Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    wikkle's Avatar
    wikkle Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Aug 28, 2007, 11:35 AM
    IT job panic!
    Hello everyone,

    I'm a 21 year old college student with a sudden and stress-inducing predicament. There is a local law firm in need of an IT guy, and seeing as how I am close to some of those in charge, I have been asked to come give it a try. I suppose I'm more computer literate than the majority of those I'll be supporting, but to be frank, I have no real experience and have only been offered this position because I'm seen as a "good, hard working problem solver". I guess what I'm asking for is any advice that would allow me to actuallly help them out as an IT guy, and what sort of things I can expect.

    Gratefully,
    Jake
    NeedKarma's Avatar
    NeedKarma Posts: 10,635, Reputation: 1706
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Aug 28, 2007, 11:52 AM
    Wow, that's a tough call. While you may know how to troubleshoot a local Windows computer you'll also have to deal with installing software on a server, network/internet issues, rights and permissions, data backup duties, etc.
    WadeG's Avatar
    WadeG Posts: 15, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Aug 28, 2007, 12:02 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by wikkle
    Hello everyone,

    I'm a 21 year old college student with a sudden and stress-inducing predicament. There is a local law firm in need of an IT guy, and seeing as how I am close to some of those in charge, I have been asked to come give it a try. I suppose I'm more computer literate than the majority of those I'll be supporting, but to be frank, I have no real experience and have only been offered this position because I'm seen as a "good, hard working problem solver". I guess what I'm asking for is any advice that would allow me to actuallly help them out as an IT guy, and what sort of things I can expect.

    Gratefully,
    Jake
    1. Learn to speak at the client level, people who are not computer 'literate' have a real time understanding computer jargon. So its best to try and speak to them on their level. This can be hard/confusing for you also with people who try and speak the jargon but are not really sure what they are talking about (ie I always hear, "when I downloaded the software", as opposed to "installing the software"). It's a tough balance, on one hand you don't want to talk to them like they are an infant, but on the other you don't want to speak over their head.
    2. Be honest if you don't know the answer, let them know. Say something like I am not sure, but will definently find out right away for you. Nothing is more frustrating than someone who says they can fix the issue and no the problem, only to find out 3 days later they have no idea and are struggling with it.
    3. Bookmark some good tech sites and read/learn, you will never be finished educating yourself in this field.

    Hope these generic suggestions help, they can probably be applied to most positions. This is just what I have always gone by and I seem to do OK in my IT field.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
     
    #4

    Aug 28, 2007, 02:15 PM
    IT covers a lot of territory. I'd say ask them. Networking, software installs, keeping track of licenses, troubleshooting Windows ( We all know how much fun that is), Back-ups, maintaining a server (I's consider a back-up off site), Software troubleshooting.

    These are what I can think of for a law firm.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Panic attacks? [ 3 Answers ]

S/O says he has panic attacks well been less then 6 months and he has broken ribs again I suspect asthma anyone here got any clues, also got large red circle in center of his chest grown larger as time goes by kind of remins me of ring worm but its not.

Panic attack? [ 3 Answers ]

First I need to add that I seem to have a form of social phobia. Ok.. When I go outside which is rare I seem to have these weird feelings.. They are becoming worse and happens almost every time I interact with people. I can't go into details because it's hard to explain but I'll do the best I can....

Panic [ 2 Answers ]

My panic attacks came baq... how wonderfull:mad: so much bull to deal with. Forget it all

Anxiety Panic [ 4 Answers ]

As many people have said that their symptoms are not voluntary actions and are not intentional but their impulsive. When people are not aware of the panic or anxiety attacks a person has what then should the person who has the disorder do if the other person isn't aware of their disorder?...

Panic attacks [ 2 Answers ]

Our nine week old Rhoesdian Ridgeback is having panic attacks. We are crate training her and it seemed to be going well until we tried to close the door. She absolutely freaked out and got so worked up in the space of 1 minute that she threw up her lunch. It was surprising as we often close the...


View more questions Search