Career change into I.T
Discussion
jpringle819 said:
You have a network X at site A and a Network Y at site B what do you need to configure at both ends for OSPF? This is a very simple networking issue and only requires 2-3 lines config on the router/switch each end. Most places use the standard industry exams as a basis for judging basic knowledge so expect passes in these exams.
A better question would be why OSPF? The answer would demonstrate some understanding of the subject rather than the ability recite configuration lines.ffc said:
A better question would be why OSPF? The answer would demonstrate some understanding of the subject rather than the ability recite configuration lines.
Or choose an appropriate routing protocol to enable routing between the two sites, state why this is the best choice and give a sample configurationAndyClockwise said:
ffc said:
A better question would be why OSPF? The answer would demonstrate some understanding of the subject rather than the ability recite configuration lines.
Or choose an appropriate routing protocol to enable routing between the two sites, state why this is the best choice and give a sample configuration
Think big!
AndyClockwise said:
ffc said:
A better question would be why OSPF? The answer would demonstrate some understanding of the subject rather than the ability recite configuration lines.
Or choose an appropriate routing protocol to enable routing between the two sites, state why this is the best choice and give a sample configurationProoves you know the theory and practice.
If you have a bit of cash in the bank I would suggest go over to India and pick up a Cisco CCNP, on the back of that you will get a contract role paying £20+ ph. Worth getting an MCSE while your there to keep your options open. Stay away from support/BAU if you can, projects is where you learn stuff.
There's plenty of Managers out there that will recruit you just because you have a cert, doesn't matter where its from.
There's plenty of Managers out there that will recruit you just because you have a cert, doesn't matter where its from.
BMWBen said:
Both lame. How about "design me a new routing protocol which converges in linear time"
Think big!
No no no. You mean which committee do I need to join to discuss the creation of "a new routing protocol which converges in linear time" which will be ready for deployment in 25 years time.Think big!
I dunno, a few years back I made a jump into IT Sales from estate agency (I was a lettings manager) by finding a small software company.
3 years of hard graft later I was seeing more than double what I used to earn in the previous job. I've now left that company in search of bigger things and earnings are even better with what I'd consider to be a very high basic salary (for someone with only 4 years in the industry).
My point is that it CAN be done, however you should keep your wits about you and see if you can find some small companies where you can make your name.
The top guys in the industry measure their earnings in multiples of £100,000 so there's plenty to play for...
3 years of hard graft later I was seeing more than double what I used to earn in the previous job. I've now left that company in search of bigger things and earnings are even better with what I'd consider to be a very high basic salary (for someone with only 4 years in the industry).
My point is that it CAN be done, however you should keep your wits about you and see if you can find some small companies where you can make your name.
The top guys in the industry measure their earnings in multiples of £100,000 so there's plenty to play for...
To be fair, IT sales is sales not IT. Although you need some technical knowledge, the main sill is selling, not the technical ability. The bit I hate with IT is having to continually update your skills in order to stand still. Training and skills improvement in almost any other field means progression and improvement, in IT it generally means another load of books and exams in order to simply maintain the status quo.
swerni said:
Puggit said:
XDA has pretty much painted the most common route in to a decent IT role (and one that I followed, too) - but there is an alternative way in...
If you could find a sales role for an IT vendor (and there are many types) then you could move in to a presales role following that route. After presales you could move in to a more technical role. It's not common, but I've seen it done!
Couple of points. If you could find a sales role for an IT vendor (and there are many types) then you could move in to a presales role following that route. After presales you could move in to a more technical role. It's not common, but I've seen it done!
You have no chance of working in sales for a vendor without a good track record in the industry.
More importantly, why the f
k would you want to go from sales to Presales ???Unless you were really s
t or retarded 
I have no idea why anyone would move from sales to presales, but I have seen it done.
And just remember, it's us in presales who really sell the product - your lot just tell fibs we need to fix and then settle on a price
eliot said:
XDA said:
You'll need to work at the bottom and work your way up I'm afraid, just like we've all had too!
Get yourself a helpdesk role, answering the phones, resetting passwords and basic IT fixes etc. No one will even look at you for network design/support type jobs even with a CCNA. Get a few years IT experince behind you before looking to specialise.
Good advice.Get yourself a helpdesk role, answering the phones, resetting passwords and basic IT fixes etc. No one will even look at you for network design/support type jobs even with a CCNA. Get a few years IT experince behind you before looking to specialise.
It takes about 10 years to start making financial headway, try and move jobs or position every 3 years.
There is a shortage of good quality I.T staff in the U.K and it will only get worse as time progresses.
Some consultancies have been flat out with work since 2008 and can't find good staff to fill positions.
okgo said:
So all this start at the bottom stuff is all well and good, but BMWben went straight into a 30k plus job? Why wouldn't you want to aim for that?
I have found that people that go straight into PM, or higher level support roles, without doing their 5 year helldesk stint miss out on the social training and work ethic such a stint can instill and may limit their progress later.BMWBen said:
Obviously the above doesn't apply to an "IT Degree" from your local poly, but if you can get a proper mathematically based computing degree it's going to set a rocket off under your ass.
Yep, there are 'degrees', and then ones that are worth something. I swear mine has been a big catalyst throughout.Carl_Docklands said:
It takes about 10 years to start making financial headway, try and move jobs or position every 3 years.
What?!? I was contracting within 3 years...Carl_Docklands said:
There is a shortage of good quality I.T staff in the U.K and it will only get worse as time progresses.
This however is definitely true. I've heard so often from agents who say "It's really easy finding people to put forward for jobs, but actually finding good people...". Don't let talk of India etc worry you either. That was the big new thing a few years ago until they realised the language barrier was a lot more massive than expected and there are just as many crap developers from those regions as there are in the UK.
Carl_Docklands said:
okgo said:
So all this start at the bottom stuff is all well and good, but BMWben went straight into a 30k plus job? Why wouldn't you want to aim for that?
I have found that people that go straight into PM, or higher level support roles, without doing their 5 year helldesk stint miss out on the social training and work ethic such a stint can instill and may limit their progress later.
I have a good appreciation of how horrendous helpdesk work must be despite never having done it thanks very much. I can imagine nothing more mind numbingly boring tbh.Carl_Docklands said:
I have found that people that go straight into PM, or higher level support roles, without doing their 5 year helldesk stint miss out on the social training and work ethic such a stint can instill and may limit their progress later.
Social training ... from an IT helpdesk. I think I've heard it all now. 
What are the rates like after 5 years on the helpdesk? I'd hate to think I'm limited to £1-2k/day in the west country. Perhaps I should volunteer doing password resets on weekends?
BMWBen said:
Carl_Docklands said:
okgo said:
So all this start at the bottom stuff is all well and good, but BMWben went straight into a 30k plus job? Why wouldn't you want to aim for that?
I have found that people that go straight into PM, or higher level support roles, without doing their 5 year helldesk stint miss out on the social training and work ethic such a stint can instill and may limit their progress later. I have a good appreciation of how horrendous helpdesk work must be despite never having done it thanks very much. I can imagine nothing more mind numbingly boring tbh.I got to interact with people at all levels within the business as well as I.T, this is where many people fall down in I.T, they are unable to interact properly on many levels, they stare at their screen and try not to interact with business users or, work as a team. Working on the helpdesk forces you to interact and develop.
If you are bright and if you can do a good job on the helpdesk you will be picked off and promoted from there.
To the poster who queried the requirement for 10 years experience for the better jobs, this is classed as a standard requirement for permanent jobs in the £100k+ bracket. It would not suprise me if some employers asked for 15 years. There are always exceptions.
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