darlodge

What would you consider the best route to follow?

1. Have a specialised route (such as Comms or security or Servers or Desktops etc., )

2. Have a large number of skills (SQL Server, Cisco, rollouts, hardware, software, rollouts)

Well, what’s your thoughts?

I've got what I consider a lot of varying different skills and knowledge under my belt (Desktops, Servers, routers, Cisco kit, SQL Server, a little Oracle to name just a few) and I'm just wondering what is really the best move career wise.

I'm not really sure what I want to do long term, I'm just wondering what others think.

I’ve been in IT since I left school at 16 (I’m 22 now) and I am happy in IT and have been for years. I was wondering the other day on the way into work what really makes the best career move. General knowledge of important things or a specialised subject.

Cheers guys and Girls

Darren

darlodge

boing boing boing

Darren

Mr Gee

Have a larger number of skills. That way you will never be stuck for jobs. Pick the ones you like most and then study / practice those skills more.
Specialised skills pay more but are less in demand. If you find yourself out on your a$$ one day, its gonna be difficult to get back into a specialised role.
If you spread your skills, your putting yourself in a better position.

My 2 cents worth...

Mr.Cookie

I got told exchange was looking good

darlodge

Si, i've got some Exchange as well

Thanks for your response Mr Gee, all comes in Handy

Darren


Darren

DJNafey

I agree with Mr Gee. It also depends on whether you like small companies or large companies, though - I'm an IT Manager in a small company (40 desktops / laptops, 5 servers), someone with a foundation knowledge in lots of different areas is much more useful to me than someone who is great at just one thing. But, if I was an IT Manager in a FTSE250 company in the city, my team would be big enough for a specialist in each area.

I'm 25 and have been in IT for 7 years. I've got myself enough knowledge to support NT/2000 servers, 98/NT/2000 desktops, Exchange Server and SQL Server. I give my employer added value by being able to keep the whole network running OK at a basic level. However, I've now reached a similar position to you and I think I'm going to get some MCSE training in Win2003 Server and Exchange 2003 Server .... but that's more because that's the way my particular job is going rather than because I want to keep my career options open with other companies.

Mr Cookie is right - there are plenty of people who can keep an existing Exchange Server ticking along OK but people who can set up a new one well and fix the complicated problems are sought after (and well paid!)

darlodge

Thanks DJNafey,

I've only worked in 2 companies in my working life and both have been small to medium. First was a software developers with about 30 workstations and about 20 servers.

The company I am in now has about 400 - 450 workstations (across 5 or 6 sites) and about 35 servers. I'm very happy with my current employer; they have given me huge opportunities that I know I would not have received in a larger company. The ability to try new areas, play with new things (when time permits ), attend courses, learn new skills, almost having a free rein, research into new products etc. etc.

Like you said, if I wanted to work for a large company then I would really have to specialise in a certain area. The thing is I don't really know what I would want to specialise in if I wanted to work for a large company. I quite like security and protection but I know this is real brain frying stuff

I am going to have to do Windows 2003 and Exchange 2003 courses this year as we are doing a rollout early next year so I might considering doing the exams, something that I have always thought of as pointless in the past. I never saw the benefit of having 'the bit of paper'. But I suppose to some employers 'the bit of paper' is more important than a good knowledge and adaptability.

Thanks again mate.

Any more comments. Keep them coming

Darren

darlodge

DJNafey,

Just noticed where you life, West Sussex

Darren

AllenJ

Damn right Mr Gee. I work for a small software house where having a wide knowledge of most things is a most. On your project you'll be the project manager,system architect,DBA,programmer etc. that saying, it's a steep learning curve but it pays off at the end.

GaryK

I think it depends how 'technical' you need to be, if you're writing software then my belief is you should be competent with 1 language and stick to that, its a philosophy Ive used for many years, I shudder when I've seen IT CVs in the past that have a plethora of tools and technologies and the old agage 'jack of all trades master of none' immediately springs to mind.

OTOH if you are a PM or technical manager then I guess having an awareness of lots of technologies is better than in depth specifics.

Gary

darlodge

Thanks Gary,

It was mainly the jack of all trades master of none that concerned me really.

At the moment my official role is just Desktop Analyst but this role includes fixing, upgrading, breaking everything computer related that my company own, routers, servers, switches, printers, etc. A better title would really be General Analyst.

As I said earlier I was just thinking on the train one day that I am not going to be a Desktop Analyst all my life and was wondering 'what next'.

Great responses guys, keep them coming.

Darren

HankScorpio

Keep them broad...

I used to work in the oil industry doing pretty much everything (Wks, Server, LAN, WAN, Exchange, Sat. Comms) and that was cool, nothing heavy in anything but good general in lots.
Based on that experience I got a job in the City for a huge bank (1800+ IT staff) and everything is so segregated, my skill set has gone so narrow, I'm now only being considered for other similar roles in similar institutions. The server guys don't look at desktops, the wan guys don't look at lan, the sql guys don't look at servers etc, etc,
There are benefits but in hindsight, I wouldn't have taken the city job, I've just become a repetition monkey...

darlodge

Cheers HankScorpio,

All taken on board. Come on guys any one else got any views?

Darren

DJNafey

I completely agree - I didn't bother going to uni as IT is one of those careers where real-life experience really counts for a lot. HOWEVER, a CV with an MCSE in Exchange 2003 will get you a job !! It's specialising .... but it's specialising in something that nearly EVERYONE uses !

darlodge

I'f I am goign to go down the certifiaction route I'd like to get my CCNA(Cisco) exam sorted as well as Exchange and Windows 2003. Looks like a busy year or so

Darren

darlodge

Any more views?

Darren

wheelie_sti

All the views here are completely valid and sound. I am a Snr Network Analyst looking after over 5400 users over 35 sites through 9 countries. We use Novell and MS and are certified to MCSE and CNE level. As I provide mainly 3/4th level support I consider it imperative that you have a working knowledge of "Everything" that goes on on your network environment.

Never forget your desktop roots as you may be supporting the guys on the frontline later on. The last thing they want to hear is "Sorry mate, not done that in ages, I only deal with servers". I thought the guy was a c*ck when he said this and vowed I would be a different analyst.

Although it is difficult to know what to do, an excellent grounding in NOS is essential. Either Novell or MS, take your pick but remember this, Novell is moving to a Linux based core so you will need to retrain again at a later date.
Although MS progress there S/W and you need to retrain, it is in a similar vein.

If you're going to retrain, it may be worth considering what is going to be in higher demand. Personally I am trained in both but considering I have a say in what direction we take I can assure you I will be going the MS route later down this road.

Personal experience of a variety of environments and support of solutions departments developing for MS architecture.

IP based comms is an excellent choice, particularly Cisco if thats your bag, there is also a shed load of financial remuneration within the right sector.

What I am saying is be careful NOT to pigeon hole yourself and restrict your options. A variety of knowledge is your foot in the door of a new company. It shows them you are a multitasking individual capable of diversifying into a variety of roles which makes you a very flexible asset to any company.

Trust me, 5400 users over 35 sites through 9 countries don't bullsh*t.

Good luck matey in whatever you decide to do.

wheelie_sti