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Big Jizay wrote: » I have always had a desire to get into networking, but I haven't been able to get a job in this field yet. I've been a helpdesk rep for about a year now troubleshooting proprietary software, and would like to get out! My company does have a NOC department, but the manager is the biggest jerk that I've ever seen, so that isn't an option for me. I guess I could study for my CCNA. What else should I do? Education: AAS in Network Technology AAS in Cisco Systems A+, Network+, MCSA
Big Jizay wrote: » The NOC at my job sounds different than the NOC that you described. At my job, the NOC mostly monitors routers, switches, and some servers. They mostly escalate issues to the Networks department, and don't physically address the issue themselves. Some of the NOC techs are not happy there because they basically don't get to touch anything. These NOC techs don't really have specific titles like Windows engineer or Linux engineer. They all have access to perform all duties assigned to the NOC. I know all of the guys that work in the NOC, and they all want to get out of there . Not very inviting. I know the NOC manager a little bit, and we've never had any problems with each other. However, I've seen and heard the way that he treats his employees, and in my opinion, it's not acceptable at all. He screams and curses at them! My passion would be either Linux or Windows engineering. The few NOC's that I've heard about, it seems that Linux is very important. I guess I could study that as well. So if I decided to go with Linux engineering as far as a NOC, what should be the next steps that I take to possibly make this happen?
human151 wrote: » Definetlely work on your CCNA. I see you have your MCSA, you do not want to do Sys admin? I think thats the way to go, rather working in a NOC, atleast imo. NOCS are 24/7 and the NOC techs do not ussually get to perform any configurations or real toubleshooting. But then again if your just starting out its not bad.
Panzer919 wrote: » sounds like the NOC manager is a slave driver. There is a local bank here in ohio that their NOC is like that. If you want to get into windows look for helpdesk positons while you get your certs or what ever in linux/windows. helpdesk is the trenches of the IT industry and its not always bad. who knows you may get in and have the admin leave then you can just try and apply for their position.
murdatapes wrote: » All true. Trust me. Been in the NOC for almost 5 years. Great, great starting point, but my man, please do not get to comfortable with the job. That's how I messed up. Thinking when I got the job, this was the end of my job searching for a very long time. The problem was I didn't pick back up my cert learning until 2008 (when I started my MS track), but my last cert before that was 2004 (network+). I figured this was the job of my dreams. Which at the time it was. I was learning severs, monitoring network devices, reading DoS attack outputs, monitoring network traffic, building severs, fixing raid issues. Cool as ****. Problem is, im still doing the same damn thing. Seen people I started with leave to be a sys admin in another departments, or leave cause they picked up certs and leaving to be a sys admin, or network admin at another company, and my dumb ass thinking, "where's everyone going." I finally figured out that they were going to get some money, and learn on the job, what they have been studying. I realized this in 2008 when I started for my MCSA. I love my job, but you really never get to touch the good stuff. You may get a taste or a sprinkle during your hours of work, but never get to get into it. I would never take away my experience I have gotten on my job, but in the NOC, you hunger for more. So just this year I picked back up my certs and learning more (mcse track). See in the NOC, if you let them, they will keep you there. But I have learned in this IT thing, that you get your knowledge (1 year or so) and you move on, until you find that job you been wanting. On the way you are picking some invaluable experience. Keep studying man, don't ever stop. Every cert you get, should be looking to raise the bar in the job market as well as you did when studied for the cert you obtain or just studied for. And don't worry about jerks, they all over IT. Some guys help you, some guys brush you off. Shouldn't matter to you. Just keep learning, ask questions, take risk, and when you get to the NOC, obtain the knowledge (1 year or so), then look to move up or on.
Big Jizay wrote: » Good advice! That's pretty much been my plan: To work in a job for 1 or 2 years, and move on to the next. Also, to keep receiving certs. It'll be officially 1 year since I was hired into the helpdesk at the end of Sept. I'm hoping to get into a NOC position within the next 1 or 2 months. In my first post, I stated my degrees and certs. Is that enough to get a NOC position? Also, what types of companies have NOC departments? It seems that ISP's do.
murdatapes wrote: » More than enough to get in there. Web Hosting companies and ISP's. Also a lot of government jobs. Like IT departments for school sectors, or state.
murdatapes wrote: » We have a in house software called singularity or SMS that one of our Unix engineers wrote. Yeah ours is not all that sophisticated. Monitors server services, and alerts you in red with its completely down. Links to our ticketing system. Look up government departments in your city. Go to there website. They should have an IT department/NOC. I interviewed for a sys admin job for the city I live in their IT department about a year 1/2 ago. Couldn't hire me cause of the budget (which you will find a lot of government jobs go through). They over saw the servers and network for the city.
