Seeking advice for my first 'real' IT job

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I've been a system admin in a hospital research department now for almost 5 years. I started out as a summer student there due to a contact and basically moved boxes around while they moved department. However they noticed i was a tad handy with the ol' pc and instead of calling out their private tech support, they would ask me.

Roll on about 2 years and they bought a new server. They asked me (and i asked for help from a friend) if i wanted to install the new server, as dell were asking for loads to do it, and the private company also viewed this as outwith their contract and would also charge.

Got the job done, and they cancelled their private contract and hired me and my friend.

I was juggling that job, university and another part time job for a while, but now i've finished uni and i'm looking for my first full-time job.

I decided the a CCNA with my previous job expierience would be a great idea, but after starting that i decided i really wanted to exclusively do networking (the further away i am from windows, the better).

Now, because of my expierience, i don't really consider myself entry level (I wrote iptables firewall rules and other network related tasks).

I'm just wondering if i'm maybe trying to punch above my weight. What do you think?

Also, there's a job here that really interests me... it sounds like exactly the sort of role a ccna would be looking for, although it does seem a bit vague in places (what does 'ensure the integrity of all data loaded onto the various platforms' actually mean?) I'm wondering if i should go for it without my ccna icnd, but make it clear that I have every intention of getting it.

Advice folks?
Thanks!

 

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Sounds good to me, set your goals and go for them. You clearly have a talent for things IT.

To me it's saying. make sure that the data on all of our computers, whether they be Linux, Netware, Microsoft servers, Win 9x XP, W2K (ie platforms), is accessible, not corrupted and being backed up properly.

 

You say you want to exclusively work in networking, but to be honest for your first full time job I don't think you really have the luxury of choosing.

If you manage to get a network admin type role then most likely you will be something of a jack of all trades - doing a bit of Cisco, most likely Windows/AD, possibly Voice/Phone system admin etc

I'd say the more exposure to various systems and experience you can add to your CV the better - then you can look into specialising.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

EDIT - Sorry just saw that you have 5 years experience which will obviously help if looking for a specialist role.

 

Good luck "getting away from Windows". Unless you get a job in a large corporation where you're doing nothing but working on one specific aspect of technology, you'll most likely be working with Windows in some form or fashion. Data "loaded on various platforms" will probably mean a few (if not mostly) Windows-based platforms.

For the job you posted, the CCNA will certainly be valuable; they list it as "preferable". That means it's not required, but if you've got it, you'll be given higher consideration over someone who doesn't have it.

Best of luck!

 

Sufer_rosa, the only limit is yourself so go for it as nothing is impossible just keep on applying yourself. Best wishes in your endeavours to move away to MS Windows

 

Goodluck Surfer_Rosa, whatever you decide.

I never did find out whether you managed to sort out the problem with the router (harry or matt, can't remember). Did you buy a new one, or did you manage to get the old one fixed ?