Network Manager positions

[ahunter]

I'm wondering if anyone could help me on this one. I am currently working as a Senior ICT Technician and have been doing so for the last 4 years, at my last place I ran the network on my own for the best part of a year and half. In total I have racked up 5 years experience in education and have attended or graduated with the following qualifications:

 

HND in Business IT and computing

Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)

RM Certified Network Manager

RM Certified Network Technician

 

Currently studying for part 2 exam to gain my CCNA

 

Attended 2 training days titled "Managing a technicial support team"

 

Completed the Cisco Networking Academy.

 

On this basis would you think I should be seriously considered for a Network Manager position in an education setting or am I falling short somewhere?

 

At my last school I got screwed over, left waiting and waiting for promotion, lots of failed promises. In the end on the day I handed in my notice they promoted the guy below me without even giving me an opportunity at the position they offered him. Typical I suppose but nothing I could do as I had already tendered my resignation at that point.

 

Cheers

Adam.

[zag]

Sure, it doesn't take much more than that to become a network manager.

 

CCNA is pretty pointless imo, my day to day job mostly involves working with windows server and the security side of things.

 

Why wait for promotion? Start applying to different schools and see whats out there.

 

RM stuff is also useful in education but its far better to learn the skills of a vanilla network.

[ahunter]

Well currently we are going to be an Academy, joining with another school. There are 4 technical support staff currently. 2 at each school. At one site there is me and the Network Manager at the other site there are two techies. As far as I know I am the most qualified but my network manager has more experience than me. In a few weeks time there is a position for ICT Services Manager and they are going to be looking at best matches for the job. The problem is they are telling us its not a way of obtaining promotion and you will be only considered as a match for the position if you currently do that job. In a catch 22 coz I would like to wait and see what happens but there are also other jobs out there.

 

I have been to a few NM interviews in the past but they always seem to promote internally.

 

I'm ok with vanilla stuff at my last school it was initially RM CC3 but I got so tired of not being able to do certain things I started setting up my own servers to run different services, in the end when I left it ran better than it did in the first place but was very much a hybrid system lol.

Edited September 20, 2010 by ahunter

[featured_spectre]

ahunter, Do not worry too much. Be happy at the minute that you have a stable job and know that it will get some increased pressures when you become an academy.

 

You seem like you are qualified enough, however I have found schools would rather take a person with the experience than the qualifications, as anyone can go through a bootcamp to get the paper, but its the practical experience that works better. I know its not what you are looking to hear, but its the honest brutal truth.

[sk0rpiu5]

Just as a general career progression, I would suggest gaining some system administration certifications such as the Microsoft certified program - it's so common that employers ask for MCP/MCSE/MCITP that it's just worth the work anyway. You can self study using virtual machnes & MS Press books and it would go a long way on your CV.

 

In terms of the job though, it sounds like you've got adequate experience to at least apply for the Network Manager role. Technically make sure you've got a sound knowledge of AD (and how it works in relation to your RM network), DNS, DHCP - ie. the fundamentals of a network. Also start to think about how you would manage a network and the responsibility of line management to get "your head in the right place". Understand the need to document procedure, audit everything (lol).

 

It doesn't sound like you're falling short at all - you're on the right path

[sonofsanta]

Easily qualified, I got my NM position on the back of <2 years techie experience (in a rough comp, which helped apparently - if I could survive there I would be fine here) and a decent degree, that isn't particularly relevant to support albeit still in computing.

 

The more important issue is how you interview, I found - on the day I was interviewing against two other candidates, I was apparently selected because I was open, friendly, chatty etc. and not because I was the best technically (because I know I wasn't). I think schools have a greater need for communications skills than almost any other IT support position because of the enormous range of users you deal with, both age and ability. Show you can communicate well and confidently and with those qualifications backing you up, you'll get something soon.

 

The only thing you can't help is the quality of the other candidates, especially in this job market, so don't take it personally if you miss out on a few - you'll get the right job eventually.

[ahunter]

Thanks guys,

 

I intend to do part two of my cisco soon to obtain the CCNA. Once I have done that I was going to turn my attention to the Microsoft exams. I take it MCDST would be a good place to start?

[sk0rpiu5]

Thanks guys,

 

I intend to do part two of my cisco soon to obtain the CCNA. Once I have done that I was going to turn my attention to the Microsoft exams. I take it MCDST would be a good place to start?

 

I wouldn't bother with MCDST, I would look at the MCITP programmes, and possibly start with a client exam (Windows 7). Given you have 5 years experience in a networked environment and you are aiming to be a Network Manager, why would you certify as a desktop support tech? Go server admin!

[maniac]

Become someone who people remember, and you can talk your way into pretty much any job you want with enough practise.

[ahunter]

I wouldn't bother with MCDST, I would look at the MCITP programmes, and possibly start with a client exam (Windows 7). Given you have 5 years experience in a networked environment and you are aiming to be a Network Manager, why would you certify as a desktop support tech? Go server admin!

 

I thought you had to start at the bottom and work your way up lol! I was going to have a shot at the Enterprise set of MCITP's starting with client and working up to administrator, sound like a plan? what are the best sources of study with the MCITP?

[Kitkatninja]

I wouldn't bother with MCDST, I would look at the MCITP programmes, and possibly start with a client exam (Windows 7). Given you have 5 years experience in a networked environment and you are aiming to be a Network Manager, why would you certify as a desktop support tech? Go server admin!

 

Do not under-estimate desktop support. There's a lot to be learnt from that area, especially now that you also have the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator (not to be confused with the MCITP: Enterprise Support Tech) which is classed as 3rd tier support.

