is computer hardware tech. support, network (security) administrator a dead end career?

[PremiumG]

I'm in the stage of my life where I basically should have a path chosen and be following it already. I have a degree in computer software engineering but I hate programming. What I do like is computer hardware: building, troubleshooting, networking, etc.

But it seems to me that its a dead end career?? I mean how much do hardware techies make?? I have a few programmer friends who make about 50k a year and I dont think hardware techs can make that much (least in the first few years). With programming, I can eventually make project leader and go up the ladder but with hardware support, I dont see myself going very far.

Any advice from programmers or hardware administrators?

My creditentials are minimal at the moment:
CIS degree, A+ cert

People in both career paths (software and hardware), please reply.

 

[jtusa]

If you have good troubleshooting skills(i.e. you can logically work through a hardware problem efficiently) and know what you're talking about in general I wouldn't be too worried. There'll always be hardware that needs to be watched-over and maintenanced. From my limited experience in the "real world" I've found that employers tend to go for the jack-of-all-trades that can learn quickly as opposed to someone who has a very specific knowledge in one thing(piece of hardware, software, etc.)

As far as network security goes, if you're looking for a specific network security job, you better know the ins and outs of all aspects of security VERY WELL. Most of the time network security is just tied into the LAN/WAN admin people(at least that's how it is where I work).

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: jtusa4

As far as network security goes, if you're looking for a specific network security job, you better know the ins and outs of all aspects of security VERY WELL. Most of the time network security is just tied into the LAN/WAN admin people(at least that's how it is where I work).

In a lot of big places, there is a security team. 😎

A lot of times the interviews are painful. I don't know what usually binds to port 1284. That's why IANA and snort.org are there, so I can look it up. duh.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: PremiumG
I have a few programmer friends who make about 50k a year and I dont think hardware techs can make that much (least in the first few years).

I'm making 60k doing knowledge management on a help desk.

I'm a hardware geek too. I even taught myself how to solder circuits years ago so I could work on old C=64's.

The network hardware guys with Cisco certs make bank. That sounds like where you need to be heading...

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: jtusa4

As far as network security goes, if you're looking for a specific network security job, you better know the ins and outs of all aspects of security VERY WELL. Most of the time network security is just tied into the LAN/WAN admin people(at least that's how it is where I work).

In a lot of big places, there is a security team. 😎

A lot of times the interviews are painful. I don't know what usually binds to port 1284. That's why IANA and snort.org are there, so I can look it up. duh.

Yeah, I guess. Usually when I think of a "Network Security" Professional I think consultant, who are generally guys can truely "OMG h4x0r teh gibs0n!!!!11!1".

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: jtusa4

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: jtusa4

As far as network security goes, if you're looking for a specific network security job, you better know the ins and outs of all aspects of security VERY WELL. Most of the time network security is just tied into the LAN/WAN admin people(at least that's how it is where I work).

In a lot of big places, there is a security team. 😎

A lot of times the interviews are painful. I don't know what usually binds to port 1284. That's why IANA and snort.org are there, so I can look it up. duh.

Yeah, I guess. Usually when I think of a "Network Security" Professional I think consultant, who are generally guys can truely "OMG h4x0r teh gibs0n!!!!11!1".

There are those too. It seems like a lot of places are outsourcing security to MSS companies these days.