Should I Focus on Multiple IT Roles or Just One?

Titles can be pretty irrelevant in IT—what matters is what you learn and how you adapt. 'Sysadmin' at one place might do totally different things than a 'Systems Engineer' elsewhere. Focus on gaining a broad skill set in school, and worry less about job titles.

Don't stress too much about job titles right now. Focus on getting a position at a larger company that values learning. Look for roles where you meet about 80% of the qualifications; they'll help you fill in the gaps. During interviews, remember to treat it more like a conversation rather than a quiz. Prepare some thoughtful questions and show genuine interest!

Honestly, unless you have some standout skills right out of school, you'll likely start in a help desk position. It can be tough, but it's a good opportunity to discover what you actually enjoy in IT. While you're in school, just choose courses that sound interesting! And you're right; many IT roles have a lot of overlap, so titles can be misleading.

As a Network Architect and Sysadmin, I've worked across various IT areas. The key is to stay curious and keep learning! Just consider the idea of diversifying your skills—it's beneficial in our rapidly evolving field.

A good Sysadmin needs to have skills in a variety of areas like networking, security, and access controls. Being proficient in multiple domains is essential for success in this role.