IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[Slic Ric]

Do you have any certs?

I dont breh, I was going to get the A+ but like Ive been doing Help Desk for 2 years now so I thought I was over it (I dont do much hardware) but was thinking of by passing and possibly taking the Network +

I saw a breh a few pages back mention a JR system admin role and I was wondering if that is realistic. I know IT is about leveling up, so I was wondering what the next move is

 

[JT-Money]

Bruh im gettin sick of these companies wasting my time


Advertises Job as 'System Administrator' and emphasizes administering a VMware infrastructure...In the interview, "this is a desktop support position"

Job description is an exhausting wishlist of every known vendor's technology and certs with no clear defined qualifications...... In the interview, "They need somebody with strong expertise in O365, sorry you're not a good fit"


It's amazing how many inept, unqualified MFers can be in a position to gatekeep who gets a job in this industry. I swear this year's been on somebullshyt as far as finding a worthwhile job
It's like the fukkery has ramped up.

Main reason i'm striking out is because the employers are contradicting themselves in regards to what they want and it's


Interviewed for another job prior, VDI Engineer , $125k -$144k annually; Claim they was looking for someone with VMware administration background exp and has a VCP, RHCSA; they emphasized certs. I had all that. They blew smoke up my ass for most of the interview and acted like I was exactly what they were looking for. 10 days go by with no follow-up. So, I call the guy who initially screened me to find out what's up;

"
Hi Rhyme,




My apologies on late response – mgmt. is looking for more of a consultant/Architect type person – they felt you were a good administrator but not an Architect level and they want someone hitting the ground at that level.



Continued success on your search! "

These MFs never once mentioned that they were looking for someone with Architect level experience, Didnt even allude to it and I hung on every word and made notes. They went out of their way to overemphasize how they don't need someone who can hit the ground running and are just looking for some one who is a sysadmin with VCP level knowledge that they can train and get certified and move up over time. These were directors and VPs I was talking to as well with one technical guy in the chat.


This is the flagrant bullshyt that makes me wanna bash a MF face in with a manhole cover. Rejection aint shyt, but singing my praises only to ghost me for over a week and when I hit you up, you completely switch up the narrative for why you bushed me?

I'm in too deep now but I swear this industry is starting to get on my damn nerves yo.

I'm seeing companies hire VDI Engineers over in India who can barely use the command line. I was on a zoom session with one of these cats trying to explain to him to run a command. Lots of IT infrastructure jobs are going to workers in India. They have these high end job titles yet can barely do simple desktop support level tasks. It's actually shocking because I would be fired for showing that kind of ineptitude. Yet everyone at these companies just shrug because these workers are so much cheaper.

Lots of Managers in Corporate America just aren't comfortable giving a brother high level positions. Even if you prove yourself capable they'll still skip over you for promotions or projects.

I refused to do IT contract work for that very same reason. Got tired of having to constantly prove to new people I know what the fukk I'm talking doing.

 

[ryda518]

Brehs who got their CCNA, what was your first networking job

I’m in a helpdesk position that is contract to hire but by the time the contract ends in September it would 9 months after getting my CCNA and my that’s on top of my Aws cert I got last year

If there is a chance even the slightest of me finding a networking job before signing onto a full time helpdesk role I want to go for it. Also by September the job market might be a lot more open so it might be easier to find something

I just feel like I need to find more entry level positions in networking

Btw I’m glad I’m even in this position now when I was scrubbing toilets a few years back lol

 

[ryda518]

I dont breh, I was going to get the A+ but like Ive been doing Help Desk for 2 years now so I thought I was over it (I dont do much hardware) but was thinking of by passing and possibly taking the Network +


I saw a breh a few pages back mention a JR system admin role and I was wondering if that is realistic. I know IT is about leveling up, so I was wondering what the next move is

I took the A+ just to get into your shoes. You honestly don’t have to worry about the A+ because you are in helpdesk and want to move on from it

I tell people to go on indeed and search for the title you want and see the requirements

 

[krexzen]

Brehs who got their CCNA, what was your first networking job

I’m in a helpdesk position that is contract to hire but by the time the contract ends in September it would 9 months after getting my CCNA and my that’s on top of my Aws cert I got last year

If there is a chance even the slightest of me finding a networking job before signing onto a full time helpdesk role I want to go for it. Also by September the job market might be a lot more open so it might be easier to find something

I just feel like I need to find more entry level positions in networking

Btw I’m glad I’m even in this position now when I was scrubbing toilets a few years back lol

Look for a NOC job preferably at a small/midsize MSP. The job and responsibilities will suck, but if you’re lucky they might fast track you to an engineer within or around the one year mark. Either way, if you’re able to get a NOC job, try to become a CCNP. The CCNP makes you a little more competitive when you’re going for Network Engineering roles.

 

[Everything Zen]

Should have the CCNA but end of April. Afterwards I wanted something on Linux, my goal is simply a desktop support position for experience. I’m also moving to PSL Florida by August so I’ll probably have to be driving down to West Palm Beach for work.

What cert should I get after the CCNA? I’m giving up on my S+ it will expire November and I’m not gonna bother with it. I thin Networking or something less social is better for me due to my speech impairment. Don’t wanna get fired like a dog on the street again.

I was considering AWS but I want to be realistic in my approach to money due to my age.

