First timer, advice on the correct specialisation

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SueEllen replied

6 August 2010, 09:34
Originally posted by beertime View Post

Now after having tasted the good life, I am looking on the horizon to see whats around for after this contract. Problem is the Windows jobs seem to outnumber Linux by at least fifty to one.

And you know why that is don't you.

Only thing to remember is "Show me the money"

Oh and
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pmeswani replied

6 August 2010, 08:15
Originally posted by jmo21 View Post

For starters, stop winking at us, it's creepy!

How about a wink and a wave?
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jmo21 replied

6 August 2010, 07:24
For starters, stop winking at us, it's creepy!
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Scrag Meister replied

6 August 2010, 07:01
I'm not a Unix bod myself, but from what you wrote I think you are already pointing out to yourself how to make the most of contracting.

Contractors travel to where the work is so why not learn to where the work is.

GL.
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beertime started a topic First timer, advice on the correct specialisation

5 August 2010, 21:59
First timer, advice on the correct specialisation

Hi everyone,

Please be nice, it's my first time

Now the bad news is that due to circumstances beyond my control, I was forced into contracting. The good news is that I have more than doubled my take home. It's pretty awesome to take home the large sums of cash

The bad news is that my contract is a fixed term 3 months. It has been drilled into me at every opportunity that it is only 3 months

Now my specialisation is Unix, Linux and virtualisation. I have done 3rd line/Senior engineer/Large VM project implementation for the last few years. Virtualisation, Linux (part RH certified, working towards RHCE), Unix and high end (HDS and EMC) SAN storage. I can do Windows if required I am a Linux geek through and through.

Now after having tasted the good life, I am looking on the horizon to see whats around for after this contract. Problem is the Windows jobs seem to outnumber Linux by at least fifty to one.

So I basically guess my question is, should I continue down my specialisation route that I enjoy or diversify into Exchange for example.

I get 5 times the offers for Windows 3rd line than I do for Linux but the Windows sides are only offering 2/3rds the money of the Unix work.

What I don't want to be doing is being stuck in a low end £15-20 an hour contract, ie increase my worth, not decrease it.

I am going to put aside perhaps 3K for a nice course The other side of it is, should I look at doing ITIL practictioner or similar.

What would people advise, esp the Linux people. Should I for example, get the RHCE and perhaps CCNA or Exchange and Windows side (I have no Windows certs that are valid any more, even though I use the tech) Or do an ITIL practitioner as it seems to be a very popular requirement these days!

Regards

me
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