How long is too long to stay in entry level work?

[Jeff7181]

Just curious... how long do people usually stay in entry level IT positions like a help desk tech?

 

[ChaoZ]

1 year +

 

[HannibalX]

I worked HD for less than one year (8 months) before I was promoted to Sys Admin and then put in charge network security for 22 offices in my company.

It depends on what kind of shop you work in. If your shop gives you the opportunity to do a little of everything and learn you can move up quick like I did. If you're in a big shop where all duties are delegated (server admins, DB admins, storage/san admins, network engineers, hardware help desk support & phone help desk support) it can be hard to move up because you almost never have time to learn what the other groups are doing.

Also consider that some people just learn slower. When I worked HD back in the day I had a person on my team who had been doing HD work for 11 years. They hired me in as a level II tech and this person was still a level I tech. This person never had the initiative to learn enough to move up.

So in closing you can stay at level I HD for a long, long time if that is what you want to do. And really for the job it can pay well. If you want to move up you will have to make it happen so to speak. IT is very fickle business from my experience. If you do your job and do it well management will leave you there for all eternity. If you want to move up you have to chase down the job you want.

 

[Jeff7181]

Very interesting, Pale Rider.
I've been at the same entry level help desk job for a year now and it feels like things are moving very slowly as far as moving up. I work for a fortune 500 company, so there's lots of BS corporate policies about advancement, and now with the financial problems the company is having they've put a freeze on all raises, promotions and hiring until next fiscal year. It started to feel like I was standing still 6 months ago, now it really feels that way.
I enjoy the job... it just doesn't pay enough. I have an associates degree now and the job pays less than 30k and they can't give me a raise even if my manager wanted to. I guess it's time to start looking for something else... something that pays better and has greater potential for advancement.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Pale Rider.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Very interesting, Pale Rider.
I've been at the same entry level help desk job for a year now and it feels like things are moving very slowly as far as moving up. I work for a fortune 500 company, so there's lots of BS corporate policies about advancement, and now with the financial problems the company is having they've put a freeze on all raises, promotions and hiring until next fiscal year. It started to feel like I was standing still 6 months ago, now it really feels that way.
I enjoy the job... it just doesn't pay enough. I have an associates degree now and the job pays less than 30k and they can't give me a raise even if my manager wanted to. I guess it's time to start looking for something else... something that pays better and has greater potential for advancement.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Pale Rider.

Same here. I have worked for my company for almost 2 years, and am in my second department. This department is even worse then the first about advancement. I feel like I will be stuck where I'm at unless I change companies, or get a new job period. Unfortunately being in school makes it tough, but I need to go around and apply at some other companies. I'm making good money for my age, but I already feel like I am under-paid for current skills. I think I could realistically get a 30-40% raise by switching companies without too much effort.

 

[Bignate603]

1-2 years is normal. However, you want to get out of entry level as soon as you can (well, as long as you're prepared for responsibility)

 

[ViviTheMage]

is a network admin entry level?

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Very interesting, Pale Rider.
I've been at the same entry level help desk job for a year now and it feels like things are moving very slowly as far as moving up. I work for a fortune 500 company, so there's lots of BS corporate policies about advancement, and now with the financial problems the company is having they've put a freeze on all raises, promotions and hiring until next fiscal year. It started to feel like I was standing still 6 months ago, now it really feels that way.
I enjoy the job... it just doesn't pay enough. I have an associates degree now and the job pays less than 30k and they can't give me a raise even if my manager wanted to. I guess it's time to start looking for something else... something that pays better and has greater potential for advancement.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Pale Rider.

Same here. I have worked for my company for almost 2 years, and am in my second department. This department is even worse then the first about advancement. I feel like I will be stuck where I'm at unless I change companies, or get a new job period. Unfortunately being in school makes it tough, but I need to go around and apply at some other companies. I'm making good money for my age, but I already feel like I am under-paid for current skills. I think I could realistically get a 30-40% raise by switching companies without too much effort.

So do it. I am serious, don't be complacent and just go get offers.

 

[SunnyD]

The answer is "However long you feel necessary". If you have skills to back up a move out of entry level, then pursue that avenue. There's nothing saying you can't be looking at other jobs while currently employed.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
The answer is "However long you feel necessary". If you have skills to back up a move out of entry level, then pursue that avenue. There's nothing saying you can't be looking at other jobs while currently employed.

That's part of the problem... for me anyway. I'm not sure if I have the skills to move into something else. I have an associates degree and I'm working on my WinXP MCP now. I know with a little training I can do what our Client Server Support group at work does, and that would be the next logical step in terms of progression at the company I work for. I just don't know how that translates to another company... like what type of position.

 

[HannibalX]

I can tell you it's much easier to move up within a company than to move up by changing jobs.

Why? The reason is you can demonstrate to the managers what you are able to do over a period of time. If you go apply for say a sys admin or DBA position at another company with 1 year of HD on your resume they aren't going to consider you. Also companies these days want to know what sort of big project you have been involved with and what you have accomplished at your last job - not just what your responsibilities were - anyone can be given a responsibility, that doesn?t mean they did a good job.

Anyway, good luck guys and hang in there. If you have a reasonably well paying HD job I'd stick with it until the right opportunity presents itself.

Pale

 

[Vehemence]

1 year minimum, 2 years would be best. After 2 I'd start looking until something better came along.

 

[Joemonkey]

Originally posted by: Pale Rider
I can tell you it's much easier to move up within a company than to move up by changing jobs.

Why? The reason is you can demonstrate to the managers what you are able to do over a period of time. If you go apply for say a sys admin or DBA position at another company with 1 year of HD on your resume they aren't going to consider you. Also companies these days want to know what sort of big project you have been involved with and what you have accomplished at your last job - not just what your responsibilities were - anyone can be given a responsibility, that doesn?t mean they did a good job.

Anyway, good luck guys and hang in there. If you have a reasonably well paying HD job I'd stick with it until the right opportunity presents itself.

Pale

In my experience it has ALWAYS been easier to move up, at least in pay, by changing jobs rather than staying with the same company. Usually you learn skills at the company that you SHOULD be compensated for, but aren't because you've only been there for a short time. For example, my current company wanted me to get my MCSE within my first year, which I did, but they wanted to give me like a 2% raise for it. I started looking around, and got a serious job offer for 2x what I was making.

 

[classy]

Pale Rider is giving some good insight. I spent 6 months on help desk. I am a desktop admin now, but looking to move to Sysadmin sometime this year hopefully. I would not suggest anyone stay more than 1 year in any entry level position.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

1 year. At the one year mark tell your boss you either want them to commit or your getting out.