Is this a red flag for my internship

tjb122982

I started volunteering at a local religious order (a society of nuns, basically) in the beginning of June. I'm doing basic PC and Network support. It has been going well. I have been getting a lot of good experience: writing down all the office and room network port numbers, helping uninstall and deploy workstations and printers, taking less than complicated support tickets (ie helping a elderly sister with her email). However, there have been some departures. My first week there was the IT Director, 2 system admins/techs, and a admin assistant. The first system admin/network tech left at the end of the first week. Now last week, the second left. Both left suddenly and supposedly no one knows why (at least no one has told me the truth). The IT Director and the admin assistant have been nothing but cool to me. With that being said, I'm turning this into a internship for the fall. With this all being said, should I consider any of this a red flag? And if I should, would I be wise to remember it is only a internship that will last until Christmas and keep my mouth shut, head down, and eyes and ears open?

ande0255

I would honestly keep looking for a full-time job anyways in at least one night a week in a temporary job situation, but if the downsizing / departure of staff is extremely fishy (no notice, no explanation, no acknowledgment by management), I'm sure you already know you should start double-timing the job hunt if you rely on the income.

tjb122982

Well I am going to be paid in the fall; it is only going to be $8 or so an hour for 10 hours of work. I'm also going to have my non-IT related job at my college that is 20 hours a week. I'm just doing this for the experience and for the credit, so I can graduate in December.

And I don't know if one or both systems admins are going to be replaced or not.

My gut tells keep my head down and get the experience and the credit but don't stick around in the new year.

Tyb

As this seems to be for experience and a resume builder, I'd say stick it out. You're not really affected by whatever internal politics/drama is going on. I would however keep my eye on any full time jobs that happen to open up somewhere else.

Jon_Cisco

I think you should see great opportunity in this situation. First it's only an internship so the politics of it all should be of very little concern to you. It does suck when everyone is stressed but that is often just part of the work environment.

Just make sure you are learning everything you can. Then go find a better place to work.

Good Luck!

tjb122982

I heard what actually happened and it actually not bad. Well, it is bad in way, but not in the way I thought. The 2nd guy to left and perhaps the 1st guy left due to health issues. The second gentleman I can to see because things were getting hard for him, physically.

They are hiring an system and network admin now too.

xnx

How good are your Windows Server / networking skills?

If I was in your position i'd try to apply for either of those posts

tjb122982

I just completed a class in Windows Server (which was book only for some reason). I haven't actually touched their server. Also, my only network experience there has been tracking down port numbers.

I'm pretty sure I won't be considered but I'm going to talk to the IT director on Monday and see if he thinks I should apply or if I would be wasting my time.

xnx

Ah, i'll be honest I don't think you're experienced enough.. You should really get yourself a networking lab and a server set up, it'll cost a lot but the return on investment might be really great in the future.,

TechGuru80

It will not really matter for an internship. Basically your responsibilities won't be very large ever but with people leaving you could get lucky and get to do a little more. Might be worried if it was for a job but for an internship don't worry.

tjb122982

@=xnx

Yeah, I think you are right. The 2nd admin actually offered me to take one home but the problem is I have no room.

@=TechGuru80

Yes that is the conclusion I came up with. Why would they replace 2 experienced system and network admins with an intern, right?

tjb122982

I talked to the IT director and he did tell me that I'm not ready for the Network and System Admin position. He wants someone with 5 years of experience and a MCSE.

tjb122982

Also would $47,000 a year be low for what he wants?