Network Admin Requirements?

[prtuc2]

Hi guys,
Here is my situation right now. I graduated from college 2 years already still wasn't able to find a job, so I decided to go back to school again to study Network Admin. I have done some brief research on the Network Admin requirements, it seems that it all varies from site to site so I am asking if some of the Network Admin can give me some pointer on where or some of the required certifications I must need.
Since I haven't been working my funding is quite limited, so I don't need to go back to school and study home I will do that. If I am missing any information please let me know. Thanks for any suggestions or advice.

 

[ViviTheMage]

You need to start low if you have no experience. Start looking at help desk/user support...work your way up from there.

Unless you have a good connection into a position, you kind of 'have' to do it this way.

Luckily I got to skip all that crap

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Luckily I got to skip all that crap

And unfortunately, all the experience that came along with it. These types of jobs offer lots of valuable experience, even at the higher levels.

 

[ViviTheMage]

And unfortunately, all the experience that came along with it. These types of jobs offer lots of valuable experience, even at the higher levels.

I sit next to our user support (they are not just PC help desk), and I couldn't do it after doing what I do now. I still interface with internal customers, but luckily no more then 25%~ of the job. The rest is network/server administration.

 

[kevnich2]

Yeah I wouldn't expect to jump right into a mid or high level anything admin job straight out of school - I don't care who you are unless you know some higher ups. I've done almost 8 years of support roles and now doing the admin stuff myself. I'm very glad I'm doing what I am now but at the same time, the support role is what gave me the experience to know what to do and not to do with my current admin role.

I wouldn't trust anyone just out of school touching any of my servers or network gear - too much crap could go wrong unless you actually know what your doing. And sorry but a degree doesn't teach you that in my opinion - that comes from experience.

As others have said, start looking at support roles and going up from there.

 

[prtuc2]

Maybe I should be more clear with my situation. I study Biochemistry and Geography in college, so I don't have any background in troubleshooting in corporate environment at least.

I have done pc building on my own for 4 years now, but that is different from corporate setting I am sure. What puzzle me is the certification exams, I did some research online there are literally over 30 exams for certification.

Which certification are a must for becoming a certify network admin that is my main question and do I need to have a degree that is related to that field to get a job?

Once again thanks for the feedback.

 

[airdata]

prtuc : While there are a whole slew of certifications, most businesses use windows still. Some basic windows server mcp certs could get you on your way to having your foot in the door. Would also be good to have some network+ level LAN knowledge too.

 

[ViviTheMage]

get your CCNA then your CCNP, and progress further if you want...get the Microsoft certs if you want...

 

[JustMe21]

Start with the basics like Network+ and CCNA and take some of the initial Microsoft MCSA certs, eventually working toward networking specialization. Look at getting Security+ at some point as well to help you out because network security is important. Remember that all the certifications have to be renewed within a couple of years, so just keep the basics until you are about to graduate so you have some time with certs and don't have to renew everything right up front.

In the end, certifications are nice to have, but with so many schools geared towards people passing certification exams, there are plenty of people out there with certifications but no practical experience, so be sure you don't count on getting a job because you have certifications.

If you can, intern at an IT company, or at least get a part time job in an IT shop, such as a mom and pop PC repair or Geek Squad at Best Buy, so you can start building an experience base early on because no one wants to hire someone fresh out of college with no experience.

 

[prtuc2]

Thanks for the heads up, I will see if I can get a low level tech job around here.

 

[theevilsharpie]

Maybe I should be more clear with my situation. I study Biochemistry and Geography in college, so I don't have any background in troubleshooting in corporate environment at least.

The key to making it in the IT world is to either be very good at a particular specialty and offer consulting services for it, or to offer generalized IT services for a particular vertical market.

Since I don't think the former option fits you, you may want to research the requirements for technical jobs in the industries related to your major. The general entry-level IT market is fairly saturated, so having experience in programs that your industry may use, or even just knowing some of your industry's tech jargon will make you stand out.

 

[Emulex]

Certs mean nothing - a person without experience and certs used a brain-dump most likely. CCIE's on paper suck. Don't expect much - there's a metric ton of old-farts that lost their cushy management job or programming job that are surviving doing the low end type networking (your entry level job). think of it like trying to get a job at mcdonalds in this economy.

 

[prtuc2]

Now after reading some of the suggestions and advices here I probably off a wrong start and will probably have a hard time getting job placement, if the IT route isn't that bright ahead of me perhaps is time for me to go for nursing.

Finally really appreciated everyone sharing inputs and your previous experiences.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

The key to making it in the IT world is to either be very good at a particular specialty and offer consulting services for it, or to offer generalized IT services for a particular vertical market.

