New Job as an IT Technician!

[kylewilliamson]

I think Line Managing somebody older is always going to be a problem, particulary somebody who might see you as 'being brought in over thier head'

 

@Kyle - I can understand where you might think this but with experience you will realise that being line managed by somebody younger is not a problem unless you both make it one.

 

 

It doesn't bother me personally but there are obviously cases where people *have* made it a problem.

 

Kyle

[witch]

The technician may have been there for over 6 years, but it has been made clear that I know more about computers than she does (she was promoted to IT Technician from her original position as dinner-lady).

 

Sorry to harp on about this mate, and I am sure that you are extremely good at what you do, but I do hope you don't speak as you post:

Tell me why someone who is a psychology graduate and printing manager should automatically know more about computers than a dinner lady? I found your remark extremely derogatory.

You have obviously learned computing alongside your other studies/employment, so why couldn't that apply to a dinner lady too? Most women are dinner ladies because it fits in with bringing up their children, not because that is all they are capable of!

Most of the dinner ladies at my schools are graduates.

And knowing more about computers doesn't mean that someone can't show you the odd bit of weird info that they have picked up over the years that isn't in any textbook.

Being managed by someone younger is not a problem unless that person makes it clear that they know far more than you and that nothing you could tell them is worth hearing - after all, you were 'just' a dinner lady!

 

You are very young and I am sure you will learn some tact, and realise that you can learn useful things from everyone.

Good luck with it all

[GrumbleDook]

I'm with you on this one Witch ... I am a sports instructor and copper by trade ... and yet a few years down the line I have ended up working with computers.

 

The original job someone is doing in a school does not always mean they are wrong for other posts.

 

Yes ... you may be more technically minded in some areas, but if she is tryong to 'trip you up' have you ever thought that it might be because of your attitude towards her? Try and find some common ground between the pair of you ... you have to work together remember ... you have a common enemy ... LUSERS!

[sqdge]

Sorry. I'm not very good at typing down what I am thinking. I was merely pointing out that we were both un-qualified workers in the field. I know it came across as being quite snobbish.

 

She has openly admitted that I know more about computers than she does - but then she is considerably better at dealing with people over the phone than I am.

 

I have also been informed by the headteacher that the role of 'Network Manager' was created as a means of driving out the technician - so there are a lot of politics involved in the post.

 

I hope I have in no way offended anybody. EduGeek is a brilliant resource for those who need the extra hand (particularly me), so thanks a lot.

[kingswood]

Politics? In a school?

 

Actually yes. It happens all the time and is one of those things you have to ignore and just get on with your job. That's what I tell my technicians in any case.

 

Tony mentioned that he had been in the police force- I actually know a long-serving and high ranking officer in this area who is now working in IT. I know a person who was in the force who now runs the global IT operations for a major charity in the UK. Another of my friends also came from the police force and is now an MCT. But I also keep in touch with friends who have been car valeters, machine minders, and one a teacher- who now choose ICT as their profession. I came from an engineering background, moved into IT because of the engineering degree I was studying, and then settled in industry for a time. My wife has gone from accounts to a degree in IT with the OU.

 

Strange how the world turns really. One of my technicians used to work for Mercedes and is now A+ and N+ heading for MCDST; and the other is a single mum with an HND who specialises in web programming and databases. They both teach me how to suck eggs regularly. And I like it. If I can learn from my work buddies and they can learn from me we are all contributing something to the cause.

 

What I'm saying is: don't let a background indicate lack of knowledge. Take what you have and use it and then if they offer something positive tell them so and use that too. Work together.

 

Enjoy.

[Netwacky87]

Hiya chaps, sorry to bring back an old topic

 

Tomorrow i start my first new job as a it technician! and im starting to feel the butterflies in my stomach! im getting quite nervous now, Do i go in confident but not cocky, shy but take everything in? or be myself? I really cant wait but i dunno wot to expect!

[beeswax]

It depends on what "yourself" is. If you're a ravenous bug-blatter beast of Traal I would carry loads of appetite supressants.

Try and get a map of the school (especially if it's a big rambling one) with all the rooms marked. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You're new, and you can't be expected to know where every switch cabinet is (mark it on the map).

Don't worry too much. They obviously saw something in the interview which made them feel they could work with you. Be careful what you volunteer for/happily undertake, if it seems to be outside the realms of IT; check with your line manager, "Is this the sort of thing we normally do?"

I always have trouble remembering people's names, that's why my girls are called Daughter 1 and Daughter 2. In the first few weeks you can get round this by being honest and saying, "sorry, but could you remind me who you are again?" Of course, if the bathroom mirror doesn't reply you're in big trouble.

If you weren't nervous then I would be thinking that you're too cocky, too sure of yourself to learn anything.

Good luck and don't worry.

[GrumbleDook]

As Beeswax has said, a Map is a wonderful aid when starting ...

 

Try and make several copies of it too.

Take the first one and make a key to what hardware is in what rooms, another for what software is installed, another for who ususally teaches in certain rooms or at the bare minimum what subjects are taught.

 

If you can get a complete set of pictures of all the staff that s a good idea too. Put next to their name what subjects they teach and where.

 

Good luck with it all.

[bishopsgarthstockton]

Well done!

 

I fell really lucky with no experience, went to just one interview and got a phone call 20 1 hour later that i got the job.

 

been an IT technician for 3 years this september, im planning on moving to the Leeds area by the end of this year to live with my girlfriend.

 

My advice, dont stop learning new technology, get as much experience as you can and in 3 years time move on.

 

Good luck

[CHIT]

We use liberium and after a local 3 month trial we rolled it out to all the staff. For a few weeks we lost friends by insisting that staff use it to log jobs but after the dinosaurs became extinct most staff use it and think its great. However we still log some jobs ourselves as it is an excellent aid memoir and some isolated offices if the computer has failed cant get off their seat to find a working one.

[wesleyw]

Liberium is very good but having used it for about 3 years I've moved my current school over to GLPI which is a great if you want to allow teachers to log problems from home.

 

 

Wes

[stephenleak]

Hiya chaps, sorry to bring back an old topic

 

Tomorrow i start my first new job as a it technician! and im starting to feel the butterflies in my stomach! im getting quite nervous now, Do i go in confident but not cocky, shy but take everything in? or be myself? I really cant wait but i dunno wot to expect!

 

From my experience of a 4 week start on you ...

 

Be confident. They can smell fear, and that's not just the kids.

Be yourself. Yes: who else was at the interview?

Take everything in. Of course: some days I've thought my brain was going to explode.

What to expect? The unexpected.

 

Good luck, and have fun. Its a great job, and beats actually working for a living.

[sidewinder]

Liberium is very good but having used it for about 3 years I've moved my current school over to GLPI which is a great if you want to allow teachers to log problems from home.

 

Wes

 

From home?! I get the feeling that if we allowed them to do that here, they literally would log problems about their home PC's

 

What advantages does it have over Liberum apart from that? I did have a look at the website but it seems to be described more of an inventory tool there

[apoth0r]

stick with I.T googlemad

 

Took me ages to find an employer after working with Impero, a lot of jobs these days are about getting your foot in the door (especially in IT) once you've done that the job seems to mould nicely around your strengths. Keep working hard and learning as much as you can, something will suddenly fall in your lap and u'll be raring to go.

 

Keeping motivated always helps with the confidence in interviews (believe in yourself, your knowledge and skills)

[Joedetic]

@ wesleyw

 

What's stopping you from letting staff log problems from home with liberum?