Much like the Education page I will list some of my relevant experience in the IT world but I would like to give some personal insight into how I ended up where I am now and how to get there quickly by avoiding some stumbling blocks.

The first thing that comes to mind when attempting to gain experience in an IT field is that you don't have to work for someone else to gain this experience.  I had quite a hard time getting someone to hire me when I only had an AAS, CCNA, A+, and Network+ with absolutely zero professional experience.  The last job I had on my resume was Shift Leader at Hollywood Video.  I was not experienced enough for some positions and over credentialed for others and stuck in the middle.  I realized that I had been fixing computers and electronics for friends and family for years and that if I put a name to it and tracked earnings then I had a business and experience to add to that resume.  That lead to eventual service contracts, IT sub-contracting, and loaning my services to other shops to expand my network.  The lesson is do not wait for a job to find you if you know you already have the skills to do the work.

The second thing is that preferred requirements and in some cases even mandatory requirements listed in job postings are almost always flexible.  I wasted a lot of effort early in my career chasing certifications for the job I thought I wanted because I thought I had to have them before even applying.  Once I broadened my definition of the job I was looking for, stopped getting certifications that were not useful. and started applying for things that I technically did not qualify for my career started to take off.  The interview is the most important part of getting a job offer and a well written resume should be able to get you in the door.  Make sure that you make it clear in a cover letter or somewhere in documents that you submit that you are confident that once hired you can meet or exceed their requirements and they might give you a chance to prove it.  Just make sure that you can make good on what you tell them;  IT is not a fake it until you make it industry and being untruthful during the hiring process can end your career.

 

Information Systems Manager July 2016 - Present

Cumberland County Health Department

 

  • Managed all IT projects and staff

  • Created policies and procedures

  • Represented IT on Senior Leadership Team

 

IS Systems Server Analyst Sept 2013 - July 2016

Cumberland County Information Services

 

  • Implemented, maintained and documented all server hardware and software

  • Administered Exchange, Active Directory, VMware, and EMC environments

  • Planed, implemented, and administered backup and disaster recovery plans

 

IS Technical Support Specialist Oct 2010 - Sept 2013

Cumberland County Information Services

 

  • Provided support for all Cumberland County end users

  • Managed end user hardware and software deployments

  • 24/7 On-Call support rotation for 911 dispatch

 

Computing Support Technician II Feb 2009 - Oct 2010

Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center

 

  • Provided end user support

  • Maintained computer images and inventory

  • Developed internal website CMS and guest wireless portal

 

The Go2IT Group Fayetteville, North Carolina

IT Contractor 10/1/08 to 

 

  • Install servers, UPS systems, and network cabling.

  • Make contact with and brief personnel onsite about the various projects.

  • Supervise additional technicians onsite as needed.

 

Custom Computer Care Fayetteville, North Carolina

Owner 4/3/08 to Present

 

  • Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.

  • Plan, coordinate and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.

  • Write, design, and produce plans for improved network infrastructures.

 

Computer Handyman Raeford, North Carolina

IT Specialist 7/3/07 to 4/1/08

 

  • Assisted the owner in day to day business operations.

  • Led networking projects such as infrastructure improvements from the initial design through the physical installation.

  • Fulfilled network support contracts including telephone and onsite troubleshooting and problem resolution.