Job Responsibilities
I am currently assigned as a resident engineer assisting a
Federal Government Agency with high availability data center
solutions. My main duties include;
?? Design, develop and maintain a large enterprise class EMC
storage area network. Typically, I spent about 30 hours per week
on this activity.
?? Design, develop and maintain business continuity/
disaster recovery plans. Typically 10 -15 hours per week.
?? Design, develop and maintain data center backup strategy.
Typically 10 hours per week.
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Job Requirements
This career path is a highly specialized one. I have an
undergraduate degree, a graduate degree and currently pursuing my
doctorate in engineering. While the advanced degrees are not
required they have certainly helped me in obtaining a hire
position within my field.
The academic requirements for the undergraduate degree are the
same as with any college program. I view this degree as the
foundation to my career. The key to this program was developing
my ability to troubleshoot the most complex problems. This
ability can be applied to any situation. Employers recognize this
ability and quickly promote individuals that have it. My advice
to people who want to pursue this line of work is simply. Obtain
an undergraduate degree in a technical management discipline.
Begin soaking up as much specialized technical knowledge as you
possible can. The jobs are plentiful if you are willing to
diversify you personal service offering.
Technical education is most important. Over my extensive career,
I have focused storage aspect of the IT industry. This has lead
to various certifications, by the major hardware storage and
backup vendors in the market place.
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Uppers
Dealing with cutting edge technology is a definite plus, the seemingly endless
job offers of being in a hot and growing field give me the confidence and peace
of mind knowing that I should almost always be able to find a good paying job.
Getting paid well for a job you enjoy is the working persons dream.
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Downers
Inherent with this position are the 24/7 365 hours that may from
time to time be needed. Normally when things are good there good,
when they are bad, however you may need to be at work for days on
end.
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Lifestyle
In addition to the hours and the possible on call work, Business travel is
almost certainly unavoidable at first. Early on in my career, I was a road
warrior. During this time, I was constantly traveling (nearly four years). While
very stressful on ones personal life, it gave me the exposure to a wide variety
of technical platforms. As I matured as an engineer I was able to find positions
that required less or virtually no travel.
My current position does not require travel which is good since I now have a
family. Dress code and company events vary by employer; typically business
casual is the norm. I personally try to make it a point not to be too social in
the work environment. Doing so can cloud you judgment, close career paths and
often leave you in less than desirable circumstances. Absolutely no dating at the
office.
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Compensation
The compensation can be varying from employer to employer of
course this goes for virtually any field. In the last three
years, I have made 2 job changes. During each move, I have
increase by salary by at least 20%. My current base salary is
$94K per year. My employer offers, fully paid insurance for my
entire family, stock options, company paid bonuses, paid
education and training each year.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Since 9/11, this field has expanded significantly, employers now
more than ever see the business risk associated with continuity
based solutions. Before 9/11 we generally thought of only natural
disasters the world has certainly changed since then. Companies
have had to play catch up.
I think the prospects are good. I look at my abilities as a
service that I am offering for sale. I continually look for ways
to approve upon my service offering. My advise is constantly
study the treads and always be prepared to make adjustments to
your technical abilities to match where the market is going.
Accept new technical opportunities that you employer may
challenge you with open arms. You simply never know when you
might need that particular skill in the future.
Employers these days need engineers who are adaptable. The more
tasks they can send you way, the more likely they are to hire and
retain your services.
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