Maverick80
09-04-2007, 04:14 PM
Hey all, glad I found this site. I am currently working in a help desk/support role, in the health care industry. I graduated with a B.S. in MIS 2 1/2 years ago from a local university, and I also have an assoc. degree in web design. I'm at the point in my life/career where I am really feeling the need for advancement, and something that I just plain feel good about doing. At my current job I have learned alot. I work with many Windows 2003 servers, Active Directory, group policy etc., a bit of cisco switches, some avaya phone system, and I've also learned a good amount of PERL. While doing all this I also answer incoming help desk calls, fix printers, and xp workstations (yuck).
I've been exploring my career path options for some time, and the thing I need most is to give myself some direction and set some goals. I so far, have come up with the following paths in no particular order:
1. System Admin - My current job is taking me into this path, do to alot of server work. To be honest, I don't really think I could do it for the next 10+ years. Even with a good backup procedure in place, I'd probably end up having to wear a beeper/page or something, constant upgrades, bleh! I know it would be different from employer to employer, but thats my understanding of it. I'd also probably need an MCSE/MCSA, CCNA.
2. MBA/M.S. - This would be great if I had more experience in something I actually liked doing. But, doesn't help me gain any firm direction/goal.
3. Web Developer - Has some creativity mixed in, even if your just programming. I know HTML, (some) CSS, (some) PERL, (some) Coldfusion. I've had a few SQL classes in college. I'd need to learn, PHP, ASP, XML, Javascript, to name a few.
I just bought: PHP & MySQL to see if I really could like this stuff.
I'm still trying to think of other paths that would interest me, but Web Developing has my mind at the moment.
Has anyone else out there started in my position?
What kind of web work do you do now?
Do you enjoy it?
Why is it better then general support/help d.?
The only thing I've ever done (for 2 years) is this stuff, it's all I know, and it's starting to sour my opinion of I.T. type work as a whole. The closest thing I'd say I currently have to a dream position? To work for a local university in some I.T. fashion. I did as a student, and it was good work.
Anyway, I know the people who've been out there the longest, can give the best advice. So, if you've kindly read this rambling, long post, and can give me some advice, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks.
I've been exploring my career path options for some time, and the thing I need most is to give myself some direction and set some goals. I so far, have come up with the following paths in no particular order:
1. System Admin - My current job is taking me into this path, do to alot of server work. To be honest, I don't really think I could do it for the next 10+ years. Even with a good backup procedure in place, I'd probably end up having to wear a beeper/page or something, constant upgrades, bleh! I know it would be different from employer to employer, but thats my understanding of it. I'd also probably need an MCSE/MCSA, CCNA.
2. MBA/M.S. - This would be great if I had more experience in something I actually liked doing. But, doesn't help me gain any firm direction/goal.
3. Web Developer - Has some creativity mixed in, even if your just programming. I know HTML, (some) CSS, (some) PERL, (some) Coldfusion. I've had a few SQL classes in college. I'd need to learn, PHP, ASP, XML, Javascript, to name a few.
I just bought: PHP & MySQL to see if I really could like this stuff.
I'm still trying to think of other paths that would interest me, but Web Developing has my mind at the moment.
Has anyone else out there started in my position?
What kind of web work do you do now?
Do you enjoy it?
Why is it better then general support/help d.?
The only thing I've ever done (for 2 years) is this stuff, it's all I know, and it's starting to sour my opinion of I.T. type work as a whole. The closest thing I'd say I currently have to a dream position? To work for a local university in some I.T. fashion. I did as a student, and it was good work.
Anyway, I know the people who've been out there the longest, can give the best advice. So, if you've kindly read this rambling, long post, and can give me some advice, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks.