I am 37 and in the middle of a career change (former educator). I have CCNA, MCP, Net+, A+ and have been a part-time Systems Analyst II at Central Piedmont CC in Charlotte for five months.
I am really good at what I do, a quick learner (earned all my certs within 15 months), and have high aspirations; UNIX admin, CCIE, CISSP, or others. But I can't just sit back and let it happen slowly. I have three small kids and a wife who wants to be at home.
So I've been applying left and right for network/systems analyst/admin jobs where I can really use my skills as well as learn more; large companies like Wachovia, BofA, etc. as well as consulting firms. (I really want to get out of the academic industry.) My favorite skill right now is switch and router configuration which came as naturally to me as breathing, but which I get to do none of now that I'm out of the lab environment.
Are my expectations out of line. I just started but I want to optimize my efforts. Should I look at smaller businesses, focus on consultants, change my job objective to Help Desk / PC Tech, etc? The main thing is that I must find a full time job in the Charlotte area ASAP as my family is suffering with mom at work.
Thanks for any advice.
unc92sax
MCP, CCNA, Net+, A+
I am really good at what I do, a quick learner (earned all my certs within 15 months), and have high aspirations; UNIX admin, CCIE, CISSP, or others. But I can't just sit back and let it happen slowly. I have three small kids and a wife who wants to be at home.
So I've been applying left and right for network/systems analyst/admin jobs where I can really use my skills as well as learn more; large companies like Wachovia, BofA, etc. as well as consulting firms. (I really want to get out of the academic industry.) My favorite skill right now is switch and router configuration which came as naturally to me as breathing, but which I get to do none of now that I'm out of the lab environment.
Are my expectations out of line. I just started but I want to optimize my efforts. Should I look at smaller businesses, focus on consultants, change my job objective to Help Desk / PC Tech, etc? The main thing is that I must find a full time job in the Charlotte area ASAP as my family is suffering with mom at work.
Thanks for any advice.
unc92sax
MCP, CCNA, Net+, A+