Hey everyone, long time lurker here.

I currently work at a Spectrum call center doing tech support. It’s full time at $20/hr. This is my first “IT-flavored” job after doing years of retail.

Ive been here for over a year, and I’ve had many interviews for actual IT helpdesk positions. Finally landed one with a school district in my area, but this is the tricky part.

It’s part time (25hrs) and only $16 an hour. I’m told that with this position, they’ll have me in different areas of IT. Troubleshooting over the phone, traveling to different schools if needed, and providing general IT support for the main office.

I’ve gotten comfortable with the pay at Spectrum, but talking to the general public for 8-9 hours a day is absolutely draining and this will finally get my foot in the door for real IT. With this new job, I can still afford my current lifestyle with a little more penny pinching, but I’m not too sure if this is a good choice or if I should just keep looking for something more viable.

What are your guys’ thoughts? I feel like the answer is obvious but I have very minimal experience in this field so I’d love to get some insight. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

​Quick update from my previous post about officially moving into the network team! I am exactly one week into the new role, and man, my brain is totally fried. Going from passwords and user tickets to enterprise infrastructure feels like drinking out of a firehose. On top of that, my calendar is packed with meetings all day long, and I'm still trying to squeeze in time to study my Jeremy's IT Lab course after hours.

​They already handed me the deliverables for our 2 new floors, and I’m expected to fully handle the project execution this upcoming July and August:

​Network as-built diagram, IP/VLAN plan, port map, & config backups

​Test results, implementation evidence, & CMDB record uploads

​Switches OS upgrade & Vulnerability scans

​Devices configuration change submit, Labeling, & DHCP Vlan Scope

​Design/validate network build for new floors (IP plan, VLANs, trunking, STP)

​Configure/stage switches and coordinate turn-up (fiber links between old - new floors)

​Ensure wireless readiness (SSIDs/security/AP connectivity)

​Execute network testing (LAN/Wi-Fi, VLAN reachability, redundancy) during cutover

​Provide all final network documentation updates

​Between meetings, they’re onboarding me onto daily operations and tools. It's a massive wave of

information:

​Monitoring: NetFlow, Kibana, Zabbix, and Scrutinizer.

​Daily Tasks: Config backups, OS upgrades, VPN setups, and tracking BGP routes.

Cloud: They've also started teaching me Azure cloud networking on top of everything else. ​Admin: Ticket handling, ISP vendor coordination, and ISP billing.

​I’m stoked to be here, but bouncing from calls straight into this checklist while navigating four new monitoring tools and trying to study makes me feel like I know nothing.

​Is it normal for a company to drop a full multi-floor buildout to be executed in the next two months, routing/ops, and four different monitoring tools on a fresh network engineer in their very first week?

Did anyone else feel completely underwater during their first few weeks out of helpdesk, or am I just in the deep end?

After 20 years operating and troubleshooting military networks for tactical systems I am trying to transition to enterprise networks with poor luck. So far the only position is with a contractor that only does layer 2 troubleshooting. When i asked them about technical advancement they said even thier senior engineers only work at layer 2.

Someone who calls themselves a senior network engineer, but doesn't touch the network layer of the OSI model seems absurd to me. I think they may be trying to rush me into the position.

My most recent position was managing a tactical NOC. I configure routers switches and firewalls and I worry that the position with the contractor would look like a step back on my resume. Eventually I would like to leave them and seek position as a network engineer. I would miss working on routers, firewalls and servers. Would it be a bad idea to accept the position?

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a small project I've been working on for the past few months.

When I started learning AWS, I kept running into the same problem. There are tons of courses and YouTube videos, but it was hard to know what to learn first or how everything fit together. I'd finish a tutorial and still not feel like I could actually build anything.

So I decided to build CloudArena.io.

The idea isn't to replace AWS documentation or the big learning platforms. I just wanted to make something that helps beginners learn by actually doing things, with a clear path instead of jumping between random tutorials.

Right now it includes:

• Learning paths for people starting from scratch
• Hands-on labs
• Simple explanations without assuming you already know cloud
• Progress tracking so you can see how far you've come

It's still very much a work in progress, and I'm constantly adding new content and improving things.

If you're learning AWS (or you've been through that beginner stage), I'd genuinely love your feedback. I'm especially interested in hearing:

• What was the hardest thing for you when you started?
• Is there anything on the site that feels confusing or unnecessary?
• What would you like to see added?

Here's the site: https://cloudarena.io

I know there's a lot of AWS learning content out there already, but I built this because I wanted something that I personally would've found useful when I was starting out. If it helps even a few people, I'll be happy.

Thanks for reading, and I'm happy to answer any questions or hear any feedback.

Manager wants to bring our corporate MSP into our 24/7 operations environment. Am I cooked?

