Eddodoh:
The person i met is d Manager of HiiT Plc (IT Solution firm, providing trainings in cisco & sometin he called compat A+ not sure if i got right & other stuff) in Ibadan located close to my office wit branches in Abuja i am sure.

He suggest i do cisco to fit into Telecoms though i couldn't get clue on d specific positions to fit in.

I check on one of d IT guys in my office to make in-depth inquiry but i was unable to meet him. I will ensure i see him.

Eddodoh, you said you work as a call center agent for a telco. i asked you to speak to soemone working in the telco. maybe over lunch, or just enquire generally from peers, friends and senior colleagues in the main telco you represent. HiiT is an "IT" training and service provider.
Comptia A+ teaches about computer hardware and the concomitant technologies
Cisco is about routing and switching, more recently datacenter technologies

Please speak to someone in core telecoms and draw up your inferences from there.

mikeyj:

He didnt say the person works at cisco

i know. i meant Cisco in telecoms? except in the the corporate network team ,where else will he fit in telecoms? i asked his department/unit ad position because i expected more from him than "cisco certification"

Eddodoh:

Thanks so much!!! Very insightful

do you have friends that work in telecoms? can you do some research, using your present telco you are serving with as a call centre assistant, and then write on a sheet of paper the various job roles/positions that you think you can fit in in a telco company?

when you do that, then you can streamline on what you need to do to qualify. The main thing is "Getting in first"...

Metrofox:
all i see is a girl still in denial

1million likes

.

Eddodoh:
I studied Cooperative Economics & currently work as a Customer Care Rep in a Call Center/Telecom industry.
I have bin thinking on a career path and how to become a top notch in d industry. Is there any specialise course or something I nid to do?

I do apply for customer service related jobs & hardly get interviews but I am beginning to think i nid to be more specific & specialise in a particular field. Pls, advice

Ensure your basic computer skills especially excel is top notch, and keep praying for opportunities. Update your LinkedIn profile if you have one.If you don't have one, open an account immediately. Try your hands on project management courses or business analysis. If you have an aptitude for tech, try to learn Oracle SQL.

i will have to search for the simulator. i know i have it somewhere. it is vmware based - it runs within a virtual machine.

westmest:
I cant beleive i read every post. I also have a dilemma. Like the OP, i work with one of the OEMs that has been mentioned in this thread. I work as System Engineer( majorly SAN design, delivery stuffs and support), my area of specialization is storage. However i,m involved in delivery of cloud computing solutions( VDIs, datacenter Virtualization) . The problem i have is that we are not yet a strong contender in the market yet like EMCs and VMwares of this world, i would love to work with this companies, basically i want to be exposed to various technologies. However i discovered that they do require ppl that have experience with thier products,this is where im disadvantaged,because i dont use other OEMs product and solutions at all, but ppl that work with system integrators such as CWG, will definitely have this exposure, i,ve been trying to do some of thier certifications but the truth is i dont even know where to start, i couldn't get a free netapp data ontap, also EMC study guides and simulations, also training materials, i,ve only been able to get vmware materials, though i,m not yet ready for vmware. Ill prefer to do certifications on storage (EMC and NEtapp) because thats what i work on. Mehn! Ive rambled a lot. In short ill need help on how to get materials on EMC and netapp. I dont mind paying. Pls help a brother. Thanks


Modified
you might be wondering how i got into the unit without prior experience. I was drafted from another unit.

LOL, i feel you man! i have some physical books on Netapp Data onTap
i have CBT Nuggets CompTIA Storage + SG0-001, CBT Nuggets - Cisco CCNA Data Center 640-916 DCICT, VMware-VIMSetup-all-5.5.0-1312299(3.5Gb), Unix Shell scripting videos

The whole idea is to help ourselves. This industry requires us to mentor ourselves!

Ugly geh!

Praise5:
Pls where can a person who doesn't have an engineering background start building an ICT career? Your advice or guide will be appreciated, thanks.

