Best way to move to the next level?

[cabales1]

I'm currently having some trouble making the move to the next level in my career. I've been in the IT industry for about 7 years. Most of that time has been spent doing desktop support, and the last 2 years or so I've had increasing amounts of time devoted to server responsibilites. I've been given several projects that have me spending increasing amounts of time in AD as well. A couple of examples: I'm currently implemeting RIS enterprise wide, and recently implemented, and now manage, Prism for remote software deployment enterprise wide. I am the backup for our print servers, backup servers, and do quite a bit of account management in AD. I have an A.S. degree in Network engineering from a local technical college, and I'm working on a Bachelor's degree in Applied Sciences in Technology Management(essentialy a degree in managing a network/IT dept.) from a state school here in Florida. I have no certifications, because I'd never needed them before and have instead focused on going to school for a degree.

I like my job and my boss, but there doesn't seem to be an opportunity to make the move to network admin/engineer. The guys in our dept. have been here for 10+ years for the most part and none are likely to leave anytime soon. It is also unlikely that we will have any new posiitons come about in the near future. We've had one position that has changed hands a couple of times since I've been here, but it's our Cisco engineer, and I wasn't ready to fill those shoes, and I'm still not.

The way I see it my next step is to become a Network Admininstrator, but not THE network administrator. I feel like I'm ready to be the junior member of an admin team, but I'm having a lot of trouble finding an opportunity for that. I'm unsure of what steps to take at this point. I get plenty of interest in my resume for desktop support type jobs, but next to nothing for admin type positions. I tried giving my resume to a headhunter, but he seemed less than enthused to help me. He said he understood my position, but that most companied that contacted him wanted people who "were ready to hit the ground running".

Is this a common problem? Any advice on how to make the next step?

 

[SantaMufasa]

Cabales,

It is amazing how much progress you can make if you let people (who can help you) know of your objectives. Have you discussed your wishes with your boss? (Most people think [mistakenly] that telling your boss of your wishes might jeopardise your current job.) Your boss (if s/he cares about you) wants you to be happy and can be instrumental in helping you achieve your objectives.

Also, I would go to websites that have job postings for your target career. A quick Google could list such sites for your area of interest. The Google that I just did turned up

http://www.Monster.com,

http://www.hotjobs.com,

http://www.ihirejobnetwork.com,

et cetera.

Networking with existing successful practitioners of your future trade is another helpful resource. Find out if there is an industrial group (similar to International Oracle Users Group and like-minded local chapters such as our Utah Oracle Users Group for us Oracle professionals).

Keep us updated on your thoughts and results.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[tk808]

hit the ground running"? aren't you willing to do that?

Maybe it's time to search on your own for jobs instead of relying on the recruiter. craigslist, dice, local newspaper, etc.

With 7 yrs and those degrees, once the b.s. is completed, I don't think you'll have problems getting sys/jr.net admin jobs. Why not become THE net admin? with google and tektips shouldn't be a problem. Try a small co.

Maybe try looking in other cities?

 

[SQLSister]

Look at your resume. If you are doing network admin tasks now, you may need to rewrite it to a functional resume to make it clear that you do have network admin experience and in the process place more empahsis on the the tasks you jave done which take you inthe direction you want to go and less on the tasks which do not. I'm not saying lie about your experience, but what you empahsie in your resume can make the difference between what labels you as qualified or not.

Professional networking is a good idea for you. Is there a local group you can join of network engineers? Get to know them and more opportunities will come your way.

Questions about posting. See faq183-874

 

[mmorancbt]

You received some good advice above. I'll reiterate - it is something I wrote about extensively in my book.

First, you have to let people at your company know where you want to end up - particularly your boss. If you feel that you cannot "safely" discuss career objectives with your boss, make an assessment; is it you - an internal fear or anxiety you've created - or is it your boss or the company culture that is not receptive to this.

If it is the former, get over it and talk to someone about your objectives. If it is the latter - start looking for some place new to work - and still talk to them.

It is amazing to me the number of people who have career aspirations who wait and hope and expect those positions to just open up at their employer. Then, they grow frustrated when someone from the outside or someone else they work with - less skilled - gets the position. Don't make your boss (or your spouse) have to read your mind - let them know what you want and find out how to get there.

The other fear that people have is that they will find out that that career path is not open for them. But, just as with sales, a clear "no" is much better than a "maybe" - you can plan around a "no" and move on but maybe halts people in their tracks.

Second, you might be the perfect person for a smaller enterprise - the 25-100 person company where you will be "The Network Admin" and the trainer, the applications specialist, the help desk, etc.

Just be sure to create and foster a good "Peer Knowledge Network" - associates online (via discussion, email and IM) and via phone - with whom you can trade advice and information. Tek-tips is a great place to start to develop that.

Good luck.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career