IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[LiquidMasterSwords]

Any Mangers or Team Leads in here?

Long story short, I took a lesser than job because it came with a security clearance. I have the interim right now and it will probably but several more months until my background check is complete. After it's finish my goal was to start the job hunt again for something I want to do, now that I would have the clearance in my pocket.

However I have somehow impressed my manager and he has offered me HIS job. As he has been offered another position within the companion he wants to take. His plan would be to have me work side by side with him for the next couple of months and then eventually take over the position fulltime. I have zero passion to be a manager or leader experience. I've been a on hands tech guy through and through. Again my original plan was to get the secret clearance and bounce to something else immediately. But then I remember this job gave HIM a Top Secret Clearance. Which would be GREATLY beneficial to my career going forward long term. So now I'm thinking about taking the job, but under the requirement of getting a TS/SCI and maybe an additional 20K-40K. Having manager on my resume would be a good look too and they would bring me along, not to mention the current manager wouldn't be leaving the company even after I'm full time with the gig. So I could also use him as a resource. So it's almost a unique opportunity, especially considering I've only be here 3 months.

So the new goal would be, stay here. Get the TS/SCI, get manager experience, make more money and then straight up leave. However anyone with some Manager insight experience would be helpful. Anything you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Also I'm 35 and the rest of my (current team) is between 45 and 60 years old. I'm also the only black person on the team so there's that too. shyt is wild. It's also one of those gigs where I will ALWAYS be on call. Sitting in on meetings and making decisions. Working with HR and other IT departments constantly. Working with vendors and keeping the client happy. Creating work schedules, doing interviews and doing end of year employee reviews. Half my team is morons so I'm almost positive I would be getting "help me" calls in the middle of the night. This would definitely be a full FULL time job.

 

[JT-Money]

Any Mangers or Team Leads in here?

Long story short, I took a lesser than job because it came with a security clearance. I have the interim right now and it will probably but several more months until my background check is complete. After it's finish my goal was to start the job hunt again for something I want to do, now that I would have the clearance in my pocket.

However I have somehow impressed my manager and he has offered me HIS job. As he has been offered another position within the companion he wants to take. His plan would be to have me work side by side with him for the next couple of months and then eventually take over the position fulltime. I have zero passion to be a manager or leader experience. I've been a on hands tech guy through and through. Again my original plan was to get the secret clearance and bounce to something else immediately. But then I remember this job gave HIM a Top Secret Clearance. Which would be GREATLY beneficial to my career going forward long term. So now I'm thinking about taking the job, but under the requirement of getting a TS/SCI and maybe an additional 20K-40K. Having manager on my resume would be a good look too and they would bring me along, not to mention the current manager wouldn't be leaving the company even after I'm full time with the gig. So I could also use him as a resource. So it's almost a unique opportunity, especially considering I've only be here 3 months.

So the new goal would be, stay here. Get the TS/SCI, get manager experience, make more money and then straight up leave. However anyone with some Manager insight experience would be helpful. Anything you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Also I'm 35 and the rest of my (current team) is between 45 and 60 years old. I'm also the only black person on the team so there's that too. shyt is wild. It's also one of those gigs where I will ALWAYS be on call. Sitting in on meetings and making decisions. Working with HR and other IT departments constantly. Working with vendors and keeping the client happy. Creating work schedules, doing interviews and doing end of year employee reviews. Half my team is morons so I'm almost positive I would be getting "help me" calls in the middle of the night. This would definitely be a full FULL time job.

I had to choose between a job with a Top Secret clearance job and the private sector a year ago. But chose the private sector instead because it had a higher starting salary. And I don't live near DC where clearance jobs are plentiful.

I've had a clearance before and kind of regret letting it go. Only time will tell if I made the right decision. But with a clearance under my belt you have way more job options than without.

As far as going moving into a Leadership or Management role is concerned. You'll eventually need to move in that direction anyway. So why not get the experience now and decide whether you like it or not.

 

[Tr0yTV]

Any Mangers or Team Leads in here?