Start by acquiring a skill

funmies: I'm also in a career dilemma. I have an offer with a bank and also have scholarship for Msc in petroleum engineering. I studied chemical engineering and I'm a lady. After Msc I would still be looking for how to secure a good job most likely in the oil and gas. But if I am in bank, I know I am working and gathering experience but would be looking for how to enter the oil and gas cos I have seen similar cases.But also looking at maybe I should do my Msc once and forget it. Pls I need good advice urgently.

MSc abroad? if it is, then I would advice you take the Scholarship and go for your MSc. After all, you aren't paying for the MSc.
I had friends from school then who worked in the bank just to save up money for a Masters in Oil and Gas. And it paid off. Your case is different as you are on a full scholarship.

Since your passion is in the Oil and Gas sector, banking experience wont worth much.

Bro BizBloke,

Help get complete landing cost to Nigeria:

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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I3OIODU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AWI6FN8VSOVAM

Reagrds

Matthew 19:9 ESV

And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

1 Corinthians 7:15 ESV

But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.

Matthew 5:32 ESV

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 ESV

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

Matthew 5:31-32 ESV /

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Culled from: http://www.openbible.info/topics/remarrying_after_divorce

^^^1000 Likes

PS: I not in the same dilemma as I was when i started this thread. I have "grown"/still growing in "depth" thus far, and it is paying off...

My eyes are opening up, and I am tending more towards a "Business Side"(role) of ICT. I can see an MBA, CBAP in the Horizon.

The people talking ICT make more Money

Ok, Back to the Matter after the Lectures from our Knowledgeable AjanleKoko...

Mellorix: I agree with @mikkybrick everything struck on the head!

Just to add a little , i think the internet data speed and Rate in Nigeria is killing the full adoption of cloud technology. I like to think of the internet as the backbone of cloud technology - In fact cloud is internet .

@mikkybrick i remeber you were studying Netapp storage sometime ago , how's your progress or did you digress?

Bro, since that post in January, i haven't got the time. Though i finished reading it, but for now, it is shelved till further notice.
I have been on assignments in many african countries since then(green, yellow and red operators), each spanning from as little as 2weeks to 3 months. Telecoms sure has its demands, especially if you manage applications that grow revenue for the OpCo. As a consultant, i work from the hotel (using VPN) and office.

It is amazing the way Ajanlekoko broke it down. I actually started from #1 and #2 while still in the university many years ago, doing it on a personal level and as an independent contractor etc...then i broke into IT at level 3 based on my small experience fresh from school, even before my NYSC. The rest is history (kindly refer to My Original Post on the index page)

From my experience and what i could deduce from Ajanlekoko's post, in Telecommunications, forget about certifications. In IT, it does help. But it is wiser to break in first, and then based on your career direction, choose the appropriate certification.

My may-june venture to a yellow Operator in Conakry, required that my knowledge of server Hardware, LAN cabling, Routing & Switching and Unix came to the fore as it was a Stage 1 engagement. So just imagine? My Experience and certifications were handy Even though my role these days is as a Tech Business Analyst/Service Delivery Ops.

My take is: Don't do certifications in order to secure your next job, do Certifications in order to perform better and gain more responsibilities and experience in your present job. The next job/opportunity will come knocking in no time based on your Experience, then the cert will be the icing on the cake.

@Jeffflo
Cloud in itself is still growing in Nigeria, hence the need for more skilled entrants. As per which certification to go for, i always shy away from recommending any because it largely depends on who hires you.
My point: with certification in Cloud computing only, without requisite experience and indepth practical knowledge and know-how of the prduct, there isn't a huge chance of getting interviews for cloud computing positions, except as a presales engineer. But again, the technology the company sells also matters.

There are several companies you should consider: OEM Companies(EMC,VMWare, IBM, Dell, HP,CISCO), System Integrators(Dimension Data, Resourcey, CWG, Weco Systems etc ).

The system integrators are usually partners to the OEMs, and sell/integrate their products into the IT infrastructure of their client companies - banks, Oil and gas companies etc.

I suggest you should do a little research on these companies, know about their Cloud computing offerings as well as other Products etc, and align your CV appropriately. The most important thing is getting in...a whole lot is possible once you are in.

