For those who worked in schools computer related.

Stealth3si · 07-20-2006, 06:56 AM

My question is geared towards those who've experienced computer-related work in the field of schools. There's a new school nearby that is reopening (a pretty big high school with four academies??) and I'm pretty sure they have needs to be meant in the technology department, like computers in classrooms, multimedia stuff, school website, computer consultant, etc. I was wondering if I wanted to get a computer-related job that works in the school environment, like setting up/maintaining their computer network, or general troubleshooting, or what not, would that mean I'd be working FOR the school or WITH the school?? IOW, should I be expecting the school to be my employer or is it a separate client, agency type company or other private contracter business who will be my employer??? I'm thinking about getting a job there and i'm just doing some general research.

**Terrister** · 07-20-2006, 12:14 PM

I work for a K-12 school system in Georgia. In most cases you work for the system or district the school is located in. If it is private, charter or a tech school then they may hire there own techs.
There are some out there that hire out the computer work. I am seeing much less of this now.
Post back or PM me if you need more info.

Stealth3si · 07-21-2006, 08:24 AM

Although I'm looking for practical information about the newly rebuilt public high school reopening that I can directly use, I'd still like to gain any insight if any from your experiences with working for your school. Specifically, what were your incentives for career opportunities in the school related to technology-related employment. I don't know if your school is utilizing any kind of new modern technology when it comes to computers or other multimedia stuff, but certainly if my new school is offering hiring positions in their "technology" department I'd be very curious as to what would be an excellent incentive to include in a possible job interview. Obviously, my situation here in Californai is different from yours because of many other factors, like economy or whether or not this school is even hiring people to work on their "technology" department. All in all, I would get a good idea of where to further my research if I could gain your insight on this. Thanks. :D

Tumbleweed36 · 07-21-2006, 09:09 AM

Hi,

The tech work in most schools (larger systems) in Indiana begins in the central office where there is a technology director. He usually allocates the resources of the techs and tech department to schools as the need arises within a school system. Therefore, you need to find out who that person is in the central office and make an appointment to talk to him about your aspirations. Even if nothing is avaliable at this time, he could guide you on how to approach the issue and maybe even know of some place you could get your foot in the door.

yustr · 07-21-2006, 10:10 AM

You say its a new school or an older one reopening - either way, another question to ask the School System Technology Lead is if there is a contractor responsible for the initial install of the system. Most probably there is. See if he/she will give you the name of the project manager for that contractor. (He should as it's public record type stuff - unless it's his brother-in-law who got the contract

). Contact the PM and inquire as to how they intend to staff the effort - locally or with home office crews. Have your resume ready when he asks you. Saving $200 in per diem is always attractive - if I can hire the right guy.

Stealth3si · 07-21-2006, 06:00 PM

Actually, when I googling earlier about the school's reopening, I found a 2004 article by a Union Tribune staff writer -- she talked about the people being involved in rebuliding the school --- nothing tech related which leads me to doubt there are any current openings for hiring tech support for the school

. i really hope there's a contract open or a lead to point me to another direction. It'd be great because I live just a couple of blocks from the school.

I was going to email her for more information

but I wasn't 100% sure of how to approach my questions, or "aspirations" as you call it. I have a decent idea of how to approach it now thanks gentlemen for all the tips

.

If she knows any persons or information or leads then maybe I can find out who's in charge of setting up and maintaining the school's technology system

or who's covering the re-opening of the school, if there is going to be a story on it. FYI, I'm not just merely looking for work but I intend to know more about my would-be employer, whoever, or whatever that may be. My toughest interview questions are mostly "why do I want to work here at so and so?".

Finding more about them isn't as easy as I'd thought --- i guesss i'd have to network a bit.

---------------------
On a different note and from personal experience, the school use to be really bad, as in ghetto and tacky, both physically and academically, except for the football team. I'd always wondered what made the school so bad in the first place. Was it the lack of funding, the apathy of people, or the fact that it was in the most neglected corner of the city? Now what with the pocket lending and all the people will finally get their school back. The school hasn't officially opened yet but I'm curious to see how the school will do in the next year or decade.

