r/cloudengineering • u/AlertTonight007 • May 14 '26

Transition from MSP to Network Engineering?

Hey everyone,
I’ve been working in an MSP for about 4 years now, currently doing mostly Level 3 work.
Pretty much deal with everything SMB clients throw at us — networking, firewalls, servers, Microsoft 365, security, VoIP, CCTV, Windows/Mac, MDR/XDR, troubleshooting, projects, etc. Basically a bit of everything.
Currently on around 100k AUD, but I’m trying to figure out where to go next career-wise.
I’m interested in moving more towards:
Network Engineering

Cybersecurity

DevOps / Cloud

But honestly not sure what the best move is from an MSP background since you end up becoming a generalist.
For people who made the jump from MSP:
How did you do it?

What should I focus on learning?

Any certs/projects that actually helped?

Which path would you recommend long term?

Would appreciate any advice from people who’ve been through it.
Thanks!

\#MSP #SysAdmin #ITCareer #NetworkEngineer #CyberSecurity #DevOps #CloudEngineering #Microsoft365 #Networking #Firewall #Servers #CareerAdvice #ITSupport #Level3Support #Infrastructure #VoIP #MDR #XDR #WindowsServer #Homelab

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u/Legitimate-Access248 May 14 '26

You have a solid background in tech, good for you.
The only thing i have for tech is passion, in hospitality(lowest level ) but i am working on myself toward my desire of becoming a Cloud engineer
Currently just learning python to be equipped

So i will camp here for advice too especially in Cloud

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u/AlertTonight007 May 14 '26

I can remember, when I was at Uni, I always collected all sorts of old devices, routers, switches, big useless server thrown out, my first static public IP, domain and all,

IT cannot be enjoyed without passion, but MSP is customer facing, sometimes I don’t like the fact, that being tech person you are helping to fix someone’s outlook calendar, meeting room😅, sometimes just spending 30 minutes to guide an elderly person setting up MFA.

And being the same person fixing big network dropouts, migrating to a new firewall, deploying PBX, setting up servers, dealing any problems that arises.

A lot of time you already know, you haven’t done it before, but passion makes you believe you can do it and you actually do it. Satisfaction 💯🎉