Blessing or a curse...you decide

UnixGuy

Priceless opportunity !

Take the challenge and take advantage of the training, this is how we learn

remyforbes777

Congrats, I guess there are a few things I would begin doing. Mapping out the environment. AD structure, network setup, etc. Find out what isn't working correctly and what is. Document everything. If there aren't any standards and procedures for how things are done, create some. Learn as much as you can and ask as many questions as you need. Google is your friend. Establish baselines. Be proactive. There are probably more and none of that is in any type of order but it should be a good start.

vCole

I have a feeling that this training thing isn't going to happen.

Mishra

remyforbes777 wrote: »

Congrats, I guess there are a few things I would begin doing. Mapping out the environment. AD structure, network setup, etc. Find out what isn't working correctly and what is. Document everything. If there aren't any standards and procedures for how things are done, create some. Learn as much as you can and ask as many questions as you need. Google is your friend. Establish baselines. Be proactive. There are probably more and none of that is in any type of order but it should be a good start.

Great post. I want to add, create a project plan.

motogpman

I am not up to date with the whole history you have with that company, but I will say that if they are wishy washy and the past speaks volumes. If they acted like crap before and now all of a sudden, dropping the consultant, looks like it may be a bit of "polishing" to cover up their BS or smooth things over. Not trying to be judgemental, but I gather from this thread that they haven't been treating you fair, so why now all of a sudden. People don't just change over night, there is usually a motive.

If they do offer anything, MAKE THEM write it out. It is all too often that a verbal offer/benefit is taken as such, (younger people are usually seen as inexperienced so that is viewed as a chance to intimidate/leverage a person), and then renigged on. Then the first thing that is asked by them is, "well, do you have that in writing?" Just keep this in mind, ALL training is beneficial, will give you something you didn't have before, and they can't take that away from you when it's all said and done.

Whatever happens, just get as much as you can, most companies only look out for their interests and you need to do the same. Be humble about it of course, but always be watchful......

vCole

I just got some more information.

The Personal Assistant to the Owner went to him and my bosses boss and basically said

"Hey, if Nicole doesn't get more tech work, and you guys use her abilities, she's going to leave. Give her a manual or send her to a class for the things she doesn't know, because she's extremely intelligent."

joey74055

Even if they don't pay for training (because of the economy or whatever else) you will still get valuable experience. Everything the consultant did now you get to have the chance to do. You will have to train yourself, if the consultant worked on excahnge for your company, you will need to go out and get a good exchange book. If the consultant worked on your routers, switches, VoIP, etc. you will need to get some good Cisco books. Learn as you go.

remyforbes777

FadeToBright wrote: »

I just got some more information.

The Personal Assistant to the Owner went to him and my bosses boss and basically said

"Hey, if Nicole doesn't get more tech work, and you guys use her abilities, she's going to leave. Give her a manual or send her to a class for the things she doesn't know, because she's extremely intelligent."

Nicole,
Sounds like a good sign. You have convinced them that you are worthy of the chance. now you just have to do the work and prove that you can handle the job. Get to grinding on what you don't know. Hit us up for questions, PM me if you need. I am not a guru on things but I know how certain things operate in enterprise situations. I work at a datacenter and we provide Hosted Exchange so I'm a resource for Exchange things also. i guess what I am getting at is you have resources available to you, use them to make things easier. Don't be shy in letting them know when you don't know something but also let them know that you will find out what you don't know. This sounds like a great opportunity.

vCole

joey74055 wrote: »

Even if they don't pay for training (because of the economy or whatever else) you will still get valuable experience. Everything the consultant did now you get to have the chance to do. You will have to train yourself, if the consultant worked on excahnge for your company, you will need to go out and get a good exchange book. If the consultant worked on your routers, switches, VoIP, etc. you will need to get some good Cisco books. Learn as you go.

He did everything.

So I need to learn a lot

skrpune

FadeToBright wrote: »

I just got some more information.

The Personal Assistant to the Owner went to him and my bosses boss and basically said

"Hey, if Nicole doesn't get more tech work, and you guys use her abilities, she's going to leave. Give her a manual or send her to a class for the things she doesn't know, because she's extremely intelligent."

AWESOME! That had to give you the "warm fuzzies" and make you feel pretty darn good! You do sound like you have a very good head on your shoulders, and it's incredibly encouraging to know that it's gotten noticed by your coworkers and is now being recognized by the bosses. You're obviously doing something very very right, and now they're hooked on ya and they want more. Very good position to be in.

