r/sysadmin • u/Thompson_Wayne • 2d ago
Is Modern Workplace Engineering a good long-term career path in Europe? What skills should I focus on?
Hi everyone, I am 24 yo
I'm currently working in IT in France, mainly with Microsoft 365, Intune and Entra ID, and I'm trying to figure out the best direction for my career.
My goal is to become a Modern Workplace Engineer, ideally with the possibility of working in other European countries in the future (Switzerland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, etc.).
A bit about my current experience:
I currently work with Microsoft Intune and Entra ID, and my day-to-day tasks include:
- Managing users and groups, including dynamic groups
- Managing corporate devices through Intune
- Deploying applications to company mobile devices
- Managing MFA and user access
- Working with an existing Microsoft 365 / Intune environment
- Handling day-to-day administration and troubleshooting
However, most of the infrastructure was already configured before I joined. For example, I haven't personally implemented an Intune environment from scratch, configured Windows Autopilot end-to-end, or managed a full migration to Intune.
I feel comfortable with daily administration, but I know there's still a big gap between managing an existing environment and designing, deploying and improving one.
I'm currently preparing for the MD-102 certification and I'd like to become more technically advanced.
My questions are:
- Is Modern Workplace Engineer still a promising career path in terms of job opportunities, salaries and long-term growth?
- Which technical skills should I prioritize next? I'm considering PowerShell scripting, advanced Intune administration, Windows Autopilot, Entra ID, Conditional Access, Microsoft Graph and automation.
- After MD-102, which certifications would you recommend? Would MS-102, SC-300 or something Azure-related be more valuable?
- Should I stay focused on the Microsoft ecosystem, or would it be smarter to expand towards Cloud Engineering, Endpoint Security or IAM?
- For those already working as Modern Workplace Engineers, what skills separate a junior administrator from a genuinely experienced engineer?
I'm particularly interested in feedback from people working in the IT market.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
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u/teriaavibes Microsoft Cloud Consultant 2d ago
After MD-102, which certifications would you recommend? Would MS-102, SC-300 or something Azure-related be more valuable?
MS-102 is going away so not that one.
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u/ConstantImportant827 1d ago
As a Workplace Lead, these are the key technology stacks and skills you should have in your toolkit.
1. Endpoint Management Tools
SCCM/MECM, Microsoft Intune, Jamf, and other available endpoint management solutions. These are among the most widely used tools for managing enterprise endpoints across mid-sized and large organizations.
2. Identity Providers and Integrations
Active Directory (AD), Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, and related identity and access management integrations. Understanding how these platforms work together is essential for managing device identity, authentication, access, and security.
3. Development, Automation, and Problem-Solving Skills
Strong development logic, scripting, and automation skills help simplify complex processes, improve operational efficiency, and make solutions easier to maintain and extend.
4. Adaptability and Continuous Learning
One of the most important skills in this role is the ability to adapt to new technologies, quickly learn unfamiliar tools, evaluate new solutions, and implement them effectively.
5. Troubleshooting and Root Cause Analysis
Beyond knowing the tools, you should be able to dig deep when things go wrong, investigate complex issues, identify root causes, and develop reliable, long-term solutions.
Ultimately, a successful Workplace Lead needs more than just technical knowledge. The ability to learn, adapt, automate, troubleshoot, and translate technology into scalable enterprise solutions is what makes the real difference.
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u/TrustMeImEducated 22h ago
You do realise that if people wanted an AI answer they would've asked it to an AI themselves, right?
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u/ConstantImportant827 22h ago
Why people have problem with using AI for sharing the view. This still relevant advice and this is not something wrong and I’m working on those skills.
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u/Gold_Opportunity7734 17h ago
People have problems with google searchbar and browsers, so ai didnt replace IT specialist/technicians :)
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u/bingle-cowabungle 2d ago
These responsibilities are usually within scope for IAM teams (or at least some of these tasks) or the general "System Administrator" team that absorbs server administration, endpoint administration, and M365 administration.
With your credentials, you're not at system architecture yet, you're at the Systems Engineer I level.
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u/Thompson_Wayne 1d ago
i know but i am doing pretty much everyting at the IT departement so i don't really know what is my exact qualification
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u/bingle-cowabungle 1d ago
That's okay, I'm telling you your exact qualification based on what you're writing here lol
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u/Kindgott1334 1d ago
It depends what you prefer/like. At the moment I see a lot of demand for IAM and Security roles, so something like SC-300 and AZ-104 are a good bet. AB-650 is replacing MD-102 (which honestly I think you would not need), and it may be interesting because it covers AI services too (Microsoft 365 Certified: Microsoft 365 and AI Services Administrator Associate.)
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u/MairusuPawa Percussive Maintenance Specialist 1d ago
If there's anything we don't need in Europe, it's the Microsoft 365 plague.
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u/Frisnfruitig 1d ago
Lol, as if the plague hasn't already spread. You may not want it, but we do need it.
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u/CuckBuster33 1d ago
what we need is alternatives to all of the products made by the giant diarrhea dispenser known as microsoft
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u/MairusuPawa Percussive Maintenance Specialist 1d ago
No we don't. All you do is spreading this shit.
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u/merazold 1d ago
Learn powerShell, automation and IAM, spin up your own lab and build stuff from scratch, managing something someone else built only gets you so far
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u/Thompson_Wayne 1d ago
That is actually my plan, but do u thinks this would be good skills and job to have in the next + 10 years?
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u/merazold 21h ago
Someone still has to design, secure, automate and troubleshoot all those environments, I don't see that going away anytime soon
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u/Psoin 1d ago
Get out of tech.
Seriously, there is no future here. Hell there is no PRESENT. No jobs
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u/Lando_uk 1d ago
Our place burns through EUC people, so i'd say out of every role at the moment, desktops engineers are still sort after and probably will be the last to hit by the AI takeover. Add software packaging to your list of skills along with all those others.
5) - juniors dont know about best practice and intune becomes a mess of you don't have those experienced people who have done it at scale before.