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Hi
My son has to do an assignment for a subject called Life Orientation. He needs to interview 7 people on what jobs they are doing and what studying was required.

Please would you be so kind and answer his questions. He is interested in how different people find the whole work / study experience.
Thank so much

• What job are you doing?
• What did you study after school?
• Did what you study help with you with working in your job?
• Did you want this job?
• Did you plan on doing your current job before you started studying?
• What do you enjoy about your job?
• What do you dislike about your job?
• Do you like the times you work on your job?
• What type of things should someone like if they worked in your profession?
• What types of people are not suited for your job?

I didn't do formal studies after school before I started working. Well truth being told, I didn't even bother much with the last 2 years with school. Felt it was an utter waste, still feel like it.

1. Currently I'm primarily a network architect, but it involves other things like implementation, troubleshooting, thinking up new services, contacting new providers about new services and even climbing towers. I started of on the help desk and did new client installs in the beginning.
2.After 3 years working experience I felt ready to write CCNA, which I did. After that I also did CCNA-Voice and LPI-1. Written the first CCNP exam a few month ago, almost ready for the next 2 exams.
3.The job experience made the certification possible and I use it just as a validation for my knowledge. For my CCNA I just read through the 2 Cisco Press books for CCNA to make sure I'm ready for the exam.
4 & 5. Yes, in the beginning I only thought it would be an interesting job while I find something more interesting. But I'm good with it and it is as interesting as I make it for myself.
6. I have freedom to follow any technology, any one I research may be used for the company to offer new products. Also, the other senior people I work with are highly intelligent. The money is pretty OK too. Figuring out strange problems is fun, its almost detective work.
7. Dealing with fools that act like they know IT. Well dealing with fools in general. And dealing with clients that waste my time time with foolish stuff. I have BGP routing to set up, I don't care about someone who unplugged their network cable the 3rd time in a month. Or are unhappy because Windows/Apple updates used their bandwidth. Good that I don't have to deal with them on the phone any more, but they still fly into the office sometimes.
8. The official work times is ok, normal 8-5. But I do some more things after hours too. I could work longer hours for all I care if I dealt with people less.
9. Think nr 6 covers it.
10. I think the reverse is easier to describe. You have to love new technology and be willing to spend a lot of extra hours to learn all you can. My past few weekends went into learning advanced BGP and MPLS, and I have quite a lab at home already. I think you need to have a certain level of perfectionism in your work, but sometimes its hard when people want something NOW and not giving you the correct resources. The ability to learn new concepts in a flash is quite handy. Logic is irreplaceable to solve problems.

Its in a nutshell what I think, I could write a post on each question. Feel free to ask anything, even though I don't fit into the normal School -> Study -> Work thing.

Thank you so much. You are totally awesome

Thanks for responding!

• What job are you doing?
Systems Engineer - basically a server techie focusing mostly on databases and DB-driven applications for a mining company

• What did you study after school?
I went to Technikon Natal (now DIT) and got a diploma in IT and followed that up with a bunch of Microsoft certifications

• Did what you study help with you with working in your job?
To a small degree, my diploma was more development than support but I hated dev work. My MS certs just look good on a CV - all my real experience was gained on the job

• Did you want this job?
Yes, it was more varied than the job I was doing before it and paid a lot more too

• Did you plan on doing your current job before you started studying?
I wanted to study electrical engineering but my maths score in high school weren't good enough. Still, I'm not unhappy with this work and do enjoy it.

• What do you enjoy about your job?
Playing with new technology. The process of troubleshooting a problem. Using technology to help make peoples jobs easier

• What do you dislike about your job?
Ignorant users. Software licensing. Sometimes unrealistic expectations. Month-end reporting.

• Do you like the times you work on your job?
I have a good team which makes my time at work enjoyable even if the day itself isn't going well

• What type of things should someone like if they worked in your profession?
Technology, people, processes, variety

• What types of people are not suited for your job?
Old dogs who cant learn new tricks

thanks

Thanks so much Jamin - that is very helpful Very interesting too how you guys got to do what you are doing.

