| December 2006 |
| By John Powell |
I work for a University. Yes, there are more people at a university than just the faculty and students. When people learn I work for a university the first thing they ask is “Oh, what do you teach?” When I reply that I don’t teach and that I’m a Network Analyst, I get a great selection of blank faces.
So, what does a Network Analyst, Infrastructure Specialist, Career Level person do? Basically I watch over the physical plant that our network occupies, from the main computer rooms to the smallest network closet, and everything in between. I’m the guy that makes sure the servers, switches and routers don’t cook or freeze; have power; the telecomm rooms have lights; the HVAC works and are kept clean; the UPS units work; and we have a space to grow.
I’m the “go-to” man for assistance in installing new equipment and where to plug it in to. To make sure the HVAC systems aren’t overloaded as we add more systems, I build the rack enclosure and cable raceway systems. I interface with inside facility staff, outside contractors and other staff dedicated to the system/project. In addition, I monitor the network, make and track purchases and I keep the inventory and “other duties as assigned.” I also arrange for e-waste, destroy old hard drives and equipment to survey – that’s all part of my job.
What I do on a daily basis varies. It’s certain that every day I spend a large portion of my time monitoring the network using Entuity and answering emails via Lotus Notes. My work in a way presents itself, via alarms from malfunctioning switches or wireless units, the electrician arriving to ask where the new AC outlets should be (even though its detailed on the work order), other analysts asking for help installing equipment or planning for new equipment. A small portion of my time is spent ordering items and following up on those orders and I also keep inventory and drawing records up to date using both Excel and Visio. Lacking any direct clerical support, we do a lot of tasks that Fortune 500 companies would relegate to secretaries or interns.
As to the culture on a University campus, laid back would be the overall operating theme. While we’re exempt employees, seldom do we work more than 40 hours a week and it’s frowned on to work less. Casual Day is every day except for shorts, well at least in our department. These ‘perks’ plus well kept grounds (on most campuses) make it a relatively easy place to work.
My words of wisdom to anyone seeking a job in a state university system, especially here in California, is: be patient. Budgetary cuts make openings few and far between. HR department requirements make for a very long time from job advertisement to an employee actually starting a new job. Having a Cisco CCNA or CCIE or a BS in Computer Science is a definite plus.
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