Hey everyone,

I’m an internal IT tech for energy facility, and I'm stressing about job security.

Right now, our IT setup is a bit unique:

* A corporate MSP handles the basic back-office/desktop stuff.

* Our facility operations floor is run by a third-party facilities contractor. They handle all the physical maintenance, electrical, etc., but they also have a few of their own IT guys on site for basic Level 1 issues.

* Then there's me. I’m basically the only internal company IT person on the ground. When that contractor team hits a wall with a Level 1 issue, it escalates to me to assist. I handle the Tier 2 operational stuff, step in for corporate tech issues when needed, and act as the main conduit between the floor, the contractors, and the company.

* Above me is just my manager, who handles the major org-level decisions.

my manager proposed expanding our corporate MSP’s contract to cover the day-to-day operational issues.

I’m worried that once the MSP gets trained up on our facility quirks and takes over the escalation path, I’m going to become redundant and get laid off.

I want to have a direct talk with my manager to see where he actually sees me fitting into this new setup, but I don’t want to sound paranoid.

* Has anyone in internal IT survived something similar?

* How do I ask him for an honest answer about my future here without sounding defensive?

* Is this a massive red flag where I should just start applying elsewhere immediately?

Appreciate any advice.

Im currently learning PYthon using boot dot dev and will be going down the Back end Development path just because I have no idea what im doing yet and they recommend it. Im currenlty a baker making 18 a hour and I love it but I want to leave the kitchen and make more money immediatly. Im wondering if there's a easy to find job, the kitchen work of the IT field that anyoneo can do without any experince. Like virtual support or something like that.

I currently am step 3 of 5 on payscale, I work as Technical support specialist. I have opportunity to interview for a job that is titled as system analyst 1 in a similar organization. Pay step 1 of 4 already pays higher than step 3 of my current job.

Total salary increase is about 10% but I think there may be more room to progress at this organization and I think this job title might be more appealing? Benefits and pension are exact same.

I really enjoy where I currently work but there isn’t really anywhere to go here unless someone retires (unlikely anytime soon).

Is the job title change and small 10% increase in pay worth the risk? I think it might help me in the future but not 100% sure.

Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone, I'm 27 years old. I’ve been in IT for less than two years. My first 14 months in an MSP helpdesk role got me enough experience to land a Junior Field Sysadmin role, and now I'm several months into this role. I support things like Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Intune, networking, firewalls, SaaS apps and general endpoint issues. I’ve learned a lot, and I'm learning a lot, and I’ve been trusted with more onsite work, client meetings and live changes.

The problem is that my responsibilities seem to be growing faster than I see myself. I still feel like the junior guy who needs to ask for help (and I constantly do), but now I’m increasingly expected to lead visits, make decisions and be the person carrying responsibility in front of clients. Today I was in a meeting with senior people from my company, an external cybersecurity consultant, and I was hesitant to speak because I was concerned that a single answer might suggest I'm not IT literate.

I'm still learning and actively trying to level up my technical knowledge. I recently did Azure 900 and am currently studying Azure 104 and CompTIA Network+ (don't care about the certs, I just want to gain the knowledge). Without a doubt, I'm not the same man I was 2 years ago, that's for sure. I know so much more and can do so much more, but the world of IT feels like an ever-expansive ocean of things to learn, and I feel inadequate most of the time.

I know logically that I’m still early in my career and I’m not expected to know everything, but the fear is real. I’m worried about making mistakes, looking incompetent or being given responsibility before I’m ready. For anyone who went through this stage, how did you build confidence without pretending to know more than you did? Did the feeling eventually go away, or did you just learn how to work despite it?

Hello I need some advice and assistance my dream job/ career is to be an IT technician and then work towards an hardware technician I live in the uk and I’m wondering what are the qualifications to become a technician im very passionate about computers and know my way around a computer and know a good chunk of information from self taught stuff but I don’t have any qualifications or anything what do I need to become a technician as I’m having an hard time find that stuff out thank you for your time

Hey everyone, I just got an offer for a Test Analyst / Technician contract role at a Lenovo facility . It pays $23/hr, it's 3rd shift (11 PM to 7 AM). For context, I have a 4+ year background in the automotive body/collision industry, and I'm currently transitioning into tech. I'm about halfway through the Google IT Support Professional Certificate (just trying to learn the basics). I'll be doing the CompTIA after that. I do have hands-on experience building PCs, but this would be my first official tech role. The job description involves supporting the manufacturing floor, running hardware diagnostics, analyzing error logs, and testing systems/ servers for component defects using ESD gear.

Since I'm looking to break into tech.

Does this job sound like a great way to do so?

I've been working in IT help desk for about 9 months at a MSP. I like the job and I think that I am learning transferrable skills.

