How to Break into Networking?

I have a couple of buddies with Cisco, Nortel, 3com and other router and switch ecperience that have been laid off and are interviewing for help desk positions.

If you really want to break in, that may very well be your only option in theis market.

I got into my networking position by moving up from a help desk scenario. I would recommend looking at help desk or PC repair/ support positons in small to mid size companies.
You may get a break at a big company too, but with a smaller company (in time) they would be willing to allow you to assist in server installs and configurations instead of sitting at a phone answering user calls 40 hours per week.

I started in HD's a long time ago, and watched for positions in my company to open up with other skills. Thankfully we had Tier 1,2,3, On-Site, and consulting contracts, so there was a lot of room for growth. I moved over (not up) to a LAN admin/ghost imaging job for an education dept from the HD, then took on consulting, and the entire LAN after others above me left, etc...

Hopefully you can eye some kind of jobs like that. If not, keep your eye on the SME (subject matter expert) positionsand team leader positions in the HD environment, manager, etc... Use those positions and your contacts for the better positions to open. You should know you're better than that, and should always keep your eyes on the prize.

Since you have the degree I don't (and never will get now), and the certs I do, you're destined to get out of where you are... Keep in mind, you have valuable programming experience that may be of use to your help desk. Find ways to keep your old skills sharp, and utilize them in your environment. It'll also please your bosses and (it may) get you raises in the meantime while you ride hte help desk wave.

With your degree, certs, and a couple of years' experience, you'll be able to find a networking job. One good thing you can do to help, is run your own win2k domain, web site, ftp, email, etc... from home. that'll be good experience to keep you sharp too....

To Be Continued....

I wouldn't recommend actually breaking in to anyones network (and no that will not get jobs) but knowing how to do it well (or better- stop it well) and being in the right circles where this is valued helps IMO. Everyone calls my brother for advice when the going gets tough and they know he knows- and he gets lots of offers. When a recent job came up at his place, both his boss and the recruiters came straight to him and said: " We need another like you" and one of his skilled friends applied and was accepted. This guy has certs and a technical background, but what got him hired was his well known abilities to secure wireless networks, track down and get results (even in other countries) spammers (he passionately hates them and does this for free even when not employed) and his general network security skills. He is also, like my brother, quite honest.

My brother is kind of famous in the area BTW for tracking down and stopping a pornography group from another country who kept using local US school servers for storage. They were pulling their hair out and he stopped it. They helped him get a job at the college and then hired him later. These are just examples, but when my place let's me hire again, I already have my eye on someone I know locally who is again, highly skilled (moreso than me:) and has high moral principles. Also, help desk is another good path and both the guy I am looking at and the guy my brother got hired are\were on help desks at different places. I hope this helps! Definately get passionate and constantly keep things networked at home, for friends, for society and you'll get noticed. Most of us, it's not just a job, it's our passion and hobby too.

You didn't mention how much career experience you have. I'm guessing < 5yrs. As others have pointed out, in this market, a helpdesk job may not always be exciting but isn't bad.

There are advantages to always being on the phone, you get to talkto a lot of people.

Use this to your advantage. While solving their problems, network your way to a better position. Administrative assistants are gatekeepers and often know more about what's happening in the company better than those they workfor.

Network outside your company as well. Many areas have networking groups for unemployed professionals. These also work for the underemployed. Look in business calanders for any in your area.

Finally, keep in touch with your old professors and classmates. They may point you to opportunities as well.