olivarrr Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 Hi guys, I currently work in a secondary school with ~600 computers, and have been there for 2 years, straight from sixth form. About a month after I started as an ICT technician, our Network Manager went on sick leave, and we never saw him again. I then was in effect "promoted" to doing pretty much all the network managerial tasks (I learnt a LOT those first few months!!) and was very much thrown in at the deep-end, as nobody else in the school had the skills to run a network (and neither did I to be honest!) Now the school is closing at the end of the year, and a new academy opening in its place. We are all being job-matched to the new jobs in the academy, and there are 2 jobs for the area i wish to work, ICT Technician and Network Manager. Now I literally only have my a-levels as qualifications, but management know of my capabilities, and know that I am more than capable of running/maintaining/repairing/upgrading our current network. We will be staying in the current building until late 2012 (when we will be moving into a new build with new infrastructure etc.) I would love to go for the Network Manager job, as a standard ICT Technician is a bit of a downgrade from my current job, but I need to get some qualifications to back up my skills. I literally have no idea where to start, at all, and would greatly appreciate any help you could give me with regard to any qualifications/courses I should be on (Microsoft, Cisco etc.) Thanks very much!
featured_spectre Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 On the job training speaks more than qualifications in my opinion, go for the network managers job! But that's just me.
cookie_monster Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 As above go for the managers job but I do know that MS certs do help you get through the paper sift. You can always mention that ypu're working towards a couple. I took the Vista version of this exam and it really wasn't all that difficult, i'm sure you have windows client configuring and troubleshooting experience now. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-680
dhicks Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 management know of my capabilities, and know that I am more than capable of running/maintaining/repairing/upgrading our current network. Discuss your training opportunities with them - this sounds like the perfect time for you to get the school to sponsor you to do a degree or a bunch of certifications. -- David Hicks
Ric_ Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 Also look into the FITS qualifications. The practioner course is available now and the manager course comes online soon. The FITS Foundation - Professional qualifications and support for ICT staff within education 1
olivarrr Posted February 17, 2010 Author Posted February 17, 2010 problem is, our support staffs CPD budget is practically zero, and all these MS qualifications cost a fortune! I suppose I could mention that in the interview - "Well I would love to have gone on training courses, but the funding wasn't there. Hopefully in the new academy the funding will be" etc.
StewartKnight Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 I don't think 2 years experience, at your age, is enough to warrant a NM position. Having said that however, schools don't appreciate what it means to be an NM so you might get lucky, but I'm sure there are people out there with more experience and qualifications to back up the experience. Perhaps you should consider going to Uni to get a degree in something IT related, that would open up far more opportunities for you. Just my opinion!
AyatollahPies Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 I don't think 2 years experience, at your age, is enough to warrant a NM position. Having said that however, schools don't appreciate what it means to be an NM so you might get lucky, but I'm sure there are people out there with more experience and qualifications to back up the experience. Perhaps you should consider going to Uni to get a degree in something IT related, that would open up far more opportunities for you. Just my opinion! At what age does one meet the criteria where 2 years experience warrants a NM position? I fail to see how age matters. If i were you olivarrr, I'd go for the NM role. They know you can do it. As for training, whilst they may not have enough in their budget to send you on a course, I'm sure they could afford a training manual or two. Then you just need a few Virtual Machines and you can learn an awful lot.
IanT Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 I don't think 2 years experience, at your age, is enough to warrant a NM position. Having said that however, schools don't appreciate what it means to be an NM so you might get lucky, but I'm sure there are people out there with more experience and qualifications to back up the experience. Perhaps you should consider going to Uni to get a degree in something IT related, that would open up far more opportunities for you. Just my opinion! I was a Network Manager at the age of 22 and done a bloody good job! school said I was the best they've ever had! Plus I don't have hardly any major qualifications but I do a dam good job
somabc Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 Discuss your training opportunities with them - this sounds like the perfect time for you to get the school to sponsor you to do a degree or a bunch of certifications. -- David Hicks You would have to be pretty lucky to find anyone willing to pay for this in the current climate.
sonofsanta Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 Go for it. I got employed as a network manager here after aroudn a year and three-quarters as a technician at another school. Although admittedly I have a degree to back me up, it is still possible. Remember that someone with 5 years experience of another system still has two years less experience of your system than you do. Practical knowledge counts for a lot; really push your advantage at interview time.
maark Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 I would say go for it. MCSE are probably best qualifications - look at windows 7 and server 2008 - if you only pass one you can say you are a Microsoft Professional! If little money available then get them to buy official MCSE books - pretty cheap from amazon and then just do exam when you are ready - only about £80 and can do in half a day at various centres.
laputa01 Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 Go for the NM, you have had a taste of it and more importantly survived. You are also fortunate to have supportive EduGeekers so i don't see why not. Just brush up on the following: Goverments 2020 Vision Childrens Plan VLES Moodle, Studywiz MIS's Other projects you can think of which will cut costs and improve work processes. PM me if you require more assistance.
AyatollahPies Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 I would say go for it. MCSE are probably best qualifications - look at windows 7 and server 2008 - if you only pass one you can say you are a Microsoft Professional! If little money available then get them to buy official MCSE books - pretty cheap from amazon and then just do exam when you are ready - only about £80 and can do in half a day at various centres. MCSE only exists for 2003 now. They have changed the format for Server 2008. I imagine most HR departments will never understand this though.
