Well....I started out as a Help Desk Monkey myself and am now In global Infrastructure - it's taken a whil eto get there but I can give you a few keys to the kingdom...

First off, never complain about the position you are currently in. When talking to anyone whether inside or outside the company - complaints about your role - devalues your own role therefore it devaules you. To improve your role and to improve the opinions of those around you - only stress the good points of the role and thework you are doing. Also, toot your own horn - if your dealing with difficult probles and you find solutions let it be known YOU did it. Email off the manager and cc: his boss (depending on the type of organization). this will increase your visbility.

Second, look for ways to expand upon your own set of responsibilities. I hate to say it but the people who jump in and start working (not volunteer) are the ones who tendto get lookeda t first in the promotion department. Its shows you have initiative and your willingness to expand upon current sets of responsibilities. You do however, have to make sure you do not neglect your first set of responsibilities and ensure they remain top notch.

Third, Education is always important, however, it really depends on the company and the value they place oneducation beyond the initial hire. An example of this, the current company I work for values your contribution beyond the intial hire and education is only secondary to ability to perform. Performance, experience, and value add are what employers value the most. Any way you can find to stream line or reduce cost to save money (especially to the bottom line)gets you noticed alot faster. I have people who have their masters who I still have to tell how to do their job. But again, Education can never be taken away from you so there is always a value.

Fourth, get diversified. The more diversified your skill set the more valuable you are. If you are getting a masters - get your masters in something other than IT but is complimentary (like some engineering discipline). Gain knowledge in as many programming languages (if you want to program) and / or operating systems as possible. Unless you want to specialize but that limits mobility and pigeon holes you to particular roles. In IT the more diversified you are education and knowledge wise the further you will go and the faster.

Lastly, In even the worst economies the job market is open to those who have the skills and track record of accomplishments to prove it. Keeping notes of projects that save money, increase efficiency, reduce total overall cost, etc...that is what you want toinclude on your resume. Do not emblish and be sure it is verifable in some way. Do not be afraid to search out companies and call them to get your foot into the position you want. Its ok to inquire of companies that do not have direct posting's because some companies do not necessarily list them. But again it is the persistance at which you pursue your endevours that is going to make you attractive to employers.

So like other posters have said, clearly define what you are seeking and begin to expand yourself in those ways. Also, be careful what you ask for because you may just get it - and - that is not always what you think. One last piece of advice - remember money is not everything - find something you love to do and do it exceptionally because when you do - the money will follow.

Good Luck

I really just wanted to read the discussion and not get involved - but one comment I have not seen is simply this:

Any "Stimulus" from money being spent is going to have 0 impact on the US or the creation of US jobs.

Let's face facts here people - unless the money is spent on "American produced goods and services" the money will go everywhere other than the US.

For example: John Q. Public runs on down to Walmart and says, "Geez that there TV and blueray player looks good - Im gonna buy that with this here stimulus check" Where did the money go?

China, Korea, Japan, etc...

So let's face it - People don't think. You want a stimulus package that creates jobs and boosts America's economy - Hand out a voucher only redeemable at "X" American companies (not an American Subsidiary of X Global Company or better still - MADE, PRODUCED, DELIVERED, CREATED in the U.S. of A.). Forget handing out the cash, otherwise your stimulating someone else's economy.

This is probably one of the most thought out comments I have read today in this thread - If I had the mod points and it went higher than +5 I would give them to you.

You should also mention though point 5 -

Whether a voiced opinion is meritous or unpopular, all voices have a right to be heard. If one voice screams loudest that voice then bears no weight. As the system stands currently - all voices carry weight.

I am not a conspiracy theorist, however, I do object to material being taught through either a red or blue colored prism. For example, I may not agree totally with people who talk about global warming, but I can not nor would not dismiss it. However, in my own current text (as in my children's classroom text and their teacher POV) it is taught as an undeniable fact with no other oppossing viewpoint or that consensus amongst scientists themselves has not been 100% established. That from a purely scientific perspective without consensus (like evolution has consenus whether I agree or not) it should not be taught as fact. This is what I suggest by critical thinking. Understand that not everyone will agree but a group concensus based on factual reality does help. As far as socialization, if you live in the states talk to any teacher - they will tell you all about socialization. That is something that should be left to parents to deal with. For an example of socialization, when a teacher reads a wonderfully inappropriate re-written pc version of a story tale that includes two gay characters falling in love - I have a right to object. I want my children yes to understand that homosexual relationships exist and that I as a parent should be able explain to them about them and my particular views. Such as, I feel the lifestyle is inappropriate, however, that homosexuals regardless of their sexual orientation / lifestyle still deserve to be treated no different than anyone else who is not homosexual. The difference in the messge is I do not agree or feel it is something my children should be encouraged to pursue for their own lifestyle choice, but also that they should not treat someone differently if that is someone elses (or their) choice in life ultimately. That is what I was referring to and that is what I mean about 'misinformation'. Stick to the basics and the facts don't try to color the message.