Whatever Happened To Computer Operators?

[dspsyssts]

There was a time when you could bang that into Jobserve and get 30+ vacancies up straight away.

Not now.

I'm the first to admit I'm as thick as sh*t and really don't have the attitude or aptitude to learn programing, web development, Linux, or active directory skills. I have spent the last 10 years taking option blah at such and such o'clock from the daily tick sheet and logging a job failure for someone else to worry about and have with a bit of OT still averaged 40-50K a year which it has to be said is not a bad wage.

But now AS400 and Mainframe skills are as much in demand as a Motorola Startac.

Now I'm trying to break into helpdesk work as its the only thing still alive and kicking that isn't operating out of Pune or Bangalore, but I havn't a clue about Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange or server something 2003/7.

And the rates?...I have seen jobs paying £8ph in London....grrrrrr.

I need to start learning something....any suggestions?....go easy folks I'm an easy target here for all ya pent up mercenary aggression....

[cojak]

Operators went the way of the mainframe and tape decks.

Ask Milan...

But don't worry there's a big section in the ITIL Service Operations book that talks about IT Operations Management, so the work must be out there somewhere...

Work on help/service desks would have been great 5 years ago but you've really missed that boat. But go for it if you find contracts out there.

It will help if you get the ITIL Foundation exam - you can do self-study so it won't cost you as much. At least google it and learn about ITIL because you will be asked if you know it in the interviews.

Other than that, look at ways that you can get grunt work on servers or networks.

Ripping open boxes or putting in cabling, stuff like that.

As I've said somewhere before, google is your friend...

[HairyArsedBloke]

My late mum always thought that I was a computer 'operator' as that was what her brain could cope with. She was born in the thirties, but although upper working class or lower middle class (she was a cashier in the City) it's how people of that thought. The idea that someone would write someone has to write instructions for what the computer did was beyond her.

Anyway, I had no idea what this ITIL malarkey is so I did the Goggle bit and the first thing I saw was a 'get certified in two days' which rather put me off. Then I looked at Wikipedia and got a better idea - thanks, I need to study this more as I have got a section to develop in my business plan all about this.

Now I know what these pins (I can't put an image in here) ITIL

I seen loads of Bob's admiring each others pins and wondered WTF that was about.

[cojak]

My late mum always thought that I was a computer 'operator' as that was what her brain could cope with. She was born in the thirties, but although upper working class or lower middle class (she was a cashier in the City) it's how people of that thought. The idea that someone would write someone has to write instructions for what the computer did was beyond her.

Anyway, I had no idea what this ITIL malarkey is so I did the Goggle bit and the first thing I saw was a 'get certified in two days' which rather put me off. Then I looked at Wikipedia and got a better idea - thanks, I need to study this more as I have got a section to develop in my business plan all about this.

Now I know what these pins (I can't put an image in here) ITIL

I seen loads of Bob's admiring each others pins and wondered WTF that was about.

Out-of-date Dear, that's V2 stuff, everyone's onto V3 these days.

I'm not sure if the pins still apply, but I'm sure that someone is onto that one already.

[nomadd]

I need to start learning something....any suggestions?....

Hairdresser? Shelf-stacker? You really don't sound cut out for the life of an IT Consultant - in any capacity - from your opening post.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Out-of-date Dear, that's V2 stuff, everyone's onto V3 these days.

I'm not sure if the pins still apply, but I'm sure that someone is onto that one already.

Story of my life.

I might give this subject a read this evening (or go to the pub). Partly to get organised, but I'm thinking about staffing requirements. I know I will need someone to do all the ops stuff. I am thinking about career path for them. This is a subject for another thread.

[Moscow Mule]

There are plenty of AS400 operator jobs about, but most people have cottoned on to the fact that it's not a full time job and you'll have to do something else with it.

[northernladuk]

I am not so sure ITIL is the answer as it is a framework for the service industry. If you still don't know anything about that you have a framework you can't apply surely?

Wouldn't getting a grounding in a particular technology be better and find a niche to get in to rather than coming armed with no knowledge and a broad based frame work?

Something like a Cisco self learn or something that will enable him to actually do something possibly??

[NickFitz]

Out-of-date Dear, that's V2 stuff, everyone's onto V3 these days.

I'm not sure if the pins still apply, but I'm sure that someone is onto that one already.

Indeed, on the very page HAB linked to:

ITIL® V3 pins from left to right:
Foundation, Capability, Lifecycle, Expert, and Master
At this time, only the Foundation, Capability, Lifecycle and Expert pins are available.

[cojak]

Story of my life.

I might give this subject a read this evening (or go to the pub). Partly to get organised, but I'm thinking about staffing requirements. I know I will need someone to do all the ops stuff. I am thinking about career path for them. This is a subject for another thread.

PM me if you need detailed info HAB...