Technology Professionals: What is your specialty?

[Dutch3]

Past life was 20 years in automotive steering, suspension and brakes with ASE certifications.

Currently "technology support" for a public school district for the past 11 years. Duties range from desktop support to networked applications, SQL, Windows and Mac servers, network, wireless, IP phones, projectors, security camera systems and whatever else as required.

Includes engineering solutions, pulling cable, trenching, carpentry and public relations. Most "IT" people would run away screaming after one day here, but there you have it.

[meaty-btz]

Past life was 20 years in automotive steering, suspension and brakes with ASE certifications.

Currently "technology support" for a public school district for the past 11 years. Duties range from desktop support to networked applications, SQL, Windows and Mac servers, network, wireless, IP phones, projectors, security camera systems and whatever else as required.

Includes engineering solutions, pulling cable, trenching, carpentry and public relations. Most "IT" people would run away screaming after one day here, but there you have it.

Collectively, we are the insane ones of the IT bunch. Why we put up with this is frankly unknown, even to us.

[Dutch3]

Collectively, we are the insane ones of the IT bunch. Why we put up with this is frankly unknown, even to us.

It does provide a (meager) paycheck. Some may also do it for the enjoyment, but don't put me on that list, LOL.

[bruce_ventura]

Is Technology only related to computers?

How nerdy.

+1

I think the OP meant "Information Technology Professionals". Scientists and engineers should start our own thread and not hijack this one.

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[MFortie]

HP MPE iX, HP-UX, Sys Admin, Network Eng. Currently plying my trade as a RCDD, telling all those installers how to do it right! And yes, I've pulled my share of cable!

[nick]

I go by network architect. I mostly deal with networking, security, and databases. I did some development way back when (and my first degree is actually in CS), but I'm not too fond of it. My first job was a netadmin at 13.5, and that was a looong time ago (I'm 35 now). Other than that I just collect degrees and certs and try not to move into management. I'm not succeeding.

[E Pluribus Unum]

I don't have 3 hours to type this crap out. I've been working in the IT field since 1995. I have done almost everything. I have been a network consultant for 10 years now, so I have seen it all.

My bread and butter is trying to make expensive Windows machines run half as stable as the linux servers that serve them and keeping porn and spyware off workstations without being a full card-carrying net-nazi.

As a ham radio operator, and an IT specialist, I've done 2 way radios, microwave, POTS, VOIP, VPN, ATM, T1s/DS1s, T3/DS3's, Cisco Routers and firewalls... you name it and I've done it, or I can find it on google very quickly..

If I am lacking in anything, it is formal education. I've learned pretty much on my own. I bought my first computer in 1989, and ran a BBS in 1992. I was in internet technical support in 1996 when Al Gore made the internet so popular.... and... I was a nerd in high school that was first chair in band, and started on the varsity football team... never really fit in to one mold or another...

And despite the way this post sounds... I'm quite humble; no matter how far you go.. always know that there is so much more to learn.

[nick]

or I can find it on google very quickly..

A word of unsolicited advice - if you decide to work for someone, don't ever mention that part.

[E Pluribus Unum]

A word of unsolicited advice - if you decide to work for someone, don't ever mention that part.

It was said tongue and cheek...

Any true computer tech will tell you that many desktop software problems are solved with Google; denying it does not make it untrue.

Most of being a desktop technician is running antivirus, anti-spyware, and googling the rest; it's not rocket science.

Building networks, setting up microwave links, configuring routers, building servers, et cetera, that is different.

[a1c]

Web/software/mobile app localization.

[loose_electron]

CSS, html, html5, SEO, jQuery, pornowebsites, php, j.script, CMS

That must be tons of fun to work on, profitable as well.

Me: Electronics - for pretty much everything. computers, cell phones, satellites, military, etc, etc... Lately I have morphed over into electronics for medical stuff (blood glucose monitors, defibrillators, and other ambulance and doctor toys)

[Fatstackz]

Custom automation/ capitol equipment for the processing and handling of semiconductor, photovoltaic and disk drive industries.

[Deadbolt]

lets seee this is an interesting topic....


Office Administrator
Beach Bum (saw office space and i "checked out" for a year )
Webmaster ( lol remember that job title? )
Property Manager ( 100s of apartments, several HOAs)
Print Shop = Digital Printing system specialist, Photo Correction, Graphic Designer
Newspaper = Graphic Designer / Layout Designer / Pre Press Lead
Current Employer = started out as a Web Developer Jr. Presently Lead North American Web Developer.

current skills : brand development, css, jquery, php, java, any .net, javascript, xml / xslt, any SQL dialect, graphic design, flash & actionscript, silverlight, cold fusion.... list goes on and on

[high_revs]

i started with support (db related a little).. then did more db and hyperion olap. then web and did some html/cold fusion/minor asp.

then i started getting into some leader position as minor project mgr, then program mgr for outsourced support then manager stints.

now i push paper and am on the phone and do much emails and i'm not a manager.

[DeanW66]

Wow, this is an interesting topic.

Started programming in high school on Apple IIs with UCSD Pascal. Learned C on my first job and then x86 assembly at my second job while working through my university years getting a BS in Computer Science.

Spent 18+ years as system software and BIOS developer, technical marketing/sales support, and "architect." During those latter years my skills got rusty, and my technical expertise got narrower instead of wider which was my downfall. Got laid off along with 8 or 10 other senior engineers (company lost over 100 years of combined knowledge in one fell swoop/slash) and then spent over two years unemployed.

Wife had a great job, thank goodness. Even convinced me to pursue a new path. Now I'm a Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator. Emphasis on drinking (input not output, lol).

I still wonder/watch if I'm going to run into any of those other old timers here. If you recognize these drop me a note: PTEC, AWRD.