How long should u stay in an entry level i.t job before moving on?...

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by fatp, Mar 10, 2008.

  1. fatp

    fatp Byte Poster

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    to the next step from it technician or first line support.


    6 months ... a year ?????


    I know this is a heavily 'opinionated' arguement and so please back up your case/ reasoning?


    fatp.
     
  2. Phoenix
    Honorary Member

    Phoenix 53656e696f7220 4d6f64

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    Until you can do the job above, or atleast do it well enough to get by
    Most folks get the oppertunity to get involved with more responsible tasks over time, if your in a place where that doesnt happen, after a year start looking, dont leave till you find something though, you may end up where you started


    It may seem on the outside I have it pretty easy these days, but I went through the same stuff, with a peak unemployment of 18 months!
    Over qualified, Under Qualified, out of work for two long, not enough 'recent' commercial experiance etc, it all gets in the way until you having something special and unique to offer
     
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  3. MrNerdy

    MrNerdy Megabyte Poster

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    I did 2 years in an entry level IT job.
    The experience i gained was helpful in not just doing the job, but doing it well.
    The next 1 year with the same NHS Trust enabled me to build on what i had learnt.
    By gaining 'On the job' expereince it enabled me to offer a better service to the users i helped.

    6-18 months would give you plenty of experience to then climb the IT ladder.
     
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  4. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    I concur with Mr Nerdy. Although one IT recuitment agency stated you must have at least 2 years work experience.

    I guess it depends on the employer and the job. I think you got to put yourself in the employer's shoes and think if you were employing someone who keeps changing their job every 6 months. Would you bother to train them knowing they may leave in 6 months time and you would have to re-advertise the job again?

    Howver, if your bored or can't move up the field where you are then maybe you should try temping or stick it out and get 1 year's worth of work experience under your belt?8)

    But don't leave until you know you have got another job to go to!:blink8)
     
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  5. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Removed post.

    I don't know what's happening today with my PC, but it seems to be hanging, like a big hanging thing...:p:biggrin
     
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  6. Theprof

    Theprof Petabyte Poster

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    I've been doing desktop support for a year and half now and I am very happy with the job because the place that I am at I can progress and over the years become a network administrator. I didn't start at help desk, I started as desktop support and continually growing to do more complicated server tasks. It's important to consider the fact of future promotion. That is if in time you will be given more tasks and projects and with that grow. If not then after you get a good 1 year of experience try to look for something else. I don't know maybe it's just me but 1 year of experience seems like a big difference when compared to 6 months.

    Good luck.
     
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  7. Rob1234

    Rob1234 Megabyte Poster Forum Leader

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    If you enjoy doing the job stay as long as you can, it's not always about the money :D
     
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  8. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    I was going to say the same thing. Repped!
     
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  9. harpistic

    harpistic Byte Poster

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    Hmm, I was about to say 'until you're no longer learning, and no longer being challenged' - though as Phoenix said, as time goes by you'd probably be assigned more complex stuff...
     
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  10. sunn

    sunn Gigabyte Poster

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    I think the default answer is 2-years. However, one can get a lot of experience in less time, while others can get stuck in a specific role and not get to open their wings to experience more.

    The ‘correct’ answer is probably when you’ve done / absorbed all you can in a role it's time to decide to move on, or be content. In addition to the techie side, understand the processes and practices of how a task is performed / implemented in a corporate environment.
     
  11. fortch

    fortch Kilobyte Poster

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    Also depends on your immediate supervisor -- some people are so good that their boss doesn't want them to leave, and actually prevents advancement. I've been in this position more than once (not just IT), and had to *hint* at moving elsewhere before advancement was possible. Note that it wasn't my outstanding abilities that created this problem, just poor management.

    Rule of thumb on any IT progression, and not just entry-level, is what Ryan said. Plus, you have to show aptitude and/or skill for the position you move into.
     
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  12. Neil

    Neil Byte Poster

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    I think that it has alot to do with your current duties as well. If you're not doing nothing much, then you won't be equipped, experienced or knowledgable enough to handle the job at the next level.

    When I became an IT Support tech, I used to hang around some of the older and experienced techs and eventually I learnt some useful stuff on Active Directory, Remote Desktop linking to the server, and how to fix Outlook mail problems resulting from users and changes made on the server. I was not "paid" to do stuff outside my regular duties, but I didn't look at money or respective duties there. I looked at an opportunity to learn and develop my skills. And whenever any of these guys took their day-off, I was called in to assist in their place (only on busy days ofcourse). Pretty soon, 2 of them resigned and I was moved up!

    So moving up in IT in my opinion, isn't measured in months or years, but rather in the amount of knowledge and experience you have in the position you currently have, as well as the position you want to move up to. Example: A tech who only knows to build and assemble computers and who has 5 years of experience shouldn't jump right away to become a network tech/admin -- just because he has 5 years exp behind him! He would definitely need knowledge and experience in networking (or probably do Network+ ;) ) before delving in for such a position.
     
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  13. The_Geek

    The_Geek Megabyte Poster

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    I agree. I've had the chance to go to work for other companies making 3 times what I'm making now. But where I am now I have a company car and gas card and I'm outside a lot, not stuck in an office all day. :D
     
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  14. csx

    csx Megabyte Poster

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    Depends on how quickly you can learn the stuff. :)

    I was in 1st line support for a year and a bit... now I've moved on and doing Migration work for the NHS - which is different every day!

    But i cannot see my self staying in the same job without learning anything new for 12-18 months. Personal preference, but i want to keep learning and keep pushing for that well paid job and actually feel i have achieved something then sitting on my backside. :)
     
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  15. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    And that's one of the best ways to move up... it absolutely works.

    Great advice... rep given!
     
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