Decisions decisions... I'm not so sure!

Where I'm at - I've just finished year 2 of 3 of my degree in Network Management & Security. I've completed CCNP ROUTE and CCNP SWITCH, and I intend on completing CCNP TSHOOT in the near future. I'm volunteering at a school as an IT Technician every now and then, but to be honest not much goes on so I don't get a great deal out of it. I'm grateful that I am able to volunteer though as it's something I can put on my CV.

Why I'm confused - I don't know which path to take in order to make finding a job once I've completed my degree easier. I'm not even sure which area of networking I want to get into... and to be quite honest, I don't even really want to work for anyone -- I would love to work for myself (or at least I think I would)! I guess it would be a good idea for me to get into something which is going to allow me to eventually work for myself, but what? Security sounds kind of cool, but to be honest I have no idea as to what it actually involves in the real world, and my security knowledge is limited to CCNP.

I feel like studying for CCNP has taught me the basics of networking, now I just need to hone in on what I want to do as a career, and where I want to be in 10 years time.

Any ideas or advice would be much appreciated!

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

higherho

Whatever gets your heart pumping the most! For me its Networking / VOIP / PBX's. For example, whenever I walk into a store and I see a phone, I always look for some switch it's connecting to (if it's an IP phone) and throughout my time in the store I think about the possibilities on what I can do for this building. I think if you have that same feeling with whatever technology you are learning then thats what you should be going forward with.

Theres so much to Networking its crazy, regarding my example above I always think how can I design this network better? Why are they doing this? Do you like network design? Then go for the design track. What you love to do is going to make you the $$$ because you will focus on that 100% more than anything else.

EDIT

Also, the CCNP level material is not "basic" level networking by any means.

Eildor

higherho wrote: »

Whatever gets your heart pumping the most! For me its Networking / VOIP / PBX's. For example, whenever I walk into a store and I see a phone, I always look for some switch it's connecting to (if it's an IP phone) and throughout my time in the store I think about the possibilities on what I can do for this building. I think if you have that same feeling with whatever technology you are learning then thats what you should be going forward with.

Theres so much to Networking its crazy, regarding my example above I always think how can I design this network better? Why are they doing this? Do you like network design? Then go for the design track. What you love to do is going to make you the $$$ because you will focus on that 100% more than anything else.

EDIT

Also, the CCNP level material is not "basic" level networking by any means.

I suppose CCNP isn't basic, but it has taught me the basics. I can't remember large portions of detail on the topics I have studied for CCNP, for example having not touched BGP for some months a lot of it has left me... but I know BGP exists, what it is, and what it's used for. So in that sense CCNP has taught me the basics.

I believe I would like to go into a pure networking role after I graduate, however I'm not sure how realistic that is; so I'm wondering if perhaps it would be better for me to pick up MCITP or something to broaden my knowledge. I just want to be in a good position once I finish my degree, and I want to make the most of my time now before I do go into employment.