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Defining an IT techs Position

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by andwhy81 2 views

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This my first post here so be kind, anyways I work at a SMB and was hired as "the new IT guy" this is my first true corp experiance, although i have worked in various support/IT jobs for years now so i have the skills. Unfortunitly they really didn't have a true IT department before me (mostly outsourcing and my supervisor doesn't have any experience managing a IT department (he is the account supervisor). I'm running into issue with him that he doesn't understand a lot of what i do and i cant always figure out what they want me to do besides keep everything running smoothly. I don't think he understand what responsibilities an IT person should have especially since I'm am the only one in a 50+ user network with 3 servers and a VPN and wireless. Or maybe I have some preconceived notions on what an it person is and is not supposed to do. SO basicly what I'm asking is if anyone else is in a similar situationor can someone brefly define what He/She thinks a IT manger's(me) basic roles are.

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by highlander718

maybe it would've been better if you give some task examples that you think you shouldn't do, and your boss think you should.
Anyway, I'm pretty much in the same position (I understand you don't have direct reports, being the only "IT guy" there). My take is that in this particular situation anything more technical than powerbars and breakers is an IT thing :-). Eventually and idealy you still have some external maintenance contracts for things like printers or phone system or 3rd party applications(in which you don't neccesarely have the most detailed knowledge) but other than that ....

by andwhy81

Thats just it it seems everything that is even remotely related they(he) what me to do. Mostly it has to do with a custom MS-based program that is clitchy (suprise) Everytime something happenes im the goto guy an di have to end up clall tech support and we get charged then he is all over my butt about any charges that apply.. i keep telling them im not a programer, if i was i woulnt be working here.( well i dont say that exactly) ANother issue is they are so penny pinching that they cancelled the outsoureing that was being done so i have to really really need something if i want to call them, even about the system THEY set up. (srry ranting alittle). anyways im also think they/he thinks im the office/IT bitch because when something doesnt get reported right away he uses that fact that i came form a computer shop not making much to this place making a little more(well maybe more than a liitle but still under the average) and he acts like he did me a favor. This place doesnt even have a IT polices in place and they dont pay me enough to write them (i guess). anyways thanx for any feed back guys.

by amcol

You don't say what your prior experience was doing the "various support/IT jobs for years now" but if this is your first corporate job you need supervision and someone with organizational savvy to help you navigate, train you, watch your back, help set your priorities, work with you on your communication skills, etc. You have none of that and that'll come back to bite you in years to come. I don't often advise people that their first and most immediate move is to find a new job, but in your case I don't see you have a choice. You're spinning your wheels where you are now, and that means you're going nowhere fast.

by andwhy81

yea im realizing some this. But I"m kinda stuck. This city has a Tech drought right now. everyone wants a Degree in CS to get a decent job, I landed this one by luck (i repaired an employees computer).
I also think i was cheaper than anyon else. I am the main source of income for my family.. but i might starts talking to contacts i have made from here.

by amcol

You didn't get the job due to luck. You got the job because you networked. You may not have realized you were doing it, but you've discovered the single most effective technique by far for finding a job.

Now go do it again, only this time consciously. You say you're going to start with your contacts...perfect. Don't stop there. You'll be in something new before you know it.

Don't engage in self-defeating thought processes like "I'm kinda stuck" and "This city has a Tech drought right now.". And not all employers "want a Degree in CS to get a decent job". Show in concrete terms why you're the best person for the job and quantify how you'll add value to the company, value beyond compensation. Works every time. Best of luck.

by j.lupo

Amcol has already said it all. I will only add that you need to network as much as possible through different areas. Broaden your scope as wide as possible. For example, your church, volunteer organizations, fundraisers, and so on. Your skills could come in very handy to some of these things, and then who knows.

Someone recently gave me a good quote to remember about job hunting
"It is not who YOU know, but who knows YOU!"

Good Luck

by jkratzer

Most cities have networking groups you can join. They do not have to be tech geared groups to use for networking. I got my current position while geting my truck repaired. I was talking to one of the other people there and low and behold I got an interview the next day.

I also understand the IT Bitch position. I am at a company of 150 people 101 desktops, 20 servers, phone system and numerous custom apps, and am the IT department. If you manage your time appropriatly and communicate, as someone said earlier, you can make things happen and get management to understand your position.

When you communicate with them use plain language. If you tech up your explanation, you will loose there interest and there assistance.

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