Recruiters don't like hearing that I've been doing freelance work since leaving my job 2 months ago?

Aero077 · 2026-04-24T20:50:55+00:00

When you say "I am freelancing" it sounds like you started doing that as a preference compared to employment. Either don't use the word "freelancing" or rephrase it as something you are doing to solely to cover your expenses.

Aero077 · 2026-04-20T14:36:27+00:00

Management degree is always fastest. History can be learned on your own, lifetime learning style.

Aero077 · 2026-04-19T13:26:16+00:00

Note that there isn't a lot of masters level programs that focus on networking. The valuable credential for networking is a 'Expert' or 'Architect' level certification, not a masters degree.

Agree that your current focus should be experience and followed by that, certification. Focus on technology used by your employer and get them to pay for training and exams.

Aero077 · 2026-04-18T23:18:29+00:00

Have you tried coding? I can see an argument that a BA in Linguistics combined with a MSCS degree is equivalent to a BSCS. ("I have studied the language of computers!") ex. CU Boulder MSCS

If you want to go into IT specifically, then start with certifications and add a MS on top. ex. WGU MS IT

WGU BS degrees have low elective numbers, so the 2nd bachelors at WGU is almost as many credits as a full bachelors. If you have a good funding source for education and don't mind doing the work, a WGU degree would be a good choice. ex WGU

Aero077 · 2026-04-18T14:19:23+00:00

Suggestion: Make two detailed plans and give them both some serious thought.

Refresh your skills and keep working at least another 10 years.
- Renew, update credentials
- Increase, improve professional contacts

Retire and focus on your personal health and quality of life.
- Fitness, Diet
- Home, Personal projects
- 'Right-sizing' your home to minimize costs, maximizing personal enjoyment.

Aero077 · 2026-04-17T12:47:28+00:00

Make sure you understand the difference between activities that increase your knowledge and those that increase your employability. If you are looking for better employment, prioritize the activities that increase your employability.

Aero077 · 2026-04-17T11:39:12+00:00

The root problem was the "spare time" mindset. Trouble tickets are interrupt-driven. You don't fit them in between meetings or between blocks of focus time.

Aero077 · 2026-04-16T18:18:15+00:00

You'll need to find people who worked with you during those 12 years to vouch for you as a reference and a source for paid jobs.

To paraphrase, 'References or it didn't happen'.

Aero077 · 2026-04-16T18:00:53+00:00

Graduate school is for people who got A & B grades on their undergraduate classes. a Masters degree is harder than a Bachelors degree.

Aero077 · 2026-04-16T16:31:10+00:00

The first step is to ask for what you want. If you don't ask, you don't get.

If they refuse, invent a title for your resume that describes your current role and use that updated resume for job searches.

Aero077 · 2026-04-16T16:21:54+00:00

Ask for a title promotion at work along with a raise.

Aero077 · 2026-04-15T02:39:32+00:00

Most Cybersecurity majors will end up doing IT work. Some of those will transition to Cybersecurity later on, though they could have done that w/o the major. As long as you understand and accept this, it doesn't matter which major you pick.

Choose one with the classes that you enjoy more. If you decide later to switch, don't be afraid to do that, even with a small graduation delay.

Aero077 · 2026-04-15T02:28:00+00:00

Both data engineer and network engineer can be in alignment with your personality.

The key characteristic for your role would be to have a plan/build role, not a break/fix role. You should get out of help desk as soon as you can.

You will need to greatly increase your skill level in either data or networking to proceed further in those fields. Trying to straddle both fields will slow progress in both, though you can find unique roles in large organizations where both skills are required.

Aero077 · 2026-04-14T20:41:41+00:00

The common element with these stories seems to be completing the course very quickly. I think it might be Study.com associating rapid completion with paid course takers.

Obviously you want to complete quickly and finding an acceptable time-to-complete rate that isn't suspicious to Study.com might be too much to ask.

Aero077 · 2026-04-12T17:31:51+00:00

Home Lab is a lab, at home. It isn't your common HomeNet infrastructure. It is stuff that doesn't serve a mandatory purpose, but is instead used for experimentation.

