User:Mdavid

End of the Year Summary 2017-2018

Introduction

From the perspective of a student, this class was really interesting and really worth the experience. This was my first year in both Computer Maintenance and 24PinTech, and I truly enjoyed it. I joined the business blind and not sure what to expect. In fact, I originally registered for Networking II, but there were very few of us to make it an official class. As such, I was randomly placed into Computer Maintenance. Hardware has never been my specialty, so I was very hesitant about how I can contribute to 24PinTech in the first place. I wasn't sure how my networking skills would apply to the business, so I aimed to learn more about hardware in order to be useful. However, I’m glad that I was given the opportunity to work towards certifications through the TestOut program, in which I have obtained Switching Pro during the time in which this summary was written.

My Role in 24PinTech

Going into 24PinTech, I was nothing more than a help desk employee. Reece Thompson took the manager at the time and he did of course train me as far as procedures and Spiceworks goes. In the beginning, I wasn't sure how I would be useful in which I feared. Unlike everyone else, I didn't have a background in technology, until I joined ITE my sophomore year. As such, my skills were quite slim and were limited to networking and some aspects of software. I already knew that a majority of the work orders that would come in would be related to hardware; I was never really good with using tools and fixing screens.

From August to mid-September, my role as an employee was almost worthless, as I have yet to acquire the skills I need. However, I still took the time to do research and learn how to do certain things. As such, spent my lunch hour in the classroom in addition to my TA hour. Customers would come during the lunch hours, and since Reece trained me how to use Spiceworks, I ended up being the receiving employee and had them sign their contracts whenever he wasn't here himself. At the time, I didn't have admin rights and couldn't assign work orders, but I did attach post-it notes to the received devices with the customers name, the device, when it came in, and the customer’s contact info. Both Reece and Mr. Chamberlain took note of this one day. Reece thought that I was a lot more organized while he himself was more of a worker, and Mr. Chamberlain agreed as well. I was called aside around mid-September, and both asked me if I would like to take Reece’s spot as manager. I was of course warned about all the responsibilities I will have, in which I honorably accepted. I became the head manager, with Reece and Andres Martinez as my assistant managers.

As a manager, I improved our procedures and really organized 24PinTech’s infrastructure. In my opinion, 24PinTech at the beginning of the school year really needed more “balance” in addition to more procedures and organization- that was my goal. I made sure procedures were being followed in addition to assigning work orders and conducting meetings. I also did loads of documentation throughout the school year that future and employees and managers can make reference to and hopefully improve.

Being able to contribute as a manager of 24PinTech meant a lot to me, especially as a new member of the 24PinTech team. What was the most meaningful to me was that I was useful for once, and that I was able to develop myself as a leader.

My Accomplishments

Although I didn't accomplish much as far as work orders go, I do think accomplished great things as 24PinTech's manager. I think I did a great job documenting and taking note of everything I've encountered in the business. One thing that the employees might not know is that I frequently envision 24PinTech's future. As such, I frequently update our email templates, inventory, and procedures. My documentation is quite extensive in terms of the business itself and how it functions. Organization, in my opinion, is a huge improvement to 24PinTech in which I am glad to have influenced.

What I Learned

In general, I learned how to be a leader. Being an introvert in the first place, is quite challenging. However through 24PinTech, i gained more leadership skills and developed better communication skills. I also think that the business really opened my eyes to what I should expect in my future career. This business is a simulation and the real thing at the same time, and I'm glad that I learned everything I need to know in order to be a good employee. Being a manager really made me think. It's not at all an easy job, as my fellow employees might think. I learned how to manage in general which is something that I wasn't the best at in the past. it's stressful Overall, I learned what a business is all about. It's more than just business. I learned from Mr. Chamberlain that a business is all about the mission in which the employees must aim to accomplish. Although I am more independent than others, I learned how to work a team - I learned how to ask for help when I needed it, and I learned how to understand my fellow employees' strengths and weaknesses.

Improvements as an Employee and Manager

I feel like I was a bit too nice of a manager. I think I went a bit too easy on employees, and I feel like I could have disciplined them a little more. Although we got work orders done, I do feel like we got distracted every now and then. I put the blame on myself for not taking action like I was supposed to. I do feel like we could have gotten more work done.

Conclusion

I hope that future employees such as I find ways to contribute to the business in their own way. 24PinTech is still at its early stages, and I’m glad I got to be a part of the best team that made the most impact on the business. This business is still growing, and although I made some contributions to the business, I expect future managers and employees to do even more. I envision expansion. I’m glad the business really prepared me for the real world, as it served a simulation of an IT business. I do think I more prepared for the future because of 24PinTech