career advancement- help please

I'm going to try to keep it simple, I currently work in desktop support and like everyone looking to move up. I would like to do networking but I dont have experience, so I'm thinking system admin because I have knowledge and very little work experienc (the system admin teaches me when he can).

My question to you is do companies ask for experience right away? How did you move from helpdesk/desktop support to a different/higher position? If so what should I know and how did you do it? I'm still in my first IT job and I see the business the way my company does it and if you dont have work experience you dont move on from desktop support unless you've been with the company for 10+years. My problem with that is my company offers training, but they keep it directly with my job description (so nothing to do with network/server) so I dont get any experience. I had to fight to get the MCTS and I'm still not 100% sure they'll pay for that so thats coming out of pocket.

Little bit about me, I'm working on my BS in information systems (I have a BS in criminal justice) A+, Sec+, and starting classes for MCTS in Nov. I dont consider being a bad employee since everytime I try to leave, the company gives me a small pay raise and promotes me within desktop support. How did you make a change in your career from one job position to the next. Thank you in advance!

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Comments

da_vato

Have you considered asking your current employer about moving into a network role? Many companies are willing to train an individual. If your company already sees you as a go getter they may be willing to do this for you.

DoubleNNs

For your MCTS, are you doing client or server?

If you truly want to do networking, why not look towards the CCNA? (Or even the net+, seeing as you have the A+ and Sec+ but skipped the Net+)

Bryan0530

da_vato wrote: »

Have you considered asking your current employer about moving into a network role? Many companies are willing to train an individual. If your company already sees you as a go getter they may be willing to do this for you.

I have, I get the run around with them... All of our network admins are at a different locations and the managers there dont know me. maybe they dont see me as a valuable net admin...

Bryan0530

DoubleNNs wrote: »

For your MCTS, are you doing client or server?

If you truly want to do networking, why not look towards the CCNA? (Or even the net+, seeing as you have the A+ and Sec+ but skipped the Net+)

I was denied for network+, and i am going to school part time because i cant afford full time so for now CCNA is too expensive. i wasnt aware MCTS had two different types. Im attending this course:

MCTS (Microsoft certified technology specialist) training and certification in Washington DC

puertorico1985

I am not sure what you mean by "denied" for the N+. My recommendation is to study on your own, schedule a date for the test, and take it. No "approval" necessary. I took my A+, N+, and S+ by self study and using video training from testout.com. Their videos and comprehensive tutorials are all you will need to understand the material, and pass the exam. When I decided to go for my N+, it took me about two weeks from start to finish. I did have some prior knowledge, but it is not difficult at all if you put the time in.

Edit: You do have to pay for the services, but you can find promo codes out there that lower the price considerably. I recently purchased their CCNA (200-120) course material for $89.

DoubleNNs

Is it possible to start saving up now for the exams? It takes a while to study the material and lab to the point of being confident in passing the exam. Start saving now, little by little, and by the time you're ready to take the exam you may have enough to register.

Jackace

If you like networking and that is where you want to be then get your CCNA and find an entry level networking job in a NOC or as a Jr Admin. The positions are out there, but it might take time to find one that will take a chance on you.

JoJoCal19

Aren't the Microsoft exams like $150 each, and if I recall correctly the Cisco exams for CCENT/CCNA are $150 each? If you want to get into networking, you'll probably have to start in a NOC. Ditching the MS certs and going for the Cisco certs would be the better path.