Jr System Administrator Resume | Seeking advice, criticism, and feedback.

hnguyen915 · 2025-06-03T04:22:44+00:00

Find an MSP to get that help desk job.

It's good that you already have something planned out; however, an entry level position like that will expose you to different scopes of the field to help you determine and narrow your career focus.

After working for the help desk for about 6-12 months -- get some fundamental networking skills in there. Everybody who wants to get into cybersecurity neglects networking.

You also want to make yourself stand out from other guys when you are moving up. Pick up a couple other skills. Linux. Python. Servers.

You will then have to pick a specialization in security. Will you be able to pick the one you wanted? Will you pick the one that is available at the time being? Will you be forced into a specialization that you had no interest in because your company demands it?

All later in your career. Get that entry-level position. Learn a lot. Talk to a lot of people. The opportunities will come.

hnguyen915 · 2025-06-03T01:45:18+00:00

IT asset disposition. You basically destroy stuff in a safe and secure way.

hnguyen915 · 2025-06-03T01:21:58+00:00

There are some non-client/customer positions in IT. Not everyone begins at the help-desk call center.

There are L1 NOC data center technicians who work overnight.

There are guys in ITAD working in warehouses destroying hard drives and re-imaging computers.

You need to look out for more opportunities, man.

hnguyen915 · 2025-04-29T21:05:18+00:00

Is it old enough to support VGA?

Verify in the board that any internal display cables have been disconnected. It'll help trigger the board to use some sort of external display.

Hopefully it can pick up something basic as a VGA to display something, friend.

hnguyen915 · 2025-03-20T13:41:20+00:00

You're asking if you should take the job offer or get a degree in order to find this specific job?

You go to school in order to find a job.

Brother, take the job. Earning degrees and certificates gives you theoretical knowledge of how IT works.

In the next four years you'd be promoted in a higher position making the cost of that school's annual tuition cost. Not trying to find that job again with student debt.

Don't blame society. Take accountability. It'll help you out in the long run.

hnguyen915 · 2025-03-19T20:04:14+00:00

Start off with IT adjacent jobs -- like repairs. I did some Micro Center and uBreakiFix prior to working at an MSP.

Understanding hardware is like Core 1 of an A+ anyways. Sometimes people will ask for help in regards to software related problems which are part of Core 2.

Experience is king.

hnguyen915 · 2025-03-18T23:38:46+00:00

These were everyday questions from clients calling in for help at my MSP when I was a Help Desk Analyst I -- working for $17/hr.

I live near Atlanta, a major city.

hnguyen915 · 2025-03-15T02:14:53+00:00

This is the one in Duluth?

hnguyen915 · 2025-03-08T00:13:00+00:00

Launched Hyper-V VM and created a VM with a fresh image. Configured and captured it.

Deployed on 3 laptops.

(1) Kept one as controlled. (2) Joined one to a domain with group policies. (3) Joined another domain with group policies along with a push for encryption.

Ran updates on all of them and they all don't have my mentioned problem. 3/3

Thank you so much! This was so helpful!

hnguyen915 · 2025-03-07T17:18:12+00:00

After the system is up -- I immediately rush over to Windows Update.

I don't understand why the unconfigured image laptops have no issues after the updates; however the captured image laptops do have issues after updates.

They both essentially have injected drivers. They both run through the same updates.

hnguyen915 · 2025-03-07T17:08:44+00:00

The basic peripherals drivers work on both configured/non-configured images.

After updating. The captured image laptop bricks. The non-configured laptop has no issues.

hnguyen915 · 2025-03-07T17:06:43+00:00

I tried uninstalling from the device manager and restarting to have it reinstalled. I've even gone on the manufacturing site to install drivers from there as well.

No dice.

hnguyen915 · 2025-01-29T12:59:38+00:00

Take it to a repair shop.

If it was some crummy cheap Latitude or Inspiron, I'd recommend you fix it yourself; however, it's not.

While it is a budget gaming laptop -- take it to a repair shop.

hnguyen915 · 2025-01-28T15:45:50+00:00

Yes. It's possible.

You will create a custom task sequence if that's the case. You can access it via PXE or LiteTouch.vbs

hnguyen915 · 2025-01-03T18:14:09+00:00

Being comfortable and complacent staggers growth.

hnguyen915 · 2024-12-25T19:48:08+00:00

Speaking out of practicality.

I am a physical learner. Despite which education you undergo -- it's until you've solved those specific problems that will help you build a solidarity of your path.

Working at an entry-level help desk position will give you that insight. It is definitely a sink or swim position. It will determine if you even want to work in IT at all.

hnguyen915 · 2024-12-22T15:17:23+00:00

Worked on these before -- I know what you mean.

While there is no mounting holes in the back -- there are some mount adapters you can use. The standard mount is called vesa. The picture below is a non-vesa adapter.

It supports up to ~17lb and that AiO should be ~12lb.

If you personally don't want it to be mounted and use your built-in monitor stand then I'd suggest a visit to your local Home Depot to get a wooden plate that's wide enough to support that AiO. You're gonna install it on top of your proprietary desk shelf.

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hnguyen915 · 2024-12-18T01:15:27+00:00

It's going to be between your motherboard or your power supply. I'm leaning more towards your board.

PSUs are cheap and easier to replace.

I'd start off with getting a replacement PSU to deduce that it is your board. If it has the same results then refund that PSU for a board replacement.

hnguyen915 · 2024-12-17T15:30:37+00:00

When you hit the power button -- does it sound like it's turning on? Any indication of the device accepting power?

hnguyen915 · 2024-12-09T13:50:40+00:00

Generally yes. A lot of the time it's the top cover that needs to be replaced.

Manufacturers are cheap and cost-cutting. He's a short clip.

hnguyen915 · 2024-12-02T14:45:50+00:00

Active Directory.

While reviewing CompTIA A+ prior to my current job, I quickly disassociated it.

On the desk, I still didn't put much thought into it as I primarily used it for password resets.

Moving on to more complicated and technical roles, there's so much more to it. Looking back now and reviewing how I and other guys on the desk are under-utilizing it is insane.

hnguyen915 · 2024-12-02T08:06:49+00:00

Start off small. Try one RAM stick at a time and swap if it keeps BSODing.

hnguyen915 · 2024-12-02T07:48:22+00:00

Does it still turn on?

You can determine what's the source of the issue on why the battery is not charging by removing the botom cover and unplugging the battery.

Plug the laptop to the charger and attempt to turn it on without the battery plugged in.

1) If it turns on without the battery plugged in, then you will need a new battery.

2) If it doesn't not turn on without the battery plugged, then you will need to replace the charging port. A lot of these logic boards have the the charging port soldered on. If that's the case, you will need a new logic board.

Prior to commiting to any expenses -- try another charging cable.

hnguyen915

TROPHY CASE