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#1 Aug 06 2013 at 6:48 AM Rating: Default
Recently my dad has come to me at work and asked me if i would be his IT guy... to start off im not to savy with any IT work to be completly honest and was wondering if anyone knew of a website or maybe a small class online that would be helpful for me learning the basics and key words etc. before i jump into this hands on schooling that ill be given... any and all ideas and helpful websites would be great and again thank you very much ahead of time...
#2 Aug 06 2013 at 6:51 AM Rating: Good
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Mmoderator wrote:
Recently my dad has come to me at work and asked me if i would be his IT guy... to start off im not to savy with any IT work to be completly honest and was wondering if anyone knew of a website or maybe a small class online that would be helpful for me learning the basics and key words etc. before i jump into this hands on schooling that ill be given... any and all ideas and helpful websites would be great and again thank you very much ahead of time...


My advice would be, if you don't really know much about IT, you're probably going to need more than a class to grasp it, unless programming comes naturally to you. As a graphic designer, IT is very challenging for myself. I've taken several classes to get a better understanding of it and still only know the very basics. Unless the IT work for your dad is fairly easy, I'd say you might want to take more time to learn it than what a single class can offer... unless it's just something you are naturally great at.
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#3 Aug 06 2013 at 6:53 AM Rating: Excellent
What kind of duties are you expected to perform?
#4 Aug 06 2013 at 6:56 AM Rating: Decent
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Firstly, this isnt really the correct forum to ask.

Secondly, "IT" is a massive area to cover. You really need to find out exactly what you're going to be asked to be responsible for and go from there. Is it OS/Desktop basic break-fix? Networking? Domain management? Virtual server management? SQL? Application development? .... I could put many, many question marks here!
#5 Aug 06 2013 at 8:20 AM Rating: Decent
I understand there are many many things that IT could do but my duties are more geared towards setting copiers up to scan/print/networking/sharing... None of it so far has been to difficult to grasp but I would like a few pointers considering I've been ready to eject a computer out the door at times... I think if I knew more definitions of things I'd be a lil better off and more capable.

Edit... More on the connectivity side of IT than anything.

Edited, Aug 6th 2013 9:27am by Mmoderator
#6 Aug 06 2013 at 9:37 AM Rating: Good
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Mmoderator wrote:
I understand there are many many things that IT could do but my duties are more geared towards setting copiers up to scan/print/networking/sharing... None of it so far has been to difficult to grasp but I would like a few pointers considering I've been ready to eject a computer out the door at times... I think if I knew more definitions of things I'd be a lil better off and more capable.

Edit... More on the connectivity side of IT than anything.

Edited, Aug 6th 2013 9:27am by Mmoderator


So setting up office spaces with maybe a little networking thrown in?

You'll want some basics on how to set up a network and how to configure Windows (MacOS?) for printer sharing (doesn't matter if you're talking about a copier, they're all printers to a computer).

Fortunately, some general youtube searching will probably get you quite a bit.
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#7 Aug 06 2013 at 9:52 AM Rating: Good
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http://www.howtogeek.com/

I go to this site for help. However, I wouldn't take a job as an IT person. Is someone else in charge of security? If not, you've got routers and computers, plus any walk in employee handhelds that are a risk.

Its complicated.

Also, I think you in the wrong Forum, unless you plan on playing ffxiv from work.

Edited, Aug 6th 2013 11:53am by Grandmomma
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#8 Aug 06 2013 at 11:01 AM Rating: Good
Haha wouldnt that be a dream... playing from work!

i didnt know there was a forum dedicated to such things or i would have gone there for this... but also feel more comfortable with all of your answers seeing as ive been around for a lil while now and have seen many correct answers coming from the lot of you...

Im kinda in charge of it all on the IT side of it and was thrown into this yesterday at the end of work so just looking for any help i can get reading or video wise...

Ive never ran into a Mac operating system in my field so im pretty sure it would just be the Windows side of it all... I dont think i persoanlly will be setting up a network at any location but rather connecting copier/fax/scanners etc. to a network for the business to use... what exactly would you hav me search for on youtube Callinon?

#9 Aug 06 2013 at 11:10 AM Rating: Good
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Quote:
Ive never ran into a Mac operating system in my field so im pretty sure it would just be the Windows side of it all... I dont think i persoanlly will be setting up a network at any location but rather connecting copier/fax/scanners etc. to a network for the business to use... what exactly would you hav me search for on youtube Callinon?


