IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[↓R↑LYB]

I didn't mention it because once I saw you had to take like 3127463974 prerequiste certs for it, I knew Windows admin work wasn't for me. Plus when you realize how broken MS is from a security standpoint (as in, most sysadmins don't know how to secure their network worth a shyt) I went Linux admin day 1. Plus its a much much easier career progression path going Linux with the money being there from the jump.

As someone who's in security, Linux admin's aren't any better. I constantly have to bang my head against the wall with UNIX/Linux guys because they wrongly believe that platform doesn't have any security issues. It was an vulnerable Linux kernel that allowed the PSN hack a few years back.

And I don't think most Linux admins know how to secure their environment either.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

Just got this in my inbox

We have an urgent job opportunity for Lead Infrastructure Architect -
Atlanta, GA. Please send me your updated resume if you are comfortable with
the requirement.

Job Title: Lead Infrastructure Architect

Location: Atlanta, GA 30303

Pay Rate: $90-$95/hr W2

Start Date: Immediate

End Date: Fill temporarily ~90 days initially. Optionally could
be a temp to perm flip.

Job Description:



Develops/architects plans for Client's hardware, configurations, system
software, infrastructure applications, and the infrastructure services they
offer to applications, the protocols and networks based on short- and
long-term IT organization strategy. Focuses on complex projects and
infrastructure elements. Determines specifications, then plans, designs, and
develops infrastructure solutions. Researches and maintains knowledge in
emerging technologies and possible application to the business. May assist
in planning for hardware resource availability. May assist in network
interface planning. May assist in the development of new applications.
Prepares reports regarding effectiveness of infrastructure and makes
recommendations for the adoption of new procedures. Typically leads complex
projects and participates in larger initiatives. Solves complex technical
and operational problems. Acts as a resource for teammates with less
experience. May have people management responsibilities for a small team.



Detailed Position Requirements and Areas of Knowledge:

* Senior or Lead Infrastructure Architect for Authentication and
Authorization engineering portfolio.

* Advanced skill sets and exceptional knowledge around the following
areas and disciplines:

* Directory Services

* Enterprise (Active Directory)

* Application (LDS)

* Group Policy and GPO Toolsets

* Unix Bridge (Centrify Server Suite)

* Directory Data Sync (FIM)

* Certificate Management

* Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

* Certificate Authority

* Key Management

* Infrastructure Services

* DNS

* DHCP

* IPAM

* Auditing and logging Tools (Dell Change Auditor)

* Identity Management

* Federation (ADFS)

* Web SSO SAML (Centrify Cloud Identity)

* Deep understanding of Microsoft Active Directory versions 2008 &
2012 and underlying concepts including Group Policy

* Direct experience of Microsoft Active Directory 2012,
implementation, operation, and management

* Extensive experience working with and administering a large
Windows 2008/2008R2/2012/2012R2 infrastructure

* Experience and skilled at automatic AD/LDS management via
scripting (i.e., PowerShell, VBScript, or C#)

* Experience with LDS & LDAP directory architecture and design.

* Experience with SAML enabling access as well as single-sign-on
application integration

* Experience with Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS)

* Strong understanding of architecting and configuring Microsoft
Windows OS technology including AD Forests, Domains, Trusts, DNS, DHCP,
Group Policy and Organizational Units

* Must be an expert troubleshooter, able to correlate events and
find resolutions to complex issues

* Strong understanding of PKI (certificate based authentication) and
experience

* Understanding of key regulatory requirements affecting deployment
and operations of systems within a financial services organization

* Migration and consolidation of large scale AD infrastructures and
related technologies such as DNS, PKI (Native Microsoft), Integration with
Single Sign-On and Multi factor Authentication systems Strong communication
skills both verbal and written skills to develop technical documentation and
presentations

* Demonstrated delivery experience and technical architecture
design, configuration & implementation, migration & coexistence expertise
for medium to large sized enterprise messaging platforms the following
technologies:

* Understand strategies around cost reduction, archive, backups and
operations

* Server Virtualization experience



MAJOR RESPONSBILITIES for position:



* Engineering Practice/Portfolio: Authentication and Authorization

* Design Directory Services infrastructure including: Active
Directory (versions 2008, 2012) for enterprise directory services, LDS for
application directory services, design of Group Policy (GPO) for enterprise,
server and workstation policies.

