While his position duties aren’t always clearly laid out, this Technical Consultant tells of his experience in the IT industry. This interview will take you through the benefits and drawbacks of the position, what it takes to land the job, what your expected salary will be and more.
My current job title is Technical Consultant for an e-discovery, computer forensics firm. This is a fancy way of saying that I am a jack of all trades when it comes to solving issues with processes and creating new software solutions to meet client needs. I have worked for my current company for 5 years and have been involved in the IT industry for the past 25 years in a wide variety of positions. The most exciting aspect of working within this career field is the ability to face new challenges and explore new skills on a regular basis.
The main focus of my current position is providing support for other technicians within my work team. We are responsible for helping clients find specific data within their stored information while meeting tight deadlines, many of which need to be completed for a court hearing. One of the biggest fears that people and companies may have is regarding the security of their data. As a seasoned professional, I understand how critical it is to hold this data confidential to protect our client’s interests.
While I feel satisfied with this type of work, I have to be honest and admit that I no longer feel much excitement in my daily routine. Although the company that employees me is a leader in this field, some of the internal politics make going to work a daily struggle. In regards to the actual tasks, I would rate my satisfaction level at an 8. If some of these personal conflicts in the company were resolved and I felt more confidence in my management, my overall enjoyment level would be a 10. The complications that arise from favoritism and self-preservation that many of my co-workers adopt make this company a difficult place to work.
As a younger man, I was always fascinated by technology. I feel fortunate in that I came of age during the beginning era of the personal computer. Creating my own software applications and games on my trusty Commodore 64 was truly a joy. Working toward becoming a contributing member to the corporate world, my career path took some very interesting twists. Upon receiving my college degree, I was offered a teaching position. This unexpected occurrence drastically altered my view of how to manage my career. I truly felt like I found my life’s work.
Unfortunately, as with many fields, the computer industry experiences its share of ups and downs. During the dot-com bubble and burst at the turn of the century, I found myself employed with a company that was experiencing rapid changes in their success level. For me personally, it meant that I was laid off when times got tough. If I could change anything during this time period, it would be to try to find a more stable employment opportunity as this triggered a chain of events that made it difficult to find a position that wouldn’t result in a lay off.
Another lesson that I learned the hard way within the field occurred on the job. While much of life does prepare you to consider other people’s perspectives, it sometimes isn’t readily apparent how differently people may perceive things. Diversity isn’t just a special catch phrase that helps society get along with one another. Rather, it truly means trying to comprehend how people from different backgrounds will interpret specific words and actions. The mistake I made one day in teaching a class was that my students would be as open minded to the issue of race that I was. Due to a communication failure on my part, a statement that I made came across as a perceived racial insult and it took much effort on my part to regain my students trust.
The positive aspect of beginning my career as a computer instructor was learning how to assist others in excelling at their jobs. I often feel a sense of pride in being able to help others achieve their job objectives on a daily basis. Lending a helping hand not only assists our team in completing our projects in a timely basis but also helps to form a strong bond between my co-workers. This aspect of working with others fills me with a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
As with many professions in this time of company downsizing, most positions require working extra hours and putting in additional efforts. At times, finding a way to balance my personal desires with the added responsibilities at work can be extremely stressful. I found that it helps to keep a positive attitude toward everything I do and accept the fact that I simply cannot accomplish everything that I desire. Rather than worry about tasks undone, I focus instead on doing the best I can on whatever endeavor I am currently focusing on.
My advice for someone seeking a position within the IT industry is take advantage of as much college education as you can and try to stay on top of the field. Thanks to the Internet, much of the information needed to succeed within this industry can be readily found at your fingertips. Maintaining a sense of wonder and pushing yourself to further explore your boundaries can lead to a financially rewarding line of work. Remembering to take advantage of your down time and pursue your outside interests is critical in assisting you to stay at the top of your game.
This is a true career story as told to ComputerJobs.net.
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