IT internship with a charity (unpaid)

edanto

Suas is a nonprofit, working in the youth and education space, with activities in India, Ireland and Kenya. It's a professional organisation, the same as any other successful company, just with a different bottom line.

We have limited desk space in the city centre offices and take on as many interns as we can fit. Currently, we're looking for someone with strong IT skills, that will be able to volunteer with us for 8-15h/wk from now until at least early next year.

Here are a sample of the projects that you would be working on over the next few months:

Helping with the changeover to a Hosted Exchange service (from POP3) and helping to administer this in the future.
Setting up an imaging process with Acronis Snap/Universal Deploy (issues with drivers and MS licensing).
Helping to manage a redevelopment of our website (to increase interaction)
Converting the LAN from a workgroup to a domain.
A Salesforce implementation
Continuing tech training – writing documents/supporting staff.
Other odds and ends that aren't quite so juicy, such as replacing a hard drive etc etc.

This job will be attractive to someone that wants to learn how a charity works, and also wants to use their IT skills in a cost-sensitive environment.

This will be a tough roll to fill, given the combination of high skill level and considerable time commitment required. We aren't in a position to train someone up for this position, we need to get an expert in to help us. If that's you, please get in touch.

edanto

Once-off bump!

Jumpy

I think this would be a good opportunity for a foot in the door to IT if you were looking for starters, but even though the cause is great edanto, you may have difficulty finding a 3rd tier to work for you unpaid especially at half hours.
- Good luck though. I hope you get someone good.

joePC

I hate to say it but I agree with Jumpy, I would have no problem rolling out all requirements above but getting 8-15hrs a week is dam near impossible.

I remember seeing a thread about the hosted Exchange I think it was €2000 / year --- I would recommend hosting Zimbra (www.zimbra.com) on a VPS - Costing €300 / year
Or even better hosting it yourself on a second hand server - a couple of hundred euro and you have an amazing mail system that beats Exchange hands down, its open source and works seamlessly with Outlook 2000/2/3/7.

Workgroup to a Domain -
What OS did you have it mind for this?
How many PC's are in use?
Do you have any servers in operation at the moment?

Acronis Snap/Universal Deploy -
Do you plan on rolling out a number of new machines or do you just want a perfect install image of different PC's in case of a crash?

Helping to manage a redevelopment of our website (to increase interaction) -
Will 2bscene be making the changes or will it be in-house / IT Guy/Gal?
I see 2bscene used Typo3 for the CMS - Typo3 is fantastic

Salesforce implementation - speaks for itself

Is there any budget for this work at all - you would have no problem getting someone even on a tight, tight budget.

Cheers, Joe

edanto

The main problem is lack of knowledge and then time to do the work. I have a good grasp of what I what to improve - just not the tech skills to do it. I'm the IT dept here, but it's only one a few areas that I look after and that's why I'm asking for a bit of help.

For example, with the Hosted Exchange - I know there are solutions that are a good bit cheaper, but with no-one in house with the skills to setup/maintain/respond to crises, it'd be irresponsible of me to implement something like Zimbra, as much as I like the look of it.

I get what you're both saying though, that 15h/wk is an unrealistic time commitment to ask for, so if anyone is able to help out and say that they'll take on one particular project, i.e. the Workgroup -> Domain or the Acronis one and help me see it through to the end, I'd be grateful for those kind of offers as well.

I appreciate the straight up advice!

joePC wrote: »

Workgroup to a Domain -
What OS did you have it mind for this? XP
How many PC's are in use? c.20
Do you have any servers in operation at the moment? Fileserver (SC1420), using Workgroup
The domain is set up, I need help executing the transition

Acronis Snap/Universal Deploy -
Do you plan on rolling out a number of new machines or do you just want a perfect install image of different PC's in case of a crash?
Both new machines and the ability to push out fresh installs when machines get sluggish after 8mo or a yr. Currently having a problem getting the deployment to pick up the correct drivers for different hardware.

Will 2bscene be making the changes or will it be in-house / IT Guy/Gal?
Probably 2bscene - they're the only ones that know the backend. They've done a good job on the site (here's what it used to look like) At the same time, if someone did a little volunteer project with us and then wanted to stick around for a while, they might be able to do some of the backend work - it's all about saving money.


Salesforce implementation - speaks for itself. Won't be happening until the new year, but I'm looking forward to it.

Is there any budget for this work at all - you would have no problem getting someone even on a tight, tight budget. All out of cash for this year, but will have a little next quarter.

joePC

I understand what you’re saying about implementing Zimbra. It really is an amazing piece of software.

What OS / version is on the SC1420?

From memory the basic spec SC1420 only has 1x SATA drive - can you confirm if RAID is setup with 2 or more drives.

I wouldn't recommend reimaging machines because there running slow - its a pain transfering everything back and forth.
Once you implement the domain you can setup Group policies to lock down the PC's so they dont get bogged down with crap.

What broadband connection is onsite?
What Firewall do you use?
What’s your network like - how many locations / VPN's / switches etc...?

