Uhm... Uh oh

So, I got my CCNA recently. I want to get into networking.

Decided I wanted to work in a fast paced environment like a data center or noc.

Applied all over the US

Got a call for a data center position with a great company. Right when I was about to move, a NOC center from another state called and offered my a job with the same pay. I declined, because I wanted to know what this data center company was like to work for. I completely overlooked the fact that this data center job was not a networking job and only focused on the company name. I install and maintain server hardware. No idea what I was thinking. Now I'm worried that I'm wasting my CCNA...

The good news is that I'm in the greater Chicago area, so what do you guys think I should do? Try and work my way up to the corporate hq (which is in another state) and get into the networking department? Or immediately start searching for a NOC position? If anything, this is a lesson learned that I need to make sure I know what I will be doing at my job... sigh

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Comments

N2IT

Do you like the pay, your boss, the work environment, your peers?

I found these elements to be more important than the work itself. Maybe I nuts

but that's the approach I take. I'll schedule, manage, write code etc if the environment is amazing and the people are good.

That's just me though. I have jump ship for what I thought was going to be a better opportunity and while I did learn more, it wasn't sustainable and I ended up leaving again.

In others words if you like it I would consider staying if you don't then start looking.

cyberguypr

Not sure I follow. Did they misrepresent the position or did you completely miss the bus and didn't read the duties?

pinkydapimp

If your maintaining servers you still might have some exposure to the networking side. And really, if not, get some server skills while you increase your networking knowledge either by studying, home lab, or from networking folks at work. then, leverage all of those skills into a Networking position. Its definitely not a waste. So take advantage of whats in front of you now, and then keep it moving.

aderon

Lol how do you commit yourself to moving across the country for a job without reading the job description?

Just joshing you. Personally I think, if you're willing to move again then I'd go back on the search immediately for a NOC position. Despite how slow the process may seem, you're more likely to be hired again before you're likely to get promoted into a different department at a company you only just started at. Plus there's no harm in browsing. Good luck!

NightBlade09

N2IT wrote: »

Do you like the pay, your boss, the work environment, your peers?

I found these elements to be more important than the work itself. Maybe I nuts but that's the approach I take. I'll schedule, manage, write code etc if the environment is amazing and the people are good.

That's just me though. I have jump ship for what I thought was going to be a better opportunity and while I did learn more, it wasn't sustainable and I ended up leaving again.

In others words if you like it I would consider staying if you don't then start looking.

I like one guy thats a veteran there. I don't really like my supervisor, not at now at least. Other two guys are okay, not friend material though.

I might just start looking and take my time this time around and really make sure it's worth it.

Not sure I follow. Did they misrepresent the position or did you completely miss the bus and didn't read the duties?

I only thought about the company name and knew I'd be working on servers. It's my fault

If your maintaining servers you still might have some exposure to the networking side. And really, if not, get some server skills while you increase your networking knowledge either by studying, home lab, or from networking folks at work. then, leverage all of those skills into a Networking position. Its definitely not a waste. So take advantage of whats in front of you now, and then keep it moving.

Good point, I just feel any time not working with networking is a waste.

Lol how do you commit yourself to moving across the country for a job without reading the job description? Just joshing you. Personally I think, if you're willing to move again then I'd go back on the search immediately for a NOC position. Despite how slow the process may seem, you're more likely to be hired again before you're likely to get promoted into a different department at a company you only just started at. Plus there's no harm in browsing. Good luck!

Haha, its true though man. I did read it but just thought, I cannot pass up this company no matter the position. Don't know what I was thinking, completely threw off my goals. I figured I'm kind of stuck here for a year at least because of my lease on the apartment and I just got settled. But I guess it's not worth it if I'm miserable. I'm not sure, we'll see. Yeah it might take me a year or more to get promoted or have a chance to go to corporate. Then, if I apply for a networking position, they might want more networking experience.

DoubleNNs

I was actually in the exact same situation. Passed CCNA, planned to get further into networking, got a Data Center job and even tho the interview didn't seem like it, turned out to be little more than an over-glorified rack and stack gig. I simply didn't ask the right questions and interpreted some aspects of the duty how I wanted to. I know this because a majority (but not all) of the other people who started knew what the gig was all about when they accepted it, so it def was a misunderstanding on my part.

Turns out there ARE opportunities to get into networking at my current job. But that's if I stay for years and work my way up. Or at least by the end of the year have greatly impressed someone by the years end.

I've decided to simply try to make the best of my situation. I do a lot of repetitive work, so I've decided to learn scripting/programming, and have been observing ways that certain taks could be automated at my company. I don't have the skills to actually implement the automation myself yet, but I'm learning enough to understand how to go about doing it. Additionally, since I'm in a *nix shop, I've decided to learn Linux. Even tho my Macbook is technically Unix, I've decided to abandon it and instead use nothing but Linux for a min of a year.

My advice - make the best of your current job, esp if you don't have experience. Realize that even tho you thought you might have liked a more networking-centric position, you never really know since it seems like you haven't experienced one yet. If you're still entry-level moving towards mid-level, take the time to explore the different options moving forward so you can have a more educated decision on where to steer the rest of your career. And just make sure that when it IS time for the next gig, you know what the correct questions to ask are and you understand the scope of the position's duties fully.

NightBlade09

That's good that you have an opportunity to learn networking in that position. Not sure if I will

Yeah, it's a lesson learned. Theres a NOC at corporate that pretty much handles everything. My goal was to get into a group like that at a datacenter or for an ISP. I figured I could learn the most that way and be nothing but networking.