Do you have the job you want?

With many seasoned professionals and a lot of up and coming members on here, let's have a thread discussing the jobs you have, the jobs you want and what you are doing to get there. So,

1. Do you have the job you want?
2. If you say No to 1, what kind of job do you want?
3. Like they say - no gains without pains (terrible cliche, I know!). What are you doing to get the job you want?
4. Important question - What's preventing you from getting to where you want to be? What are you hurdles?

For me,

1 and 2. I am perhaps one/two steps away from where I want to be and the job I have currently will help me get there. I am a Infrastructure Systems Engineer for a large cloud services provider doing everything from Virtualization (Hyper-v and vSphere) to Storage to Backups. I desire to be at the Architect level, which is where it all comes together. I want to work for myself though, on my own terms and keep all the margin.

3. I am constantly plugging away at some certification. Now it's not just the certification I'm after, it's more about the knowledge gained in the process. I work on certs that are directly related to my job, I do them regardless of my employer wanting me to do them or not. If I feel that a cert may help me get to the next role, I'll work towards it. This is why I did my VCP5. This cert helped me get to my current position. I am working on my MCSE: Private Cloud, this will teach me Hyper-v and System Center 2012 and get me 2 certs in the process.

4. Like I said, I want to be working for myself. Speaking confidently in front of large audiences and presenting winning proposals (sound convincing, in other words) is what I need to work on. I intend to join my local Toastmasters to help me overcome the bit of stage-shyness I have. It isn't that I cannot communicate well, but when everyone's hanging on to every word I say, it sometimes gets to me.

Let's not make this a Microsoft versus Cisco or a Systems versus Networks or a Degree versus Certs thread, please!

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Comments

GT-Rob

wow I am surprised by the number of No answers here. IMO if its a no, you should be on the job boards every day and constantly looking for ways to improve your resume (even if you are just starting out). Life is too short to work a crappy job.

For me, my last 2 jobs were very close, just got bored/didn't love my boss. My job now is something I would be crazy to leave, and probably would only move on if I found a job that lets me travel, or a non-IT opportunity came up (like to co-own a bike store or something silly). I did not stick around in jobs I didn't like, I took on everything I could to learn as much as I could, and as soon as that dried up I moved on, usually moving up in the process.

Dream jobs do exist I promise! You just have to put yourself in the right position for when they come up. My biggest advice: Take risks.

hiddenknight821

First, I want to say this is a good thread. Very thought-provoking when reading others' posts.

1. Do you have the job you want?

No, I'm currently unemployed, but my last job was nowhere close to what I want.

2. If you say No to 1, what kind of job do you want?

I'm looking for an entry-level position in Jr. Linux Administration. Although, I don't mind a network engineering position. Ideally, I want to learn backup, scripting, virtualization, and Windows administration on the job.

3. Like they say - no gains without pains (terrible cliche, I know!). What are you doing to get the job you want?

I've been unemployed for more than 10 months. When I was let go from my last job, I couldn't help stop thinking why they let me go. I was devasated. I figured maybe the lack of bachelor degree was holding me despite having an associate degree in IT. I unofficially finished my BS last July and made it official last November after completing one MS class.

I also have a hearing loss, and lately, my hearing haven't been helpful. I was so accustomed to sign language at my previous school that I forgot how to comprehend speech with a little residual hearing I have left. Two months after I lost my job, I couldn't get a new hearing aid right away due to insurance problem. My mother's insurance was preventing me from getting a new one. Got the issue resolved and got the new hearing aid in June. Wasn't happy with it, so I went to an audiology clinic to apply for a cochlear implant. I didn't have my first appointment until the Friday before Sandy came. I'm expecting a surgery on the 28th. Looking forward to start looking for jobs after I recover.

In the meantime, I have been working slowly on my next certification. I'm pursuing the RHCSA cert.

4. Important question - What's preventing you from getting to where you want to be? What are you hurdles?

That's the big mystery I have been working on! I'm doing whatever it takes to eliminate any possibility that is holding me back. My hearing shouldn't be a problem after I get the cochlear implant, and my educational background shouldn't be a problem either when I'm ready to go back on the market. Although, I should point out that probably my lack of experience is what's holding me back despite few internships/temporary jobs.