So should I just go Cloud or get something Linux-based?

i'd go full gas on the rhcsa and try to snag the aws-ccp cert (or sa-associate if you're feeling a little ambitious) along the way. the ccp could literally be studied for/passed in like 2 weeks and won't get you any major looks for cloud gigs tbh, but it will demonstrate that you have a high level understanding of cloud infrastructure and will supplement that ccna/linux cert nicely.

 

[Mirin4rmfar]

Brehs who got their CCNA, what was your first networking job

I’m in a helpdesk position that is contract to hire but by the time the contract ends in September it would 9 months after getting my CCNA and my that’s on top of my Aws cert I got last year

If there is a chance even the slightest of me finding a networking job before signing onto a full time helpdesk role I want to go for it. Also by September the job market might be a lot more open so it might be easier to find something

I just feel like I need to find more entry level positions in networking

Btw I’m glad I’m even in this position now when I was scrubbing toilets a few years back lol

Honestly, its all luck man. Just keep applying until you find the best deal for you and your future. Don't stay in the help desk world world too much if you are trying to level up.

If you want to work in Networking and Security, I would suggest you aim to work in a soc that focuses on Networking and Security. There you will be touching firewalls, endpoint, ips/ids , log monitoring etc. etc. this will give you experience in networking and security. Working in a soc won't be fun but the growth will be tremendous because you will deal with so many network and security issues. You will never stop learning and growing. While doing so just get the rest of your certs in order so you can move on.


I passed the AWS Sec in 2019, I am reviewing and studying for aws networking now and it all makes much more sense now.

 

[ryda518]

Honestly, its all luck man. Just keep applying until you find the best deal for you and your future. Don't stay in the help desk world world too much if you are trying to level up.

If you want to work in Networking and Security, I would suggest you aim to work in a soc that focuses on Networking and Security. There you will be touching firewalls, endpoint, ips/ids , log monitoring etc. etc. this will give you experience in networking and security. Working in a soc won't be fun but the growth will be tremendous because you will deal with so many network and security issues. You will never stop learning and growing. While doing so just get the rest of your certs in order so you can move on.


I passed the AWS Sec in 2019, I am reviewing and studying for aws networking now and it all makes much more sense now.

Yeah I’m going over the aws again but just labs since when I took it it was all questions

I was going to do Sysops and the aws network cert but paused it so I can get better fundamentals on networking so I studied for the ccna

 

[ryda518]

Look for a NOC job preferably at a small/midsize MSP. The job and responsibilities will suck, but if you’re lucky they might fast track you to an engineer within or around the one year mark. Either way, if you’re able to get a NOC job, try to become a CCNP. The CCNP makes you a little more competitive when you’re going for Network Engineering roles.

Yeah I’m studying for the encor now, I’m on chapter 8 I believe and thankfully some of it is just ccna review

it’s hard to get it initially but I have fun networking more than anything else especially when you understand it

 

[krexzen]

Yeah I’m studying for the encor now, I’m on chapter 8 I believe and thankfully some of it is just ccna review

it’s hard to get it initially but I have fun networking more than anything else especially when you understand it

Just to let you know, for some industries the higher up the latter you go, the less time you’ll spend in the cli. There are moments when I find myself cherishing the time I get to “technically” troubleshoot or configure equipment. In higher paying roles you’ll be tied up more in leading & directing juniors, scheduling, documenting, maintaining inventory/supply, organizing team and client meetings, factoring in costs (BOMs), etc.

 

[ryda518]

Just to let you know, for some industries the higher up the latter you go, the less time you’ll spend in the cli. There are moments when I find myself cherishing the time I get to “technically” troubleshoot or configure equipment. In higher paying roles you’ll be tied up more in leading & directing juniors, scheduling, documenting, maintaining inventory/supply, organizing team and client meetings, factoring in costs (BOMs), etc.

reminds me of when I moved up to manager when I was in the restaurant business

I may take less money to stay way from doing that again but let’s see in a few years

 

[ryda518]

Had a chat with my boss and he said the company may stay remote till next year and

I get my second vaccine in 3 weeks

I am still processing the information

the feeling of overwhelming happiness

I want to move next year so if it does happen I’ll just travel to the places I think I want to move to. Also it would take me almost two hours on the MTA once we work in the office so to postpone that would save me time

 

[UltimateHustler]

I wouldn't pay for the A+ not worth the money. You can learn that material without having to pay for the cert.

And as for helpdesk roles once you get one it's almost impossible to move up. Always skip over the helpdesk roles whenever possible.

Why is it hard to move up from help desk roles? I’m about 75% done with studying for the A+ and I was thinking the Helpdesk was a good place to start.

 

[JT-Money]

Why is it hard to move up from help desk roles? I’m about 75% done with studying for the A+ and I was thinking the Helpdesk was a good place to start.

These jobs tend to have a really high turnover and burnout rate along with shyt pay. So companies will want to forcibly keep you in these jobs as long as possible.

I've seen the nicest people finally snap after dealing with one a$$hole too many while working on a helpdesk. I lasted barely 6 months before quitting my first helpdesk job.

Most helpdesk gigs lead to nowhere unless you kiss major ass for years. No matter how good a job you do companies take those positions for granted.

 

[UltimateHustler]

These jobs tend to have a really high turnover and burnout rate along with shyt pay. So companies will want to forcibly keep you in these jobs as long as possible.

I've seen the nicest people finally snap after dealing with one a$$hole too many while working on a helpdesk. I lasted barely 6 months before quitting my first helpdesk job.

Most helpdesk gigs lead to nowhere unless you kiss major ass for years. No matter how good a job you do companies take those positions for granted.

Thank you