The tonnage of things you can learn on youtube is astonishing. I'd go for some basic device networking. I just googled "networking a printer" and got about a zillion youtube results. If you're generally working with a particular model of printer or copier, you can include that in your search and narrow it down considerably. My shop repairs computers, occasionally we use youtube or some other reference source for correct disassembly of a laptop. Way better option than risking breaking part of the chassis.

If you're suddenly "in charge" over there, you might've found yourself thrown into the deep end a bit. The best skill is adaptability; if you can figure out what you're doing as you're doing it, you'll be ok.
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#10 Aug 06 2013 at 11:23 AM Rating: Good
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Archmage Callinon wrote:
Quote:
Ive never ran into a Mac operating system in my field so im pretty sure it would just be the Windows side of it all... I dont think i persoanlly will be setting up a network at any location but rather connecting copier/fax/scanners etc. to a network for the business to use... what exactly would you hav me search for on youtube Callinon?


The tonnage of things you can learn on youtube is astonishing. I'd go for some basic device networking. I just googled "networking a printer" and got about a zillion youtube results. If you're generally working with a particular model of printer or copier, you can include that in your search and narrow it down considerably. My shop repairs computers, occasionally we use youtube or some other reference source for correct disassembly of a laptop. Way better option than risking breaking part of the chassis.

If you're suddenly "in charge" over there, you might've found yourself thrown into the deep end a bit. The best skill is adaptability; if you can figure out what you're doing as you're doing it, you'll be ok.


This can be said about a lot of things. I don't have any training, but I still do quite a bit of computer/network fixing for family and friends just using google and youtube. Its also my main go to for auto repair, since that can get extremely expensive too. The internet is truly the most powerful tool out there imo
#11 Aug 06 2013 at 3:02 PM Rating: Decent
I would like to thank you all for the input here on my subject. It has been of great help to me and my career. Much appreciated!
#12 Aug 06 2013 at 10:24 PM Rating: Good
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Just some advice, I would mention to your superiors, in a non-confrontational way, that you aren't entirely experienced, but are eager to learn. They may have some sort of funds and resources available to set you off on the right track. Also, it's not really fair to jump into something blind and risk destroying their network, or worse, getting yourself fired. Your best knowledge will come from experience, though. If you have a printer, fax, etc. at home and a few PC's lying around, practice networking them and fiddling around with settings and such. Should help you be more confident when at work tackling the real thing. Good luck.
#13 Aug 06 2013 at 11:25 PM Rating: Good
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I couldn't imagine being thrown in this position like this. I would be freaking out.

IT (the kind you're talking about) isn't rocket science, but there is a lot of stuff to learn. Especially the stage you are at.

I've been an IT assistant (and library manager) for a few years now with only hands on training. I'm currently studying for my A+ cert and N+ cert. Cisco and Microsoft certs will follow after that. Depending on the job market I might go back to school.

Be thankful that you're in this position and work hard. I'd also buy an A+ certification guide, just to get familiar with the different parts of the computer.

And to echo others here, mess around with computers at home; network them, take them apart, and put them back together. Once you kinda get some of the basics and lingo down, then really it kinda boils down to how good your google-fu is.

Good luck!
#14 Aug 07 2013 at 7:04 AM Rating: Decent
DragonBourne wrote:
Just some advice, I would mention to your superiors, in a non-confrontational way, that you aren't entirely experienced, but are eager to learn. They may have some sort of funds and resources available to set you off on the right track. Also, it's not really fair to jump into something blind and risk destroying their network, or worse, getting yourself fired. Your best knowledge will come from experience, though. If you have a printer, fax, etc. at home and a few PC's lying around, practice networking them and fiddling around with settings and such. Should help you be more confident when at work tackling the real thing. Good luck.


To be honest my superior is my father... and yeah i dont think he is truly understanding of how much him putting me here in this position has stressed me out... but he also doesnt really care considering he has owned and ran this business for 30+ years he says its due time i learn my part so he can hand it over cause hes ready to live on the lake...

i dont really break down any computers at all or mess directly with a network either that im aware of... as stated before most of my IT work is just connectivity on multi functional copiers (scan,fax,copy,print) the more i work with it the easier it is seeming to be but none the less when i asked for schooling pops said hell nah... learn it how everyone else did... rough way to learn considering i was grown up on tests and actual informative papers being handed to me... but ill manage i guess ;P
#15 Aug 07 2013 at 7:19 AM Rating: Decent
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You should tell your dad no. Ask him to hire some kid out of college for cheap and you work with that person until you learn the ropes. IT isn't hard to learn but when you're dealing with mission critical things like e-mail and connectivity learning as you go isn't always the best practice. I've been in IT for 15+ years and the first thing I tell people aspiring to get into the profession is that you don't have to know everything. But you have to know how to find the answers quickly to the things you don't know.