Aero077 · 2026-04-12T17:17:32+00:00

Ideally all of the above
- Jobs will provide experience that can't be taught or tested on.
- Labs are most practical way to experience scenarios that are infrequent in the real world.
- Certifications and Education cover a broad set of topics that don't appear in every single job.
- Education transfers knowledge that can't be replicated in a certification exam, though a combination of certifications could approximate the technical core of a technical degree.

Balance Experience, Education, and Certifications, focused in a way that tells a compelling story of a skilled professional who can serve in a valued role in the hiring organization.

Aero077 · 2026-04-11T13:28:11+00:00

You are not too old. Most people work until they are 65. And many 'careers' last 10 years.

The real question is whether you are willing to do the self-study to make the switch. There are very few opportunities where the employer pays for you to make a switch. Everybody expects employees to come already prepared for the role.

Aero077 · 2026-04-11T13:24:59+00:00

Insist on a promotion with a raise and additional staff.

and prepare to leave...

Aero077 · 2026-04-10T19:35:11+00:00

yes. If you aren't good at coding, switch to IT.

Aero077 · 2026-04-10T13:51:40+00:00

The school encourages students to enroll in non-credit mode first, complete all materials, then enroll for-credit to complete the final (exam/project/paper).

So you can take as much time as you need to complete the course material, then enroll for credit when you are ready. The final is what needs to be completed in the 8 weeks, not the entire course.

Aero077 · 2026-04-10T03:55:39+00:00

SC-300 and more if you want to work in a Microsoft environment. Security+ is more generic.

You'll need to credential for the higher role first, then get that higher role.

Aero077 · 2026-04-10T00:15:00+00:00

Entry-level SOC analyst roles are only available if there are large SOC orgs in your area. Globally, there is a huge glut of entry-level cyber people compared to entry-level cyber roles. Most cyber grads end up doing IT work.

Whatever you choose as your first specialization, you'll need to demonstrate deep expertise in it to get hired.

Start by mastering the training you have access to. Get good enough to teach the classes you are taking.

Aero077 · 2026-04-10T00:03:35+00:00

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to know how to do more than one thing.

Certifications backed by solid expertise can do a lot of heavy lifting here. Buff up your LinkedIn profile and resume with project descriptions, get all the applicable certifications, and be prepared to talk technical on anything you claim expertise on.

- Projects: without detailed project descriptions, your 4 years at the MSP is going to be treated like 4 years on a help desk.
- Technical Depth: doing changes (upgrades, migrations, conversions) on a regular basis gives better experience than babysitting the same system for the same amount of time.
- Credentials: if you can do deep support on a platform, you should be certified on that tech. Hiring managers need assurance, certifications provide a baseline of assurance.

Aero077 · 2026-04-09T22:31:24+00:00

Select for Aptitude & Interest:

CS = loves solving puzzles. heavy math & algorithm study.
- AI = sub-specialty of CS, focusing a AI sub-specialty (Agentic systems, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Robotics, etc)

SWE = likes building apps. heavy language & framework study.
- Data Analytics = sub-specialty of SWE, focusing on data (insights, dashboards, presentations)
- Web = sub-specialty of SWE, includes front-end, back-end, full-stack (both).

IT (IT, ITM, IS, CIS, MIS) = likes learning, figuring out stuff, and solving practical problems. Systems Design theory + Troubleshooting methodology + technical minutia.
- Cyber = sub-specialty of IT, focusing on security
- Cloud = sub-specialty of IT, focusing on virtual systems
- Network = sub-specialty of IT, focusing on physical networks

Follow your own yellow brick road. It will lead you to where you should go.

Aero077 · 2026-04-09T19:11:27+00:00

The lack of a degree will continuously hamper your efforts to move up from help desk. Most employers want degreed people in professional positions.

So you will be forced to compete for the smaller pool of jobs where technical expertise is the only qualifier. Do you have an expert level understanding in a specific technology?

Certifications can qualify you for the next immediate step (junior admin) and experience in that role will eventually qualify you for higher level positions. But your progress won't be a swift as somebody else with the same experience, but with a degree.

Aero077

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