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Ask HN: What is my Job Title?

by Geenirvana on 1/24/18, 1:18 PM with 3 comments

This might seem like an strange question but how do I know what my job title is?

My job role is so diverse I struggle categorizing it under a name.

Basically, I started doing I.T Desktop Support but I soon outgrown this and started volunteering to be involved in some of the more interesting tasks.

My un-official job title is a Systems Developer but I never applied for this, it was sort just given to me over time.

My typical day to day tasks are:

System Administration - Replace servers, Manage Active Directory, keep uptime, back up etc - Just typical sysadmin type work

Networking - Set up networks, configure switches/routers, cisco type stuff

Programming - I have developed several be-spoke applications that the company now depends on

Cable Management - Lay Cat5 cables across the building

Support - Provide desktop support (but this has recently beed pushed to a new starter)

Software Deployment - Introduce new software to the company and integrate it into the company systems

Process Improvement - Identify a process that can be automated/improved and build necessary tools to do this

SQL Server/SSRS - Write TSQL to use for SSRS

A typical Jack of all Trades Master of none situation.

I really enjoy my job and I am in a fortunate position where I can go into work, look around the business - find something to improve and offer a proposal to work on it. It's rare I have management inteference and if things start to slow down, I ask around the business for anything that can be automated.

I have been with the company for 20 years, and it's been the only place I have worked for but due to my circumstances I must re-consider my future there. Because I have been trapped inside a pidgeon hole - I don't know what it's like elsewhere - but from looking around what jobs are available it looks they are speficially target one of my fields.

I have come across the term DevOps and I am not sure if this is what I do.

  • by jlgaddis on 1/24/18, 2:20 PM

    Sounds like a pretty textbook definition of "Network Administrator" [0] (which, despite the name, includes things like server administration) to me.

    [0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_administrator

  • by maze-le on 1/24/18, 1:26 PM

    >> I have been trapped inside a pidgeon hole - I don't know what it's like elsewhere

    Good thing for you that you recognized it. I've also been trapped for a long time in a role that I don't like anymore. Took me a while to find that out. Feelings like this can become a main problem in your personal psychological health, and an obstacle to your own productivity and drive.

    >> I have come across the term DevOps

    I think the term is quite suited to your description.

  • by piano on 1/25/18, 2:31 PM

    Yup, that's devops.