Tumbleweed36 · 07-21-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth3si

Actually, when I googling earlier about the school's reopening, I found a 2004 article by a Union Tribune staff writer -- she talked about the people being involved in rebuliding the school --- nothing tech related which leads me to doubt there are any current openings for hiring tech support for the school

.

The first rule of being successful, Don't assume anything!

i really hope there's a contract open or a lead to point me to another direction. It'd be great because I live just a couple of blocks from the school.

I was going to email her for more information

From the mouth of someone who has supervised and hired employees (both professional and non-professional) in the public school sector, an email will get you exactly NOTHING. They come and fall off like water does on a duck. When someone asks about a job via email, the old delete button gets used immediately. Or, the Sorry button gets hit real quick if the secretary is not too busy to hit that sorry button on the computer in answer to your question(s).

If you don't make that phone call and ask for an appointment, you are probably wasting your time. Even if they don't have an opening, try your best to discuss school opportunities with them in person. That is how you convince them you are serious and an email will never do that.

but I wasn't 100% sure of how to approach my questions, or "aspirations" as you call it. I have a decent idea of how to approach it now thanks gentlemen for all the tips

.

To be quite honest, just be yourself and quote your interest in this field and this school. Show a keen interest in this school corporation and tell them you plan to stay here and work in your community. NO one will hire a presumed "short term" employee knowing they have to hire and train again in a few months. YOu have to be just very sincere.

If she knows any persons or information or leads then maybe I can find out who's in charge of setting up and maintaining the school's technology system

or who's covering the re-opening of the school, if there is going to be a story on it. FYI, I'm not just merely looking for work but I intend to know more about my would-be employer, whoever, or whatever that may be. My toughest interview questions are mostly "why do I want to work here at so and so?".

Finding more about them isn't as easy as I'd thought --- i guesss i'd have to network a bit.

---------------------
On a different note and from personal experience, the school use to be really bad, as in ghetto and tacky, both physically and academically, except for the football team. I'd always wondered what made the school so bad in the first place. Was it the lack of funding, the apathy of people, or the fact that it was in the most neglected corner of the city? Now what with the pocket lending and all the people will finally get their school back. The school hasn't officially opened yet but I'm curious to see how the school will do in the next year or decade.

**Terrister** · 07-21-2006, 07:33 PM

Just contact HR for the school system or check the system's site for job openings.
We hire one Tech/Trainer for every school we open in my system.

Stealth3si · 07-21-2006, 09:46 PM

You know what --- there's a sign on the construction site that list a phone number for anyone interested in helping rebuilding the school but I'm not going to make that phone call unless it includes integrating the computer system or something similar to that in the school. Because I'm not primarily interested in construction work, janitor, or teacher's aides or anything like that.

07-20-2006, 06:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stealth3si Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Takoma, South Carolina Posts: 220 OS: Windows XP PRO SP3 My System	For those who worked in schools computer related. My question is geared towards those who've experienced computer-related work in the field of schools. There's a new school nearby that is reopening (a pretty big high school with four academies??) and I'm pretty sure they have needs to be meant in the technology department, like computers in classrooms, multimedia stuff, school website, computer consultant, etc. I was wondering if I wanted to get a computer-related job that works in the school environment, like setting up/maintaining their computer network, or general troubleshooting, or what not, would that mean I'd be working FOR the school or WITH the school?? IOW, should I be expecting the school to be my employer or is it a separate client, agency type company or other private contracter business who will be my employer??? I'm thinking about getting a job there and i'm just doing some general research.

