It’s safe to assume that if a website dedicated to showcasing skills / a portfolio for someone seeking a job becomes inactive for a long time, that person has probably found a job.
In this case, you’d be right! I was hired by a tech company for an on-site position in a small town in Illinois! It’s been quite the whirlwind, and a lot of new skills to hone!
Here’s the top ten things I do each week, just off the top of my head here on a Saturday morning:
- Distribute equipment + update inventory asset manager
- Active Directory (passwords, create/disable users)
- Office 365 admin (O-365 + Exchange)
- Ensure all machines receive security patches, antivirus updates, and are regularly connected with the domain
- Work with vendors (renewals, problems, etc)
- Conduct IT security awareness training
- Work with HR for asset collection for new hires, terminations, and resignations
- Work with users to solve their problems
- Organize/streamline organizations server rooms
- Perform weekly backups
I was hired to be the Help Desk Admin and Systems Administrator Assistant, but shortly after I joined the company, the Systems Administrator quit, leaving me in charge after only 2-3 weeks with the company. To his credit, he gave me the crash course, and I have been, after some initial difficulty, able to settle into the role.
Effectively, I became the Systems Administrator overseeing a few hundred people and two offices with only a few weeks’ work experience.
That being said – I don’t have the full keys to the kingdom – my manager is in India (along with most of the company), and he’s given me access to most things, but not all things. I’m not FULLY in charge.
They have been searching for a replacement sysadmin, but it’s been nearly two months, and I’m thinking of applying for the job myself. I’m already doing two people’s jobs on one person’s salary (NOT a high one), and with only a few months’ experience at this point. I feel that I’ve proved myself as being someone who’s coachable, willing to put himself in new situations, and not afraid to ask questions.
How am I feeling about it? Not bad!
Is it perfect? No? Overworked? Yeah.
But the people and the company? I’m a fan! I like what they do, and I think what they’re doing is necessary and important! It’s great to have an American company that’s focused on engineering, automation, and hardware + software development all at the time!
They’re a growing company that I believe is doing its best to learn and make good-faith efforts to help its workers, and that’s what I’m happy with. Despite being overworked, in my opinion, I feel supported and valued by management and most of the users. I get to learn and help people, and I am in turn supported by the company.
All in all, despite what may have seemed like a negative series of comments/tone, I’m fairly content with it overall!
The transition into IT is complete, and that feels good to say. It’s strange to think that my teaching career is over, but here we are! I’m officially “The IT guy” !
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