Got a new job, but seem not to work out =(

taktsoi

hi people....
I am pretty damn struggling in my new job. Long story short, the network infrastructure, procedures, policies, as well as politics are so freaking messed up.
I just walk in to a new job and this is my 3rd week. From day 1, I already noticed that the new job environment is really ridiculous and bullshit.
First, the network infrastructure is not configured properly. Internal users need help almost every moment. However, when users need help, all IT guys need to work on it immediately or you will get yelled, CURSED, as well as bullshit email complainting to the boss. I found there are so many bad people there........
In this network infrastructure, there is no updates plan, no antivirus, many internal users as local admins, no standards images, different softwares on different machines, different configed pc in the samen department, exchange/outlook don work well, loss of password on cisco, pc, , no log documentation, and so on , etc. It is really damn tough for me to work there since i don't really know where to start from. This is why i start doing my activity report and documentations on day 1 as a new employee for myself and company. I am trying to make it under my control.
A new hire manager who only works here for few months just IS BEING Asked for let go today because there's bullshits stuffs back and forth to him last week..................... he is done today and he packed his stuffs to box........
I m getting lost now, i don know how to work in this company. However, I need more IT experiences. I don't really know if i should go back to previous job or just keep working in a new job until being asked for let go.......
what a sadness day today........

blargoe

What does your manager have to say about your concerns?

taktsoi

blargoe wrote:

What does your manager have to say about your concerns?

when he was asked for let go, me and the IT guy saw him packing stuffs..and say good luck to me and the other IT guy...

today...we lost our manager....

borumas

Maybe good will come from this, seems managers did not do their jobs to begin with as far as the problems you have stated and maybe a replacement will prioritize what needs to be implemented and how to do it project by project. I also work with some real characters but they at least keep the basics working and under control.

taktsoi

Maybe good will come from this, seems managers did not do their jobs to begin with as far as the problems you have stated and maybe a replacement will prioritize what needs to be implemented and how to do it project by project. I also work with some real characters but they at least keep the basics working and under control.

mm....i think those managers did their job but didn't react fast enough...some people do the job slow, some are fast...they both are able to finish the job but...this company would like a to have a guy who can accomplish faster
yes..i hope there will be a great change tomorrow. however, i shoot it low now...plus..i am just new there...so...it is pretty rough to me that i have to do my job well before people will bust to my ass......
I am thinking about new job hunting.........

altho I am not easy to give up, but..this case ...i believe..should be exceptional............

i got a headache now......

seuss_ssues

I guess it all really depends on what you want to do.

It may definately just be unbearable and if that were the case I would not want to work there either.

However if it is somewhere you could see yourself staying then instead of looking at how screwed up everything is and being freaked out about it all take a deep breath. This is a moment of oportunity.

Chaos and confusion are great moments of oportunity. If it is possible for you start standardizing systems, keeping better records or database info, setup an update server or get current systems updated and create and update schedule, setup network wide antivirus ... etc

If you want to and can pull it off it might look good in the managers eyes and pay off big when evaluation rolls around. Just start with something small as updates and a better trouble ticket system to map the progress of open tickets and let the end user know that someone knows they have an issue/is working on it.

Find the solution to a problem and deploy it to all systems. The longer you stay in and improve the overall IT health the easier your job will be.

Pash

Hi taktsoi,

This is a simple one actually, even though I understand your position. Of course I have no idea of your current operations, so some of this may not be useful.

Spend some of your free time, yup thats right, this one is unpaid overtime, produce a brainstorm list of things that need improving within this IT infrastructure, pointers:-

1. Research the current system, point out the things that don't work or could be improved. Order these improvements, taking into consideration time saving, cost, risk, security and feasability. Some things must work, if they dont then the guys who have been sailing this boat must be very fat sailors, in which case the boat will sink soon....list the things that work.

2. Make a diagram of the current system, network diagrams, flow charts, who reports to who for what?

3. Make a new proposal. Thats right, list things that need to be improved, explain how this will effect the current systems, impact and implementation.

Hand this to your boss, or if he is leaving, your bosses boss. If nobody is willing to admit that the IT infrastructure is a shambles and not willing to improve a failing system, then im sorry to say but you may have to go find experience else where.

Cheers,

taktsoi

Pash wrote:

Hi taktsoi,

This is a simple one actually, even though I understand your position. Of course I have no idea of your current operations, so some of this may not be useful.

Spend some of your free time, yup thats right, this one is unpaid overtime, produce a brainstorm list of things that need improving within this IT infrastructure, pointers:-

1. Research the current system, point out the things that don't work or could be improved. Order these improvements, taking into consideration time saving, cost, risk, security and feasability. Some things must work, if they dont then the guys who have been sailing this boat must be very fat sailors, in which case the boat will sink soon....list the things that work.

2. Make a diagram of the current system, network diagrams, flow charts, who reports to who for what?

3. Make a new proposal. Thats right, list things that need to be improved, explain how this will effect the current systems, impact and implementation.

Hand this to your boss, or if he is leaving, your bosses boss. If nobody is willing to admit that the IT infrastructure is a shambles and not willing to improve a failing system, then im sorry to say but you may have to go find experience else where.

