Where should I be focusing?

New / IT
fLcDo

New IT

fLcDo
Jan 4, 2020 10 Comments

I am a Junior at a small state college in the southeast US, studying information system technology. I currently work help desk at a large law firm making around $40k TC.

I have two paths I can follow after graduation; Cloud or try to get into the Google ITRP (manning one of their tech stop for two years) then try and move internal after.

Along with my school work, I plan to get the Net+, Sec+, Linux+ certs and do a Python udemy course in over the course of the next year. I may start stacking AWS/GCP certs if Cloud seems to be the way after college.

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TOP 10 Comments
  • Get the certs per your plan but I think a CS degree will get you further than an information system technology degree. You can do IT instead of coding if you want but the CS degree will open more doors.
    Jan 4, 2020 2
    • New / IT
      fLcDo

      New IT

      fLcDo
      OP
      I agree, I would eventually like to do a boot camp and then transition into a MSCS like GT's OMSCS or UT's MSCSO (or I can do UT's in person if I get into Google's ITRP in Austin).

      I don't believe I'm cut out of SDE but a Solution Architect or SRE would be awesome.
      Jan 4, 2020
    • New
      qfvA23

      New

      qfvA23
      You’re more leaning toward DevOps / Infra with the certs you outlined in your OP rather than SWE.
      Jan 4, 2020
  • Roku
    LdyMcBeth

    Go to company page Roku

    LdyMcBeth
    U r in school. Why not a traditional CS degree and then a regular SWE job at G or any other faang?
    Jan 4, 2020 4
    • New / IT
      fLcDo

      New IT

      fLcDo
      OP
      Would it be crazy to do two more years of help desk at google to get my foot in the door and then apply to other teams internally? I would also probably go for the Austin office if I did ITRP because of the COL in the Bay Area. TC seems low for the role, ~80/90k for MV or $65k in Austin.
      Jan 4, 2020
    • Roku
      LdyMcBeth

      Go to company page Roku

      LdyMcBeth
      I really have no idea what it means to do help desk job at G.

      But if it’s like doing customer service for like chase or something vs being a swe for the company. Then yea. Those are totally different ball games.

      Almost like a Uber driver vs swe at Uber.

      But these r just my ignorant perception. Could be entirely wrong. Heck! I don’t even know what a google help desk job means.
      Jan 4, 2020
  • Microsoft / Eng
    🍀🍀&🌭🌭

    Go to company page Microsoft Eng

    🍀🍀&🌭🌭
    Can’t go wrong with Cloud or AI for the next decade+
    Jan 4, 2020 0
  • Dell
    jackMaa

    Go to company page Dell

    jackMaa
    If you are able to get those certifications along with few of AWS or GCP, you will be able to get much better jobs that just being in Helpdesk in non-FaanG companies, even if you start at Helpdesk with that much expertise and eagerness to pick up new skillsets you will be able to progress much faster. Speaking from experience here.
    Jan 4, 2020 0