Las Vegas - Cisco/ Network people

Hatch1921

Just back from another great time in Las Vegas... each time my wife and I visit, we want to live there more and more. Currently living in Phoenix. I'm keeping an eye on the job market (still a student ...old one at that) and being the place isn't huge... I haven't seen a lot of jobs being posted in networking.

I'll finish with school summer of next year.

So... my question... anyone from Las Vegas or currently working there wish to share a little insight to how the job market is doing? I know with the housing slump, Vegas was hit hard. Are things turning around employment wise? My goal is to have CCNP R&S complete over this next year along with finishing up with college.

It's just my wife and I and we can pick up and go where the work takes me... but... Vegas would be our first choice if possible. Texas would be second.

Just curious to what you all think.

Thanks,
Frank

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Comments

YFZblu

You aren't liking Phoenix? You're a four hour drive from Cali, Mexico, and Vegas!

Hatch1921

YFZblu wrote: »

You aren't liking Phoenix? You're a four hour drive from Cali, Mexico, and Vegas!

I like it.. not as much as Las Vegas or a few other places..... we've been here since 2005. My wife on the other hand.. is ready to leave. I'm retired Air Force... we moved about every 4 years... for the past 20... so... we are passed due.

olaHalo

CCNA seems to be golden here. So if you have CCNP, youll easily find a job.
The pay isnt as high as other areas, but the cost of living is a lot cheaper.

Homes here are also very cheap
I cannot compare Vegas to Texas but I really like working in IT here. Casino jobs are always popping up for Cisco and MS guys.

Hatch1921

olaHalo wrote: »

CCNA seems to be golden here. So if you have CCNP, youll easily find a job.
The pay isnt as high as other areas, but the cost of living is a lot cheaper.

Homes here are also very cheap
I cannot compare Vegas to Texas but I really like working in IT here. Casino jobs are always popping up for Cisco and MS guys.

I appreciate the info.

How long have you lived there? We've made it a point to cover 90% of the area... lots of nice areas to live from what I can tell. I lived in Texas for 4 years... while in the service... cost of living wasn't bad even while I was making peanuts. I'll start job hunting this coming Spring to see how things pan out.

Thanks again for everything.
Frank

Krones

Human Resources - NSHE
Free tuition and I know they are hurting for network admins.

Another one always needed voice guys especially:

http://www.telepacific.com/

I know a few places with open network positions. There always seem to be something but not a ton. You do you have to kind of dig because if you search for CCNA on craigslsit or indeed not many hits show up.

Hatch1921

Krones wrote: »

Human Resources - NSHE
Free tuition and I know they are hurting for network admins.

Another one always needed voice guys especially:

TelePacific Communications | Business Internet and Phone Provider

I know a few places with open network positions. There always seem to be something but not a ton. You do you have to kind of dig because if you search for CCNA on craigslsit or indeed not many hits show up.

Many thanks! I've kept my eye on Telepacific and I agree.. they do post a lot for Voice people. One thing which got me to thinking about the voice track to get us there... several of the hotels we have stayed at were using the Cisco IP phones. This last stay... the room had 3 in it. Still have about 9-10 months before I really start job hunting but it's good to know you can be employed there.

Going to check out the NSHE link now.. thanks again for the great info.

Frank

olaHalo

Hatch1921 wrote: »

I appreciate the info. How long have you lived there? We've made it a point to cover 90% of the area... lots of nice areas to live from what I can tell. I lived in Texas for 4 years... while in the service... cost of living wasn't bad even while I was making peanuts. I'll start job hunting this coming Spring to see how things pan out.

Thanks again for everything.
Frank

Ive been here about 20 years. The "nice" areas are the typical suburbs like most cities. Though the inner city has its nicer spots too. The city is pretty small and traffic really isnt that bad. Terrible drivers though and our schools have a poor reputation too (I loved going to school here but I cant compare it to anywhere since its all I know).

As for as job hunting goes most casinos have their own job postings on company websites, so I'd check there first.