Cheers,

Thank you guys for your help...really really appreciate.

unfortunately, this just let go manager did submit the proporsal to the boss on the first day i m aboard.......... i also got a copy of his agenda as well on my blackberry........

keenon

i have been there before... it could be a solid place to do some real good or be setup by the "office bs" its more or less up to you.. i would definitely see if upper management would approve of such a wide spread fix to their "problem" otherwise plan on you escape... also be careful as the downside is once everything gets standardized, documented and fixed they may try to replace you with a $8 hr tech that has nothing to do but fix the stuff has you documented

taktsoi

keenon wrote:

i have been there before... it could be a solid place to do some real good or be setup by the "office bs" its more or less up to you.. i would definitely see if upper management would approve of such a wide spread fix to their "problem" otherwise plan on you escape... also be careful as the downside is once everything gets standardized, documented and fixed they may try to replace you with a $8 hr tech that has nothing to do but fix the stuff has you documented

mm...so....the wise choice is to escape........ i found even I have energy, knowledges, skills to fix this bullshit crap...i will be replaced soon or later.................it sux.......

Gabe7055

First off I just want to let you know I understand you situation completely. Your new to this job, you were without a doubt very excited coming in and everything was probably looking pretty bright and than you come in to this place and all you can think is "What did I get myself into".

Also because your new it will be really hard for you to go in and just change things for the better because one there are so many things that need fixing, two it sounds like someone is being tight with the budget and you would not get the funds you need to fix things even if you wanted to, and three nobody ever wants the new guy to do anything but just sit there. A lot of managements get freaked out when they see the new guy come in and try to make a bunch of changes.

You have two options honestly. You can go in and try to make this place an environment you want to work in or you can look for another job. If you’re not capable of doing the option 1 than for the sake of your sanity option 2 is the only one to go with. Life is too short to spend 8 to 10 hours a day miserable.

Gabe7055

Also just so you know your not alone I figured I would share my story as well. Not as an effort to derail but just to let you know these things happen. If anyone has any advice on my situation and would like to send a PM or something that would be wonderful.

Anyway six months ago I left a system admin job that I had for three years to move four hours away and become an Exchange administrator. At the time it was a dream come true. Well I get up here and just like in your case there was some budget issues and the like but for the most part I just wasn't happy. The work was great but the place itself was just not a good fit. So after two months I left. I helped out a small programming company for a couple of months with there servers to pay the bills and kept looking. Well one day I thought my dream had come true as I was offered a job to be an Exchange admin for the government. More money, big budget, and the possibility of getting my secret clearance, I mean this had to be my dream job right? WRONG?

I never worked for the government in any form of fashion so let's just say when I came in I was a little "shocked" on how things ran. There is more Red Tape in the server room than there are network cables and the slightest of mistakes can send you packing should the right exec be upset enough about it.

SO here I am again no better than I was six months ago and yet now I have two jobs on my resume in the past six months. Now I understand that jobs are called jobs for a reason but there is got to be places where you can do work you enjoy and at least be content in your work environment while you’re doing. In fact I know these places exist because I left one for what I thought was a bigger better deal

keenon

Gabe7055 wrote:

If you’re not capable of doing the option 1 than for the sake of your sanity option 2 is the only one to go with. Life is too short to spend 8 to 10 hours a day miserable.

very well put i have been there and got the tattoo to remember

SRTMCSE

I'll tell you what, from what I was told about my dept here, about 5 years ago this dept was in utter chaos. Nobody trusted us, different branches and departments were actually outsourcing their IT needs b/c IT here just wasn't cutting it. Nobody trusted us, the network was in utter chaos. I've only been here 10 months but things are pretty great here. They're not perfect, we still have some chaotic systems and users who will call the Director if their screen saver locks a minutes faster than they would like it. But the users trust us and appreciate our work. Good can come from this, but if the situation is too stressful and affecting you negatively then by all means get gone.

blargoe

Stories like this help me to not take my current situation for granted.

I don't know what your needs and your experience level is or the job market is like in your area, so instead of "get out now" my advice is to make an effort to effect ONE improvement at your current job just to prove yourself and your concepts to the other people there. All the while, keep your eyes open for an equivalent job in the market.

taktsoi

thank you all of you guys' suggestion. all of your ideas are really helpful and helping my brain more clear....thanks

today, after the manager was let go yesterday, a new guy is aboard and takes this position. he is a son of one of the VP. can u believe that? i think... this has planned......no doubt.......

btw, my position is the IT support specialist/ entry leve admin. When i got hired, the let go manager asked me if i can implement wsus, gpo, symantec coproate antivirus, and ghost images...and the reason i take this job is that i can learn more about exchange server with blackberry enterprise server.... i am still new on these stuffs....

there's another IT guy who is working there with me for 2 yrs told me that he has seen 4 managers let go. he also said this company dont play ****. like the 1 yr ago, that manager was let go because the cisco router was hit by thunder and he couldn't replace in one DAY...they don't care how long u take to purchase or anything...he need anything DONE RITE NOW in this second....after that..he was asked to let go next week.....

