The Glade 4.0

So with the impending job loss and all of the stars being aligned correctly, this seems to be my call to finally finish a degree and hopefully start a true career.

Lacking the time ATM to completely outline everything that I would like to say here, I'll paraphrase.

I have been in the IT field for about 6 years. 2 years PC repair at CompUSA and about 4 years of Helpdesk. I have some MS Certifications, a Certificate in Networking from the Cittone institute ( ) and an Associate's degree in General Studies from a Community College.

I don't know what to do next. I want to (at least) finish my bachelor's degree hopefully staying in the groove that I have dug myself into (IT field) but I just don't know much about what programs may be offered, or what it is exactly I want to go into.

I want to do something that is worthwhile. I don't want to finish the degree and find out that there is just nothing in the field of what I have learned.

Anything would be appreciated. I am trying to gather as much info as possible because I believe that this will be my last and best opportunity to better myself before my son gets any older and the next child(ren) come along.

Network security has always piqued my interest. Any insight on this from anyone?

Thanks as always.

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This must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays.

I have some insight, but right now your query is very broad, and I'm not sure how best to address it. What is it you want to do? Do you want to shoot for a network admin position at a small to medium size business, a sysadmin at an enterprise, or ... ?

Could you define what you view as network security? The reason I ask, is that's what I do, but probably on a scale that you're not fully cognizant of.

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I guess I don't really know the scope as I have been on the bottom level of IT for my entire career so far.

Tracking usage, protecting corp. networks from outside penetration, keeping virus/spyware/malware free. Along those lines...

Am I in a ballpark? Or do I just not have any idea what I am talking about?

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This must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays.

You are in a ballpark. You may want to take a look at the CISSP, and determine which area interests you most, to help give you an idea of where to focus your efforts.

At this point, even if you weren't losing your job, you should be looking to move up. In point of fact, you should have been looking to move up from helpdesk after doing that for a year. Take a week or two to get your resume together, then start running searches on job boards, pick a local recruiter/contractor to work with, and get in touch with anybody who might be able to help you. Dig up the tech groups in your area, when they meet, and show up.

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I'll second the CISSP plan. If you're planning on going back to school, I would focus on networking and Unix, as well, since a lot of security appliances I've come across run on a Unix back end. Plus, going to school meets some of the continuing education requirements of the CISSP.

So true. I know this now. I made a lot of missteps in my career. I have always been afraid to take the wrong path, and ultimately, I have done just that. I got comfortable doing what I am doing making decent money, but always knowing that what I am doing isn't a career per se.

I want to pick something that I can be further educated on and achieve it. I also need help with following that up with the job search and career advancement. Something that I have never learned how to do well.

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This must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays.

Additionally, if I plan on staying in the IT field, is it better for me to complete a Bachelor's degree? Or is it better to pursue tech training? Or is there something else that I am missing altogether?

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This must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays.

Healthcare IT is booming, by the way. Something to think about.

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“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” - Thomas Paine

That depends. To the best of my knowledge, the Bachelor's degrees in the computing industry are still pretty much restricted to CS (generally under the Mathematics department) and MIS (under Business). Neither of those are a bad thing to have, but may have requirements that are going to take you an inordinately long time to fill. There may be some accelerated programs you can get into, I don't know. If you just want a Bachelor's degree, and don't care about any particular discipline, you can just shoot for whichever one you're closest to fulfilling, but then you're not really increasing your skillset in the industry.

Industry certifications, on the other hand, you can complete with less hassle, and, although many have 2- or 3-year expiration intervals, once you've got a job and get experience, that counts just as well. I've let my certifications all lapse, for instance. On the other hand, I have a pretty good number of contacts in the industry if I ever need to look for work. Building out a professional network really can't be overvalued.

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Even now and in the IT job downturn in 2003, oracle dba's were in demand. You can get there with previous IT experience if you go the certification route.

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In time, this too shall pass.

The CISSP is a fine certification to have. Just understand that it covers a very broad range of security topics, from encryption and other technology related things, to physical security stuff like how to lay out your parking lot, lighting, and building layout to minimize your vulnerability to external attack (i.e it has a very strong hint of Military training/background to it).

When I took it a few years ago, it was fairly outdated, especially where technology is concerned. It serves two purposes. One, it looks nice on a resume (but it won't get you a job in security by itself), and two, it will give you a pretty good background on security (or paranoia as some people prefer to call it) in general. Nothing specific about what I learned there has been useful to me in my career though.

It's been my experience (in a fairly large company) that security engineer positions are "Senior" and are filled by internal hires out of other specialties like Networking, System Engineers, Application Specialists, etc...

And it might be worth mentioning that I know of three senior Security/IP engineer positions that are either open now, or will be soon, if anyone is interested, PM me (I'm not a hiring manager anymore, thank goodness, but I might be able to point you to the right place to apply). I should warn you that you'll be on-call 24x7, and be expected to work 70'ish hours a week, and will get no training (other than hardcore OJT), and yea, the pay sucks too. :p

Find your passion Foamy, find the thing that makes you happiest to do, pays decently, and has you looking forward to going to work and lets the days pass quickly.

No, unless you she pays you for what you would do for free anyway, making love to your wife doesn't count.

Other than that, what careers would being you joy?

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The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. B. Franklin

"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone." -- Tyrion Lannister, A Game of Thrones

I'll make a plug for a career in Emergency Management if you are looking for a new / different job. There are lots of local, state and federal positions open all over and the field is new enough you can get entry positions with self-study. I can send some info if you (or anyone else for that matter) are intersted.

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Gorse

A career change has definitely crossed my mind. I'd be interested on what information you'd have to offer.

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This must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays.

I'd be interested.

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