Is Current Position Preparing Me For System Admin Role ? Wasting my Time ?

I am currently working as a tier 1 support... My support includes, trouble shooting ftp, web site scripts, troubleshooting outlook , ftp , and having very very solid knowledge of DNS settings especially for web.

In addition to it, I am also a billing specialist and sales specialists.

I am starting to work on my certification at this point , starting with network + , then security + and then on to MCSE and CCNA, also starting another BS in IT which will take me about 8 months since I only have to take core class.

How can I go on to becoming System Administrator / Network Administrator, my end goal is to go into DBA, but I need to start somewhere to get y feet wet.

Is current position help me or am I wasting my time ?

Ben

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

blargoe

You're not wasting your time. Is this your first job, or do you have other background?

In particular, understanding DNS is key for a system admin. I'm amazed at how some of my peers struggle with it, when it is such a central, crucial component of the infrastructure.

Any time you spend on the server side is good too. You will eventually want to move on to another role, or pick up some additional responsibilities, training, something to broaden your skill set. Whether you are a system admin or a SQL Admin, general skills such as client/server networking fundamentals, OS maintenance/troubleshooting, troubleshooting methodology in general will be important.

I couldn't tell you the best path to take to move to a DBA role. I have been the "de facto" SQL admin at my last 3 jobs because the companies didn't feel that having a dedicated DBA was all that important. I could transition to DBA if I wanted, but going from sysadmin to DBA might not be the best/easiest way.

bwcarty

benchod wrote: »

my end goal is to go into DBA

I'd start here and rework your questions and cert goals towards accomplishing the end goal.

You have the first major obstacle down towards getting a DBA type job - real world technical experience. Now you need to adjust your path towards becoming a DBA.

Personally, I don't see Network+ and Cisco certs fitting your goal. Configuring/maintaining network hardware and administering databases are worlds apart.

Look at the certs for the database platform you'd like to work on and go from there. If you go with MS SQL Server, consider the newer MCITP certs. MCSE carries more name recognition, but it's based on older technology. If your DB is going to be on 2008 server or later by the time you're a DBA, you might as well build your knowledge base on that platform.

Of course, if you're going with a *nix based DB platform, you can skip the Microsoft track entirely.

benchod

I am not sure how to get DBA experience.. Would Master in Computer Information System in Database from Boston University help me getting into DBA, I just don't want fork out $30,000 and not get anywhere.

I hate this catch 22...

I thought that the system admin / network will get me into a company and than start working on database certs and take it from there... suggestion ?

Let assume..that I want to get into System Admin Role, how can i get out of this tier 1 support role... I've been here for 5 months now.. I can't go anywhere in this company since everything is outsourced... and we only have 50 employees.

Ben

rsutton

Do you have other options that would be better experience? If not then where you are at is not a waste of time. If you have other options, then you may want to weigh the pros and cons of switching jobs. Despite the bad economy, I recommend taking better jobs when they become available.

You can't make any blanket statements about this subject, there are too many variables to consider for every person. You must always weigh the pros and cons.

benchod

It seems all the Admin jobs require lot of experience or luck to get it.

Is it really worth just going into another industry such as

IT Business Analyst / System Analyst etc... Rather than the admin route and get xx amount of certs and still not get anywhere ?

benchod

rsutton wrote: »

Do you have other options that would be better experience? If not then where you are at is not a waste of time. If you have other options, then you may want to weigh the pros and cons of switching jobs. Despite the bad economy, I recommend taking better jobs when they become available.

You can't make any blanket statements about this subject, there are too many variables to consider for every person. You must always weigh the pros and cons.

yes, I have a real estate license, maybe start selling homes for living?

rsutton

benchod wrote: »

yes, I have a real estate license, maybe start selling homes for living?

If that is what makes you happy. That should be one of your top priorities.

blargoe

Is there a reason why you think you would be happy being a DBA?

benchod

Actually, I never put thought to it then the fact that it sounds good, and its well paying.

The last thing I want to do is put next 3 years in IT and education and still not get anywhere.

I am really serious, get another BS IT and than MS in IT and than MBA,but I want to ensure that I will get at least decent pay before I put big money for school..