Mr.Ben Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 Can you not apply for both? - Just in case! I think your age (even though you have the experience) may be a factor - it shouldn't be, but it depends on what the interviewers are looking for. But I'm now an NM, got the job at 25 having had 3 years as a technician at another school and 3 years as an apprentice. CPD at the school was non existant too. To be honest the apprenticeship, apart from giving me a couple of NVQ's was rubbish, it taught me nothing of value apart from professionalism - the systems were just too big to be given the responsibility of developing solutions myself as a 18-21 year old. I've just done the FITS course (luckily the SWGfL ran the 1st course for free), it's a good management course and would look great on the cv!
AIT Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 I am deputy system manager age 20. In reality I handle all the system support and the network manager is only the front of house.. I am also one of the directors of advanced it services the business George spencer school has started. p.s. no qualifications no degree. So go for it. You have done it for the past year so no reason why not. Must be something about you that’s got you this far in the first place ;-) Good luck
cookie_monster Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 problem is, our support staffs CPD budget is practically zero, and all these MS qualifications cost a fortune! I suppose I could mention that in the interview - "Well I would love to have gone on training courses, but the funding wasn't there. Hopefully in the new academy the funding will be" etc. I got the school to agree to some time and support, I bought the books and they paid for the exams. The exams are approx £100 a go but under the way they're now structured you don't need to pass 6+ exams to become and MCSE you can take smaller groups of exams. Just 2 exams will get you MCITP on client or server then you build them up. It's a better format now IMO.
featured_spectre Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 My qualification is a BTEC National Diploma in computer studies (2002 - 2004), and I became a network manager aged 21. Reason being was that I am an exceptionally fast learner and I redesigned the network to be better, faster and more secure than the previous network manager had it. I have been at my job now for 3 years (on saturday) and according to the ICT Co Ordinator (who has been at the school since it opened in the 70's), I am the best network manager they have had. Working for me I have 2 degree students (who want practical experience to go with their degree course), as well as a gentleman Masters of Comp Sci (Networking) who had no experience before working for me. Goes to show that practical experience can work for your favour than fancy pieces of paper - although thats not always the case.
rh91uk Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 I am the Assistant ICT Network Manager at 18 years old here. I was very lucky - started p/t - proved myself, and moved up when I was full time. Go for it, you've definetly got nothing to lose.
olivarrr Posted February 17, 2010 Author Posted February 17, 2010 Reason being was that I am an exceptionally fast learner and I redesigned the network to be better, faster and more secure than the previous network manager had it. I've done exactly the same myself. They seem to like me because the previous network manager sat in a cupboard all day in the dark, whereas I like to get involved with the kids and help staff with using ICT in the classroom etc. I'll definately look into that Win7 configuration exam, as it seems like a step in the right direction, especially as we will most likely be moving to a server08/win7 network in the new build.
KarlGoddard Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 In my experience if you're good enough you're old enough! Apply for the job and even if you get knocked back it will be bloody good experience. NM jobs are tough to land so chance your arm. Our NM doesn't have a degree or sack fulls of MS Certs but he's pretty damn useful NM. Go for it!
36Degrees Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 (edited) As pretty much everyone else has said, go for it. You not only have 2 years experience but 2 years experience at that particular school. Also as you've pointed out yourself you were thrown in the deep end and obviously managed the situation very well - something you should definitely highlight in your interview in strong positive terms. Try and throw in a few of those CV 'action words' that are thrown up by internet searches (i.e. effective, proficient, determined) but don't overdo it. Get a book on one of the MS exams now and mention it to a few people that you are working towards certification then come interview time you can mention that you have taken the initiative. At the inevitable "any questions" point of the interview say although you realise money is tight is there any possibility the school could help in some way, perhaps by paying for exams, buying books, etc. Edited February 17, 2010 by 36Degrees Spelling. D'Oh!
Tunster Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 I'd say go for it! I've been at school I'm currently at for 4 years. Was an apprentice at 80 quid a week to start off with! Managed to land a general ICT Technician job after I finished my course (within 9 months), then 6 months later took the Network & Systems Administrator job after proving my skills and succeeding in a lot of the big projects I took on as the junior. Much more responsibility, but if you know your stuff; I see no reason why you shouldn't go for it. I only have GCSEs and A-Levels to boot at the moment. Currently studying Cisco CCNA to enhance my prospects in the future though. You don't need a degree if you've got the knowledge and are very good with the practical side of things. Degrees and MCSEs only teach you the book way of doing things which most of the time is a waste and won't make you instantly a network/systems admin person. An open mind and good problem solving skills will get you higher quicker. I also look after the general ICT Technicians in making sure they have jobs to do and keeping them challenged.
GrumbleDook Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 Go for it ... I don't have the professional qualifications that some here have but through hard work, fast learning and putting in the extra effort to find out about things I *might* need to know (maybe not now but for possible future events) I have managed to get pretty far in 11 years. I would recommend the FITS courses too.
dhicks Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 You would have to be pretty lucky to find anyone willing to pay for this in the current climate. No, the original poster is under 25, there should be various funding available to provide training for them. This thread might come in handy: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/educational-jobs/44661-maybe-hiring-assistant.html -- David Hicks
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