Need advice regarding server/network administration

[Adul]

Those of you who are in th field, how did you get your first administration job? I am interested in getting into netowrking/server administration. I am bored at my current job and it probaly shows some now matter how hard I try hide it. Basicly I have several years of technical experience with PC hardware ie. trouble shooting, building, upgrading. I am currently reading into windows 2000 administration. I have win2k server installed and running. I am going to teach myself how to write login scripts, create roaming profiles etc... I have also setup a domain with some basic profils so far, and I am running my stats server for rc5/ogr off of it.😀

I am considering trying for an MCSE, but I wonder if it even means much anymore. Also network Plus is something I would like to try out to, but is it worth it?. The only cert I currently have is a A+ cert, and I have a 2 year degree in computer electronics. Plus my years of experience on the above mention items. I am familiar with the windows platform, and I am learning linux. I just need to get this other machine up and running it soon.

So that is me some what i a nutshell. Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciate from guys.

Adul

 

[rlism]

if you wanna go the mcse route, get mcp'd just to get yer foot in the door. i got my first job after i got mcp'd and never got around to completing my mcse. hands on experience is infinitely better than studying outta a book or at home. many employers offer to subsidize or pay for any job-related training too. 🙂

 

[Adul]

Anyone else?

 

[Linflas]

Certification is helpful but no replacement for hands on experience. I had never worked with NT and got a job where I ended up by accident on a help desk. Within 6 months I was tier 2 and heading up the back end server admin team. Get a situation like that and run with it is my suggestion.

 

[aimn]

Adul,
I didnt have any computer experience 4 yrs ago. I went to a 1 year school for PC LAN. I got a pt job doing level II help desk and finished school. I then got hired to be a Systems Administrator. I got the job through the school.
I agree that hands on experience is better than being book smart. I think that you are well on your way to being a sys admin. School is an option. Getting a job is nothing more than sales. Just apply for any and all jobs out there. Sooner or later, someone will take a shine to you and hire you. Network through you computer buddies, let them know what you are looking for in a job.
Good luck. If I can be of any assistance, just let me know.

 

[Czar]

Well my first computer related job was at VISA, because my mother works there and I got in as a summer replacement because the Admin was going on a hollyday. Worked nicely and then I went back to school, later I was contacted by a guy who worked at VISA, he was quitting there and starting a new company and now I work there as a network admin. Quite nice.

My education is 3 years of computer science, first 2 just basic stuff and the last one just about network adminstarting. Still, that school sucks and I didnt learn much from it.

 

[Adul]

Thank for your input guys. It is very much appreciated.

 

[ajskydiver]

Adul, certification never hurts. Yes, most everyone in the computer field knows about the "paper" types that are out there BUT--

You wouldn't be one of them with hands-on exp. and they're never worthless if you have exp. to back it up. Plus, many of the executives, HR people, business managers, don't know about the flooding of unqualified/certified techs out there--they really really like certifications (and 4 year degrees too, but that's a whole different story) and the perception (though sometimes inaccurate) that certs. are really hard to get and worth something.

If you have the time and money get certified.

I have seen companies hire like this:

#1 Experience, 4 yr (Comp. Sci or related) and Certification
#2 Experience and Certification
#3 4 year deg. and experience
#4 Certification and little experience
#5 Experience

Yes, I know, #4 sucks and has created the lashback on "paper" certs (with good cause), but that's how it all started...and it's still going on. It will take awhile before Experience will weigh in favor over just certs.

~AJ

And yes, all the above is just my opinion--take what you like, forget the rest.

Edit: Oh, I took a low-rung PC tech job, knowing that once in the door I'd move up--that was 6 months ago, now I'm the Network Manager (and the stress level went way up).

Sadly, the argument for getting me the most money wasn't my experience or certs--but my 4 year degree in Info. Science, that counted the most in the execs eyes--most likely cause they could relate to that more.

 

[Adul]

I plan to do the school thing to and get that 4 year Degree. How much does it cost to get an MCSE?

 

[ratkil]

I have a sneaking suspicion Aj_UF is very correct. I was looking for a job twice in the last 12 months. B.S. in Business and Info Systems, 10 years Unix sys admin, 7 years Windows NT sys admin, and 10 years PC maintainence, and 5 years experience as a Controller. I thought finding a job would be a breeze, but was pretty surprised, people were really looking for those certs......

 

[crystal]

Get a BS/MS degree with some certification along with it. I know school sometime suck but I think a degree is very useful in the long run (more flexible).
Certificatons are great way to learn about particular products but sometime I feel they are too products specific. Take my case for example. Got the MCSE (never got to used it for work, but it lets me mess around my home lan, hehehe..), then got the MCDBA but we use Oracle to develop our products (I don't know what was I thinking, sigh...).
Now, if I want to used those certification, I will have to re-cert. for win2k & sql server 2k. Anyway, I will done with my MS in ISM this summer so I know I could alway put that in my resume. 😀

BTW, those in the Seattle area. What do you think of UW Outreach/Certification program? I was think of getting a MBA or some cert. thru the UW this Fall.