CChN wrote: » You want to work in a NOC? I hope you have a strong dislike for sleep.
Big Jizay wrote: » Uh oh, that doesn't sound good . Is there something I should know about a NOC that I probably don't know?
JavonR wrote: » Depending on the type of NOC and the company, you can expect a fair bit of shifting and overtime. NOCs are also usually 24/7, so in rare situations you can go 8 hrs (or less depending on local labor laws) in between shifts (work till 12am, start at 8 next day etc).. Again, it depends on the company, but what I described are realistic expectations you should have.
networker050184 wrote: » Our NOC guys only have to work their assigned shifts. Its the other groups that the NOC calls for escalation that has to work the long hours. The other groups work all day and if something goes wrong in the middle of the night or weekend its them that has to fix it. When the end of their shift comes the next NOC guy comes on and the other groups remain troubleshooting the issue. The NOC guys do have to work after hours, but that would be their regular shift and its not like they are working extra.
Big Jizay wrote: » It's the same way at the company I work for. The NOC techs have the same hours and same days off every week. They rarely do any overtime. In fact, their boss would have a fit if they did a lot of overtime. Our networks dept and sys admins are the ones that put in the long hours.
tpatt100 wrote: » What have I noticed in my area? Unix is a huge plus. Plenty of Windows Admins but not as many Unix guys. Get good with Unix and Windows and you will find its easier interviewing for a NOC position. At my last place of employment I tend to view our Unix guys as the saying "In the valley of the blind, the one-eyed man is king" Reason? We have plenty of people with Windows experience but hardly anybody with above average experience in Unix. When the contract ended who did the new company hire on to stay? You got it the three Unix guys.
Big Jizay wrote: » At my job, there is a NOC tech that is leaving the company to work in another NOC somewhere else. Another person in our NOC dept has an interview today and most are expecting him to get that job in another company. In other words, one position will definitely be open, but it seems that two positions might be open soon as well. Should I apply for one of those jobs? The NOC boss is a jerk, but rumors are going around that he might leave soon too. If he doesn't leave, should I still go after one of the NOC positions? Should I just put up with his attitude for one year?
4XJunkie wrote: » Ok, I am going to be blunt here. So I apologize in advance. You are never going to like everyone you work with. That is the business world. You need to learn to get over this "he is a jerk" thing. It will only hinder your performance. You need to grow thick skin and separate work and personal life. It isn't personal, it is business. So what if he is a jerk? Shut up, do your job, go home. Simple as that. Why on earth would you let someone hinder your career? You have a foot in the door at your company. This job you say is along the lines of what you want to do. So apply for it. Don't miss your opportunity because "someone is mean". That is absolutely ridiculous- risking your future and avancement because of how someone feels. If you turn down opportunities, jobs, etc because you don't like someone, they are mean, they don't like you, etc... then I am afraid your career will remain stagnant. You need to realize that the world doesn't hand anyone anything. If you want it, you take it. You improve yourself. Personal anecdote here. I had a manager who did not like me, period. So he tried to get me to quit. He assigned me more work than everyone else, had me go do things near impossible above my capabilities. But instead of whining about how he doesn't like me and is not fair, all it did was beef up my resume. And I found a new job, making more than him. And honestly, I need to thank him for providing me the opportunity to extend my skill set beyond that position. TLDR version? Of course apply for one of those jobs. Don't be intimidated by someone, and don't risk your career advancement because someone "is a jerk".
4XJunkie wrote: » Absolutely. Try and get in on your new boss' good side. Who knows, he may not be as big a jerk as you think. And if he is, just remember- you are adding onto your resume, improving yourself. Whatever you do, always act professional. I am not sure where you live but, the IT community out where I live ( a college city) is not too large. Everyone knows everyone. For instance, the guy who blew up and walked out of the position I am in has 6 years IT experience.. and the only thing he can get is first line entry level call center. Too many people know people who knew/know him.
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