Keep us posted...I'll be keeping fingers crossed that this all works out for you.

vCole

skrpune wrote: »

AWESOME! That had to give you the "warm fuzzies" and make you feel pretty darn good! You do sound like you have a very good head on your shoulders, and it's incredibly encouraging to know that it's gotten noticed by your coworkers and is now being recognized by the bosses. You're obviously doing something very very right, and now they're hooked on ya and they want more. Very good position to be in.

Keep us posted...I'll be keeping fingers crossed that this all works out for you.

I feel pretty honored. I mean they could always kick me to the curb and find someone else, but they want me to do this.

Slowhand

FadeToBright wrote: »

He did everything.

So I need to learn a lot

You know what that means, don't you? In a years' time from now, you'll be that same kind of scary-smart sysadmin. . . just like that consultant.

vCole

Slowhand wrote: »

You know what that means, don't you? In a years' time from now, you'll be that same kind of scary-smart sysadmin. . . just like that consultant.

I hope so

vCole

I am officially the project lead (in IT) for our move

HeroPsycho

When will the butt kicking commence?

zen master

Sounds, but be sure to ask for a raise, because that is a LOT of work.

dynamik

And your other interview went well? If you get another job offer, what do you think you're going to do?

vCole

HeroPsycho wrote: »

When will the butt kicking commence?

Today

vCole

zen master wrote: »

Sounds, but be sure to ask for a raise, because that is a LOT of work.

I'm unsure of how to go about this...

dynamik wrote: »

And your other interview went well? If you get another job offer, what do you think you're going to do?

Depends on money, honestly. The other job is step down from this, but lots of Linux experience and smaller company.

dynamik

FadeToBright wrote: »

I'm unsure of how to go about this...

Having another job offer will give you some nice leverage

sprkymrk

FadeToBright wrote: »

Depends on money, honestly. The other job is step down from this, but lots of Linux experience and smaller company.

Another thing to consider - how many jobs have you had in the past 18 months or so? By the time you hit your 3rd or 4th in a year your resume will start to raise some eyebrows - and not in a good way. Just something to think about before you jump ship for a little more money.

The grass isn't always greener....

vCole

sprkymrk wrote: »

Another thing to consider - how many jobs have you had in the past 18 months or so? By the time you hit your 3rd or 4th in a year your resume will start to raise some eyebrows - and not in a good way. Just something to think about before you jump ship for a little more money.

The grass isn't always greener....

I had that conversation at my job interview last night. But, the IT manager said I had great communication skills, since I expressed exactly what the issues were without bashing my previous employers.

itdaddy

fade2bright

dude go for it; you can do it man what a blessing that your boss will pay for your mcsa
you can do it man! go for it. there a many guys onthis tech forum who are smart and have been there that I am sure can give you guidance go for it!

undomiel

I don't know the details on the other job but if it is a step down I honestly think you'd be best served by sticking out this job for at least a year. The experience will do you wonders. When is your next review? That would probably be the best time to start talking money. Keep a running tally of accomplishments and responsibilities. If you have your old job description and can detail what is new in it that will certainly help.

HeroPsycho

itdaddy wrote: »

fade2bright

dude go for it; you can do it man what a blessing that your boss will pay for your mcsa
you can do it man! go for it. there a many guys onthis tech forum who are smart and have been there that I am sure can give you guidance go for it!

*in best Austin Powers voice* He's a woman, baby!

HeroPsycho

dynamik wrote: »

Having another job offer will give you some nice leverage

Thou shall not use other job offer as leverage without a signed offer letter from other potential employer and a willingness to leave if they call your bluff.

That's one of Hero's 1000 Or So Commandments for IT Professionals, along with other gems like...

"Thall shall not lick exposed wire in a datacenter. Wires in DC's have electricity, too!"

vCole

HeroPsycho wrote: »

Thou shall not use other job offer as leverage without a signed offer letter from other potential employer and a willingness to leave if they call your bluff.

That's one of Hero's 1000 Or So Commandments for IT Professionals, along with other gems like...

"Thall shall not lick exposed wire in a datacenter. Wires in DC's have electricity, too!"

hahaha

Slowhand

HeroPsycho wrote: »

"Thall shall not lick exposed wire in a datacenter. Wires in DC's have electricity, too!"

Now, now. Don't go around talking crazy. I did licked the wires at the datacenter I worked every morning to perk me up, saved a TON of money on coffee for a while.

itdaddy

HEROPSYCHO


oooooooooooooops! okay! dudette! girlfriend go for it! hahah
just treating her like one of the boys! hahah sorry

HeroPsycho

itdaddy wrote: »

HEROPSYCHO


oooooooooooooops! okay! dudette! girlfriend go for it! hahah
just treating her like one of the boys! hahah sorry

Your handle is itdaddy, but you're definitely not the (no relation to Apple) MacDaddy, are you?