What does it take ?

What does it take to get an Administrator job !!??
It has been my dream job for years.
So far I haven't even gotten an internship.

CompTIA A+ (2005)
Associate degree in Network administration & Support (2007)
5 years repairing computers, laser printers...
I can get my CCNA next week if it matters.

I was willing to work for free just to get my foot in the door..

Now I'm thinking about getting my CDL and starting a truck driver career.
Can somebody tell me if I'm doing something wrong ??

Thank you.

acsuser in Tacoma, Washington said: What does it take to get an Administrator job !!??
It has been my dream job for years.
So far I haven't even gotten an internship.

CompTIA A+ (2005)
Associate degree in Network administration & Support (2007)
5 years repairing computers, laser printers...
I can get my CCNA next week if it matters.

I was willing to work for free just to get my foot in the door..

Now I'm thinking about getting my CDL and starting a truck driver career.
Can somebody tell me if I'm doing something wrong ??

Thank you.

Yes It matters. As a Sr. Network Engineer I look for some sort of Experience with routers and switches. You have what I would say is a starting point, but currently our economy doesn't really provide companies with budgets to give you the needed on the job training. In selecting boot camps look for ones that allow you the hands on training you need. Look at design and architecture classes for the network. Also Linux skills would help you break into the network Administrator job. Remember most all of us started in the help desk at some point. Often time you might qualify for a NOC help-desk /administrator

IT COWBOY said: Yes It matters. As a Sr. Network Engineer I look for some sort of Experience with routers and switches. You have what I would say is a starting point, but currently our economy doesn't really provide companies with budgets to give you the needed on the job training. In selecting boot camps look for ones that allow you the hands on training you need. Look at design and architecture classes for the network. Also Linux skills would help you break into the network Administrator job. Remember most all of us started in the help desk at some point. Often time you might qualify for a NOC help-desk /administrator

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I’ve passed the CCNA tests few days ago, so I hope that would make a difference.
I’m also taking MCSE classes starting Jan 2009.

I’m been aggressively looking for an administrator position or even unpaid internship since 2007.

I’ve also noticed that most high-paying jobs in this country are held by “certain” kind of people, so I might change my last name to increase my chances.

acsuser in Tacoma, Washington said: Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I’ve passed the CCNA tests few days ago, so I hope that would make a difference.
I’m also taking MCSE classes starting Jan 2009.

I’m been aggressively looking for an administrator position or even unpaid internship since 2007.

I’ve also noticed that most high-paying jobs in this country are held by “certain” kind of people, so I might change my last name to increase my chances.

Have you looked in the healthcare field to do network administration. There is a great demand for help desk and analysts...This field you have more of a chance of making money than a truck driver.
Good Luck

What I found is most people don't care about Certs except Government agency or School Districts. I would go through a Help Desk NOC position and get some experience there as IT COWBOY suggested

Companies do care about certs! Where have you been?

Here is my beef with the whole cert thing and employers. How can an employer justify hiring anyone with a cert when before you go write your cert, you are required to have a set number of hours before you write-meaning HANDS ON WORK! So for me to go write, Don't I need the job first? Oh! and all the school in the world won't matter for you have to be able to apply your knowledge when you do get a job , seems a little backwards to me. Maybe Employers should actually start apprenticeship programs so you have to have a set number of hours as well as go to school like all other ticked trades.This way your starting at ground level in the career of choice without some over rated certification. It seems like a money making scam set by government. I was just curious if there are any employers who care to reply, that would be greatly appreciated!

Here is my beef with the whole cert thing and employers. How can an employer justify hiring anyone with a cert when before you go write your cert, you are required to have a set number of hours before you write-meaning HANDS ON WORK! So for me to go write, Don't I need the job first? Oh! and all the school in the world won't matter for you have to be able to apply your knowledge when you do get a job , seems a little backwards to me. Maybe Employers should actually start apprenticeship programs so you have to have a set number of hours as well as go to school like all other ticketed trades.This way your starting at ground level in the career of choice without some over rated certification. It seems like a money making scam set by government. I was just curious if there are any employers who care to reply, that would be greatly appreciated!

Well the only thing i dont understand is if your looking for experience in the company and i dont have any how can i get experience if you wont hire me

here is another thing I have with the United States comtia crap their tests are geared to make you fail. When you get a question wrong, it will generate more questions in that area- reason so they can get more frickin money out of ya . The funny thing is all the environmental crap on the exams, are for the bloody USA LAWS get with the program it is all a scam. As I see no cowardly employers can answer my question. Maybe it is time for Canada! to pull it's head from the stinky dark whole.

I was in your same position and I have an answer for you. "What does it take to get an Administrator job !!?? " LUCK!
First you have to find a company where the old network administrator is retiring or planning to leave the company. Thats if the company itself is large enough to put someone in charge of their IT department. Most small businesses these days rely upon what are called ITP's or Information Technology Providers. These are small firms that handle multiple companies in their local area's IT department so the employer dosn't have to pay someone full time to handle their IT.

Here's the down side to this whole industry these ITP firms will hire people who want to break into the industry just like you but they pay them next to nothing. They will usually have one or two guys they pay well to keep the ITP afloat and use the "newbies" as gofers or low level administration. So really only 2 guys are doing the real hands on work and everyone else is mainly working help desk.

Now even if you do land that IT job don't trust the sites like this one saying your going to start making 75k a year because your not. Specially here in Florida where for some reason the salary just plain sucks!. Hope this gives you some in site. Now go drive a truck and start making 50k a year cause that's going to take you probably 10 years staying with one company with you being their IT admin in this great state of Florida.

I agree, Florida does suck and finding a job in IT is very difficult. I just landed my first real full time job at a company and I love it. The work that is, the pay is mediocre but the benefits are great. I was making the same $ working security, but I hated that job. Right now, Im a sponge soaking up as much experience as possible and learning as much as possible. The company has great potential for growth, but I'm not going to wait around forever to get ahead. When life tells you no, take it by the balls and tell it yes.