What I wish I'd known...
If there is anything I could tell my former self in terms of this career, it is that a network and/or systems administrator cannot just be adept with technical skills, but also must be proficient with project and time management.
Hi there,
As a Network and Systems Administrator, I have gained extensive knowledge regarding the reliable and secure installation, configuration, and maintenance of various components within the infrastructure stack. Throughout my tenure in enterprise environments, I have acquired a wealth of technical knowledge and cultivated the soft skills required to see projects through.
Please fee free to visit my portfolio to further demonstrate my value.
"What would ya say..ya do here?" --The Bobs; Office Space
Network Engineering
Building, maintaining, improving, and securing the network stack requires expert knowledge, serving as the blueprint for a stable and efficient infrastructure. As I tell my kids: "Network Engineering is similar to our Highway Engineers and road construction crews in which we all rely on to aid us in getting to and from place to place safe and sound." The same goes for any administrator responsible for a corporation's network. Ensuring high availability, dependability, security, and efficient speeds are all necessary to give us a durable backbone.
Systems Administration
As your systems administrator, my responsibility is all about building, maintaining, securing, and educating all members of the organization of the tools available to help them do their job. It is imperative that the technology stack runs like a well-oiled machine. Coordinating and fine-tuning complex systems to ensure they work together flawlessly requires steadfast devotion and professional composure. Solving problems, collaborating with your team, and keeping everyone in the loop will be key to my and the organization's overall success.
Project Management & Team Leadership
One of my core beliefs for holding a Network/Systems Administrators role, is to master project and time management techniques. Poor management in these areas can impact individuals, organizations, and stakeholders. It is also part of my foundation to be empathetic and patient when providing services, as this plays a vital role in developing junior team members' knowledge and skills, while enabling the team's growth and full potential.
"Honest, hardworking, and does not cut corners."
You cannot afford to trust somebody with your infrastructure who is afraid to be honest with you. I can bring realistic, reliable, and unwavering support to any IT team.
Online Interview
What makes you a reliable and qualified Network/Systems Administrator?
Within my skill set, I possess a comprehensive understanding of essential concepts such as time and project management. While technical proficiency and scripting knowledge are valuable, the significance of effective communication and stakeholder engagement is paramount in ensuring successful project outcomes. Maintaining continuous and uninterrupted documentation is critical to the administrator's role. Additionally, keeping abreast of evolving security technologies and practices plays a crucial role. Asset control, awareness, and a profound understanding of antivirus and malware protection for all endpoints are essential. Furthermore, the ability to analyze deep into the TCP/IP stream through packet captures and interpret the findings accurately is vital.
In contemporary society, Network/Systems Administrators shoulder a multitude of tasks and responsibilities. The subject matter is so extensive that it could easily fill several volumes. Among the key areas of focus are virtualization, backups and recovery, monitoring, log analysis, user account management, security roles, authentication, and last but not least, automation. The IT administrator's landscape is both broad and complex, demanding not only a deep and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter but also unwavering perseverance.
What can you tell me about documentation?
This is a key area which any role in any industry can only benefit from... if it is done right. Most organizations have documentation; but I have also observed far too many times that accurate and reliable documentation is almost nonexistent. I have heard all the excuses and would be lying if I did not find myself committing the same infractions in the past.
From the many years of experience and feeling the frustration of inadequate documentation, I have now grounded myself to better record the necessary components of all work done. This will undoubtedly not only best assist me, but all stake holders when it is needed the most.
What would be your first steps when joining a new team?
Upon joining an organization, one of the initial tasks I feel to be utterly critical, is to understand the full scope of not only the role in which I will fill, but the team from which I serve . Additionally, it is imperative to grasp the manner in which the team contributes to resolving prevailing challenges and attaining project milestones, thereby facilitating the progress of other members, clients, and stakeholders without constituting an impediment.
Are there any courses you have completed?
Yes, I have completed multiple courses and boot-camps throughout my career:
Global Knowledge:
Cisco
CCNA Boot-camp
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM)
Juniper
Introduction to Junos operating systems
Junos Intermediate Routing (JIR)
CBT Nuggets: various vendor technologies (Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, Linux, Windows Server, Project Mgmt., etc.)
Udemy IT related courses
Too many to list here, but use extensively for updated trainings.
What's with the Red Mage association?
For those out there who are role-playing game (RPG) fans, I am certain the option to choose a Red Mage in your party from Final Fantasy 1 (Square/1987/Nintendo) will ring some memory bells.
Among the cast of characters, the Red Mage stands out as a versatile spell caster and combatant, possessing a balance unmatched by any other. Notably, the Red Mage harnesses both light and dark magic while demonstrating proficiency in wielding various weapons and wearing different types of armor, a rare combination of abilities.
I draw a parallel between the Red Mage and my role as an Administrator due to shared characteristics. In both instances, the ability to adeptly navigate the intricate complexities of network and system administration requires significant intelligence and capacity. Furthermore, I associate the Red Mage with the realm of Cybersecurity, particularly in relation to Red, Blue, and Purple teams. The color scheme employed in the site's imagery further reinforces these connections.
Red Mage / Final Fantasy
Among the cast of characters, the Red Mage stands out as a versatile spell caster and combatant, possessing a balance unmatched by any other. Notably, the Red Mage harnesses both light and dark magic while demonstrating proficiency in wielding various weapons and wearing different types of armor, a rare combination of abilities.