Alternative to CLoud? well, i can tell you the backbone of a cloud infrastructure is the Datacenter and its inherent technologies - Virtualization, Networking and Storage. You can use these as a spring board.

IT and Telecoms are 2 different sectors, though Telecoms usually incorporate IT in their infrastructure and rely on the above OEMs/Sys integrators to get the job done. The Telco staff merely administers and carry out L2/L3 support.

As for Honey pot, there isn't! Truth be told. Just get in, and get very good at what every you can lay your hands upon. You get fat salaries as you move from job to job, and as you grow, you'll get wiser and know which certifications to go for.

Thanks

dl_jbd: Lord Jesus, when will I start talking and scattering people's brains like these guys?

It's no biggie. just work with different technologies, try to know them in-depth...its a step at a time...

You've earned the title of being my Storage mentor and "go-to" guy

@Mellorix, - ooh...coolies...the end surely justifies the means. I'm at the studying phase. I have the Data OnTap 8.0.1 7-Mode Admin guide + exercise guide as well as the DataOnTap 7.2.3 simulator on my VM. Had little exposure at my previous project, but now nothing - just UNIX and CLM applications as well as endless business meetings.

I see a lot of mixed NetApp and EMC environments, just a little IBM.

My Opinion is that there are more NetApp boxes in production than EMC in Nigeria(not verified). NetApp is cheaper and more friendly to the medium scale business. This is mainly due to NetApp's 'Unified Storage" (NAS & SAN) feature as well as its array of hardware solutions. Administrators can also tinker with the box either via CLI or Systems Manager. EMC is not like that. Admins can't interact with the CLI, except you are a high level EMC engineer.
This could also translate to higher opportunities for entry level storage administrators to hone their skills.

I am hoping to get better

^^
On point bro.

Security guys have been in more demand that R & S in recent years. They even have a broader career pathway, Relevance and advantage in the enterprise.

Mellorix: I must confess the conversations here are epic! Nice to see conversations of similar minds.
As a newbie to Nairaland and oldbie to technology .. I think Vmware,HyperV,cloud is the future... - But the problem with technology (IT) Is - you have to always learn learn learn learn and learn - no end game for you ., (Even worst than people studying medicine because the human body doesn't change so frequently (correct me if im wrong). But IT is crazy - After paying over N500k for Vmware certification i was like hmmmm - 500k just for a certification?

@Mellorix :Thanks boss.
I hope it was your company that paid for the Vmware certification?

Sure, IT changes faster than you can blink these days. The reason? Newer and more efficient ways of solving problems.
Guys that work for vendors / OEMs are at an advantage in being able to keep up with the pace of change in IT, because they must master their product portfolios. Hence, they get regular updates, courses. Vendors often need to get their personnel certified to maintain their partner status with the OEM.

Future for me? still on the lookout for the OEM/Vendor opportunity. That will precede my graduation to the DC. I am already on the storage path now...tinkering with NetApp, (EMC coming soon).

greatgeo: @skywalker,mikybrick and d rest i took my time to read whole of this thread to get ur message and to be sincere am in love with telcom but my question is how can a fresh graduate in elect/elect who wand to go into d field get started

bro, to speak the truth, its just prayers. The telecom industry is one that there is no hard and fast rule. Though i heard there are telecom courses you can take now (offered by TTC mobile), but there are no guarantees. Mostly. once absorbed by a telco, you'll be trained on the job.

Storage vmotion is phenomenal.
Anyways, i've really not had much interest in enterprise architectures/applications etc. For me, the production environment/ System integrator/ OEM is key. So, the coming redundancy tide in the enterprise isn't my concern, even though it's still 6-10 years away in Nigeria.
I'm willing to pick your brain a little on an issue bugging me. How do you create that work / study balance? it's been difficult for me to study @ the pace i want especially while holding down a 9-5 job, gidi traffic and personal/family engagements that are such an encumbrance.

What i mean is that: Are you like me who is aspiring for that perfect datacenter job? What's in it for you really? Or do you just love to learn new stuff for the fun of it?

That's very cool.
@skywalker, what's your end game?

