Experience

How do U get experience when u cant get it @ work?

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Labbing, volunteering, typing properly instead of a twitteresque-form come to mind. What exactly are you trying to gain experience with?

ed_003

This isnt a letter or essay so chill i hot my message across that is all that matters.. anyway - Im tired of help-desk i hate it honestly! I feel like the receptionist for the real IT guys i get not respect. i want to learn admin stuff im a better leader than a follower.

SconnieInShorts

cyberguypr wrote: »

typing properly instead of a twitteresque-form come to mind.

Now that makes a guy chuckle :P

ed_003 wrote: »

This isnt a letter or essay so chill i hot my message across that is all that matters.. ... i get not respect

Not to go totally off topic here, but it's really not all that matters. If you want to be seen as more of a professional, more than just "the receptionist", to get more respect, you need to act like a professional. This includes typing and speaking styles. I can't tell you how much it irritates me to see my colleagues use "u" and "r" instead of "you" and "are" and so on. They are also the ones who are not getting the high-profile projects or jobs and are left behind. It's seen as not professional and it will actually impact you. Even if it's only slightly, it does impact. Getting the point across is great, but it is definitely not the be all end all of communication.

i want to learn admin stuff im a better leader than a follower.

What cyberguypr said is right though, labbing and volunteering is some of the best ways to learn. Find a few tutorials online and then walk through them in a lab; if you don't have the gear for a personal lab then use Azure free trials until you can get some. Also, talk to the managers at work, both yours and the SA/SE manager, see if they will allow you to shadow the Admins or Eningeers to watch how they work. You should be able to pick stuff up along the way and you will get the added benefit of seeing if it's really the field you want to get into. It's definitely not all glitz and glamour, that's for damn sure.

ed_003

Do "U" honestly think this is how I write an email to a client use abbreviations on my resume? hell no!!! I dont even text my boss like that so I dont need lessons in grammar.. there isn't one person I know that can look @ this site and say "o yea thats him".. I have tried asking my boss but I honestly think i know more than he does but tries to act like he all knowledgeable but i dont put him on the spot but its beyond frustrating to see him take the lead at a client site and him just bullshitting the client and they actually take his word for it.

actionhank1786

ed_003 wrote: »

Do "U" honestly think this is how I write an email to a client use abbreviations on my resume? hell no!!! I dont even text my boss like that so I dont need lessons in grammar.. there isn't one person I know that can look @ this site and say "o yea thats him".. I have tried asking my boss but I honestly think i know more than he does but tries to act like he all knowledgeable but i dont put him on the spot but its beyond frustrating to see him take the lead at a client site and him just bullshitting the client and they actually take his word for it.

While it's true that you may never physically run into someone from here, it's possible that there may be someone near you, who might be a potential job contact that is turned off by it.

Is it likely? No, not really. But when you want to be taken seriously, proper writing is the most important aspect when it comes to written conversation. Is that necessarily fair? Maybe not. But, is it worth the minuscule effort of typing at, verses holding shift and hitting @ (does that really save time? That seems a bit odd...).

Anyhow, it's definitely up to you, but I try to treat everything like it's a potential job opportunity, unless it's my close friends that I know would recommend me, knowing how I can actually speak and write. Because, while I can say "I don't talk like this all the time", showing it works much better. You don't know when someone might coincidentally be here from the same area, knowing they need someone with your similar qualifications, and think to themselves "Well, he's definitely been posting a lot about studying and seems to know the material, but I don't know that I want to risk him e-mailing my boss like that".

Obviously, it's not likely, but for a bit of effort, why not save yourself the trouble?

As for the original topic, you might be able to ask people above you if you're help desk if there's anything you can train on off-hours, or help with on the weekends. Maybe they'll have some server work you can help. Build connections whenever possible. I've had one job out of my seven that wasn't through knowing someone inside the company. The more connections you've got, the better you'll do.

cyberguypr

Great quote from a member here:

"Grammar and spelling aren't everything, but this is a forum, not a chat room. You have plenty of time to spell out the word "you", and look just a little bit smarter." by Phaideaux

Not saying any more because the way I read is incompatible with how you write here.

sthomas

Working on certifications in the area that you have interest in and setting up a lab while you study will help you gain knowledge. The best way to get experience though is on the job so if you can't find an entry level position then volunteering somewhere is a good option, this is how I got into IT. Also don't forget networking with people, don't just apply for a job call them up and talk to the IT manager and see if you can send them your resume directly. I would even recommend contacting places that may not have a position publicly open but tell them you are looking and see if there is a need or possible position open in the future.

