Need some suggestions

My question is concerning my experience in combination with my certs I have been currently working on. So let me first explain a little bit about my work experience.

I first was introduced to the computer field as a job around 15 years ago. I had owned computers before that, but I never truly dabbled in them too much other than normal use and occasionally thumbing through the GW basic book and playing with it.

My first related job was an "introduction" position as a sales manager for a local upstart computer shop in my town. I learned much about the products and handled many bulk deals involving individual component selection for custom machines for our clients. I assisted in the building of these machines and this is where I began to learn about very basic concepts of troubleshooting and system maintenance. I worked here for one year.

My next related job was a couple years later, but at this point I had become an enthusiast (building and tweaking my own machines with the latest and greatest) so the job I landed was in PC repair for another local shop. My duties here involved basic repair, upgrades, network installs with our senior tech where I learned the basics of network wiring, cable selection, and "some" server troubleshooting. I dealt with all of the windows OS's and few Linux flavors. I also became certified in repair for a couple printer manufacturers (HP and Epson) for high capacity impact printers, lasers, and ink/bubble jet. I worked here for 2 years.

The owner of the shop decided to close his shop, but recommended me to one of his clients which was a medium sized financial institution where I worked as a systems tech doing everything from system construction, network and PC troubleshooting (mainly windows systems), wiring, repair and handling most of their printer repairs. I worked in this job for 2 years before being promoted.

I was promoted to the position of internet/intranet developer to which I wrote many internal applications using ASP, C++ , HTML, Flash, and various web scripting languages as well as working with databases using MS SQL. I also did some side projects setting up an Apache Server on Red hat Linux. I worked here for 3 years and decided to leave my job to go to school.

I was unable to complete my education due to varying conflicts in RL, though I do have all of the core classes in computer science finished for an AS (C, C++ advanced data structures) and most of math and sciences, with a few GE's still left.

It has been about 6 years since I have been in the field, though I still am an enthusiast and dabble in many things today including setting up test networks in virtual environments and playing around with them.

Over the last couple of years I have decided to bring myself up to date in terms of the field to which I have obtained my A+, Net+, Security+, MCSA:Security, and am 3 tests (293 I take in a couple of weeks,298,297) from my MCSE:Security. I plan to do the CCNA as well, but it may not be in the cards before I begin looking for work in the field again.

My attention to these certs have been comprehensive as I am a firm believer in the understanding the core concepts, yet I also understand from my experience that the "academic" does not always translate well to the practical environment. I do enjoy the work and technology, and love to read constantly about the latest and greatest.

While I have learned a lot in my studies and experience, I am still uneasy about my qualifications in the job market. Its been a while since I have worked it and the level I worked it is not at the same level my certification training is meaning that while I do have some distant experience with what I am learning (observing the admins and working with them here and there during tasks they asked for assistance with), I would not consider myself "experienced" in it if you understand what I mean.

So, finally on to my main question which is really advice as to how I should approach the market and what level of jobs should I apply for? I am not afraid to learn new topics and I am completely a self learner for most of my education in the field (yet holding to proper standards of learning, not simply the hit and miss or gloss over the fine print style).

I think I am probably overqualified for a PC tech position and yet at the same time a bit under-qualified for an admin position. What jobs should I focus on and what level do you suggest?

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and sorry for the long winded post.

Thank you

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Comments

tanix

Ok, let me try this again because I think the long winded post was a bit much. I narrowed what it is I would like to look for in terms of the field (security).

What job positions would I qualify for with the current certs I have to the side there as a lead in for this field. As I said, I have roughly 7 years experience ranging from system troubleshooting/install and management as well as programming and development with small to medium size companies (one being a banking institution where I had to be familiar with data sensitivity).

I am just unsure where to start my focus for applying (or if I am even ready to do such in this area). Also, if anyone has any links that explain some of the progressions in the security field or a place where I can start, I would greatly appreciate it. I think based on my certs already, CEH would be next from what I read in a previous thread? Doesn't that require 3 years experience to even take the exam?

Are there any entry to intermediate positions in this area or must I complete a BS and pick up more certs to start? I hear people mention becoming a specialist, should I focus and master PKI, IDS logging and monitoring, or various implementations of cryptography? Again, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

miller811

Almost every job search is unique. I really depends on where you are located and what the current job market is in the area. Get a good resume together and apply for anything and everything you are remotely qualified for. Hook up with some Recruiters, they can also advise you on how to be more marketable, since it is in their interest to help you find a job.

