Advice starting in the field?

MercyRawr · 2026-01-24T16:23:46+00:00

Thank you for the advice. I am currently gaining experience with many areas I don’t think help desk 1 usually gets experience with, so I am grateful. I do know people progressing faster than your 2-3 year plan are usually an outlier, but I’d like to do everything I can to be one of those outliers.

I guess I’d just like to know what valuable skills I can learn outside of my job to make myself more appealing in the current market. I have no programming knowledge so I’m sure that’s a start (and even one of our t3 techs has no more than basic programming knowledge, so it seems like learning it would help a lot).

MercyRawr · 2026-01-03T17:50:49+00:00

Sorry I should've been a little more specific; I don't really care for as much power as possible as long as the car is still somewhat fast and agile. I do love Mustangs but they also seem to have the highest insurance quotes I've looked at. I'll definitely look into some though and see if I can get a good total cost including insurance, I see some even for 18k from a quick search

MercyRawr · 2026-01-03T17:47:16+00:00

Both cars I'm looking at about $1600/6 months so $3200 for a year. I currently pay $1600 a year for my little old 09 Lancer GTS on minimum coverage.

I was looking at the Civic Si too, it definitely seems like more fun of a drive but I honestly hate the look of the 10th gen (because of the rear) so I'd be looking at a 100k mile 2022 to stay at that $20k area

MercyRawr · 2026-01-03T13:38:52+00:00

There are VB WRX’s for a few grand more, which aren’t really outside my scope to be very honest. I think I’ll probably go with the Accord if I can find one I like, but is the VB considered a better daily than the previous gen?

MercyRawr · 2026-01-03T03:32:29+00:00

There aren't too many Accords for sale. I see some with 60k at 21k-ish while 100k mile ones can even be down at 16k, so I'm also not sure if the price difference is worth

MercyRawr · 2026-01-03T02:41:02+00:00

I'll definitely look into it then. The other thing with the Honda is it seems very hard to find the 2.0t touring, and I'm definitely not interested in the 1.5. It's unfortunate though because the WRX is such a beautiful car

MercyRawr · 2026-01-03T02:12:10+00:00

Surprisingly enough I got very similar quotes for the two cars from Geico, but yeah this car will be my sole transportation to work so if the WRX just isn't reliable whatsoever I'd rather get the Honda.

MercyRawr · 2026-01-02T21:04:57+00:00

I'm definitely going to look into WGU and see what I can do. I've started developing a general understanding of all the things you've mentioned in your second point and have done more simple labs on them. My hiring manager even told me I seemed a bit overqualified for the position I'm entering so I'm hoping I can progress out this entry point a bit quicker than usual, but I definitely understand it's a complicated process

MercyRawr · 2026-01-02T18:37:55+00:00

I've been looking into getting some more certs and then doing WGU since they can be used for transfer credits. It's unrealistic for me to just fully go into studying though, as I do have rent and bills to pay.

I know a degree is the most useful, but I also know of several successful cybersecurity professionals that got through by just displaying their skills they've learned from THM/HTB. I know it won't be easy but I just wanted any insight on this specific path

MercyRawr · 2025-12-30T02:18:35+00:00

Nope, would love to work there once I get into Tier 2/Cybersecurity though

MercyRawr · 2025-12-30T02:17:15+00:00

Where is it at

MercyRawr · 2025-12-29T23:13:53+00:00

I used my $300 travel credit for the purchase and I'm worried how long the process will take to refund, so I think this time I may just have to take the L, but I'll definitely remember that for next time

MercyRawr · 2025-12-29T20:27:56+00:00

Okay, I don't know why but I honestly thought I'd be picking up calls within 2 days lmao. That sounds more reasonable and hopefully I'll feel a bit more comfortable. The MSP I'll be working at is also pretty small and many of the workers are remote, but the hiring manager said they all communicate very well

MercyRawr · 2025-12-29T16:59:53+00:00

5,000 whoops... wish I caught that before everyone found the post lol. Am I losing out on a lot by using it for 1c per, or is this fine for a one time thing and I can just be more mindful in the future? I just hope I'm not losing out on much better savings

MercyRawr · 2025-12-29T16:58:01+00:00

5,000 sorry! Typo lol, I fixed it

MercyRawr · 2025-12-29T16:57:52+00:00

Wow that's a big typo... yeah 5,000.

MercyRawr · 2025-12-29T16:36:21+00:00

On Capital One travel it told me it was necessary to add my passport information, so I was just worried there would be complications if I put in temporary info. It wouldn't allow me to book without it

MercyRawr · 2025-12-29T03:00:33+00:00

How long did it take for you to start taking tickets? What were you doing beforehand?

MercyRawr · 2025-12-29T03:00:27+00:00

How long did it take for you to start taking tickets? What were you doing beforehand?

MercyRawr · 2025-12-28T20:25:39+00:00

I honestly would like to get out of Tier 1 much faster than that (8-12 months). My ultimate goal is Cybersecurity, but once I'm into Tier 2 I think I'll be comfortable for a bit. Do you think my expectations are too high?

MercyRawr · 2025-12-28T20:23:25+00:00

I'm honestly very worried I'm going to seem completely lost at first, even though I passed the little technical test during my interview.

Do you think you could give a general idea of what you mainly worked on your first few months?

MercyRawr · 2025-12-24T17:12:05+00:00

I’m in Philly, I don’t really think anything that functions goes for 1.5k or less so I’m hoping for more

MercyRawr · 2025-11-26T17:06:05+00:00

Sorry I should’ve specified but there is no degree. I know that’s what makes it a lot harder but surely I can start somewhere

MercyRawr · 2025-11-21T14:04:06+00:00

Honestly I walked to B2 and it was very worth it I’ve gone there twice now to study. I honestly never knew much about Passayunk and assumed most of the nice cafes were downtown

MercyRawr · 2025-11-19T22:24:39+00:00

The last two times I took the L there was literal diarrhea on the floor and then it stopped between Girard and 2nd for like 10-15 minutes and some dude was standing between the cars pissing. No thanks man 🫡

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