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IT field, jack of all trades, or specialized

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JMB:

--- Quote from: sdweim85 on April 02, 2013, 02:30:21 pm ---
I'm currently the only System Administrator at a small company of about 20 people with 10 servers.  I monitor the network, setup VPNS for clients when needed, set  UTM web filter restrictions, monitor the camera systems, clean  up  the virus report logs that say it couldn't clean some things, update the PCs, troubleshoot them, change hardware, update software, make barebones websites for clients also, decommission old servers, add and delete FTP users, setup server 2003, and 2008 r2, setup Virtual machines with Hyper-v, dragged CAT6 cable through walls and the ceiling that I made myself, setup a SQL inventory database, started a backup server, and I repair and service the machines the employees use for production. 

I basically do anything and everything technical since it's only me.  The job is very flexible and since we are still small whenever I suggest anything new (recently it was sharepoint) management is totally on board so I get to learn new things pretty much every week.  I get to show up late with no complaints, and wear whatever I want.  Pay is kinda low, I only make 40k, but I only have an associates so I can't complain.

I posed this question in the first place because even though I do all that, I feel like I still don't know everything well enough to be confident or comfortable where I am, and if I ever plan on to move onto something bigger it doesn't feel like my knowledge will be enough.  From what I've seen in job descriptions they are pretty outrageous, and from some people on reddit it seems like when you go to a larger company you are part of a team.  So you might just be given a single role to do.

--- End quote ---

That is a pretty diverse group of skills. If you enjoy doing those things then I would say get yourself some Microsoft certifications. That will go a long way towards being able to make more money down the road. Don't sell yourself short because of the two year degree. Experience and certifications will carry a lot of weight. If you are in the field long enough you will screw something up at some point. Everyone does. The key is not being afraid of making a mistake and knowing how to fix it quickly.

ChadTower:

Being an expert at something specific will get you hired.

Knowing some of everything will keep you employed.

sdweim85:
Yea, there is a problem with something everyday.  I basically inherited 6 years of desktop, network, and server neglect.  Outdated, dusty, and failing.  I receive calls every now and then to log in from home and fix something.  Come in on weekends or stay late. It makes me feel like I don't know anything, but from what I've read online its common that things don't go right often.  Best thing to do is fix it, and take steps so it doesn't happen again.
--- Quote from: ChadTower on April 02, 2013, 02:48:12 pm ---
Being an expert at something specific will get you hired.

Knowing some of everything will keep you employed.


--- End quote ---

Makes sense, I like that.

stu33:

--- Quote from: JMB on April 02, 2013, 02:47:22 pm ---Don't sell yourself short because of the two year degree. Experience and certifications will carry a lot of weight.

--- End quote ---

+1.  I only have an associate's, and I'm in year 12 at an AMAZING company.

ChadTower:
At a small company the key is how fast you can learn and how well you can troubleshoot.

At a large company it's a lot more about methodology, scale, project management, and forecasting.

I've done both.  For me it was better at a small company when I was younger.  Now that I'm older, and a much more senior engineer, the large company format fits me better. 

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