1. What exactly do you do?
- What field is your job in?
Treasury - What is your job title?
Technical/IT Specialist - Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)
I work for a small treasury consulting firm.
- How long have you been employed in this position?
Four years. - How many hours do you work a week on average?
30 hours. - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
30 hours. - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
I am responsible for everything technology-related that goes on in our office, including individual workstations, server and networking, printers and scanners, and telephones. When it breaks, I fix it.
- What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
20000 - What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
20000 - Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
5 weeks vacation, 4 sick days. No health insurance or retirement. - Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
I think it's adequate for the amount I work.
2. Work environment!
- Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
Only the people in the office. I like people, so sometimes I feel cooped up with the same few every day.
- Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes - Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes - Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
It's a small office. I would much rather be in the field and see more people and environments.
- Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 4 Income
- 5 Work Environment - co-workers
- 3 Work Environment - supervisors
- 7 Benefits
- 2 Hours
- 6 Level of responsibility
- 1 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 8 Job Title
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
- If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Learn all you can about computers. It doesn't take formal education, but it does take time and effort. Most offices like having someone in-house to solve day-to-day issues without having to pay an outside contractor exorbitant fees--just ask around! Send your resume places and see what happens.
- What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
Technical skills are the main thing, but being able to communicate abstract technical concepts to a lay audience is really important too.
- Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Not necessarily. I'm a senior in college, but my field is totally unrelated to my job and my actual technical skills are self-taught. - What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Remember that not everyone knows the same jargon and facts that you do. Sometimes what you think is a simple concept is really weird and intimidating to people who don't know what you're talking about. Make it easier for them--use analogies, don't assume they know, but don't be condescending or talk down. If you make yourself likable, you're more likely to enjoy your job.
4. How did you get your J-O-B
- How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
A referral from a friend. - What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
I submitted a paper resume. - Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
I had one individual interview with the firm's manager. It's a small firm, so there were no other layers to go through. - If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
I was asked mainly about my technical skills, but also whether I would be able to work closely with other people in a small setting. There were probably questions about pay, but I can't remember them exactly. - Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
No - If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
I initially thought I would be working as a contractor for a tech support sort of group, working in "the field" and traveling from appointment to appointment. When a friend referred me to my current boss, though, I figured I would give it a shot. So far it's worked out!
5. Background: Are you qualified?
- Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Not a bit! I'm entirely self-taught when it comes to computers. - Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
Nope! There was no position at the company analogous to mine before I started working there. No one, including both my manager and me, knew how exactly my position would work. - Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
Only in the sense that having a good general education prepares you for any job. I'm glad I'm in school, but my field of study and my job are entirely unrelated. - If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION)
- If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
I get to crawl around on the floor in jeans, plugging and unplugging things and taking computers apart! It doesn't get much more fun than that. :) - What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
I love problem-solving, and that's what I do all day. The hours I work allow me to go to school also, and that's good. I have an hour commute, though, and this is definitely not a plus. - Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
No. I anticipate changing fields after a few more years of school. I like my job, but I have a hard time settling into one thing. - What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
I hope to finish my degree next year and then go to law school. I'm interested in ethics consulting. - Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
7. A Day in the Life Of...
- 7 am - 8 am
n/a - 8 am - 9 am
n/a - 9 am - 10 am
I typically arrive at the office around nine. The first fifteen to twenty minutes is spent being briefed by the office administrator on any unplanned daily events, and checking email. From there I begin work on whatever problems have cropped up overnight--and there are usually plenty. - 10 am - 11 am
Since the other employees need to get their work done, fixing any issues they are having is my top priority in the morning. This could be anything from a broken internet connection to installing new printers to software updates. - 11 am - 12 am
Occasionally, when tech things are slow, I'm asked to help the administrative staff with data entry or mailings. This sounds pretty boring, but it's actually a nice break from what I usually do. I get to talk to other employees and decompress a little. - 12 am - 1 pm
- 1 pm - 2 pm
On Wednesdays, the administrative staff, the managing director, and I meet, including a conference call with off-site administrative help. This lasts about an hour. - 2 pm - 3 pm
From here, I usually work on whatever this current project is til I leave. In the past, it has been anything from researching new servers, to wiping laptop harddrives and reinstalling the OS and setting up for a new user. - 3 pm - 4 pm
Since the other employees need to get their work done, fixing any issues they are having is my top priority in the morning. This could be anything from a broken internet connection to installing new printers to software updates. - 4 pm - 5 pm
n/a - 5 pm - 6 pm
n/a - 6 pm - 7 pm
n/a - 7 pm - 8 pm
n/a - 8 pm - 9 pm
n/a - 9 pm - 10 pm
n/a - 10 pm - 11 pm
n/a - 11 pm - 12 pm
n/a