Career Choice?

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I'm currently trying to plan my next years worth of studying and a collegue came up with an interesting variation.

I would appreciate your feedback, in where you think I should go.

I should be moving into 2nd Line Support in the next couple of months (one month after recieving security clearance, which has been OK'd by the Service Delivery Manager). In this position, we will get access to the Server side on things, but it is locked down by 3rd Line Support as they set all the Group Policies, Exchange settings etc.

The chances of getting into 3rd Line is possible, but whether or not I will or won't be recongised is something that I will not count on!

The position, I'm in currently, is that the Helpdesk that I work on is all focused on Microsoft products. Please bear in mind, I only started my first IT job 2 1/2 months ago

My plan is as follows:

Pass 290, 291 and then 284 to get MCSA: Messaging

The Messaging part of the MCSA, I will not use at all in my current role, but thought it would be a bonus on my CV as I assume that alot of companies out there want people who know about Exchange.

This part I'm happy with and hopefully this should be done by the end of Feb 09.

The next part of the 'plan' is where I need the help, I want to get into System Admin.

The choices are:

A - Get an MCSE, however, the skills that I would learn in passing the 293,294, 297 would not be used is my currenty role. I would probably pass these all by the end August 09 (allowing two months per exam).

B - Go for the CCNA, again I would not be using these skills in my current role. Again, I would look to achieve this by the end of August 09.

So which would look better on my CV, I'm thinking that the MCSE is too high level and the CCNA would broaden my skill set.

I do want to keep focused on the studying and combine both knowledge and qualifcations, so doing nothing and getting more experience is not an option, as I do not have the luxury of time (within reason) to increase my earnings capacity e.g. wait three years until progression.

Hope this makes sense and I would appreciate any feedback.

 

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Hi mate, congrats on the promo to 2nd line.

A CCNA is just as "High end" as an MCSE. From what I gather about your work situation you are going to find it difficult obtaining the CCNA as you won't have the chance to gain practical experience.

You will already have several exams towards your MCSE but this will still be tough without being able to get practial experience at work.

What does your boss think is the best action plan ? He/she would be a good person to discuss this with.

It also comes down to what you think you would prefer to continue studying, what element of IT do you have most passion for ?

 

Funnily enough, it was my Team Leader who suggested it!

We where chatting about my goals and he mentioned the CCNA, as he felt it would look better on my CV than an MCSE, even though it would not benefit the department in any shape or form.

He felt that I could move across to a different Helpdesk with these skills once I start studying for the CCNA.

As I'm new to IT, I do not know which area I want to specialise in, I just want exposue to lots of stuff and to see which one 'floats my boat'.

So far, I have to say I'm enjoying the Server side of things, but who knows, I could find networking to be my 'Golden Chalice'!

 

If you're not using the technologies even marginally, then it won't be all that worthwhile to get the MCSA, MCSE, or CCNA certifications... yet.

Keep in mind that certifications aren't designed to show employers what you WANT to do... certification is designed to show employers what you can ALREADY do.

Personally, I think you're trying to put the cart before the horse... and then trying to push the horse into the cart. There's a reason why Microsoft recommends 6-12 months of server administration experience before pursuing the MCSA.

You've taken the next step into 2nd line, which is quite admirable... but don't be foolhardy. Patience, Padawan. Build some solid server administration experience, learning from the guys on the 3rd line... then get your MCSA certification AND the server admin job.

 

Thanks for the feedback, I have always been very driven when it comes to my career.

When I changed into IT, I knew that I would be able to apply those same skills to anything (within reason) that I put my mind too.

I will be using some of the MCSA experience in 2nd Line so by the time I have finished the MCSA in Feb 09, I would have been using those skills for approx 4 maybe 5 months. Doing things like account moves, user and group permissions, logical printers to name a few. I won't be involved in items like setting Group Policy or WSUS installations. So I will probably be utilising abuot 50% ish from what I have seen so far in the 70-290, but all of the Client stuff.

Crikey I was rambling a bit there..

Anyways something I did not mention, other Service/Helpdesks have alot less restrictions than the one I'm currently on. They also have a broader remit, including things like Citrix, Cisco and HP. There could be an opportunity to move into those as well...

 

Being driven doesn't mean you have to be reckless while doing it. ;)

The recommendation is not for when people should *finish* the MCSA... but for when people should *start* the MCSA. Thus, according to Microsoft, the 70-290 exam should be gotten AFTER you've had 6 months of experience of messing with XP in a domain environment. And I agree with their recommendation.

Nobody is saying that you cannot pass the exam without that much experience. In truth, many people pass without any real-world experience at all. But the question is this: of what use is it without the experience that employers desire? Plus, it'll be *much* more difficult to understand without the real-world experience... it can feel like a slow slog, even for very intelligent people.

 

My bad ken

 

And this is exactly the way to get real-world experience with the "next step" in your career... by assisting (and learning from) those who are doing the job you eventually want to be doing. It absolutely worked for me, it's working for Arro, and I suspect it's working for many others on this forum who have been in IT for a while. Anyone have a similar testimony to share?

 

Thought I would give you an update, as it has been an interesting few days.

I have been asked to be seconded to a different Service Desk, which covers support from 1st Line to 3rd Line using Citrix, Cisco, Microsoft and other software.

The good news is that as this desk operators differently. The proceedures in place mean that when you are awaiting clearance, you recieve full access.

After a 30 minute 'chin wag' with my new Manager, I naturally said yes and I will be let loose from Tuesday onwards, doing everything after a few days training.

It is going to be a steep learning curve as the Service Desk looks after 19 conracts, with each contract having different access levels into there systems from Full Access 3rd Line to 1st Line.

The reason why I'm really happy, is that I was chosen from all the Uncleared people on our desk (around 15 and approx 5 of these being 2nd line).

This new desk it is considered to be slightly higher level then my current desk as we deal in exclusively MS stuff.

So it looks like my studying for the 70-290 will be coming in handy

 

Sounds good! Well done. Let us know how it goes.