07-20-2006, 12:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	I work for a K-12 school system in Georgia. In most cases you work for the system or district the school is located in. If it is private, charter or a tech school then they may hire there own techs. There are some out there that hire out the computer work. I am seeing much less of this now. Post back or PM me if you need more info. __________________

07-21-2006, 09:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,657 OS: XP Professional	Hi, The tech work in most schools (larger systems) in Indiana begins in the central office where there is a technology director. He usually allocates the resources of the techs and tech department to schools as the need arises within a school system. Therefore, you need to find out who that person is in the central office and make an appointment to talk to him about your aspirations. Even if nothing is avaliable at this time, he could guide you on how to approach the issue and maybe even know of some place you could get your foot in the door. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

07-21-2006, 10:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,050 OS: XP Pro My System	You say its a new school or an older one reopening - either way, another question to ask the School System Technology Lead is if there is a contractor responsible for the initial install of the system. Most probably there is. See if he/she will give you the name of the project manager for that contractor. (He should as it's public record type stuff - unless it's his brother-in-law who got the contract ). Contact the PM and inquire as to how they intend to staff the effort - locally or with home office crews. Have your resume ready when he asks you. Saving $200 in per diem is always attractive - if I can hire the right guy. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

07-21-2006, 06:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stealth3si Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Takoma, South Carolina Posts: 220 OS: Windows XP PRO SP3 My System	Actually, when I googling earlier about the school's reopening, I found a 2004 article by a Union Tribune staff writer -- she talked about the people being involved in rebuliding the school --- nothing tech related which leads me to doubt there are any current openings for hiring tech support for the school . i really hope there's a contract open or a lead to point me to another direction. It'd be great because I live just a couple of blocks from the school. I was going to email her for more information but I wasn't 100% sure of how to approach my questions, or "aspirations" as you call it. I have a decent idea of how to approach it now thanks gentlemen for all the tips . If she knows any persons or information or leads then maybe I can find out who's in charge of setting up and maintaining the school's technology system or who's covering the re-opening of the school, if there is going to be a story on it. FYI, I'm not just merely looking for work but I intend to know more about my would-be employer, whoever, or whatever that may be. My toughest interview questions are mostly "why do I want to work here at so and so?". Finding more about them isn't as easy as I'd thought --- i guesss i'd have to network a bit. --------------------- On a different note and from personal experience, the school use to be really bad, as in ghetto and tacky, both physically and academically, except for the football team. I'd always wondered what made the school so bad in the first place. Was it the lack of funding, the apathy of people, or the fact that it was in the most neglected corner of the city? Now what with the pocket lending and all the people will finally get their school back. The school hasn't officially opened yet but I'm curious to see how the school will do in the next year or decade. Last edited by Stealth3si; 07-21-2006 at 06:03 PM.

07-21-2006, 08:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
Stealth3si Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Takoma, South Carolina Posts: 220 OS: Windows XP PRO SP3 My System	Although I'm looking for practical information about the newly rebuilt public high school reopening that I can directly use, I'd still like to gain any insight if any from your experiences with working for your school. Specifically, what were your incentives for career opportunities in the school related to technology-related employment. I don't know if your school is utilizing any kind of new modern technology when it comes to computers or other multimedia stuff, but certainly if my new school is offering hiring positions in their "technology" department I'd be very curious as to what would be an excellent incentive to include in a possible job interview. Obviously, my situation here in Californai is different from yours because of many other factors, like economy or whether or not this school is even hiring people to work on their "technology" department. All in all, I would get a good idea of where to further my research if I could gain your insight on this. Thanks. :D

07-21-2006, 07:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Just contact HR for the school system or check the system's site for job openings. We hire one Tech/Trainer for every school we open in my system. __________________ Last edited by Terrister; 07-22-2006 at 07:20 AM.

07-21-2006, 09:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stealth3si Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Takoma, South Carolina Posts: 220 OS: Windows XP PRO SP3 My System	You know what --- there's a sign on the construction site that list a phone number for anyone interested in helping rebuilding the school but I'm not going to make that phone call unless it includes integrating the computer system or something similar to that in the school. Because I'm not primarily interested in construction work, janitor, or teacher's aides or anything like that.