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Home > Archive > Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries > November 2002 > Need some advice regarding an advancement, please help!!!
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Need some advice regarding an advancement, please help!!!
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| Hello all, (this is kinda long but I NEED some advice)
I need some of your thoughts about a possible job change. Here we go, I am currently a network analyst making about 35 a year. My responsiblities are to monitor our network. That is pretty much it. I can't fix anything or even try to for that matter. If say a server throws up a contact lost alarm, all I can do is try to ping or telnet to it to determine if I can contact the specific server. If not then I have to page the specific person that deals with the server to look at it. Now that really sucks since I work 3rd shift. Usually it means waking someone up. That person then determines what to do. At that point my responsibilities are done. I'm back to monitoring (surfing the net) the network, waiting for the next thing to go wrong.
Sorry for this long description. My question is that in Feb I get a review and if it goes the way it has in the past with the market, my raise won't be shit. Our company has a firm wide cap of 4%. That would put me at about 36 or 37,000. Here is what I need help with. I possibly have a chance at a job that is a helpdesk/network engineer position that offers a max of 40,000. They key here is that I would be resonsible for everything. I have a buddy that just got hired and he loves it. He rarely is doing the helpdesk part of the job and is looks after about 5 servers, deals with the Cisco routers, and is getting into some Citrix stuff. He is learning constantly and is always on the go. That is what I have been looking for since getting into the whole IT thing. I would love to be in charge of all that cool stuff.
But would you guys make the jump just for 40000???
The pro's would be it would be an awesome learning position and that I would be able to work on some certifications and get real world training, but the con's are ????
I am sorry for this long story but I am asking for your help. let me know what you think. | |
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| huh? what is the problem exactly?
over 10% increase of your current salary, more exciting job, exposure to technologiges etc... I don't understand this
"But would you guys make the jump just for 40000???"
if I were you, I would make the jump for current or even less salary (tho your salary IS bad...).
your current job if what you discribe is accurate can be fully automated... If I were the person in charge at your current employment, I am prolly implementing some technology solution to rid your position.
and web surfiing? make better use of your time. just because its late at nite with minimal supervision does not mean you can't be productive (work or personal). you state taht the job you are looking at would be neat for certification, so is your current job. give me 4 hours/day paid to do nothing and I will take the opportunity to pass a test every week or 2. | |
| twister166 2002-10-12, 9:37 pm |
| I agree with Mikop, this is the hands-on IT world... take chances, the only question you need to find out is if the new company is financially sound, so you would not get laid off right after you get hired... | |
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| Twister/Mikop
Thanks for your reasoning. As far as the company goes, I do believe that they are sound but you never know with this market.
My main concern was exactly that. I have an interview next week and I will let you all know how it goes. The current company I work for is totally secure.
Mikop,
as far as my job now it is becoming more automated and that is what scares me. I do however use the huge amount of spare time for studying. It's not all wasted. I just would like a more functional positon. This new job would be a ton more hands on. Anyway thanks for the input. | |
| twister166 2002-10-12, 10:06 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by Rcj2
Twister/Mikop
Thanks for your reasoning. As far as the company goes, I do believe that they are sound but you never know with this market.
My main concern was exactly that. I have an interview next week and I will let you all know how it goes. The current company I work for is totally secure.
You can find out alot informations about the company, check if it public held or private held. If it public held, their financials are public records. If it privately held, you should still able to find out the board member and possible their financial reports on their website... While surfing the net check the sites... good luck on the interview! | |
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| Twister
Here is the company:
http://www.trinitycos.com
everything that I've found so far looks good.
Got any sites that to recommend to look for info on the company? | |
| twister166 2002-10-12, 10:29 pm |
| I took a quick look at the company... It looks to be reginal, which is ok, as long as they focus on their core business.
I also noticed that they are not a Cisco partner, your CCNA may help them to get that... at your interview, tell them that... and see their reaction. The company looks to be a complete MS house... that means they do not have much other expertises... It feels like a momma and pappa's shop to me, though... so, it will be friendly to work there, but they may not have everything in places...
If you are single and young, this may work out, do it for a year or two and look for something else... good luck... | |
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| Twister
From what my buddy says they are totally Microsoft and Cisco. Everyone is running 2000 along with Cisco Routers,Switches, etc.
Thanks for the advice. | |
| CoffeeFreak 2002-10-14, 10:12 am |
| You have a great, no stress job at 35k,,,
why kill yourself for 5k more, unless you are tired of your present job. | |
| twister166 2002-10-14, 12:09 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by CoffeeFreak
You have a great, no stress job at 35k,,,
why kill yourself for 5k more, unless you are tired of your present job.
because $35k sucks... one's biggest challenge to excel is one's own motivation! | |
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| CoffeeFreak
The job is good. Im at a very stable company making a good wage but, I can't do anything to fix anything. I'm bored. I need action. Im the type who would loves to be in the middle of everything and with this job it's just not possible. As you put it "I'm tired" of just sitting around.
Twister,
If your out there monitoring these posts I have an interview at 3:00 today (4:00 your time). Again thanks for all the motivation,support and advice. I'll let you know how it goes. | |
| twister166 2002-10-14, 3:49 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by Rcj2
Twister,
If your out there monitoring these posts I have an interview at 3:00 today (4:00 your time). Again thanks for all the motivation,support and advice. I'll let you know how it goes.