Ok - I will give this a shot too.

• What job are you doing?
There really is no description or set title for what I do. I am a part owner of a company that has been in existence since 1994. I tend to concentrate on End user Computer training, Database development and design, Presentation design and general computer support.

• What did you study after school?
National Diploma in Public Relations. And since - various computer courses.

• Did what you study help with you with working in your job?
Yes although I am not in Public Relations. It is important to know how to deal with people. I have organised events over the years, done press packs and the like.

• Did you want this job?
Nope. I basically had no idea what I really wanted - but found that I have certain talents. I naturally moved into training and then into database development. It was definitely not part of my plan.

• Did you plan on doing your current job before you started studying?
Nope - I was set to be a primary school teacher. Changed my mind two weeks before Wits opened for the new year. I had a bursary and all. Went and studied PR and never worked as a PRO. I am PRISA registered though.

• What do you enjoy about your job?
My job is never the same, from day to day. I enjoy meeting the different people and the new challenges that SQL, C## and Visual Studio offers. I also like learning the new programs that I need to teach - like Sharepoint, Lync, CRM, etc. And now there is talk of learning SAP

• What do you dislike about your job?
Introduction courses - except for Excel. Windows intros are tedious

• Do you like the times you work on your job?
Yes - I have the freedom to work at night and weekends, leaving time during the week to attend school activities. It does help when you have children.

• What type of things should someone like if they worked in your profession?
They need to like people - and must have patience. They also need to be able to explain concepts to others. Training is just a job - but what you teach the other person is going to make their lives so much better than before. You are helping to make their jobs more interesting and easier.

• What types of people are not suited for your job?
Those who do not like interactions on a one to one basis and those who are easily annoyed.

Tribble wrote:What job are you doing?

IT manager

Tribble wrote:What did you study after school?

I have a BSC in Information Systems

Tribble wrote:Did what you study help with you with working in your job?

Yup

Tribble wrote:Did you want this job?

Yes.

Tribble wrote:Did you plan on doing your current job before you started studying?

Nope.

Tribble wrote:What do you enjoy about your job?

Freedom to do what I think is important without having to answer to anyone but the MD, who's only criteria is "it needs to save us money in the long run"

Tribble wrote:What do you dislike about your job?

So much to do, so little time.

Tribble wrote:Do you like the times you work on your job?

Oh yeah. Our company has a strict policy. Everyone has to be out by 5. Except on Fridays. On Fridays we get kicked out at 4.

Tribble wrote:What type of things should someone like if they worked in your profession?

Using technology to improve efficiency. Solving puzzles.

Tribble wrote:What types of people are not suited for your job?

People who do not know or understand technology.

Oh that sounds awesome - you have a great job

ok, here's something not IT related

What job are you doing?
PDP student, basically my job is to further my development by doing my masters

What did you study after school?
BSc. Agric. Agronomy and Agrometeorology
BSc. Agric. Hons. Agrometeorology
currently doing MSc. Agric. Agrometeorology

Did what you study help with you with working in your job?
It most certainly did, had I not taken the agricultural route, I would have been very lost at the institute that I'm working at. Not all subjects will be used but most will come in handy someday

Did you want this job?
Not really, but I am learning a lot and at least I am doing something, don't like sitting around doing nothing

Did you plan on doing your current job before you started studying?
Nope, but luckily I changed studying directions as the field that I am currently in most enjoyable and not boring

What do you enjoy about your job?
At the moment not much as I have hitch points in my studies and I cannot continue if I don't get them sorted. But at least I get to go to conferences and hear what others are doing

What do you dislike about your job?
The waiting around for information and people to help you, even though you have asked a dozen times for stuff

Do you like the times you work on your job?
The times that I do get stuff done is most enjoyable, gives me the satisfaction of helping people

What type of things should someone like if they worked in your profession?
They should like working with science and how things work, and how to find solutions to problems that could help the nation

What types of people are not suited for your job?
People who cannot think in logical manners and who didn't study the science subjects at school, and people who do not have a love for nature

hope this helps

What job are you doing?

