IT Networking...

[dclamp]

I want to pursue IT networking when i get older, and i want to know if this career is enjoyable? also, if it is a good pay. Any one here an IT pro?

[szlamany]

What do you mean by IT networking?

[RhinoBull]

I want to pursue IT networking when i get older, and i want to know if this career is enjoyable? also, if it is a good pay. Any one here an IT pro?

If you like working with hardware, configuring servers of any kind, routers, fire walls, etc, etc... then the job is for you.
You'd have learn multiple OSs such Windows Server, Linux, Unix, etc.
You will often be blamed (mostly by programmers) for their apps poor performance.

[dclamp]

@szlamany: Working with networks, hardware, server routers etc.

@rhinobull: yes. that is exactly what i want to do.

When an average joe looks at a server room with all the wires going everywhere they would say "huh?". I would say "fun!"

Would you say that it pays good?

[Hack]

Would you say that it pays good?

That would depend on a variety of factors.

1. In terms of you as an individual, define "good".
2. The larger the network to administer, the more demanding the job, the higher the pay. You aren't going to be able to retire in two years working for Joe the Grocer.
3. Would you be comfortable working in a large, corporate, environment?

[CodedFire]

I know a few guys over here in ireland that are network guys. They seem to do ok. Nothing fantastic about there wage.

[szlamany]

If you become a true network wonder I would think you would make more $$'s working for a consulting firm.

Some of the larger clients I have employ these people - even though they might have in-house people as well - these firms troubleshoot the worse of problems they encounter.

From what I see being a network person means late nights and weekends whenever new hardware is rolled out - as you never have your users off line during business hours.

[CodedFire]

Very true, we just got a refit in work and all the it guys were there till 12:30am on a sunday!

[Hack]

Yup, expect a LOT of evening and weekend work.

[RhinoBull]

[QUOTE=dclamp
Would you say that it pays good?[/QUOTE]
It depends on many aspects including geographical region, company size, amount of revenue it generates off the network usage (especially internet).
If business depends upon LAN internally it's one thing, if company fully depends on money comming from on-line resources then it could completly different.

I wouldn't say that consulting will bring you more income than full time job but it could for a short period of time.
Cojnsulting vs FullTime is always a trade off.

[Hack]

I wouldn't say that consulting will bring you more income than full time job but it could for a short period of time. Cojnsulting vs FullTime is always a trade off.

Stability is one of them. If you don't have a client and you are "on the beach" chances are you won't be a consultant with that firm for very long. Experience is speaking here.

[szlamany]

When I mentioned consulting firm I probably chose the wrong term - I meant one of those "outsourcing" network support companies (is there a name for them?).

One of my clients has a central IT network staff of about 3 people - and a building tech in each of 18 or so buildings.

But they still contract with an "outside" network support company - these people troubleshoot the bigger issues - large scale failures in frame or fiber.

[RhinoBull]

Fewer and fewer companies do that, Steve.
Outsourcing save money of course but it also hurts the economy on the global level and everybody begin to realise that.
Look what happend to textile industry - it's going to cost them more to come back to Sates then what they made by moving out.
Outsourcing IT business is no different - sooner or later it will stop (it better be sooner ).

[szlamany]

rb - it's used pretty heavily in the government industry and health care industry I am in - as in-house tech support is seen as "not a profitable department to have".

The same reason they "go outside" for programming services - which makes me very happy (and puts food on my table)

We got into the health care profession by doing facility management - but that was when networks were still a thing of the future.

dclamp - google for "managed technology services" if you are interested in what these companies do.

[Pasvorto]

I am an IT pro. I have worked in the industry (in many facets) for 30 years.

Does it pay good? It can. I read the industry journals. Periodically they have their salary surveys. I always find myself on the low end. But I work for a small company in a small town. I trade $$ for flexibility and a 'family" atmosphere.

I used to be a consultant. I lived in planes and hotels. I made a lot more $$ but my children grew up with me not around.

It's all what you want to make it.

[dclamp]

I dont mind long hours and working weekends. nor would i mind traveling around. I enjoy flying (went on my first plane this past summer to Orlando Florida), enjoy hotels.

[RhinoBull]

... nor would i mind traveling around...

You would after awhile - it's only fun when you're going on vacation.

[dclamp]

You would after awhile - it's only fun when you're going on vacation.

your probably right. lol. I lived with some one who went to singapore, hong kong, china, and some other places for trade shows for the company he co-owned, and i ALWAYS wanted to go with him. He almost took me once. He always had tons of fun too.

[capsulecorpjx]

I want to pursue IT networking when i get older, and i want to know if this career is enjoyable? also, if it is a good pay. Any one here an IT pro?

If you're ok with being On-Call most of the time I guess it's ok.

But I can't do it personally, I can't sleep if I know someone might call my ass up in the middle of the night with some problem that has to be fixed in less than 15 minutes.