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by backr

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I am the entire IT department at the place that I work. On some days, I am the CIO; on others, the help desk. I administer the databases, the accounting software,email, and the network.

Realistically,I am one of those jack of all trades and master of none kinda guys. This suits our company well, until the time comes where we get a lot bigger or I get run over by a bus.

My only beef is that I have a stupid title. I have been hinting around that I want a better one, but I am really at a loss as to what to suggest. Any suggestions??

Thanks,
Bob

63 replies

by why me worry?

or something silly like that. Also, I would refrain from calling yourself a CIO unless you have true management experience and schooling from an accredited MBA school.

by backr

My title is Systems Advisor which to me sounds like some kind of technical psychic.

I have over thirty years of experience in the business we are in and considerable management experience, but I know I'm no CIO. At the same time, titles convey something when you are dealing with vendors and such. I can hold my own when we get to talking, but I always get the sense that my title doesn't convey a lot of credibility.

by kkopp

At least you're not introduced as "my IT guy" or "my Computer Guy", as if you were a pet or something.

I am the IT department for my company and we've been having some pretty high level business meetings in our office (lots of execs, accountants and consultants). When someone needs something from me, I'm "the IT guy" or "the computer guy". I get treated by some of these execs as if I was a piece of walking carpet or someone else's pet (hint: its not the way I dress).

Maybe its because I'm not wearing a $1000 suit, which would be a waste since I'm routinely fixing the computers in our call center.

OK, I'll just go back to my closet now...

by rodolfo

probably you have a budget for those tasks, if true authomatically you are the ITC manager.
If not, ask for a budget.

by lbinder

The importance of a title is how outsiders use it to judge what you do.
"CxO" titles imply that you fill an executive funtion, e.g. set corporate strategic objectives 3-5 years into the future.
Check out the U.S. Dept. of Labor definition of an MIS Director at
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos258.htm

by 2rs

Mr/Ms LBinder:
Thank you! This is my title, which I feel is really too much. I didn't realize I could find the def @ Dept of Labor! I am also the entire IT department, & think that "IT Support Specialist" is a good title.

by why me worry?

unofficially given to IT folks who do it all, such as servers, desktops, OS, routers, phones, electrical, etc. If you ask me, the "Jack of all trades" is a master of none and doesn't know Jack Shiit, which describes most IT executives I have come across.

by thumbsup2

My job is much the same as yours, including all of those "other" jobs that get assigned to us because there's nobody else that knows how to do it or willing to learn. They call me an Information Systems Specialist which covers Help Desk, Network Administrator, PC Repair Technician, Administrative Assistant and even, on occation, Telecommunications (phone) Specialist. I guess we're just lucky that we know a little about a lot of different types of things, or at least know where to look to get the answers.

by michael.hooper

I consider my work a means to obtain money by which I can live comfortably and provide for my family. Whether I'm called the "Computer Guy" the "IT Guy" or "dammit the dog" is irrelevant to me as long as they have my name spelled correctly on the paycheck.

BTW my title officially is Network Administrator....although i also do telcom, some help desk, dbase, etc, etc

by 2rs

in most cases, the amount of the paycheck depends upon the title.

by reb413

Try for at least MIS Manager. Same thing I was doing a few years back and the title fit for the small organization for which I worked.

by chriz-tian

Well, almost all of us have a job that was chosen because we like technology and computer. So why not let those title to people having such boring, "choose by the parent" jobs.

by rdenhollander

In most companies people do more than 1 thing. ie if somebody is having a day of, the next higher one in function should be able to do that job on that day. I think you should have the title for the highest job you do in the company. (It never hurts if you want to apply for another job with another company.)
I think it's not an argument to have a "lower" title just because we like technology and others don't.

by jcdshs

No joke.
The govt institution where I work I am "the it guy". One day we had a visit from someone off site who is higher up the food chain who referred to me as a screwdriver monkey, in front of my immediate boss. Boss put the guy straight in no uncertain terms, adding -this is my Network Manager :-)
And now that's my official title.

by rpost

There are an abundance of titles and many of them quite strange as we have seen. And, government seems to have the strangest of all. However, this mucky-muck from above showed an incredible degree of insensitivity as well as snobbery with that put down title. Glad your boss set him straight.

by 2rs

Good for you! Some of the non-techices that I support realize my abilaties and refer to me as The Computer Goddess, which I realy like, but I still don't get paid enough!

by capnpauly

Since you handle the 'help desk', the network, and the databases (and I'd guess the hardware/desktops/server?), I'd just go with 'System Administrator' (or 'Systems Administrator').

by Member 33682032

That is my official title here and I do most if of the same stuff you do. Server, Workstations, alarm, phones, printers, ect. I do get called "The computer guy" or even "IT" but it't not an issue with me, it just depends who you are with at the time.

by thomas.faria

I am in agreement with the 2 previous posts. I am the sole IT guy for 75 people and I get called everything in the book. Management introduces me as "the IT guy", but my offical title is Systems Administrator.

by stephenmoriarty

That was the title I used which was great for free mailings in the industry(magazines emails ect). It did descriibe everything that I did for the company.

by mlerner123

I too manage everything that has to do with our 200+ computers, along with 1 other person. I refer to myself, when speaking to outside people, as the "Manager of the Computer Dept". Sometimes I'll call myself the Systems Administrator. I'll correct people when they call me The Computer Technician, since I'm much more that that. But most of the people at work just call me "The Computer Guy".

