Graduate Job spec.

AdultCaution

Hell I have graduated with a Computer Engineering degree and a Computer science masters. Traveled for a year and now currently looking for my first job without luck so far. I was looking along the lines of a graduate java role or some form of testing/scripting.

However I've been sent this spec (wage 25-28k):

Main Responsibilities/Job Role:
· Provide desktop support to end users

· Win 2000/XP/Win 2003 – Desktop and Server Support

· Troubleshooting on general IT issues

· Ensuring all printers/photocopiers/faxes are functioning

· Quality control of IT processed and use of IT services

· Maintain hardware and software asset register


Ideal Candidate:
· B.Sc. degree or equivalent in computer science or other related technical degree

· At least 6 months experience or an IT internship

· Experience or project work in SQL will be advantageous

· Excellent interpersonal skill, ability to effectively communicate with employees at all levels

· Working knowledge of Windows XP and Microsoft Office Products

· Willingness to learn and develop

· Strong troubleshooting skills

· Ability to work independently or as part of an team

· Flexibility in the role is essential and key

· Fluent English both written and oral

· Ability to take responsibility for tasks allocated to her/him

· Open, friendly and flexible personality

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JOB TITLE: Assistant IT Administrator

OVERALL PURPOSR OF THE JOB:

The overall purpose is to be responsible for the day to day administration of the IT environment and also assisting on IR infrastructure enhancements/developments.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Responsible for completion of day to day administration of the IR environment, including but not limited to:
IT support queries from internal office and client companies
Daily/weekly server and control checks
Monitoring of back ups
Set up of VPN’s
Update firewall rules
Equipment maintenance

Assist with enhancement and development of IT infrastructure in line with current requirements and technologies available

The IT environment includes:
All IT administration is carried out in-house, SLA in place with third party provider for hardware support
Virtual network
VMware
Ability to administer and manage this system e.g. monitor performance, create new servers, transfer application between servers, create test environments etc.
DR / business Continuity solution
Hotsite in different location
Virtual environment
Real time replication
Firewalls/VPN’s
Managed in-house
Need to be able to create and manage VPN’s
Monitor firewall and add/remove rules as required
SQL
Basic knowledge required for managing business systems
Microsoft servers and application
Backup to disk units provide backup solution
VOIP Phone system
Cisco system

Assist with administration of reinsurance system

Assist with the maintenance, enhancement and development of internal systems e.g. SharePoint, Visos, document management etc.

EDUCATION STANDARDS REQUIRED:
BSc degree or equivalent in Computer Science or other related technical degree

WORK EXPERIENCE NECESSARY:
At least 6 months experience or an IT internship
Experience or project work in SQL would be advantageous
Working knowledge of Windows XP and Microsoft Office products

SKILLS/APTITUDES: (e.g. manual dexterity, languages, verbal or numerical skills)
Problem Solving – ability to resolve IT issues
Willingness to learn and develop
Ability to work independently or as part of a team
Communication skills – ability to communicate ideas clearly
IT technical ability
Report writing – ability to write detailed project proposals
Fluent English both written and verbal

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: (e.g. willingness to travel, ability to do overtime, physical demand)
Ability to do overtime
Availability for calls out of hours

What do you make of this job? What kind of advancement would there be for me in terms of experience programming or testing there, seems to be a kind of handyman for their computer equipment, so none? I would like to do more SQL so there is that. Do you think this would be a good job to go for, considering I might want to do development afterwards or some such? i'm not sure what kind of further job this would lead towards?

Mr. Loverman

Two of the best software engineers I know started as sysadmins.

EDIT: Actually all of the best software engineers I know started as sysadmins. I don't know what the connection is. Maybe developing good problem solving skills?

whitesands

It reads like a 1st level helpdesk role.

It depends on who it's with, it could be **** or you could be running the IT section in a year. You have to start somewhere.

AdultCaution

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Two of the best software engineers I know started as sysadmins.

EDIT: Actually all of the best software engineers I know started as sysadmins. I don't know what the connection is. Maybe developing good problem solving skills?

Thanks, what did they move on to doing? If I started doing this sysadmin job, was just wondering what I would be moving into/towards. For instance if i was a programmer I might move towards being a more senior programmer but might also move towards being a designer etc. Also constantly learning in my role. I wouldn't like to be stuck fixing a printer and answering a phone instead of that, but the job could be much better than that, I jsut dont know without getting it I suppose?

whitesands wrote: »

It reads like a 1st level helpdesk role.

It depends on who it's with, it could be **** or you could be running the IT section in a year. You have to start somewhere.

That's what I am concerned about, your former statement. I much prefer the latter, that would be good experience.

Mr. Loverman

AdultCaution wrote: »

Thanks, what did they move on to doing?

They all went into software development. (Various stuff, from C to Java).

I should mention they worked in Unix (or Linux or BSD or whatever) based networks as sysadmins.

From what I know they got into development from writing a lot of scripts to automate sysadmin tasks. They would all have entered development via perl scripts and stuff like that. They would all also have been members of the Linux usergroup so would have contacts who would help them get jobs...