That being said, you can easily learn from someone else. Especially if you'll only be working for a specific company. You'll just need to know how to fix things related to that one company. That is until they want to expand or try something new.
#16 Aug 07 2013 at 7:29 AM Rating: Decent
BluntmanII wrote:
You should tell your dad no. Ask him to hire some kid out of college for cheap and you work with that person until you learn the ropes. IT isn't hard to learn but when you're dealing with mission critical things like e-mail and connectivity learning as you go isn't always the best practice. I've been in IT for 15+ years and the first thing I tell people aspiring to get into the profession is that you don't have to know everything. But you have to know how to find the answers quickly to the things you don't know.

That being said, you can easily learn from someone else. Especially if you'll only be working for a specific company. You'll just need to know how to fix things related to that one company. That is until they want to expand or try something new.


i wish this was the case my friend but my father doesnt know the word NO... its not in his vocabulary at all i think it left abou tthe time i turned 8 or 9 haha... and to TBH i dont want to be in the IT field at all... in fact because of this i might be finding a new job just because IT just isnt me...
#17 Aug 07 2013 at 7:45 AM Rating: Decent
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LOL. Well if he's insistent about you being in the family business you can't ask him to work in a different part of the company?
#18 Aug 07 2013 at 7:51 AM Rating: Decent
BluntmanII wrote:
LOL. Well if he's insistent about you being in the family business you can't ask him to work in a different part of the company?


Well there are only 2 copier techs, our secretary, and a sales guy covering over 100 mile radius... not really many options as to going anywhere else... our IT guy bailed on us and is why ive been tasked with the job... its really not that big of an issue other than the no pay bump ;( for learning the IT... but the way he is going about making me learn it is a pain in the ***...
#19 Aug 07 2013 at 11:32 AM Rating: Good
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Your father could be making a serious mistake from a security perspective. By putting someone inexperienced into a systems or network administration role he could be putting the entire IT infrastructure of the company at risk. I understand that your father has an immediate need but he should really hire a trained professional. He could try opening an unpaid internship position if he's worried about cost, and advertise at the local colleges that he's looking for someone.

If you're interested in the job yourself I would recommend getting some books and studying as much as you can. You'll eventually want to get the following certifications:
A+
CCNA
MSCE

Those I would pursue as a minimum. The more certifications the better. If your dad is willing to hire you into the role (and wont look for alternatives) then take the opprotunity to learn as you work and study the hell out of those books for those certifications.

Godspeed man.

Edited, Aug 7th 2013 1:34pm by reptiletim
#20 Aug 07 2013 at 11:39 AM Rating: Good
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I would try to find out why the IT bailed ASAP.
#21 Aug 07 2013 at 11:43 AM Rating: Good
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Mmoderator wrote:
BluntmanII wrote:
You should tell your dad no. Ask him to hire some kid out of college for cheap and you work with that person until you learn the ropes. IT isn't hard to learn but when you're dealing with mission critical things like e-mail and connectivity learning as you go isn't always the best practice. I've been in IT for 15+ years and the first thing I tell people aspiring to get into the profession is that you don't have to know everything. But you have to know how to find the answers quickly to the things you don't know.

That being said, you can easily learn from someone else. Especially if you'll only be working for a specific company. You'll just need to know how to fix things related to that one company. That is until they want to expand or try something new.


i wish this was the case my friend but my father doesnt know the word NO... its not in his vocabulary at all i think it left abou tthe time i turned 8 or 9 haha... and to TBH i dont want to be in the IT field at all... in fact because of this i might be finding a new job just because IT just isnt me...


Might just be time to cut the cord and move on. Clearly it's not what you want, and clearly your dad needs to learn what no means. Do you really want to be stuck working in a job you don't even really like just because your dad tells you to? Also, you realize if anything does go wrong from an IT sense, you're going to get all the blame, regardless of being thrown into the position without experience.
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50 WAR • 50 MNK • 50 MIN • 50 GSM • 50 ARM • 50 LTW • 50 CUL • 50 WVR
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