Andy,
I'm in a situation that is similar to Dale's, and I disagree with some of
your comments. I'm 19 years old and currently working as a Jr. Network
Engineer. I have A+, Net+, CCNA, CCDA, and 3/4 tests for the CCNP. I also
plan to take the CCIE written in 13 days. :)
> > If they think you are young, they will probably think I am still a baby
> > being only 19. I have my CCNA, 1/4 CCNP and actively seeking MCSE 2k.
>I
> > also have an AA degree and also seeking my bachelor degree in computer
> > science. I plan on getting my CCIE within the next few years. I have
> > worked with an internet company for more than three years now. I have
> > been told that I am impatient and immature, but I am not one to just sit
>
>You are :)
>
First of all, what makes you think he is impatient and immature? Have you
actually met Dale? What evidence leads you to believe that he is? Mabye the
people who are calling him impatient and immature are the same people who
are fearing that he's gonna take their jobs.
> > around. If anyone can help me dispel some of these notions I would be
> > greatly thankful. Also if someone veterans can give some pointers/tips
>on
> > how to make it in this industry, that would also be helpful.
>
>1. Be humble.
I don't think that humility is always a virtue. Of course, I'm not saying
that it is good to be arrogant, but being aggressive usually pays off. If
you're proactive with taking on new responsibility and if you have
confidence in your capabilities, then your superiors will notice you before
the humble guy.
>2. Remember everyone has *something*.
I don't really agree here. You wont find that everyone has something to
offer. There's a guy at my work who doesn't know a thing about his job, but
knows how to fool other people into thinking he does. Whenever we have to
troubleshoot something, all he does is slow us down. The key here is to get
the job done while making him/her feel like he/she contributed.
>They may not share the skills you
>have, but be assued they can do something better then you and you >may need
>help one day
>3. Quit being condensending. This is hard when you don't realize it. >I
>started by basically not saying anything at all comment wise then >working
>intelligent well thought out comments in later.
Again, why are you making assumptions about Dale? What makes you think he's
condescending? No offense, but I find your writing to be very condescending.
You write as if you're superior to him. Do you believe that your age makes
you superior?
>4. Keep your age a secret. Its none of anyone else's business and will
>only hold you back.
I dont hold my age back at all. In fact, I think my co-workers (the next
youngest guy here is around twice my age) easily accepted me into our work
environment because I was completely open and never defensive. People will
be suspicious of you when you try to hide things.
>5. Don't be negative, even if it was a stupid idea or wrong.
I agree with this, it never helps to be negative.
>6. Consider how you view a 14 year-old. You essentially know their every
>thoguht and motivation.
I disagree, not everyone is the same. do you know exactly what I am thinking
right now? I think not.
>Your only 5 years older then them. Think about how
>someone 20 years older then you must know you better then you know
>yourself.
I totally disagree. Age does not completely define a person's behavior.
Never judge a book by its cover. People will resent you if you make
assumptions about them.
>I get older every day to the point that I look back on what I
>completed the day before and wonder how I got through it knowing >only what
>I knew yesterday. I multiply that by thousands of times to try to
>comprehend how I will feel in a few years.
>
>6b. Don't forget, no matter how old you are, comparitively speaking, >you
>know nothing.
You can't get into a network engineer position by knowing nothing. If you
convince yourself that you know nothing, then you will have trouble being
decisive. You would constantly doubt your actions. You definitely need to
have confidence in your bilities, but don't go too far by letting it get to
your head.
>Be thankful you know the tiny little bit you do and
>maximize how you use it.
>
>
>
> > I hope all this hard work pays off!
>
>It will.
>
>andy
Overall, I think that it is important to think critically about any
situation. Many young people in the computer industry are excellent network
troubleshooters, but horrible "people troubleshooters". If a person resents
you, there has to be a reason for it (just like with any computer problem).
Theres a solution to every problem, and you'll probably find yourself
"troubleshooting" people problems more often than computer problems. You
have to find out why they resent you, and try to fix it. Some people just
dont trust other people when they first meet them, so ,in many cases, you
have to take the initiave in establishing rapport.
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