diff --git a/work/next_steps.md b/work/next_steps.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d495b9f --- /dev/null +++ b/work/next_steps.md @@ -0,0 +1,120 @@ +### **Sanity Check: Detailed List for Analysis** + +--- + +### **1. Core Job Responsibilities** + - **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA**: + - Focuses on **technical specialization** in **Cisco Nexus technologies** and **data center networking**. + - You’ll work on **critical infrastructure** that supports one of the largest airports in the world, ensuring uptime, performance, and security. + - Minimal client interaction, but **collaboration** with internal teams and vendors is needed. + - Requires **deep expertise** in Nexus, NX-OS, high-availability systems, and automation. + + - **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer**: + - Balances **technical consulting** with **client-facing responsibilities**. + - You’ll act as a technical liaison for various clients, designing solutions across **multiple technologies** (Cisco, VMware, AWS, etc.). + - Requires strong **communication skills**, relationship management, and **sales consulting**. + - You’ll encounter diverse challenges across industries, working with **pre-sales** and **post-sales engineering**. + +### **2. Work Environment** + - **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA**: + - Public sector: **structured, stable**, and often more predictable. + - **Long-term security** and a clear career progression path, though slower. + - **Work-life balance** tends to be better in public sector jobs. + - You’ll work on **high-stakes infrastructure** that impacts airport operations, which gives purpose and impact to your work. + + - **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer**: + - Private sector: **fast-paced**, dynamic, and more variety in daily tasks. + - You’ll work with multiple clients, each presenting **unique challenges**. + - Travel up to **25%** (mostly local), and more potential for **workload variability**. + - A dynamic environment where **sales targets** may introduce pressure, but also **financial incentives** like bonuses. + +### **3. Career Growth Opportunities** + - **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA**: + - You’ll gain deep technical mastery in **Cisco Nexus** and related technologies. + - **Growth is slower** but highly stable. You’ll likely move into senior technical roles over time, such as **Senior Network Architect** or **Lead Data Center Engineer**. + - Focus on **technical expertise** rather than leadership or business strategy roles. + - Public sector benefits include **pensions**, **work-life balance**, and **job security**. + + - **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer**: + - **Faster career growth** with potential moves into **sales engineering leadership**, **solutions architecture**, or **business development**. + - Exposure to a wide range of technologies gives you **versatility** and keeps you adaptable to market changes. + - Leadership roles available, with opportunities to **manage teams** or **move up in sales** or **technical consulting**. + - Financial incentives, such as bonuses and commissions, increase earning potential over time. + +### **4. People Interaction** + - **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA**: + - Primarily internal interactions with **colleagues and vendors**. + - Focus is on **team collaboration**, with less client-facing pressure. + - Minimal need for client relationship management, making it a **technically focused role**. + + - **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer**: + - High level of **client interaction**, including **pre-sales consulting**. + - You’ll need to **manage relationships**, explain technical solutions, and align business and technical needs. + - Requires strong social skills, and the ability to **deal with challenging clients** is essential. + +### **5. Work Variety** + - **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA**: + - Work is **predictable** and focused on **Cisco Nexus and data centers**. + - It offers depth, but less variety in terms of technologies and industries. + - If you enjoy **specialization** and consistency, this will be a positive aspect. + + - **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer**: + - Offers **more variety** as you’ll work across different **clients, industries, and technologies**. + - You’ll constantly be adapting to new problems, challenges, and solutions. + - If you enjoy **dynamic work environments** and **new challenges**, this will keep things engaging. + +### **6. Technical vs. Business Focus** + - **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA**: + - Heavily **technical**, focused on **Nexus architecture**, automation, and network optimization. + - You’ll remain deeply involved in technical work, and there’s less business strategy required. + + - **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer**: + - Blends technical work with **business strategy**, sales, and client management. + - You’ll need to understand both the technical and business side of problems, providing more variety but potentially less deep technical engagement over time. + +### **7. Financial Compensation and Stability** + - **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA**: + - Public sector compensation is solid but **capped** with fewer variables. **Base salary** is the primary form of compensation. + - Strong benefits, such as **pensions** and excellent **work-life balance**. + - **Long-term financial stability** is high, but there’s less potential for rapid income growth. + + - **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer**: + - Private sector compensation is **higher**, with potential bonuses and **commissions** that add to the base salary. + - Financial rewards are tied to performance, offering a **higher ceiling** but with more pressure. + - **Fast-paced growth** could lead to **higher financial rewards** in the long run. + +### **8. Enjoyment Factors (Based on Your Preferences)** + - **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA**: + - You value **stability, technical depth**, and predictability, which aligns well with this role. + - You’ll have opportunities to mentor and lead from a technical standpoint, without the need for high client management. + - If you enjoy solving **deep technical challenges** without constant external pressure, this role will be fulfilling. + + - **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer**: + - Offers more **dynamic challenges** and keeps things **interesting** with client work and variety in technologies. + - If you enjoy the **social aspect** of work, building **client relationships**, and **balancing technical solutions with business needs**, this will keep you engaged. + - You may find the **pace and variety** exciting, but there’s a higher likelihood of pressure from client deadlines and expectations. + +--- + +### **Final Recommendation Based on Sanity Check** + +### **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA** +- This role aligns more closely with your desire for **technical depth**, **stability**, and **long-term security**. You’ll be able to focus on becoming an expert in a critical technology while collaborating with a team of **colleagues and vendors** without the stress of constant client interactions. The work is **predictable**, giving you a solid **work-life balance**. You’ll have a **stable growth path**, even if it's slower, and there’s a sense of purpose working on **mission-critical infrastructure**. + +### **Why Choose This Role**: +- You **value technical work** and the chance to focus on **mastering a specific technology**. +- You enjoy **structured environments** and prefer having clear, predictable responsibilities. +- You find fulfillment in **collaborating with internal teams** and leading from a technical perspective. +- **Stability** and **long-term job security** are important, and the public sector provides these benefits with minimal external pressure. + +### **WWT Consulting Systems Engineer** +- This role offers a **faster-paced, more dynamic environment** with a blend of **technical and business responsibilities**. You’ll enjoy **client interaction**, solving diverse problems, and working with cutting-edge technologies. However, this role also comes with **sales pressure** and the challenge of **managing client expectations**, which could introduce stress. The **variety** and **faster career growth** are positives, but if you prefer **predictability and deeper technical work**, this role might stretch you in ways that don’t align with your core strengths. + +### **Why Not This Role**: +- Although you enjoy working with people, the constant **client interaction** and potential for high-pressure situations may detract from your overall enjoyment. +- The **variety** might be exciting at first but could lead to less focus on deep technical work, which you value. +- The **sales aspect** and need to balance business with technology could become more demanding than fulfilling over time. + +--- + +### **Final Conclusion**: Based on everything we’ve discussed, I recommend the **Cisco Nexus Architect at DIA** as the best choice for you. It aligns with your core values of **technical depth**, **stability**, and **a structured work environment** while still offering opportunities for growth and meaningful collaboration with colleagues. You’ll enjoy long-term career satisfaction with less of the pressures that come with a client-facing role. \ No newline at end of file