Network consulting gigs

[GeorgeG.]

Do we have any network consultants on site? I'm trying to get a realistic perspective on this side of the IT field. Lately I've been thinking it's time to move on from my current position. I like it here, but I think from a career advancement standpoint, that I've reached the end (so to speak).

Cliff Notes: I'm currently a system admin wanting to get into networking. We use a 3rd party vendor for our networking and with the way our state funding works, it really makes sense to continue using them to the extent we do. I'm hungry for just about anything Cisco/network related and I want more.

I know Ceyko is in the field so if I can get your thoughts that would be great as well as anyone else. One of the things I'd have to overcome is always having a place I can call "home" (ie. a desk). I'm not sure how I'd like being placed at customer sites, holed up in a conference room for weeks at a time.

[ceyko]

If you have specific questions, feel free to PM or ask them. In regards to being holed up in conf rooms for weeks at a time - that rarely happens. It's usually the floor of a data center.

In all seriousness, I like it specifically because I have more control over my schedule than with most other IT jobs. Rarely on-call and when I am it's for stuff that I directly did. Also, a lot of times (like this week) I'm working from home on customer stuff via VPN.

You do have to stay fluid and a lot of it depends on how your office is run on how stressful it is for you. Also, after you've been on board somewhere for a year or so and doing a good job you start to get more freedom. By freedom I mean, working from home more, handling your schedule better and pushing back on stupid....engagements w/o backing or resources needed.

The partner side is pretty unique compared to nearly any other office/corporate job out there.

Also, there can be a heavy sales component as well which is VERY rewarding. You architect an overall design, do the bill of materials, services and such - present it and sell it. The first time you sell, implement and help support a 2+ million dollar deal, you get addicted. Then when the customer is hooked, it is great because you can actually talk more openly about everything.

Anyway, let me know what questions you have and I'll try to help.

[Tx Redneck]

Ceyko is uber nerd.

Saved and Texan by the Grace of God, Redneck by choice.

[Ratt]

Feel free to PM me. The IT consulting firm I work for just got bought by a larger one, can't go into details as it hasn't been announced to the public yet, but we might be looking for some people, and I can get your resume directly into the right hands. Especially if you know/are certified in Cisco stuff. We need one, I think.

[Sgt Beavis]

If you have specific questions, feel free to PM or ask them. In regards to being holed up in conf rooms for weeks at a time - that rarely happens. It's usually the floor of a data center.

In all seriousness, I like it specifically because I have more control over my schedule than with most other IT jobs. Rarely on-call and when I am it's for stuff that I directly did. Also, a lot of times (like this week) I'm working from home on customer stuff via VPN.

You do have to stay fluid and a lot of it depends on how your office is run on how stressful it is for you. Also, after you've been on board somewhere for a year or so and doing a good job you start to get more freedom. By freedom I mean, working from home more, handling your schedule better and pushing back on stupid....engagements w/o backing or resources needed.

The partner side is pretty unique compared to nearly any other office/corporate job out there.

Also, there can be a heavy sales component as well which is VERY rewarding. You architect an overall design, do the bill of materials, services and such - present it and sell it. The first time you sell, implement and help support a 2+ million dollar deal, you get addicted. Then when the customer is hooked, it is great because you can actually talk more openly about everything.

Anyway, let me know what questions you have and I'll try to help.

Ceyko is pretty much spot on with this. I've been consulting for eight years now, specializing in Virtualization. It can be a lot of work but those that are good at it can really enjoy it. For one it doesn't get too boring. Projects come and go and there is usually a different bent to each of them.

My day usually starts at 7am and I work to 5pm. However I'm home all day long. Heck, I don't get out of my PJs until 10 or 11am. My days can vary widely. I can spend entire days on conference calls. Other days I just work on assessments or designs. And other days I do self paced training or experiment in my lab. Right now I'm working on methods of combining cloud computing and VDI in a way that can benefit customers in the education space. I'm also experimenting with PC image management techniques for VDI environments. It can be pretty cool at times. I'm also on calls with vendors that we are partnered with. For instance I do a lot of collaboration with Lakeside Software. I've got perhaps 20 or 30 feature requests in to improve their products. I also give them ideas that can strategically benefit them. Those guys should be paying me.

I do travel, but not to often that it is a pain. I had no travel in June, but I'll be making three week long trips for July. Twice to the Detroit area and once to Ft Lauderdale for training. In August I go to VMworld in San Fran.

Basically, once you pay your dues and prove yourself to be competent and hard working, it gets good. The money can be good as well. One of my buddies is making 200K as a consultant. I'm not booking that kind of money but I'm pretty happy with what I do make.

The only thing that sucks for me personally is that I don't get a cut of commissions. I'm working to change that since I play a big role in making these sales.

[GeorgeG.]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess my main "grey area" is not knowing what a normal day is. I have my CCNA and was taking a voice class but I had to drop it due to my schedule and the fact that the class was at the TCC NE campus...I work in Dallas and live in GP so it just wasn't working out. Voice is some cool stuff. I'm hoping to get a 2811 to add to my lab.

In a nutshell, I want to put this stuff to use day in and day out. I get to make some minor config changes now but it's not my primary role. The good thing here is that I get to dabble with Cisco routers, switches, CME, ASA, and wireless controllers for 12 campuses...but it may be once every so often.

[Ratt]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess my main "grey area" is not knowing what a normal day is. I have my CCNA and was taking a voice class but I had to drop it due to my schedule and the fact that the class was at the TCC NE campus...I work in Dallas and live in GP so it just wasn't working out. Voice is some cool stuff. I'm hoping to get a 2811 to add to my lab.

In a nutshell, I want to put this stuff to use day in and day out. I get to make some minor config changes now but it's not my primary role. The good thing here is that I get to dabble with Cisco routers, switches, CME, ASA, and wireless controllers for 12 campuses...but it may be once every so often.

My company just wired and configured a client's whole island (yes, his own island) with more Cisco stuff than you've probably ever seen in one place.