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IT career progression
- Thread starter Jackson901
- Start date
Jack!
ClioSport Club Member
I'm gonna revive this thread rather than starting a new one - it would appear there are many experienced IT professionals on hand.
I've recently started working in IaaS, my career is in its absolute infancy and I have no technical certs nor degree. I'm already starting to see problems long term, so just wanted to see what advice I could get. Basically, I feel like one way or another I've skipped steps, and so find myself in a role that is very technical, yet I have very little grounding in the area, thus after a bit of a chat with my management, it seems like I'm going to end up doing more project management-ish stuff, seeing things through to production etc without ever actually doing the technical work - I'm getting lots of exposure to workflows and in-house stuff, but not the general vendor stuff that is important in building marketable skills.
I really like the area I'm in, the bits of technical work I've been exposed to seem varied and interesting - so I'm keen to get more technical, but because my management don't plan on me getting involved in the technical work, I can't really talk them into backing me through VCP exams etc, and am worried that come next March when my Apprenticeship ends, I'll be hoping to find work in a similar field, will be able to say like "this is the area of IT I worked in" but not have the technical knowledge which makes me marketable and allows me to progress. All the job specs I see for even roles at the very bottom in IT Infrastructure want lots of skills that I'm not going to be exposed to, even real basic stuff like MS Server etc - hence why I say it feels like skipping a step, like I feel I'm now in a role you'd expect to get after a couple of years doing basic infrastructure/networking work like in a school or small business.
Any advice? I would just go and get qualified off my own back, but would like to go down the VCP route, and VMWare require the ~£3k training course as a mandatory pre-requisite to taking the exam, so it's a stumbling block.
I've recently started working in IaaS, my career is in its absolute infancy and I have no technical certs nor degree. I'm already starting to see problems long term, so just wanted to see what advice I could get. Basically, I feel like one way or another I've skipped steps, and so find myself in a role that is very technical, yet I have very little grounding in the area, thus after a bit of a chat with my management, it seems like I'm going to end up doing more project management-ish stuff, seeing things through to production etc without ever actually doing the technical work - I'm getting lots of exposure to workflows and in-house stuff, but not the general vendor stuff that is important in building marketable skills.
I really like the area I'm in, the bits of technical work I've been exposed to seem varied and interesting - so I'm keen to get more technical, but because my management don't plan on me getting involved in the technical work, I can't really talk them into backing me through VCP exams etc, and am worried that come next March when my Apprenticeship ends, I'll be hoping to find work in a similar field, will be able to say like "this is the area of IT I worked in" but not have the technical knowledge which makes me marketable and allows me to progress. All the job specs I see for even roles at the very bottom in IT Infrastructure want lots of skills that I'm not going to be exposed to, even real basic stuff like MS Server etc - hence why I say it feels like skipping a step, like I feel I'm now in a role you'd expect to get after a couple of years doing basic infrastructure/networking work like in a school or small business.
Any advice? I would just go and get qualified off my own back, but would like to go down the VCP route, and VMWare require the ~£3k training course as a mandatory pre-requisite to taking the exam, so it's a stumbling block.
Jack!
ClioSport Club Member
Do you guys work with VMWare stuff? I was wondering about taking certs that aren't necessarily completely applicable to what you do; there seems to be a lot of differing opinions on whether certs are worth it, and how it looks when you get them without the subject area being what you do every day, and also how difficult it is? I'm tempted to put myself through Windows Server quals to get me started, because I have a good understanding of the area - but I don't work with Windows Server that much...
Rav4
I think I can take the course/exam for free, was looking to see if I could get hold of the materials but it's all held online (and not in pdf format)
First and foremost, there are chavs in Guildford like anywhere else, but not that bad you cheeky git! (comment you made on another thread)
Secondly, the course is not free, unless you get sponsored through your company. If you can, DO IT.
Material, pluralsight.com, register watch all the videos and cancel the subscription when you are done. Excellent material, a lot used to be from trainsignal.com
What material do you need?
Rav4
Depends what you want to do.
VCP is a good course / exam to have under your belt as well as the windows stuff, MCITP. Why not do the easier VCA ones first, there are 3, 4th should be out soon.