I mean granted, I can always change to consultaing or something when I do MBA...

It seems like all the Network / System Jobs don't seem to pay more than $50,000 at least thats how I feel on the fourm.

Anyways, no personal reason and my second intrest is Network Security Engineer.... I know I would have to start at Network route and certs, but I am sure I will like Network side of IT if I really put my head into it..

I hope I am making sense.

Ben

benchod

rsutton wrote: »

If that is what makes you happy. That should be one of your top priorities.

Naw, actually want to make a career in life ... I can always be a real estate agent anytime in life... by passing a state exam, but I can't turn around at age 50 and be like " Let me go get an actual career " at that Point I see my self in management position.

Hyper-Me

DBAs can make a lot but thats likely more of the Oracle boys and much much less of the MS SQL guys.

Networking pays about the same as Sys Admins (unless you reach uber level like CCIE/JNCIE).

I think a lot of sys admins cross over into the realm of consulting to start earning the high dollar wages, but that only comes with years of experience that qualifies one for such a position.

I don't know where you live, but where i'm at 50,000 a year is actually pretty good money.

UnixGeek

I'm not convinced that sysadmin -> DBA is the most direct route in most cases, but it would work well if you already had a lot of sysadmin experience.

I'm a freelance sysadmin, and get a decent volume of DBA type work from customers who have developers on staff, but no DBAs. I doubt that you'd get the same type of exposure if working for one company as a sysadmin though.

MeanDrunkR2D2

If you want to be a DBA someday, don't bother going into Sys Admin type of role. Being a DBA isn't something for everyone and you may find out that you don't like it at all. When I was in college I took several Oracle courses and it bored me to death. And then I hit the PL/SQL part of Oracle and it made me want to stab my eyes out. It takes a special type of person to be a DBA.

However, right now, you only have 5 months of IT experience working help desk. You will need far more experience before you can work your way into a DBA or Sys Admin type of role. It sounds to me that you are finding the pay in the career to be sexier than the job itself. What happens when there is another IT career path that may pay more? Will you want to up and decide that is what you want to do? Honestly, do a job that you know you would enjoy and find out what it is about IT that you enjoy and what you'd really want to do.

To give you an idea of where I am right now, I have my Bachelors in CIS, and 3 years of professional experience in IT. I have over 2 years of database support experience where I'd have to dig into tables, delete values or reset values in the tables. I had to figure out how to build the queries that would bring up exactly what I want and nothing that I didn't need. However, my company was in layoffs and let me go due to my position not being renewed by the government and I lacked the tenure and was let go. Now, I'm starting a new job after 7 months of being laid off and it's an entry level help desk role that pays me 40% less than I was making.

What I'm saying that at your point in your career you cannot expect to just jump into a job that you feel you deserve even though you lack the experience for it. And even if you do get your MBA, you still won't have the experience and will find it hard.

Your best bet is to build up your experience and continue working with your existing company. Take certifications when you can to reinforce your experience and to build the direction you want to go. All the while keep your eyes open for positions with companies that would have those opportunities to open up down the road in a few years after you prove yourself as valuable to them.

I've tried to find Sys Admin type jobs and there aren't many out there and they won't even bother talking to you unless you have extensive experience in a admin role.

benchod

MeanDrunkR2D2 wrote: »

If you want to be a DBA someday, don't bother going into Sys Admin type of role. Being a DBA isn't something for everyone and you may find out that you don't like it at all. When I was in college I took several Oracle courses and it bored me to death. And then I hit the PL/SQL part of Oracle and it made me want to stab my eyes out. It takes a special type of person to be a DBA.

However, right now, you only have 5 months of IT experience working help desk. You will need far more experience before you can work your way into a DBA or Sys Admin type of role. It sounds to me that you are finding the pay in the career to be sexier than the job itself. What happens when there is another IT career path that may pay more? Will you want to up and decide that is what you want to do? Honestly, do a job that you know you would enjoy and find out what it is about IT that you enjoy and what you'd really want to do.