Hatch1921

olaHalo wrote: »

Ive been here about 20 years. The "nice" areas are the typical suburbs like most cities. Though the inner city has its nicer spots too. The city is pretty small and traffic really isnt that bad. Terrible drivers though and our schools have a poor reputation too (I loved going to school here but I cant compare it to anywhere since its all I know).

As for as job hunting goes most casinos have their own job postings on company websites, so I'd check there first.

The driving there is on par with Phoenix LOL well... your cab drivers are crazy... I will say that

We've covered most of the area... we haven't made it to south Las Vegas or south of Nellis. I agree... there are pockets of nice areas all over. Phoenix is the same in that sense. Thanks for the tip about the casinos. Hopefully things will pan out and we will make the move early in the summer of next year.

Thanks again,
Frank

spicy ahi

Is your clearance current? And is it TS? I have a few contacts still on Nellis and Creech and I can pass your resume along if you'd like.

Hatch1921

spicy ahi wrote: »

Is your clearance current? And is it TS? I have a few contacts still on Nellis and Creech and I can pass your resume along if you'd like.

Hi Spicy,

No on the clearance

I've only ever had the secret... it expires 2 years after you retire/separate from the service. I need to apply again as I've seen a few jobs... on Creech which require the TS. Adding to the list of things to do.... appreciate the offer to pass on the resume.

On another note... how did you go about studying for the CCNA: Security? GNS3? home lab? School?

thanks again,
Frank

Hatch1921

Interesting take on Vegas. My wife and I enjoy the food scene there... Phoenix can't compete.

The entertainment is nice as well... I can't see us going to the strip all the time or anything like that... but... I think Vegas has a lot more to offer for us than here in Phoenix. I could be wrong as I haven't lived there. the job market here is strong.. and being that I'm just starting out in IT, I've contemplated working here for a year and then making a move.. to either Vegas or Dallas/Fort Worth. I do appreciate the comments.. always good to have different points of view.

Frank

olaHalo

phoeneous wrote: »

If you like the dry desert look and lack of sports and culture then Vegas is for you, otherwise I would suggest not moving here.

Someone lost big at the casinos!
I'm just kidding...

I do want to see what Phoenix is like though.

Hatch1921

olaHalo wrote: »

Someone lost big at the casinos!
I'm just kidding...

I do want to see what Phoenix is like though.

Phoenix is interesting... 5 million people over the Valley... the place expanded so quick with the housing boom... lots of ghetto mixed with new developments. Only place I've been where you can drive on the main highways for an hour or more and never leave some form of city.

Things to do here... well... lol all depends on what your interests are I suppose. There is a little something for everyone...

naclh2onaz

If you have any info on NOC or network jobs here in Phoenix, let me know. As soon as I finish my CCNA, Ill be looking for one.

Hatch1921

naclh2onaz wrote: »

If you have any info on NOC or network jobs here in Phoenix, let me know. As soon as I finish my CCNA, Ill be looking for one.

I haven't been looking much here in the Valley... if something pops up... will drop a note.

Krones

I was just in Phoenix not too long ago to help with some glorified heavy lifting and install some servers for my work's colocation. Nice place, here is a listing for what the colo is looking for with their junior network engineers: Job: Junior Network Engineer | Phoenix NAP Employment

As for PHX, boy it has changed. Too many people for my liking. I grew up in Mesa. Definitely not on my list of places that I want to live any time soon. I notice with people that live in Vegas you have the camp that love it here and others that do not. I would say the guys that I run into that gamble on a regular basis are the ones that love it and the others that do not would not miss it if they moved away. One nice thing about Nevada, no state income tax.

Cherper

Krones wrote: »

Human Resources - NSHE
Free tuition and I know they are hurting for network admins.

As someone who works for the State of Nevada, the NSHE jobs are almost always opened to the public, but filled internally. They are required by law to open the positions for a while. The NSHE guys really do seem to promote from within, so getting in at the lowest level might be one strategy.

I get calls all the time from headhunters in Vegas, but I am not going to leave northern Nevada. Another place to keep an eye on is Bally's Technology (they make slot machines and other gaming systems). I interviewed for a position a few years ago with them but the travel wouldn't work out. They often have positions open.