You're welcome... I just went through an interview myself today as well... we will see what happens there too. Good luck on your interview and let us know how did it go! | |
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| Twister,
So how did your interview go?? Hope it went well. Mine went good. I feel really good about it. Hopefully they will call. | |
| darthw 2002-10-14, 5:54 pm |
| Rcj2,
I second the notion that you take this position if offered. $40K aint much, but I have similar responsibilities - net admin., desktop support, server support, network troubleshooting - in Tulsa (obviously not far from St. Louis, so likely a similar cost of living) for about $44K. If nothing else the experience for the next couple years will be invaluable, particularly if all you're really doing now is monitoring. If the potential employer's environment seems good, and they are doing decent (I suspect they are, or they wouldn't bother filling a vacant position.), then go for it. | |
| twister166 2002-10-14, 6:00 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by Rcj2
Twister,
So how did your interview go?? Hope it went well. Mine went good. I feel really good about it. Hopefully they will call.
I am not going to jinx it...  I hope to know soon as well... either case, I will need to finish the works that I current have at hands... Gotta take care my customers first... | |
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| darthw,
Thanks for the support. Your job and the one I hope to get seems very much the same.
Hopefully I will get it.
Twister,
I will keep you posted on the outcome of the interview. Take care and good luck!! Let me know either way. | |
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| darthw,
Thanks for the support. Your job and the one I hope to get seems very much the same.
Hopefully I will get it.
Twister,
I will keep you posted on the outcome of the interview. Take care. | |
| twister166 2002-10-14, 8:10 pm |
| I will keep you posted... | |
| twister166 2002-11-12, 6:47 am |
| Well, RCJ2, how did the thing go? Get to the new job yets? | |
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| quote:
Originally posted by twister166
Well, RCJ2, how did the thing go? Get to the new job yets?
Twister166
I did not get the job. I was told that the client sold a division and the job was put on hold until after the first of the year. I don't know if it's the truth or they just wanted to let me down softly. No worries though. I might have a very very slim chance of getting a position as a security admin at my current employer. I did say very slim. I have been talking to the team leader for that team for about 1 year about coming to his team and he now has an opening that should be posted within the next month. He is aware that I have been interested and knows that I really want to get on to his team. He has even given me a trial version of the CheckPoint Firewall 1 software and the study guides to go along with it. It would be a huge jump for me if I get it. Not so much in the money but in learning new applications. That's fine though. I will let you know how it goes.
Well how about you? Did you get your job? | |
| pseudocyber 2002-11-12, 8:22 am |
| I'm getting in on this late, but I say take any opportunity you get! Also, will the server admins give you access to their machines to practice on? Like a user account - where you could view but not make changes? What about spare machines or a lab?
Life is what you make of it. I was working a night job as a telephone operator at a hospital. When they got a new computer system - hospital wide - I taught myself as much as they gave me access to. I was pretty bored, so I started writing "how to's" and posting them on a bulletin board. I caught the attention of a lot of people and soon got the kind of job you were describing in the beginning - in the IT dept. doing it all.
Study, test, build, play with whatever you can get your hands on/access to.
Good luck! | |
| twister166 2002-11-12, 11:00 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by Rcj2
Twister166
I did not get the job. I was told that the client sold a division and the job was put on hold until after the first of the year. I don't know if it's the truth or they just wanted to let me down softly.
Welcome to the world of consulting, this happends alot, when you loss a client, you let people go... I was the manager of a small consulting firm two years ago, that is basically how it works... Sorry to hear that never the less...
quote:
Originally posted by Rcj2
No worries though. I might have a very very slim chance of getting a position as a security admin at my current employer. I did say very slim. I have been talking to the team leader for that team for about 1 year about coming to his team and he now has an opening that should be posted within the next month. He is aware that I have been interested and knows that I really want to get on to his team. He has even given me a trial version of the CheckPoint Firewall 1 software and the study guides to go along with it. It would be a huge jump for me if I get it. Not so much in the money but in learning new applications. That's fine though. I will let you know how it goes.
Well how about you? Did you get your job?
Good luck on the potential, always learning, it never hurts... As far as my goes, it is moving along... In principal, that we have agreed on the terms, but pending on the back ground check and drug screen for the offical offer letter... So, I guess in few more weeks I suppose... I have to figure out what I need to do with my existing client base, I might sell my company for cash... Don't know yet... The bottom line is that I need take care my clients and make sure they will be in the good hands... Good luck on your search! | |
| MistyRing 2002-11-12, 12:48 pm |
| i was in the same position a few years ago. worked for a large medical insurance company and was offered a job in consulting. only paid 10% more but within a 4 years i was making double what i did in my previous job. this was partly due to the wealth of experience i was getting and part due to the industry boom at the time. consulting is very hire & fire though. | |
| chodan 2002-11-12, 8:54 pm |
| If you can make a move and stay in the same company that would be great.
Sounds like someone has noticed your potential.
Here is my method of gettng promoted "other than just plain working hard and doing good work"
I like to make noise and if I think I can do a position will express a desire to the powers that be and try to get them to consider me a s viable cantidate for the position. Sometimes it pays to be subtle and sometimes it pays to openly pursue a position, you will have to use your own judgement and your knowledge of the company you work for to see which route you take.
Good luck on the potential promotion. |
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