For Suas.ie I know a couple of freelancers in India who will make any changes you want front or backend for next to nothing, I give them some work every couple of months.

I should be able to help you with the tasks above. I could do most of the prep work remotely. Any bank holidays coming up?

edanto

Apologies for not replying a bit sooner. Some developments - potentially have an IT project manager that will look after these projects one at a time, and facilitate people (boardsies included of course) that would be able to help out for a couple of hours here and there.

joePC wrote: »

What OS / version is on the SC1420?
Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, Small Business Server Restricted Service Pack 2 (build 3790)

From memory the basic spec SC1420 only has 1x SATA drive - can you confirm if RAID is setup with 2 or more drives.
c: (NTFS on drive 0) 12.89 GB 1.82 GB free * obviously I'd like to fix this
d: (NTFS on drive 0) 133.82 GB 8.26 GB free
f: (NTFS on drive 1) 163.91 GB 39.28 GB free
no RAID. Bought a new SCSI drive to increase capacity, but there's a problem. Backup solution is portable hardrives (drive 1 above), one hour behind the master and one kept off site.

What broadband connection is onsite?
Currently eircom 3MB, but fingers crossed the Magnet 6MB will come through (line check on Wednesday). Incidentally, anyone else in the nonprofit sector, PM me for details of a sweet broadband deal.

What Firewall do you use? Hardware between LAN & web, AVG pro on PCs.
What’s your network like - how many locations / VPN's / switches etc...?
One switch, filesharing server (the one with SB03), VPN access - recently opened a new Suas office location behind TCD firewall, unsure how to connect.

For Suas.ie I know a couple of freelancers in India who will make any changes you want front or backend for next to nothing, I give them some work every couple of months. Can you come over to the Suas forum to chat about that, please? Yer on the list.

So, all in all, this has changed from an intership, to something more project-based with people welcome to help out as they can. Obviously that's a bit harder to manage, so I need to spend some more time setting up the projects, but all offers of help would be appreciated.

If you can help with any of the projects in the list in the first post, just post here with your availabilty and I'll make the most of the offers.

e.g, with the Workgroup -> Domain change
The domain has been set up by a friend, but I'd really like someone to show me how to set up users etc on SB03 and plan a migration from the Workgroup setup (plus anticipate & document knock-on effects - e.g. when someone leaves, how do you give the new person access to what they need).

web forum
At the stage now, where we've decided to use phpBB3, but that has to be configured, and linked to the main site. Anyone have a to-do list from a similar project, please?

Also, next year Suas will be competing to become a pilot project of an EncludeIT.org initiative around information managment, so it could become very interesting for someone that is into solving data handling problems.

edanto

edanto wrote: »

web forum
At the stage now, where we've decided to use phpBB3, but that has to be configured, and linked to the main site. Anyone have a to-do list from a similar project, please?

Also, next year Suas will be competing to become a pilot project of an EncludeIT.org initiative around information managment, so it could become very interesting for someone that is into solving data handling problems.

The forum is the first project out of the traps, and the scope on the Enclude one has grown a bit; with all the cheap stuff including Cisco hardware firewall it's an opportunity to revamp at little cost. So it'll take a good while.

We aim to have the forum up (for testing at least) in a few months 'cos it'll take a while to find mods and well, we're looking for a place with the culture of boards, so we'll see what the people on the project recommend that it's best to work in with our site.

edanto

Brief update - a project team has been recruited for the forum and it's now being discussed in the Suas forum here on boards. Feel free to get in touch if you'd like to be involved.


I've had one concrete offer from someone to come in for a few hours a week and help out with the list of things in the first post, so thanks for that.

edanto

Full steam ahead on this.

Ten people working on various projects, part time. Many thanks to everyone for both the help day to day and the advice on the thread.

edanto

One particular skill need at the moment - someone with admin experience on Exchange to help with setting up a system. Depending on the time you have available, it can involve either telling us how to do a few things that we want to put in place or else helping with it.

cheers

DoraDelite

edanto wrote: »

One particular skill need at the moment - someone with admin experience on Exchange to help with setting up a system. Depending on the time you have available, it can involve either telling us how to do a few things that we want to put in place or else helping with it.

cheers

I may be able to help you out with that, not sure how much time a week I could give but send me a pm and we can discuss.

edanto

Thanks very much, I've sent the PM.

edanto

Just wanted to thank Dora on thread - quality help, so far so great!

jd83

Hi,
Id like to help out if possible, im in an I.T course dont have many hours a week. I probably dont have the experience your looking for but i have some basic knowledge on webdesign, java, networking, disributed computing, also have comptia a+. Anyway send me a pm if your interested

edanto

Woah sorry rory1983, I didn't notice that you'd posted on the thread until just now. I've been on holidays and skipped over a load of emails. I'll send u a PM!

edanto

Many thanks to everyone from boards that's given both long distance advice and also come into the office to help out.

Here's a status update on each of the projects.