But nothing beats real world experience, exams are so you are noticed and can get passed HR's minimum standards, bullcrap but required sometimes.
ITIL is a sought after course too.
Jack!
ClioSport Club Member
I explained my situation a little further up, basically my reason for taking the certs would be to convince my current company to let me get more involved in the technical side, by showing my interest in it and dedication to it off my own back. In the case of the VCP exam, it's just too expensive to do off my own back, so hoping maybe if I can take a few where I can self study and just pay for the exam then maybe I can earn being sponsored through VCP.
I work for EMC, we get vouchers for VMware and EMC exams, it's free
I was thinking more material for whoever asked, I have access to it anyway.
Rav4
Apologies. I did read that but it's late here, so not fully taking it in if that makes sense.
Step 1
Do the following qualifications; (try and find vouchers) no physical course required, online CBT training (material on VMware website) additional reading will be required.
VCA-DCV
VCA-CLOUD
VCA-WM
VCA-Network Virtualisation (not out yet, get first 3 done first)
Then do your ITIL V3 Foundation course.
Step 2
Then go to your employer and say, look, done the VMware VCA courses, to show you I am keen to move forward on my learning, on my own back and initiative. I have done the ITIL course, to help me be more organised with clients and follow a good structure. My next step is VCP but I cannot afford it, can we work something out?............
Step 3
Help others
Jack!
ClioSport Club Member
That's actually brilliant advice, thank you very much! I did see that they were offering "Associate" level quals. Do you think the fact that I'm not currently involved technically will hinder me? I have access to vSphere Client and vCloud etc so I can see a lot of the things without executing anything - may look into setting a lab up at home for the execution stuff?
rctempire
ClioSport Moderator
This is actually seriously great thread for the IT people actually.
I've worked in IT since I was 15 and it's still qualification driven with experience.
I started as an apprentice and now I'm managing the helpdesk and installations and technical aspects.
I an not a qualified as I'd like but I'm chasing the upgrades to Exams I have sat previously.
Qualifications in office 365 and voip is my next stuff.
I've worked in IT since I was 15 and it's still qualification driven with experience.
I started as an apprentice and now I'm managing the helpdesk and installations and technical aspects.
I an not a qualified as I'd like but I'm chasing the upgrades to Exams I have sat previously.
Qualifications in office 365 and voip is my next stuff.
VMware have just announced that VCP qualifications will expire after two years now so you need to redo your VCP exam every two years or less to be VMware certified.
I started my graduate job in August last year, I've completed VCA-DCV and currently working through VCA-CLOUD and VCA-WM and I'm booked on the ITIL V3 Foundation course next month. After this I plan on asking to get put through VCP and MCSA qualifications and then see what happens.
I have great exposure to all of VMwares products just now so I should have no hassles completing the VMware exams so here's hoping !
I started my graduate job in August last year, I've completed VCA-DCV and currently working through VCA-CLOUD and VCA-WM and I'm booked on the ITIL V3 Foundation course next month. After this I plan on asking to get put through VCP and MCSA qualifications and then see what happens.
I have great exposure to all of VMwares products just now so I should have no hassles completing the VMware exams so here's hoping !
Yeah, bit of a pain in the ass that, although if there's a new vcp exam every 2 years it should be ok as I need to keep up to date anyway, just find it a pain with Cisco and the ccna.
Its dts probably been 2 years since I did my last vcp for 5 and there's not been a new exam out since they've just changed the name of the cert.
Its dts probably been 2 years since I did my last vcp for 5 and there's not been a new exam out since they've just changed the name of the cert.
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Yeh especially since I've been told vSphere 6 is being delayed for another year so they can squeeze more out of 5.5 so some people might have to sit the same VCP exam just to be certified !
Reading this thread makes me want to do some vmware qualifications, need to start looking into it more!
Rav4
You are welcome. If you're dedicated and can practice on labs, I don't see why you cannot. It's all about experience, troubleshooting, patience. VMware also have online labs you know
Do the VCA's like I said and get cracking. Don't do what most of us do (including me) and waste time.