About7Narwhal

@GT-Rob

I think a lot of people here are just not where they want to be. That does not mean they are totally dissatisfied either. I agree, life is too short to stick around on a crappy position, but every once in a while, you have to take a crap job for the potential (either with the company or with the experience gained.) I was thinking this thread was a little depressing yesterday, but then I realized a "No" answer isn't an "I hate where I am" in all cases. It simply means a lot of us strive to be better than what we currently are.

It looks to me like you have the right idea though: Learn everything you can from every job you have (either what you should do or what you shouldn't do) and move forward from there.

Just wanted to state, from my point of view, not all the negative responses are accompanied by negative emotion.

QHalo

1. Do you have the job you want?
Yep, for now. I'm making all the command decisions about our VMware and storage environments. I'm getting to do not only administering but designing of two brand new environments and all that accompanies that work. My boss listens to what I have to say and our CIO has worked with us in the past so I have all paths fully opened which is rare in this day and age.
2. If you say No to 1, what kind of job do you want?
Eventually I'd like to get to a more management role and do what my dad has been doing for several years in his position, 'facilitating the success of others'.
3. Like they say - no gains without pains (terrible cliche, I know!). What are you doing to get the job you want?
I'm going to finish up some certs and then work on my MBA. Now that I'm in my role, I plan to use certs to help keep my knowledge up and less about putting more letters after my name.
4. Important question - What's preventing you from getting to where you want to be? What are you hurdles?
No hurdles right now. I'm really in a great position.

Sett

No, I have the job I wanted an year ago, not the job I want now. I currently hold high level network engineering position, dealing with a lot of design and implementation of pretty big networks, which is cool overall. However, I've become fascinated with the in depth details of the protocols and my dream is to work in an R&D oriented role, designing and improving new protocols. I really want to do deal with networks and communications from more scientific point of view.
It's more of a dream than a career goal, which I realize will most probably remain unfulfilled as I am lacking lots of fundamental skills and expertise for this, including Math, Programing, Electronics and let's face it - simply not enough natural intelligence . I've made the decision to try to fill some of the gaps in these topics after I pass my CCIE, but mainly for my own fulfillment and not necessary to land a lab position.

UnixGuy

Sett wrote: »

... I am lacking lots of fundamental skills and expertise for this, including Math, Programming Electronics and let's face it - simply not enough natural intelligence . ....

Sorry to butt in, but I think you have what it takes for R&D positions. I know this because some of my colleagues work in R&D and it doesn't need any super intelligence. Passing CCIE is much more difficult. It's a normal job that needs some training and determination. To get the necessary Math background, you need a proper masters degree with a significant research component. You can do that part time if that's what you really want

About7Narwhal

@Sett

I agree with UnixGuy. If you have a true passion for it, then you will be able to overcome your setbacks in the interest of reaching your goal. It might not be easy and it may take a while; but with determination, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to develop the needed skills for the job.

Anonymouse

1. Do you have the job you want?
Yes! Yeeessss!

2. If you say No to 1, what kind of job do you want?
I'm doing exactly what I want, in the exact position I want, at the exact type of company I want. Still I would like to do something more focused on networking one day.

3. Like they say - no gains without pains (terrible cliche, I know!). What are you doing to get the job you want?
Going to go back to school and also volunteering for more network oriented projects at work.

4. Important question - What's preventing you from getting to where you want to be? What are you hurdles?
Well...I'm already where I want to be. As for where I would like to go to be more focused on networking the thing that would stop me is I'm too happy where I'm at.

Essendon

@Anonymouse - now you've got to tell us what you do and what your position is. Maybe tell us the type of company you are in too?!

GT-Rob

About7Narwhal wrote: »

@GT-Rob

I think a lot of people here are just not where they want to be. That does not mean they are totally dissatisfied either. I agree, life is too short to stick around on a crappy position, but every once in a while, you have to take a crap job for the potential (either with the company or with the experience gained.) I was thinking this thread was a little depressing yesterday, but then I realized a "No" answer isn't an "I hate where I am" in all cases. It simply means a lot of us strive to be better than what we currently are.

