I'm in my mid-20s with a B.S. in IT and have spent 3.5 years as a Level 2 technician at a Managed Service Provider (MSP) in Florida. I'm feeling burnt out both mentally and financially due to the high ticket volume and low hourly wage of $23. I'm eager to escape the MSP environment and find a job that compensates better and offers a more stable work situation without constant crisis management.
My skills include:
- Administering Microsoft 365 for over 50 tenants, which involves managing Exchange Online, retention policies, mailbox troubleshooting, and mail flow, as well as DKIM, DMARC, and SPF setups.
- Troubleshooting Entra ID and Azure AD.
- Handling breach responses and remediation, including guiding clients through incidents.
- Managing DNS and domain work with GoDaddy and Cloudflare.
- Conducting Windows and network troubleshooting, including dealing with printers and VPNs.
- Scripting in PowerShell to automate repetitive tasks.
I've done some governance, risk, and compliance work and I generally work well with clients. My goal is to transition into a role that offers a higher salary and makes full use of my skills. I'm considering focusing on automation since I already have some PowerShell experience and am willing to learn Python. However, I'm open to other suggestions as well. Here are my main questions:
1. What job titles should I focus on that are within reach from my current role and can substantially increase my salary? (I'm thinking M365 admin, IAM, junior cloud roles, automation, security, etc.)
2. Is pursuing automation a good career path?
3. Are there other quick paths I could take to transition out? I'd love to hear your experiences.
5 Answers
With your experience, you could try for some junior sysadmin roles—those positions tend to have better pay. Also, don’t shy away from learning Linux; it’s super valuable. Build something cool at home like a hypervisor or Plex server—it’s a fun way to learn and build your resume.
I made the leap from MSP work to federal contracting. It was a good move for me financially, and I now earn about $145k! You might consider pursuing a job with the DoD or similar organizations, but you may need to get a security clearance first. You could even enlist in the military for that clearance; they're often keen to put you in IT roles.
Networking is super important here. It’s not just about applying to jobs online anymore; it’s about who you know. Make sure you’ve connected with as many people as possible, especially those in decision-making positions. On the technical side, are you comfortable with designing infrastructure from scratch? That skill could set you apart.
When you're looking to switch jobs, check out job postings for roles you're interested in. Even if HR doesn't fully understand the tech side, they often list important certifications and experience requirements. If you're seeing a lot of buzz for certain certs, like Security+, go grab them! Getting into interviews is key, and if you're personable and know your stuff, you’ll find a team willing to bring you on board.
Believe it or not, some MSPs offer great salaries, upwards of $80k, but you need to put in the effort to get noticed in the crowd of applicants. Research companies you’d want to work for and reach out directly to hiring managers. Personalize your outreach—mention why you admire their company. This is more effective than sending out generic applications.
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