Question about switching from desktop support

Hey guys, I have a question that I have been thinking about for a few days. Currently I work in desktop support and have been for around 3-4 years now. My goal is to eventually get into network administration and I am studying for my CCNA.

I was offered a job as a telecommunications specialist with another company that paysI around 5k more and was told would be dealing with ipx systems and phone networks. I was just wondering if I were to take this job would it be easy to get a network admin job after staying for about a year or two? Does anybody here have experience as a telecommunications specialist?

Btw I do have the A+ Net+ and Sec+ already.

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N2IT

Jad207 wrote: »

Hey guys, I have a question that I have been thinking about for a few days. Currently I work in desktop support and have been for around 3-4 years now. My goal is to eventually get into network administration and I am studying for my CCNA.

I was offered a job as a telecommunications specialist with another company that paysI around 5k more and was told would be dealing with ipx systems and phone networks. I was just wondering if I were to take this job would it be easy to get a network admin job after staying for about a year or two? Does anybody here have experience as a telecommunications specialist?

Btw I do have the A+ Net+ and Sec+ already.

I'm no expert, but it's more helpful than being in a desktop role. Go for it man!

Everyone

Telecom is somewhat similar to Networks, and to a certain degree, especially with VoIP these days, the 2 can interconnect. If you're interested in Networks, you may find that you enjoy Telecom very much.

Jad207

Thanks guys, I was thinking that a telecom job might help me more than a desktop support job when it comes to moving into networking. I just wanted to ask some opinions from other IT people as well.

I just didn't want to be stuck in desktop support for years and wanted to take the job if it can help with upward mobility in the future towards an admin role.

odysseyelite

Its a step in the right direction. More money and working with voice network is a great next step. It will be good experiance to back up the CCNA.

snokerpoker

Sounds good to me. This should really help your network troubleshooting skills. With telecom you get more exposure to pure networking than a lot of other IT jobs. Good luck!

Jad207

To update after I put in my resignation my current desktop support job offered to keep me for 7k more which would put me at 50k salary if I stayed. The new telecommunications job is still paying slightly more at 55k though and is something different than what I am doing now.

Even though I am comfortable at my current job I do realize I have better chances of making more and getting into networking with telecom than support.

cloud802

I think you would be better off leaving your current job for the telecom job. I was in your position two years ago when i was comfortable in my desktop support role, was offered a counter offer to stay but cause i already had 5 years experience under my belt i didnt want to be stuck as just a desktop guy. i left for a cabe tech role that was sort of JOAT so i could learn more and was moved to net admin with 6 months.

jdancer

Jad207 wrote: »

To update after I put in my resignation my current desktop support job offered to keep me for 7k more which would put me at 50k salary if I stayed. The new telecommunications job is still paying slightly more at 55k though and is something different than what I am doing now.

Even though I am comfortable at my current job I do realize I have better chances of making more and getting into networking with telecom than support.

If I read this correctly, your current employer gave a counter-offer? Under no circumstances do you accept it. It's just another belated acknowledgement of your contributions to the organization's success.

It's time to move on.

N2IT

Jad207 wrote: »

To update after I put in my resignation my current desktop support job offered to keep me for 7k more which would put me at 50k salary if I stayed. The new telecommunications job is still paying slightly more at 55k though and is something different than what I am doing now.

Even though I am comfortable at my current job I do realize I have better chances of making more and getting into networking with telecom than support.

Well played! Glad to hear you are going for the telecom position.

Turgon

Jad207 wrote: »

Hey guys, I have a question that I have been thinking about for a few days. Currently I work in desktop support and have been for around 3-4 years now. My goal is to eventually get into network administration and I am studying for my CCNA.

I was offered a job as a telecommunications specialist with another company that paysI around 5k more and was told would be dealing with ipx systems and phone networks. I was just wondering if I were to take this job would it be easy to get a network admin job after staying for about a year or two? Does anybody here have experience as a telecommunications specialist?

Btw I do have the A+ Net+ and Sec+ already.

Go for telecom. Great experience and you wont be dealing with outlook hassles anymore.

Jad207

That's right, after I turned in resignation and two weeks notice my PM called me to get more details about the new position and wanted to make me a counter offer to stay on the contract. I felt as though I should have had this acknowledgement before I put in the resignation than right afterwards, I definitely feel as though it's time to go now.

Jad207

Turgon wrote: »

Go for telecom. Great experience and you wont be dealing with outlook hassles anymore.

Yea your right, after a few years it gets tiring with that and creating new profiles..or re-imaging.

N2IT

Jad207 wrote: »

Yea your right, after a few years it gets tiring with that and creating new profiles..or re-imaging.

Or worse yet troubleshooting calendar issues. Those are nightmares along with delegates

Turgon

Move along. I think it's a fantastic opportunity for you. You will learn things in that job that will really help your career.

Jad207

Hey Guys thanks for all the advice you gave me.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to start the telecom job with the new company due to what they say is "contract issues". Basically the new company I would be working for is on the sub contract for a government agency. The new company claims that there is a dispute with the main contractor so nobody can start until it's resolved. I'm going back to my old job because I don't have the money to wait around and found it frustrating that I was put in that situation in between jobs in the first place.

techdudehere

Things like this happen more often than you might expect. I had a similar situation. Now, I simply refuse to put in my notice until I have a start date and signed agreement. No matter how much pressure someone brings, I will only say "I can start exact two weeks after we have a signed agreement and everything is finalized". No way am I putting in my notice only to have someone later try to change the terms. Make sure they've done the credit report, the reference check, you've got the benefits signed off, every detail before you ever put in a notice. If they will not do that, then it is not worth the risk. This could very easily happen again and next time you may end up with a gap in your resume and bank account. What companies are trying to do now is get someone to put in the notice, then they start finalizing things on their end. Usually it works out, but when it does not you will pay the price. Turn the game around, if they want to get the best help then they have to be willing to protect your best interests. If they are not, that's red flag #1.

Mrkali

techdudehere wrote: »

"I can start exact two weeks after we have a signed agreement and everything is finalized".

This is pretty much the best practice you can use for any job change, IT or not. You've been placed in a bad spot.

I hate to say it but your current employer now thinks you're a flake that'll jump ship again at the first opportunity. You better redouble your job search efforts because chances are your employer will soon start looking for your replacement.

cloud802

I had the same thing happen to me when i first started out in IT. I was offered a new job at a government contracting site and the week beforehand was told that the position was no longer available due to a change in budget. I was heated cause i had filled out the offer letter to work and already left my old job. Next time i went looking for a job i made extra sure that ALL the paperwork was filled out before even puttin in the notice.