What are the first steps in becoming a network engineer or administrator?
Q. I am currently an IT Help Desk Tech for the local government and am getting an Associates in CIT. I would like to move onto an advanced career field. What would be my best route to becoming a network engineer or administrator? Also, is it better to specialize in something like network security or network hardware?
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go for both, but first get your certifications. Atleast get the A+ certificate from Comptia.
First and foremost, get to know the guys in that department before you leave that company. Get on a friendly basis with them; visit their working environment, hang with them for lunch, at the bar, everywhere. . .
It is more important whom you know rather than what you know. I’m not saying to end your education, but there are many, many talented guys looking for work with excellent credentials, and they end up getting a career change because they can’t “break-in” to the field. On the otherhand, there are many “hanger-ons” working in technical fields who only got there on account of being friends with the managers etc.