@s.hackleman said:
In general the whole process has made me realize I have a degree, 6-8 years in the IT world, and basically running a shop by my self this whole time, and 0 certifications. At the end of the day when you have been doing things not the right way, but the way that works for this long, it is hard to step up into a bigger team role with out being able to show on paper that you are serious or know anything. So I'm going to keep working on development during the day, and get off my ass and try to get my CCNA by night. (Own the books, done the studying, never took the test) Then have Scott move me to east coast to work at NTG, drink beer, and fade into the sunset.
I know how you feel. I went from Retail Sales to Retail Store Management in record time but wanted a career change to IT. Got in with ALLTEL in customer services and pushed myself to get to their help desk with only self-taught experience dating back to 81 and my Vic-20. From there, worked my way up to lead and then finally supervisor. Layoff hits and then I land a job with the State of Arkansas as Systems Analyst (contracted) for 5 years. The job was a 5 year contract but eventually my duties became less and less and honestly, my work was done in the first 5 minutes of the day. So, I spend the rest of the day learning. Eventually got my A+ certifrication. I had a good friend at a large Medical School / Hospital who got me in and I basically leaped over 3-4 job grades to land right in the middle of Storage Management and Disaster Recovery. I had never racked a server, setup a server, messed with AD, or even knew much about what I was getting into. I did learn a lot there but my manager and the guy who was there before me basically did all the work as I watched, so I didn't feel challenged. I had a job open up in the town I lived in as the solo IT guy...interviewed and landed the job and I've been here ever sense. I have to do everything and all things IT. It has been a growing experience and I have leaned a lot on "Google Searches', MangoLassi friends and other sources. And I am learning. I have a plotter sized print out of Microsoft's Certification Roadmap on my wall. Being we use anything and everything Excel, I am starting with my MOS and going from there. I like to learn but TIME is my enemy. I'm an active Dad, husband, assistant Children's Pastor and oncall 24/7, so I can say I have ZERO certifications. Time Management for studies is quite tough and though I've given up a lot of things, I feel I can give up more to have more time to study.
I will look into Fences...