To give you an idea of where I am right now, I have my Bachelors in CIS, and 3 years of professional experience in IT. I have over 2 years of database support experience where I'd have to dig into tables, delete values or reset values in the tables. I had to figure out how to build the queries that would bring up exactly what I want and nothing that I didn't need. However, my company was in layoffs and let me go due to my position not being renewed by the government and I lacked the tenure and was let go. Now, I'm starting a new job after 7 months of being laid off and it's an entry level help desk role that pays me 40% less than I was making.

What I'm saying that at your point in your career you cannot expect to just jump into a job that you feel you deserve even though you lack the experience for it. And even if you do get your MBA, you still won't have the experience and will find it hard.

Your best bet is to build up your experience and continue working with your existing company. Take certifications when you can to reinforce your experience and to build the direction you want to go. All the while keep your eyes open for positions with companies that would have those opportunities to open up down the road in a few years after you prove yourself as valuable to them.

I've tried to find Sys Admin type jobs and there aren't many out there and they won't even bother talking to you unless you have extensive experience in a admin role.

Thanks...I am starting to go over CBT Video for Network+ and I am liking alot... Network is uniqute cool...but I prefer more of admin , dba or system engineer role...

It seems like I got lot to learn and long ways to go...

It seems like IT is not that glomorous feild as it once was.

Just curious,

How come entry level software engineers are making more money than System admin / network admin ?

Sure its a hard job, but as a Admin you have to know more products than software languge and using bunch a class (pre-written )

Software development is like putting pieces together but yet see more jobs open for them and higher pay .

Crazy.

UnixGuy

I have a friend who started as Oracle developer then moved to Oracle DBA...

MeanDrunkR2D2

benchod wrote: »

Thanks...I am starting to go over CBT Video for Network+ and I am liking alot... Network is uniqute cool...but I prefer more of admin , dba or system engineer role...

It seems like I got lot to learn and long ways to go...

It seems like IT is not that glomorous feild as it once was.

Just curious,

How come entry level software engineers are making more money than System admin / network admin ?

Sure its a hard job, but as a Admin you have to know more products than software languge and using bunch a class (pre-written )

Software development is like putting pieces together but yet see more jobs open for them and higher pay .

Crazy.

I think its more along the lines that not everyone can put their nose to a computer like most software developers can and there are always more programming jobs than there are programmers. But like I said, it takes a special individual who is cool with doing that. And in my area, there really is no such thing as "entry level" software developers as I have found that they want someone with 2-5 years of experience to jump into those roles.

Its more to do with supply of developers compared to the supply of those who want a Admin type of position.

I'm just saying, don't expect yourself to jump into something great and awesome paying immediately after getting certs or an MBA.

I had to jump into a tier 1 position that is paying me less than I've made in over a decade, and that includes commissioned retail work, just so that I can keep working and not have too large of a gap in my employment.

hypnotoad

benchod wrote: »

I am not sure how to get DBA experience.. Would Master in Computer Information System in Database from Boston University help me getting into DBA, I just don't want fork out $30,000 and not get anywhere.

Have you looked at public schools? They are much cheaper than most private schools.

Sepiraph

bwcarty wrote: »

Personally, I don't see Network+ and Cisco certs fitting your goal. Configuring/maintaining network hardware and administering databases are worlds apart.

Actually there is one way of combining the two together and that's by building a NMS which utilizes a DB.

elover_jm

hypnotoad wrote: »

I am not sure how to get DBA experience.. Would Master in Computer Information System in Database from Boston University help me getting into DBA, I just don't want fork out $30,000 and not get anywhere.

As a DBA i would recommend doing DBA certifications (SQL Server or ORACLE), setup a lab (PRactice, practice, practice) and then get some experience in the Industry. Masters in database technology are more managerial(example Leading a Team of DBA's) and less technical, no one will hire you in that capacity unless you have solid YEARS of experience and advance technical knowledge behind it.

also visit sites like www.sqlservercentral.com great forum for starters

elover_jm

Reading this will help you also To DBA or not to DBA? - Who is a DBA?

Great article

benchod

going to private university u of p is cheap,since my wife works for them.

It seems like, I will be going towards system admin route then to system engineer and then to management position,and in the middle if I get chance for DBA great if not than I will move on with management side.

Starting, Network+, Security+ and MCSE, great stepping stone towards system admin route ?

I got some great advice on this fourm. Thank you all for your input.

thank you