I've been working in tech support at a school district for about eight months now, and I'm really looking to move up to a system administrator position. I've heard that starting in help desk roles is a common path to getting into cybersecurity fields like SOC analyst or security engineer, which is my ultimate goal. However, my resume lacks the experience that most local sysadmin roles require. Can anyone offer advice on how to make this leap? Also, I have a master's degree in IT Asset Management with a focus on cybersecurity, but I don't have any certifications yet, though I plan to pursue some in the future.
2 Answers
To transition into a sysadmin role, you need to be proactive. Begin by learning as much as you can from your current tech support job. Shadow your sysadmin, ask questions, and offer to help with tasks whenever possible. This is often easier in smaller organizations where IT teams are less stacked. Research the systems your school district uses and try to learn about them through online resources or courses to build your skills. It's all about showing your eagerness to learn and taking initiative!
Keep in mind that cybersecurity is super competitive right now. A lot of entry-level positions are flooded with applicants, which can drive wages down. Instead, focus on gaining hands-on experience in system administration. If you're in a place where sysadmins are hard to find, you might get lucky and be allowed to work on systems that you wouldn't normally touch as help desk staff. Look for tools that are frequently mentioned in job listings and find training for those specific skills—it's a good way to get your foot in the door!
Sounds like a solid plan! I think I’ll start looking at those tools now and see what free resources I can find.
That’s smart! I’ve been doing something similar in my job, but my sysadmin is always busy. I try to observe and even asked if I could assist sometimes.