It looks to me like you have the right idea though: Learn everything you can from every job you have (either what you should do or what you shouldn't do) and move forward from there.

Just wanted to state, from my point of view, not all the negative responses are accompanied by negative emotion.

That's true, I love my job but even I would give it up in a heart beat to ride my bike for a living or something fun. I just have come across a lot of miserable people over the years that are in jobs for 10+ years that all they do is complain about, but do nothing about it. People think the job they have is the only job they can get.

YuckTheFankees

1. Do you have the job you want?
No, I currently work in a NOC. We do way too much admin work instead of networking and I'm beginning to lose my interest in networking. I was suppose to move to a different department this month but our company has a freeze in the NOC because so many people have left or been promoted.

2. If you say No to 1, what kind of job do you want?
That is a good question, I honestly have no idea. I have gone through the idea of security, networking, databases, business intelligence, consulting, etc.. Every time I pick a specialty, I get scared of the field not having enough jobs or having lower than expected pay. As of right now business intelligence/data modeling/databases interest me because the involvement of analytics (my best skill).

3. Like they say - no gains without pains (terrible cliche, I know!). What are you doing to get the job you want?
* Finishing my bachelors from WGU in May/June
* Start my masters during the summer or fall 2013 at the latest.
* Network more, especially with different departments in my current company.
* Look at dice, indeed, simplyhired, monster, and career builder multiple times a month to see what job posting are asking for...so I can find trends in the posting (skills/technology being mentioned over and over).

4. Important question - What's preventing you from getting to where you want to be? What are you hurdles?

*Lack of education
*Lack of experience in I.T. (1.5 years), I have experience in customer service/finance.
*I need to network more!

Nemowolf

N2IT wrote: »

Service Desk seems like a perfect fit with someone with ADHD or ADD. It melds well to that type of personality.

You would think, but the problem is that i have issues remembering to go back to document my work or slip on little details that i don't naturally remember to do.

tecke

1. Do you have the job you want?
Well no, I currently work help desk and this is my "pay the dues" time in my career so the work is easy and the pay is blah!

2. If you say No to 1, what kind of job do you want?
My goal is to have a job as either an IT security specialist, or a Network admin going upwards. Ultimately branching off into the consulting business thus creating my own hours and own rules.

3. Like they say - no gains without pains (terrible cliche, I know!). What are you doing to get the job you want?
At the moment I am studying at WGU and working on getting tons of experience!
4. Important question - What's preventing you from getting to where you want to be? What are you hurdles?
Laziness and females.

mgmguy1

1. Do you have the job you want?
No I took a Telecommunications project management Job to learn another side of the business but this is not want I want to do.

If you say No to 1, what kind of job do you want?
For right now I want a Junior Network Admin job and I want to work my way up, Gain some experience there. I have done inbound HelpDesk for a-long time and I want o get away from that and support internal clients and know my network.

3. Like they say - no gains without pains (terrible cliche, I know!). What are you doing to get the job you want?
I took the Network Academy CCNA Exploration Class at Montgomery County Community College ( My local College) and I sit for my CCNA exam Jan 26th 2013 I am also considering taking CCNA Security at Montgomery County Community College as well.

4. Important question - What's preventing you from getting to where you want to be? What are you hurdles?
Some days I am really motivated to study and some days I am worried about other things in my life and do not study. I also sometimes get frustrated that there are some things that have not "clicked" for me in my CCNA studies as easily as some other folks I know.
Bottom line is I have to keep pushing.

king26

Hey I am in the King of Prussia area, how was your experience with the MCCC coursework for cisco?

N2IT

So far I do! Running monster queries and taxing all 4 processors for 30 minutes at a time is a beautiful thing. Gives me time to get up and walk around!

PS I was Wife Hacked sorry for the bizarre comments.

Psoasman

Getting there. I picked up a part-time position as a systems administrator. I am hoping it will turn into a full-time position for me.