Cisco: purchasing actual gear or using simulators.
Netapp: simulator
VMWare: hands on practice on a machine with minimum 6-8Gb RAM

Some peeps actually work in environments that have individual or All of these technologies in production. Interaction and networking with the professionals in these fields are invaluable.

see a typical Job description posted June20th.Justifies my earlier assertion.

mikkybrick:
lol, Aptech no fit pay d kain money wey i dey find o! i just love to learn!

My aim is the datacenter and progressing into consulting - this comprises of networking, storage and virtualization. i hope u see what i'm aiming for! I listen to podcasts of networking/technology nerds and if you read the penultimate paragraph in my original post, you'd be enlightened as to what is expected of you @ dat level. Am not talking about the regular 9-5 employee...i'm talking about solution champions in cisco speak

ogedanny:
Job Description

CWG requires the services of VCE Expert.
A Data Center and Network professional with at least six years experience in networking, virtualization and storage. Preferably from a Service Provider background, He or She should have over 3 years of implementation and migration experience with VMware technologies. He or She must also have designed and built large data center using EMC and Cisco products.
He or She must be able to effectively manage converged environment deployments and their day-to-day operations in a demanding market.

Consulting experience involving solution design and presentation to C-level executives will be an added advantage.
Desired Skills & Experience

Requiste Skills:

1. Data center Management and Administration
Experience in documentation of operating procedures and best practices for day-to-day and adhoc operations. Responsible for maintaining service levels and troubleshooting performance issues. Mentored junior team members.
2. Vblock
Experienced in implementing many Vblock elements including Cisco UCS, VMware vSphere 4/5.x, EMC CLARiiON, EMC Celerra, EMC VNX, EMC UIM, Nexus switches etc
3. Network
Significant experience with managing large LAN and MAN networks, particularly in heterogeneous environments including Brocade, Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet and F5. Knowledgeable in cross-platform management, using tools such as SolarWinds Orion for both monitoring and chargeback.
4. Compute
Led design and integration of several Cisco UCS platforms, including physical installation and configuration ready for service, and performed day-to-day management/upgrades as necessary.
5. Virtualization
Managed dual-cluster VMware ESXi (4.x & 5.x) environment comprising 150+ VMs day-to-day and experienced in troubleshooting network & storage related issues. Some experience of VMware vCloud Director & View 4.5 in a lab environment.
6. Storage
Deployed and managed Celerra/CLARiiON unified systems in production, including provisioning, replication and maintenance tasks.

Certifications (At least 4):
EMC Proven Professional
VMware Certified Professional
Cisco Certified Certifications
Brocade Certifications
Project Management Certifications
ToGAF

Chai! Uniben my Uniben! Been a long time coming. Things still haven't changed!

I love my Alma mata!

I know you read my post with a closed mind, and I won't argue with som1 who is clearly devoid of obkectivity. Its a waste of my time.
The OP wants options, CVE isn't about building structures alone...I highlighted it in my post.

For the record, the Engineer is always the building supervisor.The architect is often consulted to ensure the project fits specifications. I noticed in Nigeria that some architects tend to assume d role of engineer in site, this doesn't mean that in a well structured project this is the case- afterall bricklayers can build a house start to finish in naija witout any architect or engineer, but does not make it right.
Go and watch Discovery channel videos on Extreme structures. It's high time you knew ur boundaries. My seasoned architect friends would neva engage me in dis frivolous discourse because every one has roles in the team and they know wer they come in.

great insight

haladug: I had an experience that got me so marveled, my car tank's capacity is 70liters but on a fateful day at the filing station when I went to fill my tank that was on reserve, even after scrupulously checkin the metre readin to make sure the countin starts from 0.00, the irredeemable criminal of a pump attentdant still found his way to ficticiously dispense 80litres α̲̅πϑ still countin until I furiously asked him to stop. I angrily insulted α̲̅πϑ accused him of cheatin but there was no prove... #NaijaIStillDeyWonder. I also noticed that the fuel from some fillin stations don't last as much as the ones from others. #smh

i agree with you. MRS on Ahmadu bello are culprits. their fuel seems to be almost the correct amount in volume dispensed, but the fuel doesnt last at all!!! I have tested this many times!!! it happened to me just yesterday again.