Certifications for system administrator / infrastructure role.

Oonagh123

I'm a recent computer science graduate currently seeking work, however I’m not having much luck. I have submitted application forms and my CV to various jobs only to get an unsuccessful email or an unsuccessful interview. I’m trying to get into a system administrator / infrastructure role.

I completed a 6 month placement with a software development company however I don't wish to proceed with that route. (I don't have any experience on the infrastructure side and the majority of jobs I have come across is either software dev/support or testing).

Can you suggest any relevant certifications?

Cuddlesworth

Walking into sys admin is pretty difficult.

Career path is usually helpdesk, maybe into desktop support, general sys admin, specialise into something else to get past the 50k a year trap.

You cert for the job you want, in this case its the helpdesk role to get in the door. Having a A+ and certs like Microsoft office exams will help, other people will tell you that MCSA/CCNA is great but the reality is those jobs don't hire very much and now days usually don't bother with Grads.

Btw, HP will pretty much hire anybody into IT functions in Galway. Easy to move internally if you cert up in there and keep a eye on the jobs page.

bennyineire

Here is a link to a site with free online courses
https://www.cybrary.it/course/mcsa/
Do the 3 courses on this site and sit the exams and that would be a good start

Microsoft 70-410 Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
Microsoft 70-411 Administering Windows Server 2012
Microsoft 70-412 Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services

Then maybe VMware VCP

In the meantime like as has been said above experience is the key to get into infrastructure and can be difficult to get into but once your on the ladder you should have no problem

I graduated 3 years ago, done a job bridge it support role for 6 months, then got a help desk role which I stuck out for 1 year (held desk sucks but you usually have to start here).
I'm now a junior sys admin and getting great experience in my current role and in a year or 2 should have some very good experience for my next role

Oonagh123

Thanks Cuddlesworth, I will apply to HP and in the meantime I can get cracking on getting a certificate.

Thanks for the links and advice bennyineire, I think I may try and follow your footsteps to getting into a system admin role.

robarmstrong

It honestly depends what sort of Sys Admin tasks you're required to do - a lot aren't just Windows anymore they're starting to look for individuals with strong Citrix XenApp skills...

No offence but Sys Admins usually require about 3-4 years experience from what I've come across, without that or at least seriously strong Sys Admin related certs they'll turn you down I'm afraid.

Like what's been outlined below by other people follow the below route (with some minor alterations)

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Network+
MCSA Server 2012

This usually covers Junior Sys Admins.

MCSE Exchange/SharePoint 2013
CCA (XenApps)
VMWare VCP - These are more geared towards the Senior Sys Administrator role (give or take a CCNA)

Anything else just pop me a PM.

Eire Go Brach

Asaiah wrote: »

You could also look at network engineering. Start of with the CCNA and work towards the CCNP and perhaps an F5 or Checkpoint cert to cover all basis. Plenty of work out there for someone with these qualifications.

Getting that first year's experience is the most difficult part. No company wants to be the first to hand you the keys to their network. Many people start out in Service desk/help desk or 1st line support in an ISP. Working there while studying in their own time to gain certifications.

Once you've gotten 1-2 years experience with a few decent certs the opportunities start to open up.
It's entirely possible (I'm living proof) that you can go from a 22k 1st line support role to a 60k IT role in 3 years if you put the work in.

Like most IT disciplines you will have to constantly be upskilling and certifying for pretty much the rest of your career as technology will always be changing. Also like most IT roles nowadays, you may have to leave Ireland to gain the experience as many Irish based roles just don't hire entry level anymore. The Irish idea of entry level is 2-3 years experience.

On a personal level I would not bother with the N+ or A+, waste of time go straight for the well known and recognised vendor certs depending on whether or not you want to be in systems or networks.

Look for IT jobs on job sites, and look at the list of certs they ask for. You will rarely see a comptia being listed. You will nearly always see a Microsoft, F5, Vmware or Cisco cert being required depending on the role.

That's a nice wage alright. Just wondering what path you took certificate wise? What's your role now?