I'm currently figuring out my career path as an IT admin and could use some pointers on how to develop my skills and advocate for myself. Initially, I was the sole IT person for a small office of about 60 people, and now we're expanding to 200 employees. After the departure of a couple of managers, my responsibilities have grown significantly. I now handle a variety of platforms like Okta, GitHub, Slack, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365, along with hardware procurement across multiple regions. I've never managed these systems before, so it's been a lot to take in.
I'm looking for advice on several key areas: 1) What technical skills or platforms should I focus on learning more about? 2) Which three certifications would be most valuable for my role? 3) How can I effectively present my expanded role during my upcoming self-review, especially in terms of how it should affect my salary? What percentage increase should I reasonably request considering my previous compensation was based on my limited responsibilities?
3 Answers
It's great that you're getting hands-on with those systems! Since you've already got access, dive into them and familiarize yourself. Practical experience can often outweigh certifications, especially when you have the systems at your disposal. Focus on learning deeply about Okta and any processes around user management; those skills are super valuable for your career in IT.
It's unfortunate if they haven't replaced your managers. Based on what you’ve described, it sounds like you're doing the work of several people now. Typically, to get fair pay, you might need to consider moving to another company because raises can sometimes be limited even if your role has expanded significantly. Still, don't hesitate to ask; there’s no harm in negotiating for a raise based on the increased workload.
Yeah, I'm worried about that too. I think I need at least a 35-40% raise to make it work for me, but I’ll see what can be done.
1) All the platforms you mentioned are solid for your career. Focusing on areas like collaboration tools or identity management can set you apart. 2) For certs, Okta is a must; consider adding either a Microsoft admin cert or security cert to complement it. 3) When preparing for your review, highlight specific achievements and quantify the impact where you can. Also, research market compensation to back up your salary request.
Thanks for the tips! I need to put together a document showing my contributions; it’ll help with the review.
Exactly! Being proactive with the tools is key. Plus, it’ll make you more marketable later on.