Hey everyone! I'm currently working as an IT Executive, specifically in desktop support, over in Mumbai, India, and I have about 2.5 years of experience. I'm planning to shift to a System Administrator role in the next few months. Since I'm juggling my degree with a full-time job, I'm facing challenges with getting significant salary hikes when switching jobs. I'm not sure if this is due to not having my degree completed yet or just the current job market.
However, I do have solid hands-on experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Exchange Online administration, and daily L2 support tasks. I also get some exposure to infrastructure tasks and frequently build labs at home while studying.
To aid my transition, I'm preparing for the MD-102 certification to hopefully secure a better job with a decent pay increase. I aim to focus on the skills that are in high demand in the IT field so I can improve both my job title and salary. I'm really looking to step away from daily user support tasks like issues with Outlook or printers and shift into a more system administration-focused role. I'd greatly appreciate any guidance or advice you all have, as I'm sure many of you have valuable insights and experiences!
3 Answers
I made a similar transition years ago focusing on antivirus, DLP, and proxies. That experience helped me land government and pharma contracts, allowing me to gain hands-on experience across a wide range of IT areas. It also opened doors into the security sector, which is crucial in today's IT landscape. Wishing you all the best in your journey!
Many have mentioned that helpdesk roles can feel never-ending, regardless of your title. What's really important is the work you do and your pay. MD-102 is a step forward, but remember it focuses mainly on Intune. Also, consider looking at the MS-102 certification afterward—it's a tough exam, but valuable. Good luck with your transition!
MD-102 is okay, but don’t base your entire career move around a single Intune certification. Sysadmin interviews can get repetitive, so be prepared to discuss DNS, DHCP, AD or Entra, basic networking, PowerShell, backups, patching, and your actual production experience. Start gathering examples of projects you've managed end-to-end rather than just focusing on ticket resolution.
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