Time to move on ???

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So its been 15 months into my role now and Im note sure what to do.

I have grown in confidence and feel that although I am not 100% ready to move onto the next step, i feel that i am not far away from it. I have been thinking about leaving for the last 2 months now, not because i hate the place, im starting to get wound up with our team being used for other things that really are not IT.

My primary role is helpdesk technician and ill also find myself getting the chance to do some 2nd line and possibly 3rd line support work, I will also get to liaise with external companies in regards to issues we have etc.

Over the last few months we have had the urine extracted out of us, to put it mildly, we seem to be helping other people out, normally which i dont mind, especially when its quiet but its getting to the point where were still busy and expected to set stuff up for people, move stuff around etc.

The thing that got me the other week was that MS word was crashing for the students. At first it was one student, then three then ten and then 2 classrooms. Now unbeknown to me, someone had changed a print driver, because 'it was the correct one', as opposed the one currently installed on the print server, however there was no issue with the print driver, in fact everything was running sweet. That bit didnt bother me as im sure i would of got to that point later on.

What did bother me was the phone call i got halfway through asking if i could help put up some posters for a parents evening??? I did explain that i was halfway through a big issue, but then got the reply oh just hand it over to mr blogs etc. I was fuming, i am quite laid back, but i really wanted to tell people what to do, where to go and how to do it. Thankfully I didnt, but i did drag my feet in getting to where i was told to go. I briefed the lad who took over, which took a good 20 mins, and by the time i got there i ended up putting up 4 posters, by the time i got back, i then found out about the driver etc.

For all the time i have been there, i thnk i would be right in saying there are 3 months worth of work that are nothing to do with IT.

I could speak to my line manager but i would get the response well its just one of them things etc, deal with it, although t be fair to the line manager we get on very well, same sense of humour etc.

I think what makes this hard to swallow is that, yes i know im helpdesk, but say were getting bombardied with students requests, i will take most of them on and deal with them, then if i cant fix them, i will then raise them. One thing i dont get 90% of the time, is the time to properly research stuff, like when there is an issue going on etc.

It may sound like I am whining, but i dont mean too.

I am looking and know of where 2 jobs will be coming up soon, both in education so I will see what goes, maybe use it as a bargaining chip if i get offered any job. Im not after a pay rise, I have never been like that about money to be fair, I just want to do IT, helping out is one thing, being dragged left right and centre is another.

Anyway rant over

Feel free to tell me to get a grip etc

Zx

 

I get where you're coming from and can relate. I dont work in IT but I get annoyed when managers are asking me to do this and that when its not my job. I dont mind helping out but it gets annoying when its expected of you, which is what I think is going on with you, so can defo relate. I cant really give advice BUT its either a choice of put up with it or leave as if you suddenly start saying you wont help with things unrelated to your job they may not sack you but will most likely make your life as awkward as possible and make you out to be the bad guy. So yeah if it REALLY gets to you then maybe move on...

 

My advice would be that you're either being pushed to ensure you do stand up and do the right thing (ie pushing back when dealing with issues) or they just don't actually realise that the work they are telling you to do doesn't fall to the IT guy but actually a general admin person.
Hanging posters?? really?

Personally speaking I would be talking to my manager for clarification in what my job role entails, after that if you're still being sent on stupid side jobs I would start looking for a new role where you're actually doing the work that you're being paid for rather than admin tasks that any Tom, Dick or Harry could do, not one that they think the IT guy should do.

Again just my opinion and you don't have to agree with it but you're not an office admin

 

I have just read through all this post again, and what a difference one week makes.

Last week we were stupidly busy, but i loved every minute of it. They took on board one of my ideas and we have been implementing it around the college, so if anyone steals a mac from us we can track it.

I have been kept informed of a role that may present itself, but now im thinking about it if where i am was like this every week, i would not be even thinking about going elsewhere. The people i can fallback on if i need to is very reassuring and i know this new role, will be very isolated, but with some form of support.

Im at a 50 50 stage now, where as when i first posted this i was like 80 20. I know not every day will be rosey and people have good and bad days.

Think my problem is i get emotional about people. I mean asking for a reference will not be an easy thing and taking the job if offered??? Its making me all jittery just thinking about it.

Anyway..... i think ill wait and see

Ed

 

Hey JK

I graduated in 2011. Took me a while to get my foot in the door mind.