-Michael

by tjhoffy

Same goes with me - Helpdesk, Desktop Support, Database - Network - Software administrator, AS400 administrator and Lotus Notes mail administrator & developer. Recently my title was established as Computer Engineer and being the jack of all trades with my company , more work is being brought to the MIS/IT Department and there is no sign of hiring contractors or permanent personnel !!

by why me worry?

Just today, I get an unsolicited email from another IT recruiter that somehow came across my resume posted 2 years ago online. Anyhow, some hedge fund company is seeking a "Jack of all trades" to be responsible for servers, Windows, AD, Exchange, SQL, SMS, and on top of all that, Cisco routers. They want an MCSE, MCDBA, CCNA candidate all rolled into one. As I expected, the pay they are offering sucks and they are don't want H1-B visa candidates. You'd think that such cheap bastards as them would be looking for H1-Bs', because no American I know with all these skills would work for anything less a six figure salary in the high $150K range, especially in NYC. They'll be lucky if they do find a candidate, and if they do indeed, that person will be burned out, overworked, and underpaid out of stupidity for taking such a job. Nobody can do it all, because one has to specialize in something and stick with it. If one tries to be an expert in everything, that person will end up not being an expert in anything.

by swilk

I'm in a similar boat, except I have a part-time assistant to help me out. My title is Computer Operations Coordinator. My assistant's title is Computer Operations Specialist. "technician" would probably be better than "specialist" for the assistant, but whatever... I think that "Computer Operations Coordinator" accurately sums up my job responsibilities.

Good luck getting your title changed and I hope it garnishes you the additional respect you are hoping for!

by blakmoon

I feel you KKopp on the "Computer Guy" introductions. I also am the "1-stop IT shop" for a small retailer and am always referred to as "my Computer Guy" when introduced to visiting "dignitaries". And it's always in a tone of insgnificance but that doesnt bother me as bad as always justifying that the importance of what we "computer guys" do is what gives them the ability to do their jobs with a high level of productivity. But thats the flip side of dealing with a non-technical audience.

In any case to give my opinion on a title that pretty much describes us "jacks of all trades..." is "IT Support Specialist"....thats what I use...looks better on a resume than "Computer Guy" ;-)

by vfarelli

God - Good luck with that one.

Regional IT Director
Systems Administration Officer or Manager
IT Manager
CIS Officer/Manager/Admin your choice

Best of luck with picking a title.

V

by will.conner

I am also in the same position as many of you. The lone solo "IT guy" in the entire company. What I don't understand is how the owners of these businesses can put so much responsiblity onto one person and just hope nothing goes wrong.

We're all human and any one of us could kick over tomorrow then they would be up the river.

Personally I use Director of Information Technology since I feel like a traffic cop many of my days. I try to keep IT going in the right direction as much as possible. And all the responsibilities are the same. E-mail, databases, telephones, servers, backups, etc. Never seems to be enough of me to go around.

Good luck with getting your title changed.

by rpost

And I thought I was the only IT department of one. This company (a non-profit) isn't big on titles and, besides, none of us do a single job. I manage all IT functions, assist in Quality Assurance and monitor inventory. Plus virtually anything that runs on electricity (phone system, cell phones, security cameras, etc.). In the past, I have been "Corporate Operations Manager," "IT Manager," "IT Director," and a "Systems Administrator" to name a few. Here, they asked what title I wanted and since I have a recently minted MBA, I thought CIO had a nice ring to it. Seriously, most times I am the "IT Guy" or "our computer guy" and that suits me just fine.

by bflood

I'm an entire IT dept as well. My title is Vice President of IT even though I preform tasks that are well below that title. But since I'm the only "computer guy" in the company and I report to the CEO, that's the title he gave me. Before that it was Systems Administrator which I still use most of the time

by why me worry?

I have come to the sad realization when I accidentally stumbled upon an H1-B visa renewal application in my manager's office, who happens to be Indian. I think he got this title because the CTO is also Indian and for no other reason. American's have a hard time getting such titles, and this foreign fool who isn't even a U.S. citizen runs around calling himself a VP of IT infrastructure?

Hey kids, can you say "figurehead" with a false title?

by mlerner123

Hi all,
I forgot to mention in my previous post - years ago, whenever I filled out an online form in order to get a free subscription to a (paper or online) newsletter, demo software, t-shirt, or Microsoft Evaluation Software for Education, I used to write my title as "Chief Techie Dude" or sometimes even "Head Geek". Since no human really looked at it, it was OK and I still got what I ordered. I discovered that my name and creative title found its way into various mailing lists, as I often get (print) mail from various other companies peddling their wares (tech magazine subscriptions, certification training kits etc.).
Hey Tech Republic - how can I change my TR profile to "Chief Techie Dude"?
-Michael

by tenagra71

I've seen a few good titles in here. Perhaps you can choose two or three of the main titles that apply most to you. If you have to, take the top ten valid entries here or from other sources which represent the primary tasks performed in your daily duties. Rank them from most important to least - even though they are all important - make the effort to rank them.

