again. Eventually some company that needed someone badly enough hired me.

Cingular

There's been a lot of great responses in this thread already, alas I'll add my two cents...

Best piece of advice I can give would be to first try and pick a path you are most/more passionate about whether it be Systems, or Networking and get cracking on the baseline certifications within whichever stream you choose.

So, if you really love/enjoy Sys Admin/Engineer work...Go with something like MCSA/MCSE. Or if you're like myself...I took the networking path and grabbed the CCNA self-study kit and made the push to become a network administrator.

However, don't think that you need to have the certs BEFORE you start applying...Start studying, get to know the material/concepts, practice on some virtual kit if you can while trying to find a company that will give you a shot! Nothing will prepare you better, or force you to learn quicker than the experience you'll gain on the job.

Best weapon you have is your brain, you may not know all the answers, or have all the skills...But given the opportunity and presented with a problem, you will make it work.

kurosaki00

Muhammed H wrote: »

Do you really need CCNA+MCSA (Full) for a junior sys admin position? Specially the amount of materials covered in MCSA (both 2012 & 2016) are pretty well above than the Junior sys admin position!

Some places yeah. Here CCNA wont get you out of a help desk or noc position.

Some great advice in the thread. Something I want to add:
Develop your interpersonal skills. Know how to interview, know how to be social and polite. Know how to do rapport.