Career Advice for Cisco Wannabe.

Hey Guys,
Been thinking about this for a while and thought this might be a good place to post and see the response I can get from you guys here. Here is my situation: 3 and half years in IT, currently working a help desk role for a cloud provider which stemmed from a tier 2 application support role for a bank. Currently making around $48K a year and am attending WGU for BSIT.

My Dilemma: Really want to focus my career on Cisco. Currently only have my CCENT and am studying for ICND2 on the side of the WGU studies. However, my fear is that I will not be able to get a networking gig making $48K a year and will have to take a pay cut. Which at this time, with a second child on the way, just doesn't seem feasible. When I do get my CCNA, how hard will it be to land a networking job with no experience? And what would the salary look like?

The reason I am posting this is due to a chat I had with a co-worker. He mentioned that he doesn't study for anything that he isn't doing at his job as he thinks it is a waste of time and money. I can see where he is coming from as he also mentioned that if you don't use it, you lose it. However, I want to have a job in networking and feel the only way for me to do that is to achieve the certs. Mind you, I would love to volunteer for something, but with working 50 hrs a week and a 7 month pregnant wife, I just can't afford the time. Plus, there isn't much my company does networking wise. All we basically do is set them up in our datacenter, build a host machine for them at their site, and they connect through the internet for work. I've already spoken to my manager about the networking side, and he said they didn't have much on that side.

Anything you can help with would be appreciated, even if it may be harsh.

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Comments

eserfeliz

It depends on what the market is like in your area for the job role you want to take on.

- What is the demand for networking professionals in your area?
- What is the average salary?

You might have to move in order to find that job you're looking for.

My suggestion to you is to concentrate on finishing your degree, if it's a priority, and then work on your career. As a new father, a new network professional and a soon to be college graduate, I will say to you: balance is key. Don't try to conquer the entire world at once. Prioritize and don't spread yourself too thin. I went to school full-time while working full-time. I have great grades, but my wife bore the brunt of a lot of my choices. You tell yourself, "I can do this," but everyone (including your spouse) has their limits to what they can handle.

networker050184

So many factors that no one here can give you an answer that holds any weight really. If you find a pure networking gig it probably won't be a pay cut though. This field pays fairly well and I've never had a job that paid under $50k since I've had my CCNA.

What will probably be your best bet for making a smooth transition and not losing pay is to go into a job with networking as just a part of your role. You can utilize your current skills to get you into the position and start getting the networking skills on the resume even if its only a small part of your responsibilities. Then from there you can jump into a pure networking role since you will have some experience and the CCNA on your resume.

Another alternative would be to go the NOC route. The helpdesk, tier 2 role and desire to learn should be more than enough to have someone take a chance on you.

As eserfeliz pointed out, you are at the mercy of the supply and demand for networking professionals in your area. Relocating for a job is a pretty common practice in this field and any other that requires highly technical skills. I'm not too familiar with Montana, but it doesn't exactly scream tech hot bed to me.

cmitchell_00

Yes it's going to be a hard pill to swallow but; you have to balance your personal and professional life to the fullest. I was in the same boat not long ago working 60hrs a wk and a full-time student with an family. It was hard trying to studying for certs and do papers with a family but; it can be done with good time management. Now, as "networker050184" discussed you can make 50k with the CCNA if you sell yourself properly. By which means if you don't touch routers/switches everyday @work well do it on your lab at home. I have seen companies hire guys who have an CCNA for positions working on servers or selling Avaya VOIP systems. Also, that being said some companies just want an Cisco guy on their team. Then, if you like your area volunteer @ work for networking projects or even intern somewhere so; if you keep knocking on the door someone will open it; just don't give up.

SN: It really depends on your area i.e. city & state for good salaries; check out this article and then research salaries for your state.
http://www.itcareerspay.com/ccna-salary-find-out-how-much-ccna-certified-make/

ThePrimetimer

Thanks very much for the responses. I figured that would be the best path, is to just focus on the Bachelor's, then start focusing on where I want to be; Networking. As for the Montana market for networking, been looking on the job boards, but they are very few and far between. I am definitely open to relocating, I did for my current job, but I feel that I need to have more experience in IT to make the big leap out of state (if I have too.)

On another note, where is the hotspot for networking gigs right now? I have been keeping on on TE here, but haven't found much on where to go for Cisco.

Thanks again guys!

Ivanjam

ThePrimetimer wrote: »

AAS in Computer System Technologies
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+
CCENT
CIW JavaScript Specialist
WIP:
ICND2 - Postponed till after WGU Graduation
BSITNA at WGU -

ThePrimetimer - the WGU BSIT in Network Administration usually requires you to complete course CQV1 (ICND2). Did you get the credit for CQV1 from your Network+ or from another course completed in your AAS?

joshmadakor

Ivanjam wrote: »

ThePrimetimer - the WGU BSIT in Network Administration usually requires you to complete course CQV1 (ICND2). Did you get the credit for CQV1 from your Network+ or from another course completed in your AAS?

Not to answer for him, but like many of the other certification credits, I think that's only satiable via ICND2/CCNA.

Edit: Besides, Network+ doesn't have anything on ICND2, so I doubt it would sub for that. To put things into perspective

[B]Network+ Question:[/B]
[I]Which one of these is a popular WAN protocol?[/I]
a. DHCP
b. ARP
c. AppleTalk
d. Frame Relay

[B]ICND2 question:[/B]
[I]View the diagram and please configure the DTE devices R1 and R2 in this Hub-and-Spoke Frame Relay network in order to successfully reach all other spokes.  You can confirm your configuration by pinging between spokes.  Note: R3 is a non-Cisco device (Trollface.jpg)

R1>[/I]

ThePrimetimer

Ivanjam wrote: »

ThePrimetimer - the WGU BSIT in Network Administration usually requires you to complete course CQV1 (ICND2). Did you get the credit for CQV1 from your Network+ or from another course completed in your AAS?

I actually have switched emphasis to the basic BSIT degree. I just haven't changed my sig until you pointed it out to me. Thanks