As far as certification goes A+/Net+ are a good start then moving on to MCSA or CCENT/CCNA. If you enjoy Linux and you want to set yourself apart then Linux+ would be worth looking into. When I first started working in IT I had A+, Net+, and Linux+. The L+ helped me get my first full time IT Support position because the organization had Linux servers and I was the only person that had some Linux knowledge on my resume.

Edit: After looking at your post a second time I see you already work on a help desk. Most of my post still applies though work on certifications and setup a lab, also network with people and that will help you get out of the help desk.

ed_003

Judging someones intellect on typing "U"? really? I dont care if some potential employer is on here they will never know who i am.. u could easily not comment those of u who actually have something useful to say plz do so.

ed_003

sthomas wrote: »

Working on certifications in the area that you have interest in and setting up a lab while you study will help you gain knowledge. The best way to get experience though is on the job so if you can't find an entry level position then volunteering somewhere is a good option, this is how I got into IT. Also don't forget networking with people, don't just apply for a job call them up and talk to the IT manager and see if you can send them your resume directly. I would even recommend contacting places that may not have a position publicly open but tell them you are looking and see if there is a need or possible position open in the future.

As far as certification goes A+/Net+ are a good start then moving on to MCSA or CCENT/CCNA. If you enjoy Linux and you want to set yourself apart then Linux+ would be worth looking into. When I first started working in IT I had A+, Net+, and Linux+. The L+ helped me get my first full time IT Support position because the organization had Linux servers and I was the only person that had some Linux knowledge on my resume.

Edit: After looking at your post a second time I see you already work on a help desk. Most of my post still applies though work on certifications and setup a lab, also network with people and that will help you get out of the help desk.

Thank U! I follow up sometimes but not always but your right.

SconnieInShorts

ed_003 wrote: »

Do "U" ...

And that, right there, is where I stop helping and will ignore pretty much anything you type/say/post from here on out. But by all means, please keep biting the hand that is trying to feed you. See how far that gets you.

Good luck in your endevors

ed_003

SconnieInShorts wrote: »

And that, right there, is where I stop helping and will ignore pretty much anything you type/say/post from here on out. But by all means, please keep biting the hand that is trying to feed you. See how far that gets you.

Good luck in your endevors

I laugh @ u little man... I DONT NEED A DAM THING FROM U all caps just 4 u

scottishkiwi

ed_003.. this isn't a place for attitude or combative behaviour. People in this forum are offering you help and advice. It is your choice if you want to listen but responding the way you do is not helping yourself and it is alienating anyone else from providing you any feedback. I would stand by cyberguypr's initial comment and would also advise "Labbing, volunteering, typing properly instead of a twitteresque-form".

ed_003

scottishkiwi wrote: »

ed_003.. this isn't a place for attitude or combative behaviour. People in this forum are offering you help and advice. It is your choice if you want to listen but responding the way you do is not helping yourself and it is alienating anyone else from providing you any feedback. I would stand by cyberguypr's initial comment and would also advise "Labbing, volunteering, typing properly instead of a twitteresque-form".

I dont need help with my grammar and if I did I would go to another site for that! I need help with the later part of your comment if he doesn't want to comment that is his choice I consider what they are saying irrelevant. But thank u (sorry i mean "you")

Dreday40

ed_003, I can attest first hand to what everyone else here is saying. I was in your shoes 2 years ago(desktop side) but I just started showing a willingness to want to learn more on my own. In the 2 years since, I've gotten promoted to the server team(still feel a bit intimidated as I'm not as experienced) and have gotten my SCCM 2012 certification, MTA Networking Fundamentals certification.

ed_003

Dreday40 wrote: »

ed_003, I can attest first hand to what everyone else here is saying. I was in your shoes 2 years ago(desktop side) but I just started showing a willingness to want to learn more on my own. In the 2 years since, I've gotten promoted to the server team(still feel a bit intimidated as I'm not as experienced) and have gotten my SCCM 2012 certification, MTA Networking Fundamentals certification.