Long story short, I took a lesser than job because it came with a security clearance. I have the interim right now and it will probably but several more months until my background check is complete. After it's finish my goal was to start the job hunt again for something I want to do, now that I would have the clearance in my pocket.

However I have somehow impressed my manager and he has offered me HIS job. As he has been offered another position within the companion he wants to take. His plan would be to have me work side by side with him for the next couple of months and then eventually take over the position fulltime. I have zero passion to be a manager or leader experience. I've been a on hands tech guy through and through. Again my original plan was to get the secret clearance and bounce to something else immediately. But then I remember this job gave HIM a Top Secret Clearance. Which would be GREATLY beneficial to my career going forward long term. So now I'm thinking about taking the job, but under the requirement of getting a TS/SCI and maybe an additional 20K-40K. Having manager on my resume would be a good look too and they would bring me along, not to mention the current manager wouldn't be leaving the company even after I'm full time with the gig. So I could also use him as a resource. So it's almost a unique opportunity, especially considering I've only be here 3 months.

So the new goal would be, stay here. Get the TS/SCI, get manager experience, make more money and then straight up leave. However anyone with some Manager insight experience would be helpful. Anything you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Also I'm 35 and the rest of my (current team) is between 45 and 60 years old. I'm also the only black person on the team so there's that too. shyt is wild. It's also one of those gigs where I will ALWAYS be on call. Sitting in on meetings and making decisions. Working with HR and other IT departments constantly. Working with vendors and keeping the client happy. Creating work schedules, doing interviews and doing end of year employee reviews. Half my team is morons so I'm almost positive I would be getting "help me" calls in the middle of the night. This would definitely be a full FULL time job.

Always take manager positions. Stay for 2 years then bounce. After that you can get a director position or VP role at a bank. You will also be able to hire more brehs. If you network good enough. You can eventually move to a different team that works on the tech you are interested in.

 

[LiquidMasterSwords]

I had to choose between a job with a Top Secret clearance job and the private sector a year ago. But chose the private sector instead because it had a higher starting salary. And I don't live near DC where clearance jobs are plentiful.

I've had a clearance before and kind of regret letting it go. Only time will tell if I made the right decision. But with a clearance under my belt you have way more job options than without.

As far as going moving into a Leadership or Management role is concerned. You'll eventually need to move in that direction anyway. So why not get the experience now and decide whether you like it or not.

Always take manager positions. Stay for 2 years then bounce. After that you can get a director position or VP role at a bank. You will also be able to hire more brehs. If you network good enough. You can eventually move to a different team that works on the tech you are interested in.

fukk these nikkas. So I came in to work today and sat down to discuss the position. I asked about the transition period and how that would work. This guy tells me I would work with him and when I'm finally ready to takeover then I would get the title change. Okay, that's fine. I don't really care about the title to begin with. Then I asked him about getting a Top Secret Clearance and he proceeds to say, well I don't REALLY neeeeed one for the position. If there was ever anything I couldn't get to I could use an escort and whatnot. Then maybe down the line they'll give me one if needed but it's basically a no promises situation. Then I came with the big question. So this is a completely new job with new responsibilities, I expect that this would be for a completely new salary right? Could you tell me the salary or salary range. And this white nikka proceeds to tell me. Well, you would continue making what you're making right now and I'm sure they'll take care of you in the future.

Wait excuse me? Come again. He says they'll look to give me a raise at the next review season or whatnot. No, that's a HARD no. I was looking to leave this gig the moment my clearance came through. Ain't no way in hell I'm going to start taking on the role of a manager while making the same exact money. Get a title down the line and then wait for more money in April (I think April is when they do year in reviews). Only for that money to be a % raise. No, I refuse. I get what you're saying @XNoNameX but I came here ONLY for a clearance. I would only stay if they offered more money and another clearance. Neither of those? Then I'm out.

I told him, for me to agree to anything I need firm dates and firm numbers. He told me he would check with the project manager and if he didn't have the answers he would check with the director. The director is out of town until next week. I told him yeah I'll just wait until next week, ain't no rush right? I sit down with him instead. Y'all not about to piss on me and say it's raining (that's a saying right?). I'm heated, now I have to look at this nikka for the rest of the day.

