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What do I call myself?

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by mattwilson247

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As I look through the job listing Web sites, I see many job titles and I'm not sure what I should call myself. I have many skills. I can design, build, and maintain local area networks. I can install and administer Windows 2000 Server. I can provide desktop/laptop support for end users. I was able to conduct a T1 installation where I currently work so I have some knowledge of routers and DNS working with a LAN (is that called Internetworking?). I can build PCs from scratch, repair and upgrade PCs, and install and manage software. I did this IT-related type of work for 2 years then I switched to Web Design/Development for 3 years. Now I'm back to IT-related work since March of this year. All of this seems to fall under IT, but do Icall myself a Network Administrator, Help Desk Tech, Systems Engineer, Network Engineer, Network Analyst, Systems Administrator, Systems Analyst, LAN Installation Technician, PC Specialist, Network Installation Specialist, etc, etc. Help!

-Matt

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by nkqx57a

You are what are known as ?A Jack??Jack-Of-All-Trades, the master at none. However, seriously, what is it that you like to do? Then find a job description that closely matches those associated tasks.

by ebob

Seriously: if you work for an "end user" organisation, ask yourself "what services exist for the people why are paying me, as a result of my VARIOUS activities?" The come up with a title as a result of that query.

This will help you in your future career growth. When you move employers (yes, it will happen), your current "title" will suggest to your new potential employer that you work in a "customer focus".

I can't tell you how irritating it is when a prospective employee comes in for an interview and all (s)he can talk about is "bits and bytes". What matters is: month end runs flawlessly, the network is transparent, there have been no security violations, mobile users can access their client/server applications, and so on.

by timmitchell

.....you're just a computer geek!

Seriously, I'm with you. My current job has me doing 50% desktop support, 25% network administration, 25% consulting/testing/planning. I am trained and experienced in everything from hardware repair to buildinga multi-site WAN from the ground up. I work in a small organization, so I see a variety of issues every day.

For those reasons, I call myself a 'systems administrator'. It's an easy catch-all title, and neither embellishes nor demeans what I do.

by kima

Don't get down by some responses here...
I'm in the same situation as you are, a little different because I have experience beyond the Computer Field...

Honestly I don't know what type of title you should get or even myself. I work with many Non-Profit Organizations and my skills varied from Management,Accounting, Networking & Business Administration..

I recently decided that I enjoy everything I do, so I became an independant consultant. I offer all the jobs that I have, and still my own boss... Give it a try, start with Non-Profit Organizations and Small Organizations, charge hald to Non-Profit organizations and used them as reference for future jobs..

I divided my work load per day.. Mon-Wed I'm available for consulting, Thu-Fri I do accounting (AR/AP,Payroll) & prepare reports for Private & Gov't organizations that are funding the Non-Profit Org..

Sat is my work study, I'm training myself in Macromedia Dreamweaver & Flash and designing my future website..

Keep accounting of my own work at home.. Put it this way, in two hours at non-profit orgs just fixing their network and recovering data I made $80.00, that's only a special rate for non-profit.

The only problem will be that you have to pay your own taxes and make sure you count for all the expenses you used to build your business... Simple, but it requires patience,good recommendations & excellent organizational skills... If you have all this I sujest you go for it. You can charge up to $300 dollars for designing logos, or up to $500 per web site you design, $60.00/hr for any technical job, etc...

by nicknielsen

Whatever you choose, give the final appelation some thought.

1. Technicians make the least but do the most;
2. Engineers make a little more for doing a little less; and
3. Administrators make the most for doing the least!

Seriously though, you convey both your knowledge and your self-confidence levels by your choice of nouns and by the jobs you seek.

The question is: What do you want to do? With your fairly broad knowledge, you can probably come fairly close to matching a good number of skillsets. The only problem I see is that less perceptive employers will see you as "overqualified" due to your broad experience base.

Best of luck

Nick Nielsen

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