I want to learn badly.. but at my job now theres no opportunity to learn anything because theres no one to learn from.. my boss doesn't have the experience that he appears to have. I want to leave ASAP.

Dreday40

Well you have your A+, Network+, why don't you focus on the Security+. I'm about to study for my Security+ as well.

Louie1277

ed_003 wrote: »

I want to learn badly.. but at my job now theres no opportunity to learn anything because theres no one to learn from.. my boss doesn't have the experience that he appears to have. I want to leave ASAP.

Trust me i know the feeling. My boss handles all the server but I don't get a chance to work on them unless i have to update the security patches on them. that's why i try to build my own server on my laptop but that takes time and learning that I do have but learning slow on your own.

NetworkingStudent

Hello,

In response to the question:
How do U get experience when u cant get it @ work?
1) Finish all of your work and ask others if they need any help..
2) Setup a virtual lab
3)Volunteer inside and outside of work
4) Join a tech meetup

knownhero

This is going to be a mildly long post:

I found getting experience in my chosen field to be a nightmare. I was working NOC way back when and that's where I saw SharePoint for the first time in its 2007 form.

It was then that I knew I wanted to work with that for the rest of my IT career. So I set to get as much experience in it that I could get. I went to our technical team and asked if I could be involved with it at any time they work on it.

They told me to go prove to them that I was serious, so I went out and got my 2007 configuration exam under my belt. I was shot down instantly. They truly believed I wasn't going to do anything and just said that to be "nice". So I had a qualification and no real time hands on with the software which really annoyed me. So after a year or so working in that NOC learning some more about SharePoint I thought it was time to move on.

I managed to land a job with a Development company that asked me to set up a basic standalone (LAME) SharePoint 2010 environment and create some libraries which was nice as I was using the newer version and basically becoming the "SharePoint Guy". Alas this wasn't to last, they pulled me off that and I never touched it again. But on the flip side I was moved to SQL Admin so it wasn't all that bad.

Fast forward two years I move job working for the government in their IT department for taxation systems. This is where I was "demoted" to helpdesk. I absolutely hated it. So I took it upon myself learn PowerShell.

So at this point I had SharePoint 2010, SQL, Server and PowerShell “knowledge” behind me. A job came up for Trainee SharePoint Admin and I thought f-it why not. I don’t mind taking a pay cut to get into the field that I want. So I got an interview and was offered my current role about 2 hours after said interview. I asked what made them choose me so quickly with my lack of SharePoint experience and they said:

“You have proven that you’re worth the risk with the amount of effort you have put into your certifications that you have done outside of working hours. You’re doing it for yourself and not just because someone told you to”

Since then I have now got coding experience, Advanced SharePoint knowledge and better communications skills oh and finally my MCSA 2012 Server/SQL.

Not to mention while doing all this I was studying and building my own lab etc. But I am happy it went the way it has, I have proven to people and myself that I can do it if I put my mind and effort into it. Took longer than I wanted to get to where I am at the moment but that’s the way the cookie crumbles

TL;DR
Never give up on learning. That alone is experience itself, yes you don’t have real world hands on but you’re proving to people you have an actual interest in the subject matter and want to progress.

OctalDump

Set up a home lab. Think up a project, something mildly complex, and figure out how to do it. That is pretty much how most of IT works, anyway.

So, some 'easy' stuff to do - set up a webserver. Make it accessible on the internet. Set up a DMZ. Get an AWS instance and set up something on that, maybe web again with an off the shelf CMS. Set up a Hyper-V. Set up VMware VSphere. Migrate a VM from one platform to the other. Set up a Windows server, play with the services. Set up a VPN to your home.

