Advice needed, any and all would be apreciated.

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I am currently serving my last 3 months service at my current job before they close the doors to the facility, i.e. I'm being made redundant. I will get about 2-3 months salary once I reach my final end date. I work in the pharmaceutical industry as a validation and qualification specialist, closest example to what I do is software testing. I do not hold any formal qualifications in software testing I just have 5 years experience in testing. I have wrote test plans, executed these plans, gathered requirements tested against said requirements and wrote and executed countless installation protocols.

I have also spent the last 5 years as a system administrator installing and configuring scientific applications. I am the systems administrator for over 50 applications that are used by more than 300 users across 2 sites. I also ensure the software I support is the right choice and continues to meet the businesses needs. My job title is systems analyst.
I would like to ask a few questions:

First is my description indicative of what a systems analyst does?
Second to get a foot into the IT sector for example working in first or second line support, what will I need to do given my experience. To add to the information I have provided, I am comfortable installing and administering all operating systems and pulling apart PCs and fitting and configuring new hardware.

I have been given an opertunity to go to an in-person assessment day to test my personality for a job as a helpdesk support staff. This is the first step toward the position and based on the results I get on the test day I will be put forward for an interview. I am very confident I can talk my way through the interview as I do have the knowledge and experience to deal with any IT situation but my main concern is the distance I will have to travel for this test over 336 miles each way!!!!!! There is no compensation for the traveling either.

The wage after the very long arduous test process will be very low compared to what I currently receive but the future job progression and training will be great. Also I will need to transfer my family if I do get the job.

So many things make me think Im crazy for even thinking about this potential job but since I have been actively seeking a new job this is the first sign of interest I have had.

Please help me to decide what to do......

 

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Can nobody help me out?

 

Only you can decide what to do, no one on here can turn around and say you should or shouldn't do it, we don't know your circumstances, you havn't listed where the job actually will be based afterwards.

When you describe yourself as a systems administrator, installing applications - be careful as to what job specs ask in case they say systems administrator, typically in IT this would be classed as someone looking after a corporate / enterprise enviornment and dealing with infrastructure, servers, networking - the lot, not just applications manager.

A systems analyst is very, very different to a systems administrator, which one would you class yourself as?

As to whether or not to go the 336 miles, that's only your choice

 

Bit of a complex one.

Personally, it sounds as if you have the skills needed to apply for a first or maybe second line support position. I wouldn't necessarily call it 'systems analyst' as it sounds as that usually implies some kind of diagnostic role rather than a selection or support role. Not sure how much it matters.

I would say you may need to distance your IT role from the pharmaceutical industry as it can be a bit niche - I'd seperate out your IT skills and present them with as few references to the industry as possible.

Ultimately though, I don't see how a 336 mile each way commute is possible. You'd need to leave for work in the morning before you get home at night.

 

Now that really would make sure nothing stopped you getting to work on time!

 

Sorry guys, the 336 mile commute is for the test only. If and when I do get to the next stage in the selection process I would need to conisder the one off trip again or if I do get the job I would move to the location. Getting a lift from Airwolf (show of hands for those who remember that show) every morning would be fun though.

It is very difficult to label my skill set into any particular niche area I will have to cater each CV for the job I apply.

Thanks all for your responses.

Ickle

 

Airwolf was ace, well until the last series when they replaced the main cast and started using old footage for the dogfights etc..