1. When you first get to work what is your number one priority?
Check on our Server - check the status of the backups, the event logs, the Exchange Queues, the virus logs and disk space.
2. Is your family time affected by your job at all?
Not really. I'm in work at 7.30am but unless something goes badly wrong I'm home for 5pm, we're not a 24/7 organisation. I don't work weekends, unless there's a major job going (like a new server).
3. What are many of the problems you face on a day - to - day basis?
Dealing with users (helping them use applications), user's lack of knowledge (although rather preferable to those who know little and think they know everything)
4. Do you find yourself learning new information?
Yes, quite frequently, we look after other little charities so I can be called out to look at a whole manner of different equipment which may be unknown to me.
5. Do you ever find yourself bored at work?
Not really. I inheritied an undocumented network, so I'm working on putting the documentation into place now during quiet periods. It's not exciting but it's important.
6. What are the most common tasks you have to complete.
Setting up new users, recovering users data from the backup after they've accidently deleted the document. Troubleshooting and lately purchasing & setting up new equipment.
7. What questions are asked to you generally?
"How do I..."
8. Do you find yourself working on the same problems over and over?
Only occasionally. Some of the older PCs cause regular problems, but they're coming up for replacement next year, so that's not too bad.
9. Do you perform "work" outside of your job scope.
Yes.
10. Can employee ignorance be a problem in the workplace.
Yes, up to a point. There's some users who know very little and are grateful and pleased when a problem is resolved and they work hard to make sure the problem doesn?t re-occur (if the problem was a user error). Others know they know very little and rejoice in it "I know nothing about this computer crap". I find the more dangerous ones are the ones that think they know loads and they can't wait to try out stuff they've heard "from a chap down the pub" and are utterly amazed when it goes wrong, but then goes on the defensive and says they didn't do anything and how sh** the computers are. We run informal training sessions for staff around Phising emails etc. We also have a staff member who constantly makes typos in email addresses - when they bounce back she blames the mail server. I've tried explaining the problem and showed her how to enter the (correct) email address into "Contacts" but to no avail.
11. Would you say your pay represents the amount of you "work" you have to complete.
No, I work in the voluntary sector so there's no mega salaries here.
12. Is your job at any times too stressful?
Only when our aging server plays up and I've got staff knocking on my door asking a) is there a problem as their email isn't working or b) when will it be fixed as they need to send an important email at 12noon. It's stressful enough trying to sort out server problems without staff asking every five seconds when it will all be working again.
13. Looking back, would you choose another computer related profession?
No, I like my job.
