Soulfish Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Hi Everyone, I've been lurking around for a while and recently applied for a Network manager position. I've just found out that I've got the job so I'm over the moon Thanks to you all for the great advice and tips that I've found scattered throughout the forum - it was a great help while I was preparing for my interviews. I'm hopefully going to be starting in a couple of weeks, so does anyone have any tips for those first few days? I know the school pretty well (I was a student there!), so I'm hoping it shouldn't be too bad! John
jamesb Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Firstly, congratulations. Secondly my first tip is to set aside a few days to work through documentation on the school network, which is probably non-existent. If it is non-existent, use those days to have a look through how the whole thing is set up and structured, and take as many notes as you can on it all. They'll come in invaluable later on.
kmount Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Congrats John, well done I agree with James there, the best thing initially is to get stuck into the docs and see how the whole process works without you getting involved directly. Watch the people there, talk to them, and be more of an "observer" for a few days, see how it goes. Congrats once again!
Sylv3r Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Are you having a handover period with the existing network manager / technician. If only for a couple of days this will be useful. Going into a brand new school blind - will mean you have a lot of fire fighting in the first few months especially if you need all passwords / network maps etc.
IanT Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 I went into my school blind with no hand over, took a while to see what was what and where.
FN-GM Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Well done. Going to be a few years for me but i can't wait until that day.
tmcd35 Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 As with Ian, apart from a 5 minute phone call with the previous guy, I came in blind. I spent the first half term firefighting, looking in cupboards, following network cables and generally learning how everything worked. Only now, two months later, am I starting to plan changes and upgrades. The best advise I can give is don't be a stranger. These forums hold a wealth of information, knowledge and expertise that make doing this job so much easier.
Soulfish Posted February 10, 2009 Author Posted February 10, 2009 Well Done, where is your new job Ian;) It's a Secondary School in Bexhill, East Sussex I was very lucky - I also got offered the network manager position at another school at virtually the same time. Since I've been looking for 4 months it was quite a shock to finally get offered not one but two jobs! I've been told that the existing network manager should be around for a few weeks, so hopefully I won't be going in totally blind!
somabc Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) Welcome to your new job, hope you have a wonderful first day We are so happy to have you join the team, you are so lucky on your first day Lucky lucky lucky on your first day [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdC9UT3ePQU]YouTube - The Futureheads - First Day[/ame] Edited February 10, 2009 by somabc
IanT Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 haha, I saw that job advetised on the net a few weeks bk, i was gonna apply but it was too far of a drive for me plus the money isnt paying enough. May I ask how old you are Ian
CyberNerd Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 It's a Secondary School in Bexhill, East Sussex Bexhill High by any chance? I thought they had just started building the new BSF school. Make sure you get a permanent contract !
rh91uk Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) and Congratulations I'm sure we'll work really well together! Welcome to the team. Edited February 10, 2009 by rh91uk
Soulfish Posted February 10, 2009 Author Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) Bexhill High by any chance? I thought they had just started building the new BSF school. Make sure you get a permanent contract ! so hopefully BSF won't be along for a while Edited November 13, 2013 by Soulfish
EduTech Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 Congratulations good luck on your first day. * i take it you just found someone who you will be working with? i.e. Richard
vikpaw Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 CONGRATS As with others i'd say watch 'them' do it all and take notes, but later on, you do it and make them watch you, as there are always little foibles that you'll miss until you do it yourself.
IanT Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 (edited) so hopefully BSF won't be along for a while /quote] Im 23 also!! welcome to the young Network Managers club! Edited November 13, 2013 by Soulfish
localzuk Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 I started this job here when I was 22 and had a month or so transition period with the predecessor. It was invaluable really, as every network has its own foibles and the like. So, I'd recommend spending the first few weeks just reading and watching. Then, you can start doing things and changing things to the ways you're used to (without upsetting others of course).
ninjabeaver Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 WAHAY! Grats on the new job. Don't lurk here, become involved. I will say not to make any changes to the network for the first 3 months at least until you are sure of all the ins and outs. Use your tech colleagues at the school. Take them out for fish and chips and a natter away from the school for an hour to cement friendships / good working skills. Get the lowdown from them, but don't be afraid to ask for help and also don't be afraid to ask them to do jobs as you are there to manage them. Don't stress too much over any problems. If it's doing my noggin in then leave it to the next day. I usually sleep on it and then answer comes to me (weird but true). Be polite to all staff, even if they do stink at being polite back to you. You are equal to them in all respects and don't forget that. Main thing is to enjoy the job. I do this by brining new innovations to the school here.
Soulfish Posted February 11, 2009 Author Posted February 11, 2009 Thanks for all the tips everyone As a lot of you have suggested/mentioned, I'm planning on observing for a while and seeing how the current system works before starting to even think about improvements and changes. And don't worry about me lurking - I'm sure I'm going to be needing advice on lots of different things, so expect to hear more from me in the coming months!
penfold_99 Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Congrats on the new job, Oli must have moved on to pastures new. I have worked in Education IT before? Pop along to the Network Manager Forums East Sussex have they are always interesting for either content but more for the face to the name. Which other NM job did you go for?
Soulfish Posted February 12, 2009 Author Posted February 12, 2009 Congrats on the new job, Oli must have moved on to pastures new. Thanks . I believe that Oli is running a company now. I have worked in Education IT before? Pop along to the Network Manager Forums East Sussex have they are always interesting for either content but more for the face to the name. Which other NM job did you go for? First time working in Education IT! I've already had the Network Manager meetings mentioned to me, and should hopefully be going to the next one. Do you have any idea when it might be? The other job was Ratton in Eastbourne. John
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