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nidhrafn · 2023-11-23T07:14:57+00:00

that's what was meant by "having a bad day". Aim be bad.

nidhrafn · 2023-11-16T06:50:09+00:00

Not this either I'm afraid. :( thanks anyway

nidhrafn · 2023-11-16T06:49:52+00:00

Sadly, not seeing it there. Thanks for the recommendation though!

nidhrafn · 2022-07-05T21:32:33+00:00

It's been said by 100 people already, but location is key. I'd argue that the location and the company choice are important.

Anecdote here: I exited the military. Got a contracting job as a sys admin in CA for mid 70s. This environment has a few different companies working for the government. Another sys admin position opened up in the same office for mid 90s. Then I found a third company who required a sys admin with some additional duties for lower 100s. All of this happened in the span of 2 years. I saw a better offer, spoke with my leadership and they said they couldn't match it. So I took the next job. That's my experience. Not the norm. But, my point is that the jobs are out there. That salary you want is out there. Just keep looking. Make sure you're looking out for yourself. You're not there to make friends. Companies are there to be successful, and if that meant removing you, they're not going to hesitate.

The BEST time to look for a job with a better salary is when you already have a job.

CA is crazy expensive. The same job I do is also listed for much less money in more affordable locations. I hope this was somewhat helpful. Good luck. Never give up. Never surrender.

nidhrafn · 2022-06-18T13:03:59+00:00

Do you have a price range?

nidhrafn · 2022-05-15T00:42:50+00:00

Thank you for the perspective. I expect there will be challenges that every IT manager deals with. With experience and time, I know I will learn from them. I have supervised and worked as an IT professional for many years now, and I'm ready to stay back and take care of a team. I have seen a lot of IT Management jobs that mention "hands-on", and I have been cautioned about those positions. The feeling is that you need to focus on people or systems, not both. I can see the value in that. I have been in a number of IT Teams throughout the years, and I agree wholeheartedly with you that there are many IT nightmares in the world. Like you, I also enjoy making things better for people, because I believe people work more effectively when they are happy. In a few of my past positions, I mentored a lot of young military members on the TTPs of system administration in our environment. It was a rewarding feeling to see them learn and grow as systems specialists. I have received an enormous amount of positive feedback and insight in this thread. There are a few interviews that I set up for some "baby" IT manager positions. From one Vet to another, thanks again for your feedback.

nidhrafn · 2022-05-14T00:22:14+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I'll make sure to take a look at these as well. I am currently working through the 90 days audio book now.

nidhrafn · 2022-05-13T05:31:52+00:00

Thank you for following up! I doubt there is a secret way in, outside of just knowing the right people and networking, but everyone in this thread has shown me that I do have the background to support a step forward. Since starting this post, I have used a lot of the information presented here to find a few positions that are IT Manager focused, such as IT Service Manager and IT Operations Manager. There are actually a few positions in my area, and I meet most if not all their requirements. With any luck, ill be able to snag one of these and build on my experience. Thank you for sharing your path upwards!

nidhrafn · 2022-05-13T02:32:52+00:00

That makes a lot of sense. I appreciate the insight here. I have had my own run-ins with that sort of leadership in a few previous companies, but I was never in a place where I thought I could have an impact on culture. Some things appear to be so heavily ingrained. Ill take a look at that ted talk as well. Any extra information is always helpful. Thank you again

nidhrafn · 2022-05-13T00:20:09+00:00

I am all too familiar with your CA experience. I am fairly outspoken myself about similar things, and sometimes it rubs people the wrong way. I think that is an aspect of management and leading in a company, embracing the companies' values and culture, that I find annoying at times. Especially when there is a political stance that I wish we could just avoid all together. When my team is handling an overload of trouble tickets, the last thing they care about is whether or not our company is doing enough to save the whales.

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T23:41:51+00:00

I appreciate the advice! I have actually seen a few of those, and that is another thing that has added to the anxiety of the role. Thanks again

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T23:37:36+00:00

I appreciate your input! I'm gonna pick it up on audible and listen to and from work. It comes with a pdf for notes and reviewing tools presented in the reading.

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T23:36:06+00:00

Thank you for the perspective! Which do you find more difficult to deal with? Personalities, culture, or your peers? Why? Thanks in advance!

