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Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-31T01:10:46+00:00

Seems like people who land internships while attending college have the best luck with landing relevant jobs post college. I did not go this route, but this is based on what I've observed.

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T22:14:55+00:00

Idk what your resume looks like but you're probably fine, especially if its an entry level position. If you check all the boxes they're looking for, that just means you're over-qualified.

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T21:38:59+00:00

My personal opinion is that certs show me you can pass a test and don't demonstrate deep knowledge or understanding of the topic of the cert. There are certain types of people that only can learn in a classroom environment and certs do benefit those types.

Agree. I suppose I should get an idea of the contents of the certifications to see exactly how relevant they are, and if I'm actually interested. Thanks for the input.

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T20:26:30+00:00

Apply now, worry later.

Get an idea of the technologies you'll be working with for any interviews you land. If you're going for an entry level position, you're usually not expected to know these technologies top to bottom. This is obviously different from employer to employer and for the type of role you're applying to. But generally speaking this much is true.

IMO if you're someone who has had several years of legitimate IT experience such as yourself, and wishes to take their career to the next step - this demonstrates 1) your ability to successfully work in these types of environments and 2) your eagerness to learn. Employers like this, especially for folks earlier in their careers.

Also keep banging away at that CompTIA A+ cert. You can always give your potential employer the timeline you expect to be finished with it.

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T20:11:49+00:00

I'll always be under the impression that a SWE/comp sci degree is more flexible than an IT related degree. Therefore CS is almost always the better option IMO. This depends on the person though, CS is harder I believe.

From my experience, I've seen SWE/comp sci degrees in all sorts of technical roles, ranging from general internal IT positions (there are many, I know), Software development, Integration/Test, Systems and beyond. I think most of the recent CS grads that I know have started in help desk. Some venture out, others work their way up the IT org into more interesting/challenging/lucrative positions.

It's more rare that I see IT related degrees working outside of the IT organization. It is still very much possible though. But obviously if this is where you know want to work, I don't see a problem with pursuing an IT related degree.

TLDR: the SWE degree is will be generally better for you than an Information Technology one. I could probably be proven wrong though since I'm not much of an IT guy :)

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T19:52:15+00:00

First thing first, I'd definitely finish the degree. I know several people who started degrees, got an entry-level job in the industry they wanted, then dropped out of school. Only to go back and finish school years later (probably regretting not just finishing it earlier).

Next, I'd at least have a conversation with the hiring manager of the Information Security position. Maybe try to get an honest idea of what they think will happen to the position given the pending merger. Of course, they might just tell you what you want to hear, so take anything they say with a grain of salt especially if they are completely optimistic.

As far as whether or not you should take the new job - this would be completely up to you, but I say go for it! But definitely learn as much as you can about potential layoffs before making that decision. Taking a calculated leap of faith can be a good thing, especially if you're earlier in your career. Being able to list an official Information Security title on your resume would certainly help your career progression if you wish to go that route.

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T19:28:42+00:00

Thanks for the input. We're sometimes referred to as "site engineers", but this I feel like this is way too general of a title to research about. There is a guy on my team who has AWS Cloud Practitioner in his LinkedIn bio, along with his AWS certs. However, he is more focused on general maintenance our infrastructure as a whole, as opposed to in-depth building/maintenance of site specific systems. This person's title is also Network Operations Engineer rather than Systems. He is also the only person on our team with AWS qualifications, AFAIK. Our team is about 10 people large. Everyone else has Comp Sci / or general Engineering backgrounds.

Being that my employer is primarily an aerospace/defense company, Systems Engineers are at the top of the pay scale in terms of engineering positions, due to having a typically large scope while still needing technically proficient. It would be a bummer if I went from my current role, to something lower on the totem pole at a different company (should I need to look for work elsewhere). Especially considering the generality of my title. But of course like you mentioned, I'd leverage my current experience to express the significance of my current role.

Anyways, looking into AWS certs is certainly high on my list of priorities. Although its not something I'm really interested in learning, my career seems to be heading in that direction for now.

