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Hey all,

Im potentially looking at a job cross road soon, the title gives it away, I know.

Currently, im sys admin in a reasonably sized orginaisation but, I think my time has come to an end.

I have 2 interviews lined up, one for a Uni as an IT/AV Tech and one at a Security Company as a Windows Platform Engineer in their DevOps team.

Now, I dont really know how I feel, I could carry on in my current field, that being IT fixes, AV config and repair and some AD/GP work. Or do I take a massive plunge and go into DevOps, both have their perks and the nice thing with the DevOps job, they are keen to get people in and provide them all the training they need. I’ve tried to learn coding and powershell and struggled but I think this is becuase ive tried to do it off my own back and not found the best learning material.

I havnt got either job yet, and I know its bit early to be thinking about it but you can never be too prepaired.

6 Spice ups
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Well, your first order of business is to turn those two interviews into offer letters.

Based on your post, I think it’s pretty safe to say you’re very interested in the DevOps job, as you should be! I can understand why you may be hesitant to re-approach development after a rocky start with self-taught coding, but that’s super normal. The fact that Company2 is willing to train you for the role is a huge green flag. They obviously are familiar with your (lack of) dev experience, and they’re still willing to bring you in for an interview - that’s great!

If I were you, I’d be gunning for the DevOps role 100%. I don’t have a ton of coding experience, so it may seem a little uncomfortable at first, but I’d personally find it far more fulfilling than an IT/AV job at a university. Not to mention the fact that DevOps allows for farther upward mobility, and earnings potential*,* I’d consider it a no-brainer.

However you decide though, you’ve got some interviews to ace! Good luck with the career change!

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Thank you man,

I have been mulling it over, when i was talking to them on the phone, they actually want people lacking in exp so they can train them.
They have told me the starting sal which is higher than what im on now, bonus structure and progression is big there too.

One other nice thing is, I have a friend who works there too who specialises in Linux, id actually be on his team if I got the job.

I do love building and repairing stuff, but there isnt progression in that unless I make my own compnay building computers and thats done to death at this point.

3 Spice ups
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You’re very welcome! It sounded like you just needed a little bit of encouragement, which I’m always happy to provide! In any of these more skilled positions, hiring managers really just want to find people who are willing to learn and who are pleasant to work with, since hard skills are easy to train.

I was actually in a similar spot when I decided to leave my last place. I could continue along the classic IT career pathway, or take some massive jump into the unknown and join the Marketing department at Infosec. Not going to lie, it was terrifying for the first few weeks, but I’ve settled right in and I’m having a blast, and I’m so glad I decided to jump so far out of my comfort zone. Of course this is anecdotal evidence, but I really do think discomfort is a good sign when switching jobs.

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Definitely go for the DevOps role. I’ve only scratched the surface on what DevOps really is but so far it has me very interested. Good luck!

1 Spice up
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Two words:
Growth
Opportunity.

Job #1 has you doing less than what you’re doing now.

I was that school IT guy for years before I became a sysadmin. Don’t step backwards, even for a larger org.

Go to #2.

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Well, been a while since i touched up on this.

But, I got the Devops job, in there now for my first week and its been a challenge but I am really happy I went this way. Sadly, with my last place, things didnt end nicely… but hey ho, new year eh!

Thanks again for your input guys