now, i m keeping my eyes open on any new job opportunity. should there be one available, i guess.....u got it..

thank you guys again. i keep everything on bright side...

keenon

taktsoi wrote:

thank you all of you guys' suggestion. all of your ideas are really helpful and helping my brain more clear....thanks

today, after the manager was let go yesterday, a new guy is aboard and takes this position. he is a son of one of the VP. can u believe that? i think... this has planned......no doubt.......

btw, my position is the IT support specialist/ entry leve admin. When i got hired, the let go manager asked me if i can implement wsus, gpo, symantec coproate antivirus, and ghost images...and the reason i take this job is that i can learn more about exchange server with blackberry enterprise server.... i am still new on these stuffs....

there's another IT guy who is working there with me for 2 yrs told me that he has seen 4 managers let go. he also said this company dont play ****. like the 1 yr ago, that manager was let go because the cisco router was hit by thunder and he couldn't replace in one DAY...they don't care how long u take to purchase or anything...he need anything DONE RITE NOW in this second....after that..he was asked to let go next week.....

now, i m keeping my eyes open on any new job opportunity. should there be one available, i guess.....u got it..

thank you guys again. i keep everything on bright side...

what a hot mess.. i would bet that they are gaining a bad rep and will soon have a problem of getting anyone to apply for any jobs with them.. most management doesn't know or doesn't care that they are creating a negative employee view of the company. thus killing the prospects of any great talent and ending up having to outsource there IT needs and get murdered on the $$$

but o'well what do i know

dtlokee

taktsoi wrote:

like the 1 yr ago, that manager was let go because the cisco router was hit by thunder and he couldn't replace in one DAY...

Damn, hit by thunder, that musta been somthing

I understand the the idea of having to replace the Cisco router in 1 seems like it's unrealistic, but I support some companies that are pure Internet sales, loss of their Internet connection could cost them 4-10 million dollars per day in lost sales and possibly more in the potental loss of customer trust, that's why they have backup links and hot spares in storage.

The only thing I would add is many companies don't like it when people simply come to them with lists of what is wrong with no plans on how to fix them. The managers that have been let go may have done this and were seen as whiners by the company. Some people will simply talk about what may happen, no matter how remote the possibilty is, just so when it does happen they can say "I told you so", but have no pans on how to fix any of it.

When given lemons, grab some sugar and water and make lemoande.

seuss_ssues

dtlokee wrote:

taktsoi wrote:

When given lemons, grab some sugar and water and make lemoande.

Lemme fix that for you.

"When given lemons, grab some salt and some tequila and make your troubles go away."

petedude

Let me just say this, for the moment:

I left two jobs in succession after a number of years where I thought I'd had enough.

Right after I left, the managers over my departments changed out.

Moral of the story: Wait out the storm. When you think it's at its worst, it might be nearly ready to settle.

empc4000xl

All I can tell you to do is to take advantage of your situation. Since you are new there you don't have any cred. So my suggestion there is to take on calls, and get your name known. Whatever the small simple stuff is. Then slowly if people see you are doing the right thing they will come under your wing old and new. Once you have this established you can move for a change up of the way things are going. A new person showing up and trying to change the game will be met with strong resistance. So learn as much as you can, and do what your task are at this time, but slowly have in mind what you want to get accomplished at the company and how to bring everybody together. You don't have to have your eyes on being the boss to do this, but everyone can be coached to perform to a certain level.

jbaello

taktsoi wrote:

hi people....
I am pretty damn struggling in my new job. Long story short, the network infrastructure, procedures, policies, as well as politics are so freaking messed up.
I just walk in to a new job and this is my 3rd week. From day 1, I already noticed that the new job environment is really ridiculous and bullshit.
First, the network infrastructure is not configured properly. Internal users need help almost every moment. However, when users need help, all IT guys need to work on it immediately or you will get yelled, CURSED, as well as bullshit email complainting to the boss. I found there are so many bad people there........
In this network infrastructure, there is no updates plan, no antivirus, many internal users as local admins, no standards images, different softwares on different machines, different configed pc in the samen department, exchange/outlook don work well, loss of password on cisco, pc, , no log documentation, and so on , etc. It is really damn tough for me to work there since i don't really know where to start from. This is why i start doing my activity report and documentations on day 1 as a new employee for myself and company. I am trying to make it under my control.
A new hire manager who only works here for few months just IS BEING Asked for let go today because there's bullshits stuffs back and forth to him last week..................... he is done today and he packed his stuffs to box........
I m getting lost now, i don know how to work in this company. However, I need more IT experiences. I don't really know if i should go back to previous job or just keep working in a new job until being asked for let go.......
what a sadness day today........

This is a challenge and your chance to prove yourself, take this as an "opportunity in the shadows"

jbaello

seuss_ssues wrote:

dtlokee wrote:

taktsoi wrote:

When given lemons, grab some sugar and water and make lemoande.

Lemme fix that for you.

"When given lemons, grab some salt and some tequila and make your troubles go away."

I want some of that lemonades!