* Responsible for the design of the global backup and recovery of
directory services (AD and LDS)

* Strong 'principal of least privilege access (LPA)' understanding
and ability to leverage technology to achieve such principal

* Have detailed understanding of and be able to handle assignments
in Certificate Management including, PKI, Certificate Authority and Key
Management.

* Have detailed understanding of and be fluent in the various
toolsets that manage the following Infrastructure Services: DNS, DHCP, and
IPAM.

* Evaluating solutions proposed by vendors and identifying the best
fit for organization's requirements

* Demonstrated ability to understand a customer's needs and
articulate technologies to business stakeholders. Including developing
current and future state assessments/designs that address business
requirements and best practices.



Certifications:



Education: Bachelor's degree in and 8 years of experience in infrastructure
management or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

 

[FastEddie215]

Just got this in my inbox

 

[GollyImGully]

Just got this in my inbox

and to think this is shyt your turning down :ohwow2:one day

motivation

 

[↓R↑LYB]

Breh, dudes have no clue how wide open IT is. When I tell cats that 500k/yr is possible dudes think I'm bullshytting

 

[FastEddie215]

Breh, dudes have no clue how wide open IT is. When I tell cats that 500k/yr is possible dudes think I'm bullshytting

Breh i believe you. You are the reason i got my MCSA 2012 cert. Now i need to step my game up ,get that MCSE and more experience (only have 2 yrs experience so far) seems like if you know AD, DHCP, DNS,Powershell really well you will stand out from the rest. I am going back to my cbt nuggets videos and just studying/learning those things To a t. Got my MCSA2012, all i need is someone to give me a shot so i can get up out of helpdesk

 

[MrPentatonic]

Im gonna save up and go back to college to finish my Computer Science degree.

Im still in my 20s but I feel like ive wasted so many years on the streets following a destructive lifestyle, i'm lucky I don't have a record.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

and to think this is shyt your turning down :ohwow2:one day

motivation

Breh this IT hustle is nasty if you understand the game and what to do. Crazy part is this ain't even the peak. I think I got a way to make 200k/mo out this bytch

Breh i believe you. You are the reason i got my MCSA 2012 cert. Now i need to step my game up ,get that MCSE and more experience (only have 2 yrs experience so far) seems like if you know AD, DHCP, DNS,Powershell really well you will stand out from the rest. I am going back to my cbt nuggets videos and just studying/learning those things To a t. Got my MCSA2012, all i need is someone to give me a shot so i can get up out of helpdesk

Breh, you're actually in a better position than I was when I had 2 years of experience (I didn't have my MCSA). You just gotta make sure your resume is on point so you can stand out. Make sure it reflects the job you want, not the experience you have. It took me a while before I could get out of help desk, but once you're out, you're pretty much out for good.

And if you want to leapfrog people, after you learn AD (especially GPO's), learn AD CS and powershell. With just a year of AD CS and PS you could probably start contracting tomorrow and make $30-35/hr.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

Im gonna save up and go back to college to finish my Computer Science degree.

Im still in my 20s but I feel like ive wasted so many years on the streets following a destructive lifestyle, i'm lucky I don't have a record.

How many years you got left on your degree? And how much you gotta save up?

 

[Apollo Creed]

Breh this IT hustle is nasty if you understand the game and what to do. Crazy part is this ain't even the peak. I think I got a way to make 200k/mo out this bytch



Breh, you're actually in a better position than I was when I had 2 years of experience (I didn't have my MCSA). You just gotta make sure your resume is on point so you can stand out. Make sure it reflects the job you want, not the experience you have. It took me a while before I could get out of help desk, but once you're out, you're pretty much out for good.

