Hi Marcy,

First of all, thanks for reading.

My advice is, try to setup a home lab. Nothing compared to it. I was lucky, the company that I started to work for, hired me as a 3rd shift support. At some points was good to me, and I explain it to you..

During 3rd I was working by myself or one of my coworkers,my bosses were sleeping and while I was working and I took advance of it. - Why? because since I was my own boss, when a circuit went down or any issue came in, I brought my own ideas and procedures how to approach the problem.

I mean, we had procedures, thing that you always have to follow and respect, but no all the networks issues were solvable with established procedures. Those steps helped me to become a better network support.

Mary, try at least to work with Cisco devices daily, invest in yourself reading and researching. Go out of your range, don't limit yourself. It helps on your resume at some point.

Focus on what's next for you. Either CCNP or other CCNA Security or Voice.

Wish you the best,
Oscar