u/blua95

Weirdest thing happened to me yesterday. I purchased a premium INE subscription and created an account at checkout. I was able to check out and start watching some videos without issue. Studied for a couple of hours, logged out, and called it a day.

Later that evening I tried signing into my account again but was met with username/pw errors. Tried resetting my pw but emails never came. Then I tried digging through any welcome emails and realized I never got any when I signed up. So I opened up my Work laptop (where I was still signed into INE), and confirmed my email/pw were correct. I reset my PW on there > it logged me out > and now I can't access the account again.

I've tried calling INE support and have gotten no responses and also tried emailing them but haven't heard anything back. Just wondering if they're normally this slow to respond or if there are other preferred methods of contacting them.

I'll be 31 years old in a couple of months, 11+ years of IT Support experience, about 6 years Networking experience. This is not me seeking early career advice, this is me seeking advice on how to transition to an Engineer role.

For the last year or so now I've been feeling stuck and not progressing/learning in my current role. I work for a power utility as a "network" analyst but for the last 4 years now I've mainly been doing Server patching, Basic Network equipment patching, and then NERC/CIP Compliance paperwork to prove all of our equipment is patched. Rinse and repeat monthly. On top of all this, I'm located in a small town where the quality of life sucks. Because of this, I want to switch roles and move to a bigger city elsewhere.

My issue is I get paid pretty well currently, and I'm also on a yearly career stair step program that guarantees pay bump raises until we get to the Senior Standard salary at the company - $105k this year, $111k next year, $115k after that, $122k and finally $144k. Meaning if I stay put and suffer, I'll be making $144k or more by 2030. Because of this, I've been looking for Job openings with Salaries that will compete with this ($110k+ starting salary). And came to a hard realization that Job openings in this Salary range are either very technical positions with years of experience I don't have, or Management positions.

One thing most of these roles ask for is Design/Engineering experience which I don't have. I have Net Admin experience through my CCNA and through my last couple of jobs, but I've never landed a role that allows me to "Engineer" networks.

My question is - If I study for my CCNP Encor/ENSLD, could this get me some design experience that Employers look for? Granted it's not going to get me 10+ years of designing that some roles look for. But I'm thinking it'll at least get me some phone calls back where I can argue I have 6+ years of networking experience, and now I can say I have design experience through the CCNP.

I'm a hands-on learner. I learn best when I pick a project to work on and then read books/watch videos while I work on said project. I can't just pick up a book, read about Linux, and then not apply it right away.

So if I want to teach myself Linux both for personal and professional use, what are some projects I can start or other small tasks I can work on to get my knowledge up? I have a laptop at home I can install Linux on, but what can I do to teach myself after it's installed?

Thanks!

I'm going to DIY a circular patio/fireplace area with some paver stones in the near future. Looking at some videos it looks like I need to dig down and establish a base with paver gravel, then paver sand, and then finally the pavers on top. Looking at Home depot / Menards they sell the base for a crazy expensive amount - so I want to call a local bulk yard and get some prices but I'm not sure what kind of gravel/sand to ask for. Do they have specific names or can I just ask for paver sand and paver gravel and hope they know what I'll be using it for?

For context, I just turned 30 this year and I currently work IT for my local public power utility. Got my A.A.S in Networking and have racked up 10 years of IT experience and now make $104k/yr base. My job has a progression program where every year we get a pay bump and title change, so within 4 years I'll get a promotion to Senior level and should be making around $130k base.

Working at my public utility I realized how much I loved Electricity, learning how it works and seeing how things get designed, so I want to try and go back to school (online) and transition from IT to EE in Public Power.

I know an EE degree isn't a walk in the park, but I feel stuck in my current role and I want to pursue EE as long as the end result would be worth it. With a wife and 2 kids, I'm curious if it would be worth it financially for me.

I guess my question to you guys is - How much do you guys make a year working in similar positions? If I graduate in 4 years, should I expect to be making more than the $130k I'll be making in 4 years if I stay in my current spot? If not, do you think I could surpass that salary with a couple years experience working in EE?

I signed up for Amex gold about 4 years ago now and I feel like the price of the card is outweighing the benefits I'm getting out of it; and my spending habits don't allow me to use the card perks to its maximum potential.

My spending habits are pretty much:

• Bills
• Groceries
• Weekend restaurant dining
• occasional (once a year or so) Hotel stays
• Rarely booking flights (Have had 3 flights in the last 6 years)

When we get hotels, we find the cheapest hotel online and book through the hotel site - so we don't even get rewards from booking through the AMEX travel app.

The dining credit they offer is probably 99% restaurants that aren't even in my area

We don't eat at Dunkin and we don't go on enough trips to take advantage of their car rental programs or trip insurances.

Essentially, the only time I use the (4x points) benefits on this card is when we go out to eat and when we buy groceries. Because of this I barely get enough points every year to pay for the card premium, and I'm not getting much benefit out of this card.

Would it be smart for me to cancel this card and replace it with another everyday spender?

If so, I'd be looking for recommendations an on everyday card I could sign up for. Essentially just something that can give me cash back on every day purchases.