And if you want to leapfrog people, after you learn AD, learn AD CS and powershell. With just a year of AD CS and PS you could probably start contracting tomorrow and make $30-35/hr.

Im only 27 and just trying to be at 6 figures by 30-32, and thought i was doing good

 

[Romell]

I would say the biggest tip I could tell anyone is: learn how to write code, even if its just bash/powershell automation scripting. It sets you apart from most sysadmins and gives your career a hefty boost, plus it makes it easier to move into DevOps which is where the field is heading. I can tell you from personal experience that even using configuration management tools such as Puppet or Chef (which means you have to learn Ruby) is much easier when you have a base to work off of. Spending my free time learning Python and Bash scripting in my first year of IT work paid dividends in my next couple of jobs.

Plus if you want to go security, its a must.

Yep, my team is DevOps, but I'm more of an ops guy. Learning more of the Dev stuff as I go.

I just got this "opportunity" in my inbox too:

Hello,

This email is for an Excellent Job Opportunity with .... . Please have a look at the job Description below. If you are interested provide me with your Updated Resume.
Location: NASHVILLE, TN (Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee)
Position: Linux, Unix, VMWare Administrator
Pay Rate: Up to $38/hr
Salary: Upto $85K upon conversion
Technical Skills & Top Requirements:
- 5 years Linux
-Virtualization experience with VMware
- Experience with automation tools such as Git & Puppet (Preferred)
- Bachelor’s degree

 

[FastEddie215]

Breh this IT hustle is nasty if you understand the game and what to do. Crazy part is this ain't even the peak. I think I got a way to make 200k/mo out this bytch



Breh, you're actually in a better position than I was when I had 2 years of experience (I didn't have my MCSA). You just gotta make sure your resume is on point so you can stand out. Make sure it reflects the job you want, not the experience you have. It took me a while before I could get out of help desk, but once you're out, you're pretty much out for good.

And if you want to leapfrog people, after you learn AD (especially GPO's), learn AD CS and powershell. With just a year of AD CS and PS you could probably start contracting tomorrow and make $30-35/hr.

ok. Im going to look at the sys admin gigs in my area and tailor my resume based off of the skillset they are asking for.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

ok. Im going to look at the sys admin gigs in my area and tailor my resume based off of the skillset they are asking for.

That's exactly what I do. Remove anything regarding basic help desk tasks and focus on sys admin tasks. So on your resume instead of saying "I worked tickets to reset users AD passwords" say "Performed AD administration and troubleshooting"

Having the 2 bolded words on your resume will get you more looks because that's what these recruiters look for.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

I would say the biggest tip I could tell anyone is: learn how to write code, even if its just bash/powershell automation scripting. It sets you apart from most sysadmins and gives your career a hefty boost, plus it makes it easier to move into DevOps which is where the field is heading. I can tell you from personal experience that even using configuration management tools such as Puppet or Chef (which means you have to learn Ruby) is much easier when you have a base to work off of. Spending my free time learning Python and Bash scripting in my first year of IT work paid dividends in my next couple of jobs.

Plus if you want to go security, its a must.

I don't know about that breh

I know plenty of people at all levels of security that don't even know any languages. Matter of fact in most of the security roles I've had, I've been the only one who knew how to code. But there are positions where knowing coding is mandatory, like anyone on the vulnerability management or identity management side.

I think people forget that security touches everything, even the badge you wear to get into the building has to have security's blessing.

 

[FastEddie215]

That's exactly what I do. Remove anything regarding basic help desk tasks and focus on sys admin tasks. So on your resume instead of saying "I worked tickets to reset users AD passwords" say "Performed AD administration and troubleshooting"

Having the 2 bolded words on your resume will get you more looks because that's what these recruiters look for.

So remove all helpdesk tasks and replace them with system admin tasks. Is there anything i should not put on there as far as sys admin tasks that may raise any red flags? I just dont want these employers saying "how did you perform these tasks when you were only doing helpdesk? "