Career advice for 31 years old

mustafafekaiki · November 2018

Hello guys
I am here to share and hopefully get some useful advice . My IT career journey started two years ago . I had some basic computer skills and experience with 4 years computer engineering degree and lots of motivation to learn , so I decided to study for CCNA , after I passed the exam I thankfully got a job as an IT support . I have been working for two years , but I want to become a network admin / Engineer . Honestly in my job I don't have a lot to do with networking , phones or even server . It is basic IT support that I feel I am wasting my time .

I don't want to stuck in this role fixing computer issues here and there , I am the only guy in the office , but the whole IT team in different location. That's why I feel discouraged , scared sometimes and less motivated to work alone with no help. I need some advice in order to help me draw a different vision for my career that could help me somehow to move up and hopefully get a better job .

I am thinking to go back to school and get a degree or master degree , sometimes I say let me just take the certification path to develop my skills and get some experience .

I am a little confused .

Thank you in advance for any advice or comment

SteveLavoie · November 2018

You have a degree, some certs and basic experience. So you have to either move laterally in your company (please make sure that your boss know of y our intent) or brush up your resume and hit some door. Consider relocating if required, location is important.

Finally, you can get more basic certs like A+, Network+, Security+, it could help you get into the door. If you started a masters, I would not tell them, you will be categorized for over-educated for the kind of jobs you are searching.

UnixGuy · November 2018

now that you have a CCNA, have you tried to get a job in networking? tried applying?

start studying for CCNP and create a home lab, polish your CV and start applying. See what the market needs and build those skills!

I don't recommend going back to school for a technical masters degree IF the goal is to be a network engineer/admin

Jon_Cisco · November 2018

Honestly for an entry level job 2 years seems to be a sweet spot when reading these forums. Brush up your resume and go look for a promotion. Now is all about selling yourself. Got a degree check. Got a certification check. Got experience check.

I would discourage going for a higher degree until you gain some confidence and have a specific goal in mind.

AvgITGeek · November 2018

What do you like to do? So many get into IT thinking "I want to fix computers and that is it." So they get their A+ and start doing just that. Some people are completely cool doing that. You have experience with the level 1 help desk stuff and have your CCNA, why not start branching out and applying for those entry level network admin positions. Experience is great. Certs back it up.

scaredoftests · November 2018

Start sending out resumes and see if you get any nibbles! Meanwhile, learn as much as you can!

impelse · November 2018

I would begin to look for a small IT company, like small MSP, the salary is not high like the big companies, however you will be able to put your hands on a lot of IT toys like servers, firewalls, Office 365, switches, etc, etc. The MSP do a lot of migrations and implementation, it is a good place to sharp your skills

mustafafekaiki · December 2018

I THANK all of you for your supportive comments . This is so helpful guys . Thanks a lot

Career advice for 31 years old

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