Good luck. You can always check the Nevada State Department of Personnel site. A lot of agencies hire people for their LAN type work. (https://nvapps.state.nv.us/NEATS/Recruiting/ViewJobsHome.aep) Unfortunately, we only have seven network engineers for the whole state, and only two are in Vegas and I don't think they are looking to leave anytime soon.

Hatch1921

phoeneous wrote: »

If you're moving for work, Dallas/Fort Worth > Vegas.

Don't get sucked into the Vegas effect. It's cool and pretty when you visit but after being here for several years you just can't wait to leave. Do you have kids?

No kids... just my wife and I, so... moving is pretty easy on us. Couple of other factors for us when the decision comes... the use of the base... Nellis is nicer than the base we have here. You guy just opened up a new VA hospital as well. Just some things which come in to play as we try to figure out the next steps in our journey. Of course the main concern would be employment.

Hatch1921

Krones wrote: »

I was just in Phoenix not too long ago to help with some glorified heavy lifting and install some servers for my work's colocation. Nice place, here is a listing for what the colo is looking for with their junior network engineers: Job: Junior Network Engineer | Phoenix NAP Employment

As for PHX, boy it has changed. Too many people for my liking. I grew up in Mesa. Definitely not on my list of places that I want to live any time soon. I notice with people that live in Vegas you have the camp that love it here and others that do not. I would say the guys that I run into that gamble on a regular basis are the ones that love it and the others that do not would not miss it if they moved away. One nice thing about Nevada, no state income tax.

We enjoy our trips there for the food and shows. We do not gamble...

I grew up 5 hours south of here and would visit on occasion... back in the 80's/90s (I'm old lol ) When we ended up stationed here in 2005, we were floored by the growth. The drive out to the base seemed to take forever when I was young....as you were going through fields and it was out in the middle of no where at the time. Fast forward to 2005 and wow.. did things change. This isn't a bad place to live... do not want to give that impression. I think we are just ready to give somewhere else a try. I still have a year of school to complete and then we will move on. thanks for the post

Hatch1921

Cherper wrote: »

As someone who works for the State of Nevada, the NSHE jobs are almost always opened to the public, but filled internally. They are required by law to open the positions for a while. The NSHE guys really do seem to promote from within, so getting in at the lowest level might be one strategy.

I get calls all the time from headhunters in Vegas, but I am not going to leave northern Nevada. Another place to keep an eye on is Bally's Technology (they make slot machines and other gaming systems). I interviewed for a position a few years ago with them but the travel wouldn't work out. They often have positions open.

Good luck. You can always check the Nevada State Department of Personnel site. A lot of agencies hire people for their LAN type work. (https://nvapps.state.nv.us/NEATS/Recruiting/ViewJobsHome.aep) Unfortunately, we only have seven network engineers for the whole state, and only two are in Vegas and I don't think they are looking to leave anytime soon.

Thanks for the link and the tips. I will add this to the bookmarks for sure. It's been my experience as well when it comes to State or Gov jobs.. lots of hiring internally. While I was in the service ... we had to post the civilian positions to the public but the majority of the time we hired internally. This is going to be an interesting journey. As strange as this sounds.. I've never been on an interview, I joined the Air Force right out of high school. I've never had the need for a resume either.

Lots to work on in the next year.

Thanks again for the post, I appreciate it.

Frank

naclh2onaz

Krones wrote: »

I was just in Phoenix not too long ago to help with some glorified heavy lifting and install some servers for my work's colocation. Nice place, here is a listing for what the colo is looking for with their junior network engineers: Job: Junior Network Engineer | Phoenix NAP Employment

As for PHX, boy it has changed. Too many people for my liking. I grew up in Mesa. Definitely not on my list of places that I want to live any time soon. I notice with people that live in Vegas you have the camp that love it here and others that do not. I would say the guys that I run into that gamble on a regular basis are the ones that love it and the others that do not would not miss it if they moved away. One nice thing about Nevada, no state income tax.

Thanks. Ill have to put in an app when I pass the ICND2

Hatch1921

Hi all...reviving the thread...

School is coming to an end and I'm still interested in making the move to Las Vegas. Any new news about the job market?

Thanks,
Frank