How's my career looking so far?

I need some peer review i'd like to know how I stand currently in the field and if my peers here on TE have any recommendations or advice for me.

- I have my B.Sc in Computer and Information Sciences Concentration in Computer Security Administration. Minor in Business

- CompTIA A+ Certification

- MCTS 70-640 Active Directory Server 2008 R2 Certification

- Should have my Security+ by the end of next month (Work is paying for me to take a week long course, should pick up on it fairly easy as this is my BS degree background)

- Currently working on my MCTS 70-642 Network Infrastructure and will finished up with my MCITP:SA

I've been working Helpdesk Tier 1 support for 3.5 years now. Feeling a little stagnent...can solve everything pretty easily now. Recently I was invited to Tier 2 support for our company wide file management system, also we're looking in to Server Virtualization via VMWare ESXi/vSphere (very beginning stages) and it looks like I may be on board with this as well to atleast help get things rolling. I have a stable full time job, great benefits, and i'm making around 40k/year. I'm 22 years old, I'm very comfertable with basic support and have a high level grasp on networking, server administration, etc because of my cert background. College at the University level taught me theory for as much as thats worth.

My problems/concerns

1. I feel like a n00b
2. I have trouble concentrating on one subject in the field of IT
3. I'm literally ALWAYS tired..and i'm recently engaged...I have about 3 hours of time after work before i'm going right back to bed for the next morning...Weekends are free though!
4. Studying certs, learning a lot but I feel like if I dont put them to use i'm just going to forget everything I learned....

I feel like i'm trying to be an expert at everything and I just feel overwhelmed...I dont know what to concenetrate on...and I get very frustrated not being able to pick up on things at first glance....

Can someone get me on the right path and give me advice as to how I am doing so far?

I feel like a career in IT involves a lot of patience...and RESEARCH...and a defined path to become an expert in...am I on a lead here?

I think virtualization may be on to something here, and I really enjoy server administration, so perhaps this is a good path?

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Comments

ViLeNT

I'm 22.

Everyone

ViLeNT wrote: »

3. I'm literally ALWAYS tired..and i'm recently engaged...I have about 3 hours of time after work before i'm going right back to bed for the next morning...Weekends are free though!

Sounds like either your putting in too many hours, or your commute is too long.

Work will always be there tomorrow. If it's not an emergency that needs to be fixed immediately, it can wait. If everything is an emergency that "can't wait", you're doing it wrong.

Asif Dasl

ViLeNT wrote: »

I'm 22.

Sorry, just saw it when I skimmed over again...

Krunchi

Dude your fine what you doing is called life wait tell you add a kid in the mix then things become crazy.

It's part of growing up you don’t have all the free time you had a few short years ago sounds like you have a great job and good luck with the lady but here is my advice listen and let this soak into your brain.

At the point that you think you know everything about a field like IT your screwed just give up because you have closed your mind down to new things and your ego is going to screw you. It is great that you feel like a noob everyday If you don't learn something new every day it could be something really small then just give up and go into another field of work
.
Not trying to be harsh but just giving you some wise words from a middle age old man that’s been around the block a few times.

ViLeNT

Everyone wrote: »

Sounds like either your putting in too many hours, or your commute is too long.

Work will always be there tomorrow. If it's not an emergency that needs to be fixed immediately, it can wait. If everything is an emergency that "can't wait", you're doing it wrong.

Great advice...my commute is about 65 Miles round trip, takes me about 40 minutes one way, but depends on traffic.

Basically I'm up at 6:30 AM and i'm home by 6:00 PM and just burnt out. Fiance works in complete opposite side of town so we agreed on a place "somewhat" in the middle.

Akaricloud

ViLeNT wrote: »

Great advice...my commute is about 65 Miles round trip, takes me about 40 minutes one way, but depends on traffic.

Basically I'm up at 6:30 AM and i'm home by 6:00 PM and just burnt out. Fiance works in complete opposite side of town so we agreed on a place "somewhat" in the middle.

So your entire work process takes about 12 hours out of your day correct? It really seems to me like you should have more time after work..

12 + 3 = 15 hours. Do you really sleep for 9 hours on weekdays? In that case cutting back to 6 would double your free time after work.

You might want to consider applying for something higher up and closer. It'd be more interesting, give you more time and hopefully more pay. With the experience you have you should be able to do pretty well with getting interviews.

It seems like you're doing pretty good for yourself so far but it sounds like you need to get into something that you enjoy more. A different company or position could make a lot of difference.

ViLeNT

Krunchi wrote: »

Dude your fine what you doing is called life wait tell you add a kid in the mix then things become crazy.

It's part of growing up you don’t have all the free time you had a few short years ago sounds like you have a great job and good luck with the lady but here is my advice listen and let this soak into your brain.

At the point that you think you know everything about a field like IT your screwed just give up because you have closed your mind down to new things and your ego is going to screw you. It is great that you feel like a noob everyday If you don't learn something new every day it could be something really small then just give up and go into another field of work
.
Not trying to be harsh but just giving you some wise words from a middle age old man that’s been around the block a few times.

Thank you for your words of wisdom, I really enjoy hearing form those who have been there and done that and care to share their experience along the way.

If only I listened when I was in my teens haha. I need to try and "enjoy the ride" I suppose and though hard work hopefully new opportunities will arise over time as I deserve them. I just really enjoy the challenge in this field and I welcome it, its just such a huge field to dive in to

ViLeNT

Akaricloud wrote: »

So your entire work process takes about 12 hours out of your day correct? It really seems to me like you should have more time after work..