Then select the top 4 combine them in to two titles and print two sets of business cards. You create the two titles, since you are basically the "CIO". Then depending on which audience you are meeting with - executives and non-techies OR a bunch of bit heads and gurus - and hand out the appropriate business card when meeting with them. Introduce this idea to your boss and get him/her on board using the appropriate business jargon. Putting the best technical foot forward to those you meet and those your boss throws at you, only makes you - and your boss and company - look better. Try "Principal Infrastructure Analyst", "Director - Business System Applications" or even "Senior Systems Engineer". Hope this helps a bit.

by why me worry?

agency for the state of NY. If anyone asked me what I did, I told them I was a network administrator. The agency came up with this fancy shmancy name because I was the only one who knew how to package desktop applications into MSI and ZAP packages and deploy them to the desktops, so I was the "distributed applications specialist". I also knew how to repair high end servers, so I was also dubbed the server doctor.

by finite_sa

Im in the same boat, but as far as vendors go I'm I.T.

My personal title is the IT Band-Aid as I can never seem to get enough time to truly "fix" all the issues that come up. Just gotta keep em rolling.

by natalie

I like that - especially as 'the IT guy' may not be a guy!

I do similar tasks and my title is Systems Manager.

by cballinger

Actually, depending on the size of your company if you have the respect of your boss, and the appreciation of your users, count your blessing and don't worry about your title. Just lists your accomplishments should you need to move on, if and when your next job pops up. A title might get you in the door, but a title doesn't get the job done.

by lost in cq

I'm in the same boat (how do you bus proof the only IT guy in the building) but I wonder whether we really reflect our roles? Given we also cover printers, phones, PABX's, shredders, office moves, changing lightbulbs, refilling water features, ordering replacement fridges, aren't we just the only staff that AREN't afraid of the big bad world of Technology in General?

So I would go for a title that reflects that attitude, and go for Technology Co-ordinator (TC) or something similar. (BTW, if I am over 40, can I be a SENIOR Technology Co-ordinator (STC)?) What about Technology Infrastructure Manager (TIM)or Senior TIM or Senor TIM?

Certainly when I do my end-of -year tax return, I just use IT Manager, 'cause the Accountant doesn't have any other options to select!

by daytech

Information Systems Manager. I get asked to work on anything that plugs into a wall (and I love it). Sometimes it gets a bit hectic but the days fly by and I am appreciated (for the most part).

Good luck and enjoy!

by terry_angie

This will probably sound stupid, but it makes sense to me. I was also the IT Department, but my title was Network Admin, but I did programming, hardware, software, ERP software, payroll software, the entire network with our 200 computers. The guy before me (I'm a woman) was the IT manager and the current guy after me is the IT manager, but I didn't get the title nor the pay.....hint hint....me being woman. I think it just depends on your company. I would think you would be the IT manager.

by ms. spock

I prefer the title of IT Guru. Since it doesn't make any
difference to my bosses anyway. At my review they said I just
do this stuff because I like to do it not because it really is my
job-so they don't have to pay me for the tech stuff I do... So,
IT Guru it is!

by as400doofus

In reality, my advice is to look at the titles of other people in your company and pick one that is appropriate to your level of responsibility. When I started at this company, most "responsible" people were managers (even if they didn't manage anyone). After a few changes in management, we now have vice-presidents, directors, and supervisors.

As far as the department part of the title, I've worked in programming, MIS, IS, and IT. I personally like the IT one. It fits what we do here.

by buddy

I also am the sole IT person and my official title is Technical Systems Administrator. I do the network management, software management, purchasing, help desk, computer/server setup, staff training, web page, telecommunications and anything else related to technology.

by why me worry?

What in the flying f**k is a technologist according to these pompous asses who come up with these names for job titles?

My mom uses a toaster and a TV, which are both examples of electronic technology. Does that make her a "technologist" as well?

by tig2

And your employer doesn't care.

What do you do and how does it align to your goals. There is your job title.

Don't waste a single second more on this. It really doesn't matter. You knows what you do and what you are capable of doing.

by dukhalion

Everytime You introduce Yourself to someone new it matters a whole deal. You will get very different treatment if You introduce Yourself as John/Jane Doe or as an IT-Excecutive or even Supreme Commander. The first one will hardly lift an eyebrow, the second will have everyone stand at attention ready to serve You, and the third one will have everyone laugh at You.

So, choose Your title carefully.

by rpost

Bestowing the title of Computer Goddess/God may not be such a bad thing . . . it may even be well deserved. While your real title may mean something special to HR, vendors, etc. those "honorary" titles reflect the opinion of those we daily serve. Of course there are those other (not so) honorary titles . . .

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