This stuff is great to talk about in interviews. You will be able to say "I wanted to do this, so I had to do, and I had these problems which I fixed by doing this, and then I decided to add this". Like I said, this is pretty much how IT works. If they can see that you have those skills, some knowledge, and importantly, some enthusiasm, you'll be very attractive candidate.

barberj66

Some good advice on here, knownhero touches on some good points. I've moved jobs when I felt there wasn't any immediate future where I was but one point worth keeping in mind is don't burn your bridges at your current company either even if it's not the best place in the world to be.

I started my first IT job as a trainee, with no real world experience in IT quickly picked things up and was chewing at the bit to progress, stuck it out 4 years and got to the point where I could not see a clear path to progress I got to help out on the higher end server work but not as much as I would like so even though I really enjoyed working there I moved companies and ended up on a helpdesk. I really hated it being stuck to a phone all day dealing with real small issues all the time especially after getting to work with servers and networks at the previous place. My boss at the time said give me 2 years on the helpdesk and we will see what we can do but I couldn't see a future there and as it happens a higher position came back up at my old company and I got through the interview and got the job. (I've since left there and moved on again) But keep on good terms with everyone as you never know if you may work with them again maybe not at your old workplace either. Another guy from the place I went to work for 2 years moved on and called me up saying there may be a job for me at his place but I'd already secured my current job.

So moral of the above waffle is keep on good terms even if you maybe don't get on with someone its always better to have someone on side. Also see if theres any projects your boss is currently or in the future going to work on and brush up on those skills, set a lab up test it all out and if he becomes stuck you can chip in with your new knowledge and maybe show him you have the skills.

End of the day sometimes people get lucky and get to have the experience on the job others have to put in the time at home but stick at it and be prepared to put in the hours at home also. Also don't feel like you will never be that guy who gets the break sometimes you just have to plod along and stick at it until the right opportunity comes along!

ed_003

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

Hello,

In response to the question:
How do U get experience when u cant get it @ work?
1) Finish all of your work and ask others if they need any help..
2) Setup a virtual lab
3)Volunteer inside and outside of work
4) Join a tech meetup

Joining a tech meetup is a good one!

ed_003

knownhero wrote: »

This is going to be a mildly long post:

I found getting experience in my chosen field to be a nightmare. I was working NOC way back when and that's where I saw SharePoint for the first time in its 2007 form.

It was then that I knew I wanted to work with that for the rest of my IT career. So I set to get as much experience in it that I could get. I went to our technical team and asked if I could be involved with it at any time they work on it.

They told me to go prove to them that I was serious, so I went out and got my 2007 configuration exam under my belt. I was shot down instantly. They truly believed I wasn't going to do anything and just said that to be "nice". So I had a qualification and no real time hands on with the software which really annoyed me. So after a year or so working in that NOC learning some more about SharePoint I thought it was time to move on.

I managed to land a job with a Development company that asked me to set up a basic standalone (LAME) SharePoint 2010 environment and create some libraries which was nice as I was using the newer version and basically becoming the "SharePoint Guy". Alas this wasn't to last, they pulled me off that and I never touched it again. But on the flip side I was moved to SQL Admin so it wasn't all that bad.

Fast forward two years I move job working for the government in their IT department for taxation systems. This is where I was "demoted" to helpdesk. I absolutely hated it. So I took it upon myself learn PowerShell.

So at this point I had SharePoint 2010, SQL, Server and PowerShell “knowledge” behind me. A job came up for Trainee SharePoint Admin and I thought f-it why not. I don’t mind taking a pay cut to get into the field that I want. So I got an interview and was offered my current role about 2 hours after said interview. I asked what made them choose me so quickly with my lack of SharePoint experience and they said:

“You have proven that you’re worth the risk with the amount of effort you have put into your certifications that you have done outside of working hours. You’re doing it for yourself and not just because someone told you to”

Since then I have now got coding experience, Advanced SharePoint knowledge and better communications skills oh and finally my MCSA 2012 Server/SQL.

Not to mention while doing all this I was studying and building my own lab etc. But I am happy it went the way it has, I have proven to people and myself that I can do it if I put my mind and effort into it. Took longer than I wanted to get to where I am at the moment but that’s the way the cookie crumbles

TL;DR
Never give up on learning. That alone is experience itself, yes you don’t have real world hands on but you’re proving to people you have an actual interest in the subject matter and want to progress.