 

[JT-Money]

fukk these nikkas. So I came in to work today and sat down to discuss the position. I asked about the transition period and how that would work. This guy tells me I would work with him and when I'm finally ready to takeover then I would get the title change. Okay, that's fine. I don't really care about the title to begin with. Then I asked him about getting a Top Secret Clearance and he proceeds to say, well I don't REALLY neeeeed one for the position. If there was ever anything I couldn't get to I could use an escort and whatnot. Then maybe down the line they'll give me one if needed but it's basically a no promises situation. Then I came with the big question. So this is a completely new job with new responsibilities, I expect that this would be for a completely new salary right? Could you tell me the salary or salary range. And this white nikka proceeds to tell me. Well, you would continue making what you're making right now and I'm sure they'll take care of you in the future.

Wait excuse me? Come again. He says they'll look to give me a raise at the next review season or whatnot. No, that's a HARD no. I was looking to leave this gig the moment my clearance came through. Ain't no way in hell I'm going to start taking on the role of a manager while making the same exact money. Get a title down the line and then wait for more money in April (I think April is when they do year in reviews). Only for that money to be a % raise. No, I refuse. I get what you're saying @XNoNameX but I came here ONLY for a clearance. I would only stay if they offered more money and another clearance. Neither of those? Then I'm out.

I told him, for me to agree to anything I need firm dates and firm numbers. He told me he would check with the project manager and if he didn't have the answers he would check with the director. The director is out of town until next week. I told him yeah I'll just wait until next week, ain't no rush right? I sit down with him instead. Y'all not about to piss on me and say it's raining (that's a saying right?). I'm heated, now I have to look at this nikka for the rest of the day.

I would still hang around until your clearance goes final. I was able to leave my Federal contracting company a month after my clearance went final. After they tried screwing me on a raise and promises of more help. My clearance only took like 9 months total but that a long time ago.

 

[LiquidMasterSwords]

I would still hang around until your clearance goes final. I was able to leave my Federal contracting company a month after my clearance went final. After they tried screwing me on a raise and promises of more help. My clearance only took like 9 months total but that a long time ago.

Oh yeah I'm sticking around for the Secret Clearance and then I'll start the process of looking again. That was the goal and I'm almost there. I'm not going to be a manager now with the hope that they take care of me later. Guess what, right after I sent that message the manager came to talk to me again. He told me I should also consider taking this job because it's a good opportunity and it would put me in the IN basically. It's a good networking opportunity and it would put me in the room with a lot of important people who could further my career even more down the line. That everything isn't just about salary, even though that's important but to just consider this aspect also. Then he tells me a story about someone that left for more money but he's basically in a situation where there is zero chance for growth and he works alone.

 

[JT-Money]

Oh yeah I'm sticking around for the Secret Clearance and then I'll start the process of looking again. That was the goal and I'm almost there. I'm not going to be a manager now with the hope that they take care of me later. Guess what, right after I sent that message the manager came to talk to me again. He told me I should also consider taking this job because it's a good opportunity and it would put me in the IN basically. It's a good networking opportunity and it would put me in the room with a lot of important people who could further my career even more down the line. That everything isn't just about salary, even though that's important but to just consider this aspect also. Then he tells me a story about someone that left for more money but he's basically in a situation where there is zero chance for growth and he works alone.

One of the reasons I left Federal Contracting is due to how cheap those contract companies are with salaries.

And they wouldn't hesitate to layoff workers to save money. Whoever made the most money on our contract who would have a huge bullseye on their back. That's why so many contractors would get Federalized in order to have some sort of job security. They would lay people off or drop them from the contract in a heartbeat.

 

[HoldThisL]

Yo what happened to the "nobody wants to work" agenda these companies were pushing out? I done applied to hundreds of jobs and even applied to jobs where I would be taking a huge pay cut. Only got like 4 interviews out of every 100. I also had my resume professionally looked at as well. I don't know what to do, this shyt is depressing.

