RouterD00D
@telus.net
| reply to dedation4lyfe24
Re: Moving up @ SHAW
I worked for Shaw back in 1999 when they were just launching the cable modem network. I moved up from CSR to TSR in 3 months and from TSR to TSR level 2 in 6 months and from there to head end IP tech (rolling out backbone routers) within 1 year of start date. I had grade 12 and zero certs but I used to be a small ISP sysadmin so I knew some Server admin stuff, but light on network skills.
After being an IP head end tech for a few months I thought about applying for the NOC in Calgary (I was not originally in Calgary). Somebody higher up said the job was mine if I wanted it. In short, I knew my shit. I even designed some basic software to monitor bandwidth usage and modem RF levels... took 'em 3+ years before they actually took that stuff seriously.
After about 1.5 years I left Shaw for another Telco as it seemed that the only options at Shaw for moving up beyond head end tech was to go to Calgary (their HQ). There you can get network Engineering jobs, NOC jobs etc - the cool stuff.
Shaw was a pretty good company to me, so I am thankful. I even got to meet Brad Shaw - Senior VP (had one face to face meeting), Peter Bassionette - President(had dinner with him once at Shaw event) & went to Jim Shaw's (original Shaw founder) home once to upgrade his cable modem & clean nasties from his PC! hehe
Those were the days.
I'm sure Shaw's changed a lot and grown by leaps and bounds in this cable modem area, and there's bound to be far more competition... hell I was deplying pre-Docsis 1.0 Terayon modems 
Anyway, just wanted to say that not to worry about Shaw not paying for Certs - if that's true. They are not that expensive. Get some Cisco video training torrents, get dynamips (virtual router software) and then study & practice your ass off at home and spend the $150 or whatever to write the Cert exams... THEN go and apply for a higher position. Doing it on your own shows initiative afterall.
Good luck. |
