Working for non-profits

RATTLERMAN

has anyone here had any experience working with non-profit institutions
i have a chance to work at a nursing home in their it department
outside of the human element that i would be dealing with
any pros/cons i should look out for

sprkymrk

PROS:
1. Experience.
2. Finding creative ways to make things work on limited resourses.

CONS:
1. Minimal raises and promotions. Where you start is pretty much where you will stay.
2. Minimal budget. What you have now is pretty much all you have to work with. You might get a new workstation or two each yaer and maybe a new hard drive for the server, but forget anything bigger than that on a nursing home budget.

RATTLERMAN

thats what i am worried about... i can get that here at my statejob

i just dont want to let my eagerness to leave where i am now to cloud myjudgement

i guess i will have to pray on it

the only thing i can look forward to is a little more experience for my resume

RTmarc

I work for a non-profit and our budget is not small by any means. I think it depends on the industry you will be working in. You won't get rich by any stretch of the imagination but you will get a lot of experience.

RATTLERMAN

thats all i am wanting is some good hands on experience that i can use to further my career .

money is important but the money will come once the skills sets are there.

i just want to increase my knowledgebase and let the chips fall where they may

malcybood

Go with your gut instinct...

If something inside you is telling you it's not the right move and you can bare to stay at your current job then hold out. I know someone who held out for the right job for almost 2 years but hopefully you wont have to wait that long!

Good luck man

SRTMCSE

I work for a nonprofit and our budget as well is not small at all. Depends on where you go, nonprofit is a broad term, sometimes you luck out.

sprkymrk

Okay, let me rephrase my answer slightly and say that in his case (a non-profit nursing home) he may have to work with a very limited budget.

In the case of an oranization like Red Cross or United Way that have reputations of making their upper echelon employees rich with doner money, then maybe not.

Are either of you (SRTMCSE or RTmarc) at liberty to mention the non-profit org you work for? Just curious....

SRTMCSE

sprkymrk wrote:

Okay, let me rephrase my answer slightly and say that in his case (a non-profit nursing home) he may have to work with a very limited budget.

In the case of an oranization like Red Cross or United Way that have reputations of making their upper echelon employees rich with doner money, then maybe not.

Are either of you (SRTMCSE or RTmarc) at liberty to mention the non-profit org you work for? Just curious....

I work for Phoebe Ministries that owns several nursing homes, assisted living and independent living facilities for the elderly, well for Phoebe Services which is just another "organizational unit" we provide IT and business services to the homes. phoebe.org

The IT staff is pretty big, about 10-12 of us (admins, helpdesk, support staff, app specialists, etc.) I've only been here a week but its such an awesome place to work, plus I feel kinda good knowing the work I do is going to helping older people and its a good feeling, plus I don't make a bad salary, lol.

sprkymrk

SRTMCSE wrote:

The IT staff is pretty big, about 10-12 of us (admins, helpdesk, support staff, app specialists, etc.) I've only been here a week but its such an awesome place to work, plus I feel kinda good knowing the work I do is going to helping older people and its a good feeling, plus I don't make a bad salary, lol.

Well congrats on the job!
The staff you mentioned, is that for the whole organization, or just a particular location?

RATTLERMAN

Just to update. Hiring manager wanted a net admn type.. the job the recruiter sold me on was desktop support. They wanted more active directory experience. BIG question outside setting up a home network how can i make the jump to where i can get some A/D experience.

Plus he talked about how healthcare IT is going to be real big in the next 5 years

famosbrown

I would start studying on the MCSA track. You will get plenty of AD in 70-290 and if you go further, in the AD design courses when attaining your MCSE. While studying...set up a home lab and play aroung with AD, replication, DNS, and everything else that coincides with AD. I just got a new job with only the certs, but no experience. The courses, studying, and practice will help me with any and all that I need to do as a Systems Admin. Everything that I don't know, I've already began booking the courses and reading up on my employers tab. Just get the knowledge and certifications, practice, and you will get in to get the experience. It is sometimes hard to get the opportunity to get the experience, but create your own work and experience whenever you can.

Famos

RATTLERMAN

Thats the plan taking 270,290 by end of year wondering if it too soon to take 294 or should i do 291,293 before 294

famosbrown

Yep...most do 270-294 in order. I am going to do the 284 and 285 next since my new job requires knowledge in Exchange. I'm also going to have to dabble in SQL Server too. It works out well though since my next PLANNED Microsoft course isn't for a month or so, so I can fill in the gaps with studying and topics that I didn't plan on doing before getting this job.

Famos