I honestly think it's because my lack of experience even though I already know the concepts for most things and always trying to learn more. I understand companies probably not wanting to take a risk with me but damn, none of these companies train anymore? Do they want the ultimate Superman IT nikka for minimum wage?

 

[klientel]

Yo what happened to the "nobody wants to work" agenda these companies were pushing out? I done applied to hundreds of jobs and even applied to jobs where I would be taking a huge pay cut. Only got like 4 interviews out of every 100. I also had my resume professionally looked at as well. I don't know what to do, this shyt is depressing.

I honestly think it's because my lack of experience even though I already know the concepts for most things and always trying to learn more. I understand companies probably not wanting to take a risk with me but damn, none of these companies train anymore? Do they want the ultimate Superman IT nikka for minimum wage?

If you are confident in the tech or concepts put it on your resume. Nothing wrong with lying on your resume breh…

A lot of people do it.

 

[HoldThisL]

If you are confident in the tech or concepts put it on your resume. Nothing wrong with lying on your resume breh…

A lot of people do it.

The thing is I don't know how to lie. With some of the skills I am confident that I know enough to do whatever they are asking of me * specifically for entry-mid level. I know that I am not any master at it though, but it's hard to determine what level of understanding they want me to know.

I started to apply to some help desk jobs recently, to see whats up, hopefully I can get at least a call back from them.

 

[DIMES]

You might want to look up ITIL Foundation cert. Plenty of companies require it for service type jobs.

Hmm, U think that’s necessary for entry lvl helpdesk?

I thought a+ Cert & some some customer service is all u needed.

 

[JT-Money]

Hmm, U think that’s necessary for entry lvl helpdesk?

I thought a+ Cert & some some customer service is all u needed.

At several large companies I've worked for the ITIL cert was mandatory for everyone in the IT Department. If they don't have to pay for you to take the cert that's a plus.

I've only seen this at companies with thousands of employees. But I ran across enough of them that I decide take it. Especially since it's good for life and doesn't expire.

 

[klientel]

The thing is I don't know how to lie. With some of the skills I am confident that I know enough to do whatever they are asking of me * specifically for entry-mid level. I know that I am not any master at it though, but it's hard to determine what level of understanding they want me to know.

I started to apply to some help desk jobs recently, to see whats up, hopefully I can get at least a call back from them.

Just embellish everything on your resume. You reset some password one day? Enforce security standards and policies…

You installed some random app on a users workstation? Application delivery and configuration management….

If this is a place that has a cloud presence and you feel comfortable with that put it on your resume. fukk it

 

[cartierhoe]

The thing is I don't know how to lie. With some of the skills I am confident that I know enough to do whatever they are asking of me * specifically for entry-mid level. I know that I am not any master at it though, but it's hard to determine what level of understanding they want me to know.

I started to apply to some help desk jobs recently, to see whats up, hopefully I can get at least a call back from them.

I would create a blog/website that shows what you've done like labs. Put that on your resume, and you get to talk about it in interviews. I would highly recommend if you have the money taking a cc course and document everything you do in that class, put it on your blog. Apply heavily to internships/co-ops and reference everything you've done up to this point, and honestly that way can help you skip help desk. But I would still create the blog and document all the stuff you know/have done within whatever space you wanna do in IT. Hope that helps.

 

[HoldThisL]

I would create a blog/website that shows what you've done like labs. Put that on your resume, and you get to talk about it in interviews. I would highly recommend if you have the money taking a cc course and document everything you do in that class, put it on your blog. Apply heavily to internships/co-ops and reference everything you've done up to this point, and honestly that way can help you skip help desk. But I would still create the blog and document all the stuff you know/have done within whatever space you wanna do in IT. Hope that helps.

Thanks breh, I actually was thinking about hosting a blog using Wordpress+AWS services like Route53, CloudFront, S3, etc, but I got stuck because I don't know how to blog if that makes sense. Do you have any resources on how to exactly document progress, do documentation, or blogging for IT that would look good towards employers? I did some documentation and stuff for my last job but it was not in depth or anything.