Comment All of the above (Score 1) 229
Do everything. No, seriously.
I started at a community college, getting an Associates in Network Administration. In the process, I got to know the professors and staff, which got me in as a lab aide then as a network tech. Transfered to my four year college and began work there on a degree in Computer Science and Engineering. Kept learning stuff on the side, took some vocational Cisco courses, Microsoft courses, etc. Didn't go as far as to get certs (although for giggles might get my CCNA). While still taking classes at my four year, got a job at my same community college as a Network Engineer. I may only be pulling down $65K (but with a government, union job and full paid benefits), but I'm only a short ways off from completing my four year degree. That coupled with 5+ years experience as a Network Engineer ... we'll see how it goes. Right now they're trying to lure me over to a lead programmer job ($75K) based on my project management, programming and scripting skills. The comp sci dept at the college is also asking me to teach some of their vocational networking/Linux courses, which also lines my pockets.
But I probably would be still a starving college student at this point, had I not gotten my foot in the door. Many people have stated this already above, and they're right; take a low road to get your foot in the door and gather experience. Sure you might be dealing with idiot users and menial endpoint equipment. But it's like a rite of passage. Employers are more and more looking for a combination of considerable experience plus a four year degree and maybe a few certs before they'll take a gamble on you. So you have to make yourself irresistible.
I started at a community college, getting an Associates in Network Administration. In the process, I got to know the professors and staff, which got me in as a lab aide then as a network tech. Transfered to my four year college and began work there on a degree in Computer Science and Engineering. Kept learning stuff on the side, took some vocational Cisco courses, Microsoft courses, etc. Didn't go as far as to get certs (although for giggles might get my CCNA). While still taking classes at my four year, got a job at my same community college as a Network Engineer. I may only be pulling down $65K (but with a government, union job and full paid benefits), but I'm only a short ways off from completing my four year degree. That coupled with 5+ years experience as a Network Engineer
But I probably would be still a starving college student at this point, had I not gotten my foot in the door. Many people have stated this already above, and they're right; take a low road to get your foot in the door and gather experience. Sure you might be dealing with idiot users and menial endpoint equipment. But it's like a rite of passage. Employers are more and more looking for a combination of considerable experience plus a four year degree and maybe a few certs before they'll take a gamble on you. So you have to make yourself irresistible.
