ATTN "IT Crowd", a little help please.

[Big Dog]

As some of you may be aware I kind of dropped of the radar from about December.

This was because I volunteered for redundancy. This was for several reasons around the others having mortgages, children depending on them and me needing a bigger challenge.

There in lies the rub. What next?
There is plenty of obscure stuff available through careers advisors web boards etc. Business analyst this, project manager that. But what do the titles really mean? Not what is the definition, what do you do?

So in the interests of me actually finding a job I like and that the company I work for feels rewarded for having me there......

What is your Company / Job title?
What does the title mean you do?
What do you actually do?
Did you need any specialist quals or just the gift?

If you don't want to identify your employer could you please pm me?

[MotoGirl]

There is plenty of obscure stuff available through careers advisors web boards etc. Business analyst this, project manager that. But what do the titles really mean? Not what is the definition, what do you do?

So you're obviously looking for work in IT?

Edit: Maybe I should provide something useful.

What is your Company / Job title?
Business Analyst

What does the title mean you do?
In theory, I should spend my time with clients eliciting their business requirements and then writing about them. I did this in my previous job where I facilitated workshops, found out what the client needed from software and documented it, and then produced a gap analysis document to describe the differences between the software and those requirements. Once I knew what the differences were, I went about writing technical specifications for how my company would customise the software to include the functionality the client needed.

There are loads of workshops needed to review the requirements, gaps, and specifications so this type of position often involves a lot of travel and a lot of client contact. For each trip, I used to spend about a week away from home in any city ranging from Wellington to Sydney or Melbourne. Some BAs get to travel further away than that, and for longer durations.

I was lucky in my previous job because I turned into a Technical BA within a few months (but without the job title changing) so once the analysis phase was over I was straight into customising the software for that client. This meant I got to skip the usual testing phase (my pet hate). A BA would normally be involved in creating the test scripts and executing them. As the person who got to build the software, I was elbows deep in scripting, SQL and database tables. I even got to complete data conversions from Excel into an SQL database.

I had previously been promoted from a Tech. Writer to a BA so I was heavily involved in creating any training materials for my client. I also got roped into delivering some of the training because I somehow turned into the client's security blanket and she wanted me there.

What do you actually do?
Bugger all that falls under my job title! I should actually be a Technical BA because I spend all day playing with SharePoint. I get to do all sorts including branding sites using HTML and CSS, playing with master pages and page layouts, and creating site definitions and Features.

I also deliver a couple of our SharePoint training courses, plus doing project-related training with end users.

Did you need any specialist quals or just the gift
It depends where you start. I cruised into a helpdesk job with a poxy BOP Diploma in Business and my employer paid for me to complete the NZ Diploma in Business. I was just lucky that I had multiple jobs within the same company over a few years. I went Software Support > Technical Writer > Business Analyst > Technical Business Analyst. I've been in IT since 2002 and have only added one Microsoft certification exam to my list of qualifications.

[Marmoot]

Does "online marketing" qualify as IT job?
It involves "information" and "technology"...

[Big Dog]

So you're obviously looking for work in IT?

That would be a yes, just not sure what sort of work I want to do next.

[Big Dog]

Does "online marketing" qualify as IT job?
It involves "information" and "technology"...

Depends. Define online marketing

[Lias]

What is your Company / Job title?
What does the title mean you do?

Did you need any specialist quals or just the gift?

If you don't want to identify your employer could you please pm me?

What is your Company / Job title?
Desktop Engineer

What does the title mean you do?
My KPI's are something like this:
Complete all hardware repairs in expected time frame
Record a job for all work completed
Develop and maintain all desktop images
Chair monthly meeting of all IT technicians
Provide stupid reports to manager
Assist with projects as required

What do you actually do?
I deal with all hardware repairs for ~2000 PC's nationwide, as well as some of the software issues (IE if helpdesk or local technician cant fix it, it gets dumped in my lap),build software images for deployment on our network when we have a new model pc, or needs change or whatever, deploy pc's to new sites. I'm the only "Desktop Engineer" in the organisation, but their are regional IT staff around the country who are basically junior desktop support (I think their official title is Site Support), and basically I'm the one who trys to teach them where the power button is so they can tell the staff when asked. I also in my "spare time" act as the IT support guy fomr the site i'm located at, provide assistance to the regional IT techs if they cant resolve something, ditto the helpdesk.

Did you need any specialist quals or just the gift?
The Gift (tm) I've worked in IT for 13 odd years, and only just last year bothered to get my first Microsoft certs (MCP/MCDST). If I can find the time I find the time I need to do 2 more exams for my MCSA this year. Non industry qualifications arnt worth the paper from the uni that issues them for technical IT people, and industry ones arn't alot better. Knowing your shit is the only important thing to me.