- Helping with the changeover to a Hosted Exchange service (from POP3) and helping to administer this in the future. Now on Google Apps, and it's all good! Takes hardly any time to manage and everyone loves it. Thanks to Darragh @ Kiss Engineering for advising on the changeover

- Setting up an imaging process with Acronis Snap/Universal Deploy (issues with drivers and MS licensing). No real progress.

-Helping to manage a redevelopment of our website (to increase interaction) Done, forum has been up and tested and we will be launching it in August/September (a big time for us when all the college activity kicks off again) http://suas.ie/eventsanddiscussion.html

- Converting the LAN from a workgroup to a domain. NEED HELP WITH THIS ASAP

- A Salesforce implementation In progress, database is customised and currently updating and uploading legacy info on contacts and organisations. All tests successful except one.

- Continuing tech training – writing documents/supporting staff. All good

We also now have someone that's coming into the office 8h/wk to give tech support to the team. All other offers welcome if anyone else would like to offer their part-time services!

Thanks again everyone.

cronos

Please PM me with any details of Systems Analysis type work which you would like done. Would it be possible to work on this from home. I would be available after the 22 of July as I am off for the summer untill the end of september.

edanto

In case anyone is interested in helping out in the new year, here are the current list of volunteer vacancies with Suas. Thanks to everyone that helped out last year.

Multimedia Intern

We are looking for someone with experience of video editing to help us script out short promotional videos, log the footage that we have in stock and produce short videos for youtube in conjunction with our Marketing team. The role demands a high degree of IT compentency, experience of video production and editing and a time commitment of several hours per week for at least two months.

Forum Moderators

We are looking for someone with experience of managing an on-line community (ideally using vBulletin) to help recruit moderators and build the community. As you may have noticed, our discussion forum has been closed down, due to both spamming and a lack of time/skills to manage this properly. This role will require a regular commitment of time over a period of several months.

IT Support in the Office

We are looking for someone that has an understanding of computer networks to help us to manage the Information Systems in the office. This role requires a weekly committment of at least 20 hours, and a minimum time commitment of six weeks, given the training required to work independently. A volunteer in this role will learn how to manage a small office network and support desk, whilst improving services to the team on a very tight budget.

Overseas Volunteer Programme assistants

We are interested in applications from people with good MS Office skills and demonstrable attention to detail for part-time roles assisting with the administration of our vibrant Volunteer Programme. The time committment is 1/2 days per week for a minimum of 5 weeks, in the Dublin office. These positions will be filled in January.

For all of the above positions, please email the address on the http://suas.ie/volunteer.html page.

Give pupils an early, positive experience of third level

In some parts of Dublin, the college transfer rate (i.e proportion of students going from school to college) is a small fraction of the national average. To investigate a way of addressing this, we bring students from schools all over Dublin into a new learning environment where they will meet peers and mentors and engage in projects such as music/video making, multimedia or game making. Details of these positions on http://suas.ie/applyb2c.html

Thanks.

davty10

edanto wrote: »

The main problem is lack of knowledge and then time to do the work. I have a good grasp of what I what to improve - just not the tech skills to do it. I'm the IT dept here, but it's only one a few areas that I look after and that's why I'm asking for a bit of help.

For example, with the Hosted Exchange - I know there are solutions that are a good bit cheaper, but with no-one in house with the skills to setup/maintain/respond to crises, it'd be irresponsible of me to implement something like Zimbra, as much as I like the look of it.

I get what you're both saying though, that 15h/wk is an unrealistic time commitment to ask for, so if anyone is able to help out and say that they'll take on one particular project, i.e. the Workgroup -> Domain or the Acronis one and help me see it through to the end, I'd be grateful for those kind of offers as well.

I appreciate the straight up advice!

I work in It for last 5 years , currently support an Exchange environment of 20 odd exchange servers spanning North America. In my opinion using an open source mail solution would be inadvisable for numerous reasons even though it may be cheaper. SOme of the obvious reasons are

1. An enterprise environment needs an enterprise solution, I have never heard of any serious organisation using an open source mail solution. This would be ok if you were hosting a mail server from your mothers basement.
2. Support - What do you do when the sh1t hots the fan , no one will provide support on these apps. It will be your on your own buddy attitude.
3.Future planning and upgrades , who will have the skillset to do upgrades etc when the time comes. You will pay through the nose to get someone with teh correct skillset.
4. Who will administer it on a daily basis, your are limiting your scope for administrators of this app if its a freeware app. Especially if people are doing this for free without training.

Lots of other reasons, bite the bullet and spend money from the outset.

edanto

I appreciate the comment, but the decision has been made a long time now, and we're running with Google Apps as a mail/IM/calendar/docs platform. It's working out really well.

Exchange had some advantages, but on the whole since moving to G Apps we've had no regrets. Google donate to us, so the only cost is time and the maintenance is very, very easy.

Know anyone that would be interested in the roles?! Send 'em this way, please!

cronos

If you need any business analysis, software testing, project management or database creation work in the evenings let me know. I might be able to donate some time in the evenings after work or on weekends.

i might be able to help with the tech aspects of http://suas.ie/b2c.html as well

What hours do volunteers work? (what time of the day)