Thank you for sharing that..i am not going to give up I really want this. I need to move on m from here because there`s a lot of BS going on, like I feel that he knows that i know more than he does and instead of working together and learning from each other he put on the back burner.. giving little things that I "cant break"! he says he has 25 yrs experience but there is just no way that`s true with the things i hear him say and do. I think hes a hater. I know more 2012, Win10, all kinds of tools, ticketing system, and even networking. I attended a SharePoint training in NY and i do like it I also want to get into that.

ed_003

Louie1277 wrote: »

Trust me i know the feeling. My boss handles all the server but I don't get a chance to work on them unless i have to update the security patches on them. that's why i try to build my own server on my laptop but that takes time and learning that I do have but learning slow on your own.

I have a custom build that i am using for the lab (i7) but i just cant access it from an external network.. I have done it so many times i just dont get it!! i think its my ISP tho

actionhank1786

Louie1277 wrote: »

Trust me i know the feeling. My boss handles all the server but I don't get a chance to work on them unless i have to update the security patches on them. that's why i try to build my own server on my laptop but that takes time and learning that I do have but learning slow on your own.

I know you're not OP, but have you tried asking your boss if there's anything on the server you can help with? The guy above me used to handle all of the user creation and everything (back before I really knew what a server was) but since he was never physically in the office, I saved us both a lot of headaches (everyone asking me when a new user was going to have their information got old, and it saved him having to remote in) when I just offered to take it over and do the user creation.

Since then, I've taken over a lot more on the servers, and even created paperwork and processes to streamline things and make them compliant. Before, we had 100+ users in one big bunch on the server, no organization at all. Old users who hadn't been here for years mixed in with everyone else. One day I just got tired of it, and went through and disabled all of the old users and created an OU for them (Disabled Users) and then a little while ago I started moving through and creating OU's and Groups for every department for the eventual day when I can finally start applying GPO's to users to make my life easier.

Louie1277

actionhank1786 wrote: »

I know you're not OP, but have you tried asking your boss if there's anything on the server you can help with? The guy above me used to handle all of the user creation and everything (back before I really knew what a server was) but since he was never physically in the office, I saved us both a lot of headaches (everyone asking me when a new user was going to have their information got old, and it saved him having to remote in) when I just offered to take it over and do the user creation.

Since then, I've taken over a lot more on the servers, and even created paperwork and processes to streamline things and make them compliant. Before, we had 100+ users in one big bunch on the server, no organization at all. Old users who hadn't been here for years mixed in with everyone else. One day I just got tired of it, and went through and disabled all of the old users and created an OU for them (Disabled Users) and then a little while ago I started moving through and creating OU's and Groups for every department for the eventual day when I can finally start applying GPO's to users to make my life easier.

I have in the pass but i think he's coming around. I will be working with other some production server. Now creating the users he did mention that I would start that down the road but we will see. For now I'm going to keep practicing on my laptop .

actionhank1786

Louie1277 wrote: »

I have in the pass but i think he's coming around. I will be working with other some production server. Now creating the users he did mention that I would start that down the road but we will see. For now I'm going to keep practicing on my laptop .

I always get anxious doing things at work. Even if it's something I've done a million times, I still usually have that "Oh god, what did I hit?" moment. Mainly when I'm using our 2003 Server and try hitting the windows key and typing what I'm trying to bring up, since that usually starts to open random things.

Louie1277

I was just told that i will start working with servers toward 4th quarter since we have other projects in the works... UGH!!!! Now I got back to square 1 once again on learning by myself on my laptop. I have until Feb for the exam. I guess you could say 2 months should be enough time.

ed_003

think positive, eat and breath server 2012.. think about it when u go to sleep and when u wake up..

Louie1277

ed_003 wrote: »

think positive, eat and breath server 2012.. think about it when u go to sleep and when u wake up..

Thanks... like right now i'm loading server 2012 on my portable drive. I'm starting all over again on building my lab.