 

Don't forget, being a Network Manager/IT Manager or whatever title they decide to call it, is not just about the technology. It's also about people management, financial management (budget planning), project management, security management, Storage Management, Energy Conservation, etc, etc, etc...

 

On this basis would you think I should be seriously considered for a Network Manager position in an education setting or am I falling short somewhere?

 

Based on the information that you've provided, the unknown other candidates for the prospective job and the unknown requirements for the job, I don't know and couldn't say. However as all your qualifications are technology based, perhaps some non-technical certs would boost your chances, like:

 

1. FITS (Level 4 and/or 5), ITIL v5 Foundation and/or MOF (some sort of best practice methodology, FITS being aimed specifically at the education sector).

2. A NVQ or other cert in either Team Leading or Management.

3. Maybe some sort of Project Management cert, like: ISEB Foundation in Project Management, Prince2 or Project+

4. Membership into a Professional Body, like the BCS or the IET (for IT) or the ILM (for management).

 

I can't comment on your experience, as you haven't listed wat you actually do (just your job title). But generally speaking 4-5 year experience in the actual sector does give you an edge.

 

Just one question, you've listed that you're studying for the CCNA (part 2), do you actually configure Cisco switches/routers? Cause if you do, that's great, imo. However if you don't, is it really worth it? To be certified on a technology that you will have to recertify in 3 years time that you don't work with. I would rather recommend doing another course/qualification for career progression.

 

-Ken

[GrumbleDook]

Another to show how good you are is how you adapt when a technology you have not encountered before gets thrown at you. Some certs are a bit like some degrees ... sometimes not that relevant as to what you studied but showing the ability to study and learn is more important.

[ahunter]

To be honest my long term plan, as in the next 5 years I would be looking to move out of education and into industry, more specifically a large network company. I just feel that in the interim I should be looking to progress into network management in an educational setting. Gain some experience as a technical manager and hopefully that should give me some kudos when looking to move into industry.

 

At the moment I think it would be hard for a school it techie to find a job in industry.

[ahunter]

So looks like I have been screwed over again, the new position that is available in a few weeks I have been told I am not eligible to go for.

 

Its a new position but they want to match current manager's to it, at the min over the two schools there is only one network manager which means they will get it instantly. Don't see how this can be fair as its a new position and I'm being told I won't be considered a match due to my current job title!! I thought it was equal opportunities and everyone should have a shot?

[zag]

Sounds fair to me since there is already a network manager.

 

It would be a lot more unfair for him to get a demotion

[ahunter]

It would yes but it is a "new position" and although the current network manager might be a match for it. Technically so am I. Also what seems unfair is this is combined with a TuPe transfer so basically all the techies, me included are getting fobbed off come january. By law if its a new position, which it is don't they have to advertise and allow us to interview for it? all the admin staff who currently do multiple roles are being told they can apply for multiple ring fenced jobs but I can't?

[somabc]

TBH even if they did let you apply it is likely they would hire the NM simply as he is seen to to be doing the job already so will win on experience rather than your qualifications.

 

Guidance on transfer of school staff to academies

 

In the immediate future when schools convert to academy status, teachers and support staff will retain their current contractual rights. Similarly, whatever arrangements currently apply to school support staff - whether this is based on the national agreement negotiated within the National Joint Council for local government services in respect of staff in community schools, or other local arrangements which apply to staff in foundation schools and voluntary aided schools - will transfer.

 

As your NM has a contract he will be moved as NM. If the School were to appoint you as NM then would still have to give the old NM the same job title and pay, so there is no incentive for the School to Interview for the position.

Edited September 23, 2010 by somabc

[ahunter]

Perhaps but it would be nice to get an opportunity to at least interview, ah well another bad experience coming up here guess I'll have to look for another job as nobody seems to know what will happen to the techies come january, nothing has even been mentioned.

[somabc]

IF TUPE applies you will be moved to the Academy at the same pay/job title. So a NM, a senior tech (you) and 2 other techs (who may or may not be classed as senior depending on their current J/D)

[ahunter]

I just can't seem to get any opportunities to advance, this is the 2nd school now I don't want to be a techie forever but can't seem to nail any NM interviews I get either :-(

[somabc]

Don't let this put you off!

[featured_spectre]

As said, Do not let us, or your experience put you off. If you didnt get the job, you were not right for it, ask for a debrief after EVERY interview, even if you get a job. This helps you learn where you went wrong and can improve in the future.

 

Whilst you have some good qualifications, experience is key, in ANY job. You may not have been an NM before, but that does not mean you do not know how to delegate work or lead people, but have you thought about getting any management NVQs on top?

[ahunter]

I've thought about it but just don't know where to start. I have 5 years experience currently in an education setting progressing through junior it technician to senior ict technician.

 

To be honest I think most of the time they aren't even looking for someone technical.

 

I did go on a 2 day course titled "Managing a technical support team" which was run by Research machines, although it was an RM course it had no connection to the RM networks, it was completely a leadership course.

[featured_spectre]

well as senior tech, you have obviously done well in some form of leadership training, but an NVQ holds much more weight, as its more generic and covers a broader spectrum, from there you can work on drilling it down to a technical management course etc.

 

I have 4 years experience in education, but 8 years overall in ICT. I worked up from junior tech to NM, but that was hard work, and I had to prove I had what it takes. Since doing so, everything runs like clock work (aside from user error).

 

If you give me a PM, I will see about sending you a list of what I done and why and how it has helped!

[ahunter]

Does anyone know if you can be transferred under Tupe regulations if your current position does not exist within the new structure i.e. if the job title/description and pay are different?

 

Or does it merely go off the content of your job?

 

Do staff even have to be transferred by law or can they just say "Sorry we don't need someone in your position in the new structure"