IT Specialist (Glorified helpdesk support)

What did you study after school?

IT Diploma from CTI.

Did what you study help with you with working in your job?

Yes & No. A lot of what was taught to me I knew instinctively, so it basically just gave me a certificate to get into the job market.

Did you want this job?

Yes but now not so much. Same thing day in & day out with the end users never growing has me looking for me in life...

Did you plan on doing your current job before you started studying?

No. Never saw myself doing helpdesk more server admin but back then I did not realize that helpdesk was part of the package.

What do you enjoy about your job?

As much as I complain about end users some of their problems are challenging from time to time so I guess that fits in here.

What do you dislike about your job?

End users and Japanese people...

Do you like the times you work on your job?

Hell no! Night shift is a personal life killer. If I could get paid the same amount working day shift times only I would jump in a heart beat...

What type of things should someone like if they worked in your profession?

Same as GreyWolf and jamin...

What types of people are not suited for your job?

Errr... Me? People who take life to seriously I would say. Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh if you dont burn out is just around the corner...

Thank you so much guys and gal. This is very useful for him.

@Anky lol - yes you would do better not having to deal with idiots

Looks like you need one more. Responses in red.

Tribble wrote:Hi
My son has to do an assignment for a subject called Life Orientation. He needs to interview 7 people on what jobs they are doing and what studying was required.

Please would you be so kind and answer his questions. He is interested in how different people find the whole work / study experience.
Thank so much

• What job are you doing?

SAS Programmer

• What did you study after school?

B.Sc. IT with Mathematics
B.Sc. Hons. Mathematics (partially completed)
B.Sc. Hons. IT (Studying full-time and working full-time, 2013)
M.Sc. IT in 2014, already getting ready for it

• Did what you study help with you with working in your job?

Yes.

• Did you want this job?

I did. No longer do.

• Did you plan on doing your current job before you started studying?

Definitely not. Aimed much higher but I'm restricted by the limited positions available in my home town.

• What do you enjoy about your job?

Problem solving, it's a very primitive language and problems can't be solved by just plugging in someone else's solution or an addon product.

• What do you dislike about your job?

Hectic timelines (pharmaceutical industry), boredom, very little innovation.

• Do you like the times you work on your job?

I work overtime regularly, sometimes past midnight, so no.

• What type of things should someone like if they worked in your profession?

Masochism, self-inflicted wounds, etc.

• What types of people are not suited for your job?

Anyone who can't handle deadlines, stress, and problem solving.

lol shame you are stuck in it for now. Thanks so much for answering.

Have another one! Over achieve!

What job are you doing?
Data warehousing/Developer

What did you study after school?
A+ course (in standard 9/grade 11)
Most of a B. IT at the University of Pretoria after matric.
Busy finishing my degree with a Bsc. Computer Science through UNISA right now.

Did what you study help with you with working in your job?
Yes it did.

Did you want this job?
In the grand scheme of things, no. Right now, yes.

Did you plan on doing your current job before you started studying?
Not in the slightest.

What do you enjoy about your job?
Challenges and problem solving and a previously new, unexplored, totally unfamiliar area and a completely different way of thinking compared to "normal" databases and development. Occasionally, I also get to interact with PEOPLE! Yes, those living breathing things.

What do you dislike about your job?
Changing of plans halfway through things, unorganised clients/moving the goal posts, lack of mentorship. (And when people use "big data" and "cloud." Or even worse, when they use them in the same sentence!)

Do you like the times you work on your job?
Yep. Very flexible and accommodating.

What type of things should someone like if they worked in your profession?
Accuracy, logical thinking, creativity.

What types of people are not suited for your job?
The opposite of the above answers.

So you put all your work on the big data cloud?

Thanks - very interesting. You shall be included