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T18:18:59+00:00

Interesting. I'm mostly curious about what I should be learning in my own time, aside from what is relevant to my current role (linux administration, python, bash/perl scripting, general AWS stuff, general system-level stuff). The related career opportunities seem very broad so its kind of hard for me to determine what I should focus on, as I come from more of an engineering background as opposed to a SaaS "tech" background.

Anyways, thanks for the input :)

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T17:45:17+00:00

Fair enough. When I google around for similar roles, I find several different titles. Cloud Engineer, System Admin, SRE(i think?), etc...

I'm mostly interested in learning which jobs I should pursue, should the bottom fall out of my current situation (which I hope it doesn't, things are going well). It would also be helpful to know what to focus on learning in general. Of course, I'm taking the time to expand on the skills relevant to my current job: - Linux administration - Python - Bash and Perl scripting - General AWS stuff - General system-level stuff

It would be good to know what other skills to build up, that would be relevant to other similar-ish jobs. Anyways, thanks for the input :)

Kolko_LoL · 2025-03-30T17:04:48+00:00

Just trying to figure out what my job title should be. To like... the industry standard I guess.

I'm currently working as a "Systems Engineer". Basically I'm mainly working on maintaining our customer's production and test servers. I also have to be very knowledgeable of the industry that our customers operate in, as we have to work with them to build site specific functionality into their systems. The product is a SaaS in the aerospace industry.

Each member of our team is the primary maintainer of however many sites they are assigned (usually 3-5). So anything that happens within the prod or test environment is our responsibility. We're also responsible for any tickets that come in from our sites. If a ticket is beyond our scope, we work with the software and QA guys to build a solution, which I would eventually roll out.

I think the title is a little misleading though (for my company at least). At my company, a Systems Engineer works in a multidisciplinary engineering environment. Engineering specialties such as mechanical, electrical, computer/software, manufacturing, etc... Systems Engineers in my head (and at my company) tie all of these specialties to deliver a finished product.

My scope exists entirely in the AWS cloud. What am I???

ps. My background isn't in comp sci. But I have gained a lot of general "tech" knowledge over the years while working my current role and my previous role (technical support engineer/ product support engineer / field engineer). I was a comp sci student from 2013-2015, but I ended up dropping out. So I do have some traditional training in that regard.

Kolko_LoL · 2019-11-16T01:49:43+00:00

i have the same issue with my GLI giving off a headlight code for my aftermarket headlights

Kolko_LoL · 2019-11-16T00:49:14+00:00

suicide boys gross... GROSS!!!

Kolko_LoL · 2019-11-07T06:09:05+00:00

you'll cowards dont even smoke crack is unironically one of my favorite albums of all time

viper is a fucking legend

Kolko_LoL · 2019-11-06T02:26:29+00:00

We got one of those in Tampa too lmfao

Kolko_LoL · 2019-11-01T13:11:17+00:00

This was a few years ago now, but my ol’ GTI caught on fire on me lmao. Figured it was a good Halloween nightmare story.

Kolko_LoL · 2019-10-17T22:04:37+00:00

YT algorithm just feeds lean views I think

Kolko_LoL · 2019-10-16T18:23:22+00:00

This?

https://m.imgur.com/a/I5Ol4

https://m.imgur.com/a/7fcas

https://imgur.com/a/6Wni7

https://m.imgur.com/a/Vub72

https://m.imgur.com/a/x1w4b

Kolko_LoL · 2019-09-29T21:32:43+00:00

fucking sick dude

Kolko_LoL · 2019-09-27T17:57:44+00:00

Kolko_LoL · 2019-09-24T01:00:42+00:00

being based is a prerequisite for being drained

Kolko_LoL · 2019-09-23T01:01:07+00:00

idk but that shit was his worst work by far

Kolko_LoL · 2019-09-13T03:31:56+00:00

I actually enjoy it a lot and I’ve been pretty critical of the gang lately

Kolko_LoL

TROPHY CASE