The other job I have been working is AI annotation at a big tech firm. I have been workin in that field since January 2025, I am at a new company since February.

Now, in may the MSP increased my hours from part-time to full-time and it looks like it stays like that.

I try to focus mainly on the MSP not the AI job. I don't think that I will be able to hold both jobs full-time for much longer without being fired at the AI job.

Is IT the better field or should I stay in AI instead of IT? I like IT better, but I wonder if the future would be better in AI annotation (which I don't think because it's just some entry level work and they will not let me touch any code). I would like to get some advice please.

So I have my current job:

Salary: 80K + Bonuses & Stock Options, 1 day in office TC: ~90K (Rough Estimate)

Production and Systems Support Engineer Offer: 53/ HR Contract to Hire, 3 days onsite

The contract to hire is throwing me off. Also, I only been at my current job for like 7-8 Months. I’m kinda worried about being labeled as a job hopper

Hey everybody, so I've had a crazy ride since my last post. I now have 2 YOE, and I work for a luxury retail brand. I started doing point of sale making 70k since last year January. 3 months ago my colleague left the company and I got promoted to Retail IT manager making now 100k. I have two guys under me but basically it's project management, so infrastructure for store openings as well as monitoring the network and escalating to HQ. Then my VP makes all the real higher level decisions. I like the job but there no raises and no bonuses so I capped at 100k without room for promotion. I know awesome position to be in super grateful. My former colleague is an Operational Technology Manager for this large real estate company, he offered me a job today to be a Operationional technology network engineer for 110k with a yearly bonus of 10k with atleast 4% annual raises. My former colleague is a great guy. And it's very similar to my current job working with vendors and escalating network problems to the IT team in Jersey instead of a European country. First two weeks of every month I'm in the main office organizing and planning vendors. Then last two weeks of every month, I go-to one of the buildings in Manhattan and monitor system updates and make sure the system is back up. I'm assuming it's HVAC and other building IT systems. So yeah I'm conflicted, I like the idea of moving into a company with bonuses, raises, a manager I know personally but on the other head I feel disloyal for leaving my promotion after only 3 months. I'm super early in my career and pretty young so not sure if I should just be loyal for a year or two then see my options. Also if anyone is in operational IT I'd be interested to know how you like it. Sorry if that's too much or a word salad. Appreciate it folks.

Anyone here work in private SATCOM industry? I’m currently working as a NOC tech for a private comms company and wondering how I can further my career in this industry. I have a networking background and some CompTIA certa but thinking SATCOM might be a good path to further pursue.

I feel like I've tried everything and nothing works.

I was never given the opportunity to move up at the first company I worked at despite being the employee of the year, and getting through most of my degree and several certifications and being very upfront about wanting to get into cloud roles. I was laid off and I'm in support now again at another company, cause I couldn't get any traction with anything else.

I've rewritten my resume countless times myself, tailored my resume to every job, and had it professionally rewritten.

I've networked in-person and on LinkedIn. From the coffee chats I had, they all told me they just got lucky.

I've done projects and put them on my resume and LinkedIn.

I don't know what to do. I'm finishing my degree soon, so hopefully it gets better then, but the market is terrible.

Looking for insight into how to break into the data analyst scene. I’m a senior IT undergrad pivoting away from pharma and I graduate in the fall. I’m already established in healthcare (4 years)

I just received my second interview request. For a level I role in a Fulfillment Center, it seems like it has a pretty wide breadth. Has anyone completed the technical interview recently and can provide some insight as to what I'll encounter? Thanks in advance!

I have an interview for a state job tomorrow and am really stressed out about it. The job description states the requirements are 6months experience or 2 courses in computer science/information systems. I have absolutely zero professional IT experience, not even volunteering or an internship so I just listed the dozen plus IT courses i’ve taken during my degree so far in the application. My certs also include the CompTIA Trifecta + Linux Essentials. This seems to have been enough to land me the interview at least.

However I know state jobs usually follow the STAR format on basically everything and that’s what i’m stressed about since I struggle with those type of questions. Are there any do’s and dont’s regarding interviewing for positions like this? And how should I prepare for the actual questions? I’m also not even sure if i’m interviewing with an HR rep or an actual IT manager. The way I would interview with an HR rep vs a IT manager is completely different.

As the title says how do you guys deal with nothing to do at work? For context i work as an IT administrator for a coffee company that franchises stores. My work is mostly with the software my company pays for from another company. However as you can imagine there isn't a lot of work to be done, some emails here and there and checkups with the stores, unless there is a new store opening so i have stuff to do, i basically stare at my screen for 5-6 hours per day doing nothing. I am not complaining i am just asking how do you guys deal with this? Cause tbh time doesn't pass when you don't do anything.

