Career prospects for wireless

Salamander · January 27, 2017, 07:58:14 AM

Hi all, I am new here and really just wanted to get some advice on my current situation.
I am currently working as a network analyst at a top university, my first job where I specialised in networking. I started in this role about 8 months ago and have taken a particular interest in wireless technologies while doing this job. As this was a fixed term contract job which they are seriously considering making permanent now I did however also start looking for other jobs and found one which actually specialises in wireless. I went for the interview and actually got made a job offer. The only problem is it is less salary than my current job. Both places have promised to get me more involved with wireless projects as that is my field of interest even though my current one isn't wireless specific.
However looking at jobs available now there aren't that many that specify wireless (unless I'm looking in the wrong places, I'm from the UK btw). Anyway would it be safe to say that wireless is going to be more in demand in the future and that I may as well stay in my current job as tech will become more wireless anyway?

deanwebb · January 27, 2017, 08:25:11 AM

Hello Salamander and welcome to the forums!

I would say that wireless definitely is an important technology, but for most firms it will be hand-in-hand with traditional wired networking, as they don't have the staff depth to permit much specialization. I'm a security specialist and, for what it's worth, I'm using standard networking stuff every day. My message there is to definitely go for your passion, but always remember the foundational basics of routing and switching.

For the contractors / recruiters that are saying sure, more wireless in your future, often those are promises made just to get you in the door so they can get their commission. If the job isn't a full-time role with "wireless" in the title, then there are no guarantees about any wireless content in the job. I do know some consulting practices in my area that we've hired to do pure wireless stuff, so those roles do exist, but our industry will always have the dangers of the bait-and-switch recruiters.

Regarding the current job offer... is it full time? Does it offer growth prospects? Is it work you want to do? How much less salary? Is your current role permanent?

icecream-guy · January 27, 2017, 08:40:30 AM

IoT is big, IoT is wireless, so yes wireless is big.

btw salary is only a portion of total compensation, you must add all your benefits together to get a sum of total compensation. do this and then compare total compensation.

include vacation / sick / bonus/ 401k / training / travel / stipens / and any other incomes that are related to the job.

if the job pays 10 grand with 8 weeks vacation or 15 grand with 4 weeks vacation. well you get the point.

Salamander · January 27, 2017, 08:58:05 AM

Thanks deanwebb

Yes both both my current job and the other place are full time and offer growth prospects and both are permanent. The new job offer is in a different city which is commutable. The pay isn't significantly less (around £2k less), but the commute will cost me a lot and moving to the other city isn't an option at the moment so I would prefer to stay in my current job. But I'm basically wondering if it is worth making that sacrifice to pursue my passion. Either way it seems I will gain a strong background in the various aspects of networking and if I start looking for a job again in say 2 years time my hope is that I will find plenty that will involve wireless specialisation.

deanwebb · January 27, 2017, 09:29:13 AM

Before I say "stay where you are", how much experience do you have? If less than 3 years, stay where you are. Get good at the basics, then you'll be open for a midrange move to wireless somewhere for some really good pay.

Salamander · January 27, 2017, 10:53:07 AM

I have been working in IT for 11 years but mostly doing general 1st and 2nd line support, so obviously I was involved in doing networking and some sysadmin but never really specialised. I can honestly say that in the past 8 months in this new job I have learned more about networking than than I did in the whole 10 years before that. So technically I guess if I was to hypothetically apply for a job that states "Must have at least 3 years experience in networking" right now my chances would be slim of even securing an interview. I am inclined to stay in my current job and just get good at the basics. It looks like there is more to look forward to with IoT growing.

I have just finished the both ICND1 and 2 courses but have yet to take the exam which I hope to do after the job situation settles.
After that I plan to go for CCNA/CCNP Wireless qualifications. So while we're on this topic has anyone here done any of these? Are they any good? Are there better courses out there. I ask because I have heard mixed views on these qualifications.

deanwebb · January 27, 2017, 02:55:35 PM

Definitely get the CCNA R&S.

CCNP-anything opens up mid-range opportunities which, with 3 years of recent experience, would be offered you.

SimonV · January 30, 2017, 03:14:32 AM

Has that new employer given you any examples of the types of jobs you would get? Large-scale wireless projects can be a lot of fun and it's true hands-on work with lots of travel. Do keep in mind that the employer needs to invest a lot if you don't have any experience. They would probably send you on the road as a junior for a couple of months, or along with a more senior engineer who will teach you the ins and outs of the role, before they can start charging the normal rates to their customers.

Regarding the pay, have you made them a counter offer, or at least explained to them that you would be making a step backwards financially? They have already shown their interest so you have a foot in the door, now you can negotiate with them.

wintermute000 · January 30, 2017, 03:34:52 AM

There is a ton of wireless work. At my VAR/consultancy our wireless guys can't keep up and they are constantly pestering the rest of us to upskill (fortunately I can claim specialisation in other areas so that gets me off the hook... LOL).

Downside is that its really easy to get sucked into wireless only and then in a few years time you can't remember how OSPF works let alone put together something complex in a DC or BGP routing scenario. Pretty much all our top wireless guys are like that (whereas for example router guys can still wing it on a firewall project etc.)

Personally I can't understand why anyone would like the topic. I slogged my way through the CWNA material, that was literally the most boring technical book I have ever read, and FULL of acronyms (excessive even for an IT textbook). ANd then full of nitty gritty details about deprecated stuff like exactly how the algos in 802.1b worked etc., then pages later BAM well all this stuff is old so nevermind, WTF.

If you are seriously looking into wireless, do your CWNA. Its essential, much moreso than any of the vendor certs - its all 802.11 protocol level and radio fundamentals (zzzzzzzzzzzzzz) and will give you a really good idea if you want to keep going deep into the weeds on this topic.