[Cajun]

What is your Company / Job title?

System Administrator is my offical title, on an NZX listed company

What does the title mean you do?

Means admin systems of many kinds. Its a title which is hard to define, which is rather like my job. I am the jack of all trades in my office.

What do you actually do?

We have 4 in office, 3 in specific areas of work, where i here to do all there jobs which range from aix & oracle admin work, to some specific custom applications writen for my work area. There is also a programmer/developer (delphi/perl/php/html). Then there is the standard B2B solutions ranging from custom reports, to EDI messaging, thru xml based solutions. Also stuff like hardware support, user helpdesk, to general windows admin/network admin. We have also some specilisted equipment in our heavy machinary which we have to support.

Did you need any specialist quals or just the gift?

Well i got job have 3 years at polytech, they were after a starting jouior to learn the ropes. and to train up. But two here have no real form IT qualaftions, just one worked in IT for number of years, and another has come in to IT, from knowning the business, and teaching himself.

[Marmoot]

Depends. Define online marketing

Primarily looking at people's websites, describe to them what's wrong with it, and how it can make more business, and provide concrete recommendations of what they need to do in a to-do-list format.

Also looking at how the clients conduct their business online (i.e., online advertising) and tell them what they are doing wrong.

In addition, looking at what else they can be doing and provide this recommendations to them along with risk vs. potential analysis.

Plus managing a few online advertising campaigns.

In some extreme cases, provide a thorough review on clients' business practice and directions (if the business is mostly or entirely online).

[Tank]

What is your Company / Job title?
What does the title mean you do?
What do you actually do?
Did you need any specialist quals or just the gift?

Title: Global CIO (Chief Information Officer) - International software company

What does it mean? Set the direction for IT, make IT a business enabler, ensure excellence in the platforms that our business is based on.

What do I do? Same as the above - but also been the guy who is ultimately responsible if something goes wrong. Its a global company and is often a 24 x 7 job. I love it.

Quals: Our Graduates normally have a double degree in computer science and either law or accounting. We would expect top 5% finishers.

Or no quals at all as is often the case - but you would have to be proven and really something bloody special. - This is our usual hiring pattern.

[jim.cox]

What is your Company / Job title?

Software Engineer

What does the title mean you do?

I build software and computer systems

What do you actually do?

I build software and computer systems.
I do client suppport
I also do general office hardware and software suppport

Did you need any specialist quals

With 2xTertiary quals plus multiple years of experience, I'm something of a generalist in a very small field

or just the gift?

I can make tea, and I dont mind mucking in and doing the dishes

[Big Dog]

Primarily looking at people's websites, describe to them what's wrong with it, and how it can make more business, and provide concrete recommendations of what they need to do in a to-do-list format.

Also looking at how the clients conduct their business online (i.e., online advertising) and tell them what they are doing wrong.

In addition, looking at what else they can be doing and provide this recommendations to them along with risk vs. potential analysis.

Plus managing a few online advertising campaigns.

In some extreme cases, provide a thorough review on clients' business practice and directions (if the business is mostly or entirely online).

So, not a spammer then? Lol.
Do you find it interesting and challenging or has it become a chore?

[Big Dog]

I can make tea, and I dont mind mucking in and doing the dishes

I can make tea, better at coffee.
I have some microsoft quals etc but still think my ability with coffee has gotten me more jobs than quals.

[Marmoot]

So, not a spammer then? Lol.
Do you find it interesting and challenging or has it become a chore?

No lol.
If anything, we help the clients fight spammers that generate bogus leads/enquiries.

It has its ups and downs, as with any consulting business (just ask your mechanics. Seriously). Good clients work with us and communicate well, specifying what outputs they want from our service. Bad clients don't give you information you need and blame you when the service fail to produce any real results because of the lack of goals. Real bad clients don't pay their bills.

When I have good projects going, or exciting projects, or being kept busy, I feel like not wanting to go home. But in rainy days when the clients are silent and some blame wars going on, I feel like jumping out that window.

Oh, and since the clients need to trust you as a consultant, I get to see a lot of inside works on various types of businesses

[Marmoot]

And no, sadly we don't handle porn businesses...

[Big Dog]

And no, sadly we don't handle porn businesses...

That could be a lucrative new business channel for you.

But no I really would rather not work in a bakery because I still want to sink my teeth into a nice bun without feeling like I am product testing for work.

What I like about IT so far (just shy of 4 years before redundancy) is that the challenge never ends just changes.