Systems Administration

[arbellason55]

So Systems Administration is something I am currently going to school for and I am really interested to hear from others what job opportunity's are out there for it. I know the college I am going to has a 100% job placement for it I just can't find out what exactly those jobs are.

[dalekphalm]

41 minutes ago, arbellason55 said:

So Systems Administration is something I am currently going to school for and I am really interested to hear from others what job opportunity's are out there for it. I know the college I am going to has a 100% job placement for it I just can't find out what exactly those jobs are.

For entry level, don't expect to be doing actual SysAdmin. You're likely going to get your first job as lower level IT in general. You might do some SysAdmin tasks, but there will likely be a senior SysAdmin that you will have to report to.

 

It also depends on whether you want to get a job at a large corporation, or a small/medium business. With the former, you'd be part of a large team - often each person would be a specialist or have a specific task. With the latter, you're going to be a Jack of all Trades, with skills in just about every aspect of IT (just just SysAdmin), however, depending on the size of the IT team, each member might have one specialization, plus general skills in all areas.

[arbellason55]

I'm not really sure whether I'd like for a big company or a small one at this point yet, they both have pros and cons in my mind with me leaning slightly more towards a larger company as they are more likely to be a little better off in the benefits department. That being said are there any decent big companies that are basically always hiring. 

[dalekphalm]

38 minutes ago, arbellason55 said:

I'm not really sure whether I'd like for a big company or a small one at this point yet, they both have pros and cons in my mind with me leaning slightly more towards a larger company as they are more likely to be a little better off in the benefits department. That being said are there any decent big companies that are basically always hiring. 

Well any of the major tech companies are always hiring someone. I personally work for a Public Library, and for me, it's the perfect combination of everything. Small IT department, but fairly well funded. EXCELLENT benefits, with pretty good pay. The business is small enough that (more or less) know everyone, with there being ~100 some odd employees. But it's big enough that I get good benefits and we can afford good equipment when necessary.

[Canada EH]

Well you would better off just getting a job in your field, then worry about what type of company.

[dalekphalm]

3 minutes ago, Canada EH said:

Well you would better off just getting a job in your field, then worry about what type of company.

Yep most people don't get a choice. They basically just start at wherever will hire them first.

[KuJoe]

Get a job at a company that is in a different field from technology. I work for a financial firm so we have a relatively small IT department but a massive budget, also if there are ever layoffs IT is the last department to get hit since we're so small compared to the rest of the company. Job security is probably the biggest thing you should focus on, once you have a stable job in the industry after some years of working with the same company you'll have the experience to basically go shopping around for the job and pay you want.

[arbellason55]

Well here's to hoping for a good job once I get out. I just realized I should probably get into contact with relatives and the friends of friends who work for various big companies, a good word there and a suggestion here might be useful.

[dalekphalm]

2 hours ago, arbellason55 said:

Well here's to hoping for a good job once I get out. I just realized I should probably get into contact with relatives and the friends of friends who work for various big companies, a good word there and a suggestion here might be useful.

Networking is very key to getting those extra good jobs. Often they can give you a leg up, letting you know the moment a position becomes available somewhere, etc.

 

I got my current job because I randomly ran into someone who works here on the bus, who let me know that one of the techs left (fired). I applied for the position before it was even formally announced or posted. I also knew the staff and the people doing the hiring because I had done an Internship here several years prior, for about 6 months.

 

It obviously paid to know the right people in my case. It might make the difference in yours too.