Dave Milner ⋅ Franklin , TN U.S. Air Force ⋅ 26 years experience

I am making an assumption you have a desire to pursue network admin AND have some experience. You may want to approach companies direct and ask if you can shadow them. Another thought is approach a recruiter and find a temp to perm position. This way you can start working and prove yourself to potentially a new career. Don't forget about your post 9-11 GI Bill to further expand your network skills. Once in school this can open opportunities for internships

Rolf Versluis ⋅ Alpharetta , GA Adcap Network Systems, Inc. ⋅ 21 years experience

Cory,

Glad to hear your are making progress! Definitely do everything you can at the entry level position at the IT company. They should have some old equipment in their warehouse that they would probably let you set up into a lab also.

Rolf

Cory Stuard ⋅ Cedar Hill , TN U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal ⋅ 5 years served

Rolf,

Thanks for your response! I am about 6 months away from my Associates in Network Admin, and i am starting with a network + cert in about two weeks and then planning on Security +. I just finished my first course on Linux and it was very interesting, i do have a old PC set up to practice Red Hat. It has taken some time but, i just got an entry level position with in an I.T. company and have a pending intern position in the Network Admin area.

I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions!

Cory

Rolf Versluis ⋅ Alpharetta , GA Adcap Network Systems, Inc. ⋅ 21 years experience

Get some industry certifications. Best one to start with is CCNA. Buy the certification book, buy a few online labs, then schedule and pass the test. Just get it done. Should take you about two months, and you don't need boot camps or anything else like that. Download and use the Cisco router simulator Dynamips. http://www.gns3.net/dynamips/ if you can't afford virtual lab time.

Find an old PC, install Red Hat Fedora linux on it, and figure out how to set up basic network servers. Do the same thing with Windows Server 2008 or 2012 if you can get an education copy.

Then work toward your Microsoft MCSA and MCSE: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/windows-server-certification.aspx#fbid=-kUi8tYXqr9

Then your RedHat RHCSA:
http://www.redhat.com/training/certifications/rhcsa/

If you take the initiative to go out and learn stuff on your own you will have a much better chance when offering to shadow someone. And if you can't do the things I listed above, you are probably better off in a different field.