Get the fundamentals done first, then look at bonuses such as vCloud and Horizon. Understand how the hypervisor works and it's components, that sort of stuff then move onto a specialist area if you want to do that.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
You need to start on Wordpress buddy! Before anything else, I am still not letting it go what you said a while back
You are welcome. If you're dedicated and can practice on labs, I don't see why you cannot. It's all about experience, troubleshooting, patience. VMware also have online labs you know
Do the VCA's like I said and get cracking. Don't do what most of us do (including me) and waste time.
Get the fundamentals done first, then look at bonuses such as vCloud and Horizon. Understand how the hypervisor works and it's components, that sort of stuff then move onto a specialist area if you want to do that.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
You need to start on Wordpress buddy! Before anything else, I am still not letting it go what you said a while back
Haha, I did this on Wordpress a few months ago actually, still hate it though
http://gjcbathrooms.co.uk/ (ignore the stock photos on the image slider, still waiting on some decent photos)Ccna, vcp has got easier over the years, ccna is hard, lots and lots of concepts to remember, they've just changed the exams too making harder as there's less content out there to help you cheat......
Rav4
We haven't even started with virtualisation at my company we live in the relative IT dark ages but I think it may change soon.
The interesting bit of my work is from now on all our new contracts will require our networks to be accredited to BIL3 by the Gov.
I use the word interesting loosely as it really means rafts of documentation before we are allowed to do anything. (Long story short, don't know if anyone has gone through this process? I'm thinking maybe DK but don't know who your clients are?)
However our client always request to see a PRINCE2 methodology in our project plan so that's where I am headed next I think. Obviously not IT as such but I like the PM side of things so I'll sell my soul to the IT management devil in the next few years
we live in the relative IT dark ages but I think it may change soon.The interesting bit of my work is from now on all our new contracts will require our networks to be accredited to BIL3 by the Gov.
I use the word interesting loosely as it really means rafts of documentation before we are allowed to do anything. (Long story short, don't know if anyone has gone through this process? I'm thinking maybe DK but don't know who your clients are?)
However our client always request to see a PRINCE2 methodology in our project plan so that's where I am headed next I think. Obviously not IT as such but I like the PM side of things so I'll sell my soul to the IT management devil in the next few years
I've been attracted to certifications for a number of years, but never really gone through with any ... I've not needed them to be honest, I've been in a fortunate position to be able to work up quite quickly ; started in the industry after uni at 22-23, and I'm now earning a very good wage as a 3rd Line / Network Systems Engineer for a well known company at 31 (just turned). Also been an IT Manager for a decent sized company, and essentially ran Alpine Electronics UK's IT facilities for a number of years ...
What I'm basically saying is experience and hard work (and some degree of good fortune) is all you used to need Don't know if it's any different now, but when I've been recruiting recently I've looked at experience more than certifications. That's for 1st line though.
What I'm basically saying is experience and hard work (and some degree of good fortune) is all you used to need
Don't know if it's any different now, but when I've been recruiting recently I've looked at experience more than certifications. That's for 1st line though.Instead of ?
I think he means that people should have adopted virtualisation technology long before now.
My company are in the position where any changes to IT environments require long and drawn out documentation and testing phases because we cannot get it wrong or most of the country will grind to a halt so we are currently still trying to deploy vSphere and ESXi 4.0 !
Hey,
Just wondering how you got on with your exams ?
Thanks
I completed the VCA-DCV, VCA-Cloud and VCA-WM courses relatively easy but that only gives you a VMware Certified Associate qualification. My ITIL V3 was postponed until November due to a company wide training ban so I plan to get all my training done in November/December before they cut all the budgets again!
Rav4
Some companies suck regarding training, one of a few which I like their programs is Softcat.
The VCA-DCV is so much easier than the VCA-CLOUD, funny that.
I am currently working towards my VCAP.
Keep pushing, you will be fine. Do your VCP5-DCV and then maybe your MS 74-490 (Hyper-V) you will be then quite well rounded for the next stage.
ITIL is something I have not done and would like to, but it's quite monotonous hence not doing it