There is no one size fits all.

Sorry.

Turgon

tanix wrote: »

My question is concerning my experience in combination with my certs I have been currently working on. So let me first explain a little bit about my work experience.

I first was introduced to the computer field as a job around 15 years ago. I had owned computers before that, but I never truly dabbled in them too much other than normal use and occasionally thumbing through the GW basic book and playing with it.

My first related job was an "introduction" position as a sales manager for a local upstart computer shop in my town. I learned much about the products and handled many bulk deals involving individual component selection for custom machines for our clients. I assisted in the building of these machines and this is where I began to learn about very basic concepts of troubleshooting and system maintenance. I worked here for one year.

My next related job was a couple years later, but at this point I had become an enthusiast (building and tweaking my own machines with the latest and greatest) so the job I landed was in PC repair for another local shop. My duties here involved basic repair, upgrades, network installs with our senior tech where I learned the basics of network wiring, cable selection, and "some" server troubleshooting. I dealt with all of the windows OS's and few Linux flavors. I also became certified in repair for a couple printer manufacturers (HP and Epson) for high capacity impact printers, lasers, and ink/bubble jet. I worked here for 2 years.

The owner of the shop decided to close his shop, but recommended me to one of his clients which was a medium sized financial institution where I worked as a systems tech doing everything from system construction, network and PC troubleshooting (mainly windows systems), wiring, repair and handling most of their printer repairs. I worked in this job for 2 years before being promoted.

I was promoted to the position of internet/intranet developer to which I wrote many internal applications using ASP, C++ , HTML, Flash, and various web scripting languages as well as working with databases using MS SQL. I also did some side projects setting up an Apache Server on Red hat Linux. I worked here for 3 years and decided to leave my job to go to school.

I was unable to complete my education due to varying conflicts in RL, though I do have all of the core classes in computer science finished for an AS (C, C++ advanced data structures) and most of math and sciences, with a few GE's still left.

It has been about 6 years since I have been in the field, though I still am an enthusiast and dabble in many things today including setting up test networks in virtual environments and playing around with them.

Over the last couple of years I have decided to bring myself up to date in terms of the field to which I have obtained my A+, Net+, Security+, MCSA:Security, and am 3 tests (293 I take in a couple of weeks,298,297) from my MCSE:Security. I plan to do the CCNA as well, but it may not be in the cards before I begin looking for work in the field again.

My attention to these certs have been comprehensive as I am a firm believer in the understanding the core concepts, yet I also understand from my experience that the "academic" does not always translate well to the practical environment. I do enjoy the work and technology, and love to read constantly about the latest and greatest.

While I have learned a lot in my studies and experience, I am still uneasy about my qualifications in the job market. Its been a while since I have worked it and the level I worked it is not at the same level my certification training is meaning that while I do have some distant experience with what I am learning (observing the admins and working with them here and there during tasks they asked for assistance with), I would not consider myself "experienced" in it if you understand what I mean.

So, finally on to my main question which is really advice as to how I should approach the market and what level of jobs should I apply for? I am not afraid to learn new topics and I am completely a self learner for most of my education in the field (yet holding to proper standards of learning, not simply the hit and miss or gloss over the fine print style).

I think I am probably overqualified for a PC tech position and yet at the same time a bit under-qualified for an admin position. What jobs should I focus on and what level do you suggest?

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and sorry for the long winded post.

Thank you

Try and get yourself in at a bank. They have been bailed out and there are still opportunities there. You have some financial experience so that will help you a bit. Try out a desktop support role there and see if you get on. Your programming experience is useful as the financial houses use a lot of instruments for trading and stock tickers etc. You will necessarily get security exposure there as well.

tanix

Thank you for the info.

tanix

Another quick question.

I have a California Police Officers Standard of Training Cert (required course for all Law Enforcement Officers).

Would this be of any use for IT security jobs? Obviously it isn't technical, though it does cover all aspects of law enforcement procedure and the like (at least for California, though I am in Texas now). From my Security+ it seemed to cover a lot of Physical security as well and it made me think that this might be somewhat useful (as a cursory knowledge of law enforcement dealings).

Edit:

I only bring it up because there seems to be a progression with the EC-Council that leads to forensic investigation.