Advice on temp to perm Network Engineer position | Getting Hired as a Network Engineer | Forums

Post edited 10:06 am – May 22, 2011 by Knowledge_Pa

Hello.  I am new to this forum and this is my first post.  Here is my situation:  I am currently a Computer Systems Analyst I for an aviation contractor on a military installation.  I have a good job and it seems to be secure even though the contracting company may change.  I am currently pursuing my Associates Degree in Computer Networking Specialist (Cisco).  I have a couple of courses left to completion.

I have just interviewed for a temp to perm Network Engineer position and have been informed that I am a strong candidate for the postion.  This position would be 3/12 hr nights. 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and one sunday a month.  So it would be 3 days on 4 days off.  The shift will probably rotate days of the week on some type of monthly basis. 

I have two small children and have been married for two years.  I have been working day shift 8-430 and going to school at night.

I have a good understanding of Networking Infrastructure and have been deep into subnetting lately.  I dont have experience as a network engineer or admin.

There is a chance that this would become a permanent position in 6 mo. depending on job performance.

I am expecting to have an answer on if I got the position in the next couple of days.  So my questions are"

Do you think it would be a smart move to gain experience and get a foot in the door?

Would working nights and adjusting my family life around it be worth the opportunity?

Do you think that giving up a good job for a opportunity that may not be permanent be too big of a risk?

I myself personally am willing to take the risk to get myself in the door to gain experience and the company would require that i have my CCNA in a certain time frame.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!