Cable technician wanting to be a network administrator (Melbourne, Bell: relocate, vacation)

[VSICCA]

Hello everyone, I currently work as an install tech (3yrs) for a contractor for Brighthouse cable here in the Melbourne, FL area. I did an install for a customer about a year ago and have become friends with the customer, an employee with DRS Technologies in Melbourne. He recently offered me a position with DRS in the IT dept, maybe as a Jr Network tech. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any experience transitioning into the IT field from another field. I'm making @ 65k a year with descent benefits but working 50-80 hours a week (wed thru sun til 9 pm) and possibly six days a week coming soon. I know setting up modems, home networks for customers with basic WEP and WPA security and VOIP will be alot different than working on a goverment contractors LAN and WLAN. Any insight on making the transition easier? Anyone work for DRS and can give me your opinion on the workplace? I'm super motivated with an associates degree in mechanical eng., the top tech (out of 30+) at my company, very proficient with computers and have lots of AutoCad exp. but I want to move into the IT field. I know the benefits will be good but any info on starting salaries and certifications I will need? I haven't had my interview yet but it is coming up. Thanks.

[runswithscissors]

I don't know about DRS but that's some nice contract they got. Having been in Telcom and IT I'd say the only downside is (as long as it's financially worthwile)...if DRS has some corporate shift and your job were to be moved to another state. The only downside with Brighthouse is if they get bought by another carrier and change the process. It's a CLEC right?

I think it'd be really interesting to take the DRS job but I'm a risk taker. Just write down all your concerns for the interview and ask the internal structure even if you can have a job visit to sit with another admin and see what it's like in real life. Ask about the training, too, I'm sure it's a structured class with that level of company....

It's tough living on telcom OT when they cut back on it on and off...but not likely to happen any time soon, IMO.

[VSICCA]

Thanks for the reply. I'm somewhat of a medium risk taker, being a little older and wiser now (35 yo) with a wife and 2 kids. If the terms of the position and enviroment will allow me to grow as an employee and get the certifications that I will need to advance then I will be happy to take the leap just as long as the salary is not too low. I realize 65K (what I'm making now) is kinda high to come into an entry level position with no certifications but only on site experience, but I'm an extremely fast learner and any additional education is something I would take in a heartbeat. We would also be able to relocate if possible, so that's not really an issue either. From what I've researched on the net starting salaries for a position similiar is @ 35k-50k or @ $17.50 - $25.00 an hour, not too bad plus the benefits are awesome. I currently have 2 days off a week (soon only 1), work every weekend, 1 holiday a year (xmas day, non paid), pay for family ins. ($110 week) and pay for my own tools and gas. I get paid piece work but work my but off for 65K minus expenses. From what I know DRS has an 80/9 work schedule, @ 45 days a year betw. holidays, vacation, sick and personal days and a greal benefits package plus not working weekends and every other friday. Sounds like no comparison. We'll see. It seems like the telecom industry lowers its pay and benefits every year but increases specs and working hours. At least thats been the case with me. Guys use to make $1500 -$2000 per week working 40 hours of piece work but now work @ 60 hours to break $1000 - $1200, if they are skilled. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be working when so many are struggling, but I dont want to be working backwards, just looking to take a step forward.

[runswithscissors]

WOW that's a high burn out job! Now I know why the Comcast guys always hustle so much, even working on Superbowl Sunday in Philly in an ice storm (up on the pole, too ). Some of them actually drive from Maryland to Phila for the hours they told me. (and I think they are technically Northern Telcom outsourced but the same rules as your company)

I just took a package from Verizon in Dec. 2008 is a contract year and our union just avoided a strike, retained all it's benefits and got a 10% increase over a 3 year contract. Also got a go ahead to get the "new" MCI people into be able to select the union where up until now they were absorbed as non union when we merged with MCI.

New hires will have a health copay like you and less bennies. They had to settle because of FIOS etc, they need the techs for market share. Our techs make 1200.00 per week up there, with the 9 paid days and 2 weeks vacation the 2nd year through to 6 weeks vacation at 25 years. 1.5 OT after 37.5 hours and double time on Sundays and double time and a half on holidays.

It's tougher in CLECS and down South in right to work states but the CWA has done ok by us up North. I also noticed online AT&T is hiring techs now, too, fyi...but my installer was complaining and worried when he did my NC. So you prolly shouldn't change phone companies if you're going to stay in FL.

I wish you the best of luck, it sounds like an exciting career change. You're right to be cautious with a wife and two kids, that's why I stayed with the Baby Bells/ATT just about forever...but they are huge and you can transfer around within, to different departments and grow in all different areas, even non-"telcom" specific jobs like IT, forecasting and statistics etc.

Good Luck and I hope it works out for you!

[AONE]

I think you will find IT to be a better choice. The Cisco certs are outstanding and will add great value to you. When I worked in the T-com field I far exceeded your income level presently and worked far fewer hours. a good knowledge of fiber optic systems from Nortel, Alcatel and Ciena will place you in the thick of it. Good luck. It will be a good choice.

[VSICCA]

From what I've been told, DRS will train me and get my certs in Fiber cabling, splicing and systems. Really looking forward to that. I went to the library today and ordered some reading material for prepping for my CCENT and CCNA certs. Just a starting point but I'm ready for the long haul. I'm a "certification" junkie and just love to expand my knowledge base so all of these certs that I will need will i will be first in line for.

As for the Comcast employees, it's a little different here with the Brighthouse employees. Brighthouse techs usually don't do installs but only field service calls and tap audits. Their hours are usually 7:30-3:30 and starting pay @ $10.50 hr so there's really no incentive to hustle. As far as I know the Comcast employees further north from us pretty much do what we do but get the pick of the litter jobs and the contractors get the leftovers. A friend of mine that I trained for our company just jumped ship to Brighthouse cable as a tap auditor (the bad guy who cuts off your cable if your connected illegally) and started at $10.38 hr, benefits and weekends off. Funny thing was during his four weeks of training at Brighthouse he asked about how they "wall fished" cable (dropping a cable inside a wall from the attic to make a cable outlet) and the response was "Ohhhh, we don't do that. That's left for the contractors to do. We don't get into attics." So that's why we hustle (but make 3x the money) because we can't go home before we get our 6-10 jobs done a day. I've since stopped doing all the "extras" for customers - setting up surround systems, dvd players, computer parts, ect .... because a one hour job becomes a two hour job doing all the extras with just a "thanks", no tip and six more just like it afterwards. It's not to be rude, but I want to get home to my family before 9 pm after starting at 6:30 am. This is pretty much why I'm looking forward to making this career change.

BTW, thanks for all your responses!!!