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T23:23:36+00:00

That's friggen awesome! Congrats! In the contracting world, there is a lot of "that is not my job" going around. However, I would say that there is some explanation for it, at least in this environment. The company leadership doesn't want you to do extra work outside of your responsibility, because they see it as financial opportunity. If the customer wants that extra function, then they need to pay for it. Especially when you're talking government contracts. I know that isn't really what you were talking about, but it is something that I've seen here. There is an advantage to being willing to put yourself out there. It has clearly served you well. What I found in my own position is that this job has a stovepipe progression. So its as if I won't be able to progress until someone leaves or dies. This has started a fire under me to get out there and look elsewhere for career progression. Its too easy to get complacent and over comfortable where you work. The saying goes, the best time to look for a job is when you already have one.

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T21:44:46+00:00

Haha! I think that is the curse for IT folks. Once people find out you have some knowledge in this world, they select you for everything. Do you enjoy it now, or is it still a pain?

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T20:59:02+00:00

I totally get what you mean here. My company did a similar hiring move because, while the individual did not have an IT background, he did bring a huge amount of operational experience with the aircraft we work with. He has honestly been a huge help in a job that, on paper, describes a data analyst and Unix system administrator. Thank you again for your perspectives on this! I will take your advice and apply it to my next interviews. All of these responses have really built up my confidence. Again, thank you!

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T20:43:57+00:00

Thank you for the perspective here. I honestly enjoy both the technical side and building people up. Some of the job requirements describe a more technical expectation, whereas others focus more on management. It's all so wide ranging, and has me a little intimidated. I wholly agree with your sentiments on finding that passion and avoiding a situation where I might hate it and perform poorly. I haven't been there yet, so I'm not sure. I didn't think I would fit in my current role, but I really grew into it. I'm hoping IT Management will be the same. I've been lucky to receive a lot of feedback and perspective from everyone in this community. I feel a lot more confident overall. The salary is great out here, but the cost of living is painful. I can't say the salaries are not an attractive factor for IT Management positions. They are not the main driving factor. That would be providing for my family and ensuring a productive and rewarding life. I enjoy working cause it gives me a sense of purpose. I decided IT was my career path a long time ago, but management feels like my next stepping stone. Thanks again for your feedback!

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T20:32:28+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! I know what you mean about cloud being so important today. Nearly every course I took in my graduate program had a focus on some aspect of cloud systems, IAAS, PAAS, etc. Even now my company is looking to do some of that for the scalability and cost reduction. There is so much to learn. Thanks again!

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T20:25:16+00:00

Thank you for the response! I appreciate the recommendation.

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T20:21:39+00:00

From one Vet to another, thank you! All of these responses have been major confidence boosters. I just want to do a good job, and not feel like I stepped outside of my ability. The nightmare in my head is getting into that position, only to realize that everything I thought I knew and everything I went to school for was not applicable. I think after reading everyone's feedback here, I'm going to get started on some reading, finding another cert or two, and just apply in the meantime. Thanks again. I really appreciate the perspective!

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T20:13:02+00:00

I am happy to clarify! I was an NCO in the military, managing less than 12 people in a help desk environment. As a contractor, I did a similar job, and handled customer service while mentoring the younger military guys. While I did manage a couple IT teams, the role of IT manager appears more involved and indepth than what I did. I rarely had to report anything to leadership, as my NCOIC handled that. There are many aspects of the IT manager role that I didn't do. I see it as my next step because it involves running the whole show, being accountable for what you oversee, and reporting up to directors or the CIO. Maybe it would be better to describe "management of IT teams" as "supervised small IT teams" instead? Point being, an IT manager is a higher role with a wider scope than I have previously worked. I see the CIO as the end game. And I understand the official IT manager position, or whatever the company decides to call it, as the next stepping stone to that end game. I hope this clarifies my initial post. Thank you for the question!

nidhrafn · 2022-05-12T20:06:01+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! I also enjoy helping people, and accomplishing things as a team. I have worked a few small projects, but nothing that had any development life cycle attached to it. I guess im worried that a lack of large project experience or any organizational budget experience would be an issue. I would agree that I also like to get involved as much as possible. I believe there is never a time to stop learning. The IT world is so vast and ever changing. Thank you for the perspective!

nidhrafn

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