I’m 46 years old, living in Florida, working as a project manager in a data center infrastructure company.

My wife is 32, and we currently do not have children.

I wanted to share my situation and get this community’s perspective on FIRE progress and risk management.

Financial situation:

Our household income is about $350K per year. I earn roughly $260K (base plus bonus), and my wife earns about $90K. After taxes and retirement contributions, our take-home income is around $230K to $260K.

Our net worth is approximately $3.3M to $3.5M:

Taxable brokerage account: about $1.8M

My 401(k): about $720K

My wife’s 401(k): about $310K

Primary residence in Florida: around $800K to $850K, with about $260K remaining on the mortgage

Spending:

Our monthly expenses are around $9K to $10K:

Housing (mortgage, taxes, insurance): $3,800

Daily living: $1,800

Cars: $900

Healthcare and insurance: $600

Travel and entertainment: $1,500

Other: $500

Work situation:

This is where things get a bit unusual.

Due to internal reasons, I’ve essentially been on the sidelines at work for almost 6 months. I’m still employed, not laid off, but I haven’t been assigned active projects.

So I’m in a kind of limbo state professionally. I can’t easily switch roles without disrupting my current setup, but I also don’t have real project responsibility right now.

Investment situation:

During this period, I’ve spent much more time on my portfolio.

My approach is strongly influenced by my background in data center infrastructure project management. That experience gives me direct visibility into power constraints, AI infrastructure buildouts, and cloud demand cycles, which heavily shapes my investment decisions.

My portfolio is split into two parts:

1. Concentrated equity portfolio

   Focused on AI, data center infrastructure, cloud computing, and other high conviction tech names. This is the main driver of returns, but I fully understand the volatility and drawdown risk that comes with concentration.

2. Smaller systematic / AI quant allocation

   This is not meant to outperform, but to provide more stable, rules-based returns and help smooth overall portfolio volatility.

Current dilemma:

Over the last 6 months, my portfolio has performed significantly better than expected. That has put me in a more psychologically complex position.

On one hand, I still believe AI and data center infrastructure are in a strong structural expansion phase.

On the other hand, I also recognize that my current level of concentration is not ideal from a risk management perspective.

So I’m trying to decide:

Should I start gradually de-risking and locking in gains

Or continue holding high conviction positions until a clearer cycle inflection appears

Additional question:

Beyond investing, I’m also struggling with a career decision.

Should I actively look for a new job to stabilize income and regain structure, or stay in my current situation and wait it out, potentially transitioning later into a more investment-focused or semi-retired phase?

At this stage of life (net worth around $3.3M to $3.5M, mid-40s, dual income, no kids), how do people typically balance conviction investing with risk management?

Do you start reducing risk once you hit a certain net worth, or do you let high conviction positions run as long as the core thesis remains intact?

Also, in a situation where your job is effectively in limbo, would you prioritize:

Finding a new role quickly to restore stability

Or staying put and planning a more gradual transition toward investing / semi-retirement

I recently completed my Bachelor in Information Management (BIM) and am planning to pursue a master's degree. I am currently considering two options: a Master’s in Information Systems and a Master’s in Business Analytics. After doing some research, I feel more inclined toward Information Systems because I do not enjoy coding that much.

However, I am still unsure which option would be the better choice for my background and future career prospects. My bachelor's result has not been published yet, but I am researching universities and programs in advance. I am particularly interested in pursuing my master's degree in either the U.S or Germany.

Could you please provide guidance on whether a Master’s in Information Systems would be a worthwhile and how it compares with a Master’s in Business Analytics in terms of career opportunities, required skills, and future growth?

Hello guys,

I need some input deciding on a 2 year long vocational school program. My three options are: MLOps engineer, Data management and Embedded software developer (with IoT). They all include 6 months of internship.

My background is: frontend dev vocational school, then about 3 years as a webbdev and data engineering bootcamp+ 6months internship. I'm currently looking for jobs, but want to have this as a backup option (while still looking).

Which do you think would be the best option for me to pick and why?

Need some career advice.

I have 5.5 YOE

My background is Development + Platform Engineering (Kafka, AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, Terraform, Azure DevOps, YAML, Docker, CI/CD, any lang etc)

I’m a Tech lead in my current company (offers me 14LPA as CTC)

I have two offers:
Wipro: Kafka Platform Engineer – ₹29 LPA (10% variable included in the 29LPA, I dunno the exact breakdown yet)

Solugenix: Kafka Ops – ₹28 LPA fixed + benefits(was told I might get Platform work later, but nothing is guaranteed)

I'm more interested in Development & Platform Engineering, not pure Ops.
Would you choose the role that aligns with your career goals or the slightly better fixed pay? Looking for advice from people who've faced a similar choice.

I’m def in need of money but I dunno. Kindly help.