12 + 3 = 15 hours. Do you really sleep for 9 hours on weekdays? In that case cutting back to 6 would double your free time after work.

You might want to consider applying for something higher up and closer. It'd be more interesting, give you more time and hopefully more pay. With the experience you have you should be able to do pretty well with getting interviews.

It seems like you're doing pretty good for yourself so far but it sounds like you need to get into something that you enjoy more. A different company or position could make a lot of difference.

Well 3 hours was mainly set aside for what I can get away with at home...you know how women are...they need attention....after passing my MCTS my fiance was ready to kill me because all I did was come home from work and lock myself in my office and lab for 4 months...boy did she hate that...I learned my lesson though and its all about scheduling....now I try to study for certs 2-3 days a week for maybe 1-2 hours then spend time with her. Or study when shes not around...Also studying at work prooved to be very unhealthy...need to get out on my lunch breaks and relax....

It's all about balance I suppose, finding that balance prooved to be a hard lesson learned. Casued turbulance in the realationship...not to mention heavy panic attacks. I was going crazy at work doing just Tech Support, but I finally stuck my nose out there and my boss was happy to give me more work as you can see. Very happy with that.

instant000

ViLeNT wrote: »

I need some peer review

OK, here it is.

1. I feel like a n00b

As a previous poster said, this is an optimal attitude to have in IT. Pride cometh before destruction. Even with that said, do not afraid to be confident in what you do know. There is a difference between confident and arrogant.

2. I have trouble concentrating on one subject in the field of IT

Things will settle down. Work to get good at whatever you're exposed to. Once you find an affinity, then strike along that path with all passion.

3. I'm literally ALWAYS tired..and i'm recently engaged...I have about 3 hours of time after work before i'm going right back to bed for the next morning...Weekends are free though!

My only advise here is to schedule sleep, the same way you managed to schedule in time with your significant other. Many in IT don't get the life scheduling in check, and wind up being successful at work, and having a home life in turmoil.

4. Studying certs, learning a lot but I feel like if I dont put them to use i'm just going to forget everything I learned....

Truth be told, the certs test you broadly against a product. Most jobs do not require as broad a usage of skills as the certification will test you against. Latch onto the ones important in your job, and you'll be just fine. If you have the fundamentals sound, it'll be just like riding a bike when you recall the knowledge later when needed.

If memory is a big concern, then get a product like mnemosyne (opensource) to help you remember stuff.

I feel like i'm trying to be an expert at everything and I just feel overwhelmed...I dont know what to concenetrate on...and I get very frustrated not being able to pick up on things at first glance....

Jack of all trades, and master of none? That's kind of normal starting out. At some point, you figure out what you like best, and start leaning that way. Your generalist background can only help you in the future, as being well-rounded creates some of the better overall professionals, who can really tackle the technical issues that are presented to them.

Can someone get me on the right path and give me advice as to how I am doing so far?

You're way ahead of me at that age. By the time I was 22, I had dropped out of college twice, and was entering basic training

I feel like a career in IT involves a lot of patience...and RESEARCH...and a defined path to become an expert in...am I on a lead here?

Yeah, becoming an expert in at least one thing is ideal. Two would be awesome, to have something else to fall back on.

I think virtualization may be on to something here, and I really enjoy server administration, so perhaps this is a good path?

Hah, virtualization has been around since about the beginning of computers. It will be here for a while. Even with all of that said, you still have actual servers and networks somewhere that someone is configuring, monitoring, and administering.

ViLeNT

@Instant, I need to print this out and stick it to my wall at work, you da man +1 for your rep on TE.

Thank you all for putting my mind at ease.

instant000

ViLeNT wrote: »

@Instant, I need to print this out and stick it to my wall at work, you da man +1 for your rep on TE. Thank you all for putting my mind at ease.

LOL. If you think my post is good, wait until keatron sees this thread. He has some of the more epic ones. The "cans of coke" analogy is one of my faves.

EDIT:

One more thing (that kind of goes without saying), there is this theory I have about how to be successful in IT, hope you like it:

MS = ACE^2
Major Success = Attitude x Certification X Education X Experience

Kudos to you for figuring it out. We can see that you want to improve yourself, and be better tomorrow than you are today. Keep that line of thought!

I can honestly say that I have worked with some brilliant people, with sub-par attitudes. Also, I have worked with some average intelligence individuals, with great attitudes. I have seen the people with sub-par attitudes get fired--on my current job, and also from my past job. If you have the right attitude about something, you can be successful. Don't rest on your laurels, but do realize that you are on the right track. Make sure that you are pushing yourself to succeed, and not coasting along.

MickQ

What instant said.

With that, get a regular sleep pattern. If you're constantly tired at 22, check your diet and hydration levels. I changed mine at about 26 and got a new lease of life.

Feel like a n00b? That's because we all are. There's more going on in IT than any of us can learn. The trick is to see the common themes and skim over the fads. You'll be able to spot them as you get older. For now, follow the Comptia exam subjects. Try learning a little programming. Then try learning some networking. Finally, some sys admin.
Congrats, you'll have a good broad scope of IT. Everything else you come across will be easier to understand as you'll already have the foundation in your mind. Oh, and by the time you've covered that lot, you should know what you'd like to do.