How do you plan to improve your career situation?

I know some of you have scored some awesome jobs lately *cough* *cough* Everyone. Others are still seeking that sweet opportunity (my hand is raised). So what are you doing about it? What's your plan of attack? I am curious to see the different strategies out there and maybe, just maybe it might help another. And it's been proven if you put your goals in print you have a better chance of reaching them.

I have tried to keep mine simple and to the point.

Obtain the PMP 3/31
Continue to enhance my reporting skills. My job requires it so it makes sense to get better at it.
Help others out on this forum and Linkedin. Those are my two main interfaces into the WWW.

That's really it for me at this point and time. I joined PMI and started talking with some of the PM's in the local chapter so that's been helpful. I soon plan on joining one of their events when time permits. Participating on this forum sheds lights on some high-level exposure to the different technologies. That's always helpful.

So what's your plan? How do you plan to improve?

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Comments

jude56g

Forsaken_GA wrote: »

Lot of hard work. I put in my time, volunteered for things that allowed me alot of cross training, did ALOT of self-study on other subjects. Most of what I do for fun at home are things people want to be paid for. On the other hand, I'm a damn good network guy, a very good unix admin, and I'm now pretty good with VMWare as well. Eventually, I hit a tipping point where my years of experience and my skillset qualified me for much better positions.

^^^^^ YES, this right here ^^^^^^
The trick, at least from my point of view is to get involved in as many diverse projects as you can. In my position, volunteering for the jobs nobody wants has led to a greater understanding of different transport & routing platforms; I have exceeded the skills of some individuals who have been in this position for twice as long as I have! This has led to promotions, respect, greater responsibilities, and best of all: better opportunities for training and exposure to cutting edge technologies.

I have been slacking on the cert side of things since I have been trying to digest the massive amount of information dumped on me from the first day in the provider world; but it has paid off, I am now one of the go-to-guys..

Over the past 4 months I have been focusing on the Cisco track; I have the CCENT now and plan to take the CCNA around the end of this month. After that I'm rolling right into ROUTE studies in preparation for an employer paid boot camp.

I think it really comes down to making the best of whatever opportunity you have, but always plan for the future...

thedrama

Priston wrote: »

I hope your joking, and if you are that's not funny.

If you aren't I must say the reward of finding a job after a long period of time looking is most definitly worth it.

i would wish to say the opposite so much. Unfortunately, im not joking.

gcarroll357

Im currently doing tech support for a software reseller, and using my time outside of work increasing my IT certs/skills. I am working on my CCNA (should be done this summer) and then wanted to get my A+ and security+ by the end of the year. I'm still trying to figure out what "path" I want to follow (systems, networking, etc). I am looking to join some local user groups and organizations to help network and make myself known.

I recently got promoted to a management role and have started looking at things to help me down the road (getting an MBA, attending toastmasters, etc). I eventually want to work/own a small IT consulting firm and am using the above pieces to put everything together.

Zentraedi

rwmidl wrote: »

This is why I don't register my certs under my company and really try to avoid having the company pay for training. I hate feeling like I'm indebted to the company.

dave330i wrote: »

Sounds like its time to move on. Don't let the educational reimbursement stop you. You can always have the new company help you pay for it.

Oh man, I met with my outsourcing company and they came back with a ridiculous proposal.
Basically, they completely balked at giving me any sort of hands-on server/networking role and I was told to get on the UCS track:
Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist - Career Certifications & Paths - Cisco Systems
Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist - Career Certifications & Paths - Cisco Systems

I would be expected to study for those and pass exams so that they can up their Cisco partnership status, thus getting to bid on UCS projects. Unfortunately however, I wouldn't actually be given any related work myself, nor was there a link to any sort of bonus/pay increase.