Advice on re-entry into IT - networking

Hi,

I'm hoping for some advice on a workable route to re-entering the IT field after a long period (an epoch in IT-time) elsewhere.

Until late 2004 I worked as a systems admin for a leading UK import firm. The server estate was predominantly NT4.0, with the main production app on a NetWare 4.12 server. Back then I held MCSE (NT4.0 with IIS) and CNE (4.12), as well as a CCDA I sat in 2000, all now probably less use than a handbrake on a canoe.

I had a fairly wide remit, basically having responsibility for keeping the infrastructure running and implementing upgrade/new projects. Couple of server builds from scratch, migration of production app (bespoke) from custom-built tower server to new Compaq rack-mount (can't remember the model now, but it was supposedly NetWare non-compatible and I got around that by re-installing an earlier firmware version - so hopefully lateral thinking isn't a problem). Backup and restores, maintenance of Exchange server, small amount of router config for a satellite office, firewall admin, user account and file system admin, planning and managing office reorganisations (including optimising hub/switch connections) etc.

Prior to that job I was a networking consultant, which mostly involved network audits and evaluating different providers' solution specs for their potential clients. And prior, in turn, to that I was a first-line support tech in a large government department, covering desktop support (Windows 3.11 and 95, now we're really going back!), server admin (all NetWare 4.12), Exchange admin.

So a fairly broad if not deep skillset back then. I left IT in late 2004 to pursue a career in a branch of healthcare that had always interested me. I went to college, got the necessary degree and went into practice for someone, then bought my own practice in 2007. To cut a long story mercifully short, a confluence of factors including changes in the profession that do not bode well for it, and the lack of a significant daily mental challenge have conspired to cause me to seek a re-entry to IT at the age of 45.

My age is not an issue to me as far as relearning or performance on the job are concerned, as I continue to ace aptitude tests and pick up new info and skills just as fast as I did 10+ years ago (currently learning piano and pleasantly surprising myself at the rate of progress!). Prospective employers cannot ask your age (in the UK at least), and without blowing my own trumpet (because it's my parents' doing, not mine!) most people guess my age at around 35-37, so an employer won't know my age until I'm on the books.

Obviously my skillset is now extinct, and I have no recent experience. The field that always appealed to me most was the networking side - CNE was my first certification and the one I wanted/enjoyed most. So I think it makes sense to go for networking, as that's where my experience lies and what appeals to me, and a bit of reading recently has confirmed my suspicion that the principles have remained constant. Given this, I am looking at taking CompTia's Network+ (to refresh the basics and get a broad overview of current server-side networking), then moving swiftly-on to CCNA. After that I would imagine I'd need a solid sys admin refresh, so MCSE Server would seem to be sensible. CCNP and maybe another server-side cert (RHCE? as I know nix about Linux) could follow later. I self-studied (no courses) through my CNE in about three months, so would take the same approach (course books, build a small lab with evaluation versions, use online labs like Boson Netsim or GNS3 etc.)

But for now, Network+ and CCNA are what I'm considering. As for experience, I may need to beg and scrape for an entry-level desktop support or general tech position, and use that as a springboard once I get a couple of current certs. Worst case, I'll try to build experience by volunteering with a charity or two (US= "non-profits"?) Motivation is high - I have 22 working years left and have to make them count!

That's my sketch-outline plan at present. If anyone can offer constructive criticism or better alternatives I would be very grateful. I'm in the UK but I'm sure the principle will be pretty similar regardless of location.

With apologies for the long post, and many thanks in advance.

J