Since I don't think the former option fits you, you may want to research the requirements for technical jobs in the industries related to your major. The general entry-level IT market is fairly saturated, so having experience in programs that your industry may use, or even just knowing some of your industry's tech jargon will make you stand out.

I have to disagree with this somewhat, often times I would rather have someone who is really good generally across multiple disciplines than having a rockstar in one specialty and having no clue in the rest, it just makes for difficult troubleshooting

 

[JustMe21]

If you decide to go with nursing, try and learn some programming while you're at it. If you can make a popular SmartPhone app, that can generate some money for you too. A lot of people are willing to try a $.99 app as opposed to $50 programs. Plus, development time on a SmartPhone app can be relatively short.

 

[airdata]

Certs mean nothing - a person without experience and certs used a brain-dump most likely. CCIE's on paper suck. Don't expect much - there's a metric ton of old-farts that lost their cushy management job or programming job that are surviving doing the low end type networking (your entry level job). think of it like trying to get a job at mcdonalds in this economy.

Writing off certs isn't fair. Unless you're in the tiny percentage of people who are born into a sort of networking family... how else do you even get the experience?

There's a paradox of people wanting entry level job seekers to have 3-5 years experience. Nobody is bringing a CCNA student in to learn on the job.

 

[deimos3428]

For an entry-level position, general IT knowledge is sufficient as you'll need to learn most things on the job anyway. You won't be starting off as a network admin (if the company has any sense at all), but networking knowledge is very advantageous for day-to-day troubleshooting and IT career advancement.

An entry-level cert may help get a foot in the door. Save the more expensive certs for after you have a bit of experience...and hopefully your employer can help cover the costs.

Remember: the point of any certification program is to actually learn. You can cram for an exam and pass, but there's no cramming for day-to-day admin work. If you can't actually do your job you will probably lose it quite rapidly.

 

[Worthington]

Exactly. Start with the job. It'll be a crappy helpdesk position most likely. Excel at it, prove to your manager that you're interested and intelligent. Find what aspecs of your job interest you the most. Server administration? LAN/WAN design, Storage? Then use that knowledge to persue certs that will further you along that path. No sense in trying for a CCNP if you want to want to be an Exchange admin for example.. and the opposite is true as well. Don't bother with an MCSA/MCSE if LAN/WAN is your thing.

Obviously, if you just love taking tests having both can be an asset. But save the extra-curricular stuff for later. Having a basic understanding of all the aspects of a network environ is helpful but save the higher tier stuff until you are a little more entrenched.

 

[lord_emperor]

Does a CCNA course seriously cost $3495?

 

[deimos3428]

Does a CCNA course seriously cost $3495?

The instructor-led courses can be very expensive -- they have to pay for the cost of the lab, books, and the instructor's salary after all.

The CCNA exam itself is only about $100 IIRC, but it may have gone up a bit. You'll need to buy some books as well for self-study and set up your own router/switch if you want some hands-on experience.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

The instructor-led courses can be very expensive -- they have to pay for the cost of the lab, books, and the instructor's salary after all.

The CCNA exam itself is only about $100 IIRC, but it may have gone up a bit. You'll need to buy some books as well for self-study and set up your own router/switch if you want some hands-on experience.

CCNA is comprised of the 640-822 (ICND1) exam and the 640-816 Exam (ICND2) or the composite 640-802. ICND1 and ICND2 cost $125 us each, pass or fail and will grant you a CCENT for passing either, pass both and you will be a CCNA. The 640-802 is $250, there is no discount for "both tests" in one

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Does a CCNA course seriously cost $3495?

I took one years back from GlobalKnowledge and yes, it was 3495 but you can usually get about $300-500 off by asking.

 

[prtuc2]

That was one of my problem, 95% of the jobs that I applied for required 3-5 years of experiences which is why I am still jobless after 2 years of searching.

 

[mammador]

I took one years back from GlobalKnowledge and yes, it was 3495 but you can usually get about $300-500 off by asking.

excuse me? Pearson Vue only has it for 250 US.

I would agree OP with CCNA or even CompTIA Network. I'm not sure if CCNA in itself can get a network administrator post, maybe a network technician or other support role in a larger IT functional area. After that, go for CCIE and higher Cisco certifications.

 

[Emulex]

Writing off certs isn't fair. Unless you're in the tiny percentage of people who are born into a sort of networking family... how else do you even get the experience?

There's a paradox of people wanting entry level job seekers to have 3-5 years experience. Nobody is bringing a CCNA student in to learn on the job.

that's because everyone knows a CCNA needs to have 2+ years experience or it's a testking/bootcamp cert lol.

seriously i've had to school CCIE's and i have no cisco cert - just happen to have experience.