Career

Hi, there is nothhing "incompetent" about recognizing the benefits of a well-organized team. It is very reasonable to explain to a prospective employer that while you have learned a great deal at your present position, much of it has been via trial and error. Your coursework will take some of the "guessing" out of the equation, but certainly not all. You could explain briefly that what you are looking for is to be a part of a team where people combine knowledge and talent to troubleshoot, learnnew products, etc. Your goal is to continually evolve and refine your skills and this is difficult to do when all tasks (minor and major) fall only to you. You've already said what you really need and that is an atmosphere to reach your full potential - doing so requires more perspectives and training opportunities (from others on a team and perhaps formal opportunities from an employer as well). Hope this helps. Good luck.

This may seen like a strange answer in a tech site, but....
I also spent many years in the Air Force. Try to think of the interview process as the appearance before a board for NCO of the month or an interview for a special duty assignment. This may help you feel more comfortable and relaxed, thus allow you to speak from the heart. Experience is important, and your background in the AF is sure to speak volumes to your dedication and discipline. Most companies today seem to be looking for people that want to be team players and grow with and for the company. Play up your desire to grow as an effective way for the company to grow. Your success will surely enhance the companies success.

There is a phrase that is often used in the business world "taking it to the next level".
Companies look for people to take them to the next level and I think they expect to hear a prospective employee say that they would like to get to the next level as well.

You're wise to recognize that there is only so much excellence you can generate on your own and the real power is in being part of a team and that includes both the players and the coach.

I don't really see any danger of you sounding like an incompetant leech... the fact of the matter is that companies in search of excellence look for attitudes just like yours. What they (and I) are getting real weary of is arrogant and abrasive network administrators who know it all and believe that whoever holds the admin password owns the company.

I'd say you're in pretty good shape to get the job you want - just be honest, don't discount your experience and emphasize your belief in team spirit.

regards!

paul

ps: I'm in Arizona too!

I really liked what pmwright@home.com had to say about the concept of "taking it to the next level". In addition, I would like to add that I often tell employers that I would like to be in a company where after five years I would have five years' worth of experience, rather than one year * 5. I also tell them that I came into this field because it would never be boring and that I would constantly be challenged to do new things, and mention that I work best when I have two things: 1) a number of peers to brainstorm with, and 2) more importantly, when my company sets clearly defined goals in front of me and can communicate its expectations effectively. I have found the latter a little difficult to word without sounding like I'm bashing a former employer, but the truth of the matter remains that one cannot excel in a position where the rules aren't clearly laid out. You might want to ask what kind of strategies the company uses to prepare its employees for the implementation of new technologies in their