13 answers
Updated
8325 views
What are your duties on a day to day basis? do you also get to choose which assignments you work on?
Working on my trade certification in B.C.T
Login to comment
13 answers
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
Your day-to-day responsibilities are going to vary depending on your company and role, but a lot of jobs in the Tech sector depend on individual contributors who have a certain degree of freedom in their duties. This is especially true in creative, engineering, and marketing jobs that don't directly interact with clients. For these project-based roles, you're often working on an assignment with a specific deadline; as long as you meet that deadline, you're free to manage your days how you see fit.
In practice, this often means you'll have certain daily duties that you must take care of in order to "keep the lights on" and make sure things run smoothly. These form the backbone of your job and may include repetitive tasks like running reports or working through a backlog of requests & updates. This work is interspersed with "focus time" where you dedicate work solely to those big projects like an upcoming software release or campaign -- things that have specific deadlines you must meet. And of course you'll have a fair share of meetings with your teammates or other stakeholders where you'll update them on your progress.
In practice, this often means you'll have certain daily duties that you must take care of in order to "keep the lights on" and make sure things run smoothly. These form the backbone of your job and may include repetitive tasks like running reports or working through a backlog of requests & updates. This work is interspersed with "focus time" where you dedicate work solely to those big projects like an upcoming software release or campaign -- things that have specific deadlines you must meet. And of course you'll have a fair share of meetings with your teammates or other stakeholders where you'll update them on your progress.
Updated
Steven’s Answer
I began my software engineering career in a small startup, then moved on to a publicly listed company, and finally to a large unicorn company. One thing I've found to be consistent across these different organizations is that managers are often interested in knowing their employees' preferences, so they can prioritize assignments accordingly. However, it's important to acknowledge that it's not always possible to avoid tasks you dislike entirely. From time to time, you may still need to complete tasks that are not your favorite. That being said, it's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, you are being paid to do these tasks (LOL), and completing them can help you grow and learn new skills. Additionally, stepping outside your comfort zone can expose you to a wider range of opportunities and experiences.
Thank you for giving me advice.
vanessa
Updated
Sid’s Answer
Duties:
- 20 % learning time - we get to choose what we want to learn
- Coding, Meeting, Maintaining projects, Interviewing, Cross team collaboration
- Projects are prioritized by a triad of Engineering manager, Project Manager, UX (?)
- Project lead breaks down the project in small tasks
- I choose from list of tasks
- If there is urgency then more knowledgable engs may take tasks I’d like to work on
- 20 % learning time - we get to choose what we want to learn
- Coding, Meeting, Maintaining projects, Interviewing, Cross team collaboration
- Projects are prioritized by a triad of Engineering manager, Project Manager, UX (?)
- Project lead breaks down the project in small tasks
- I choose from list of tasks
- If there is urgency then more knowledgable engs may take tasks I’d like to work on
Updated
kelly’s Answer
I work for a major telecommunications company. I currently am on the tech support team and I trouble shoot customers cell phone issues, everything from something simple such as their connection to the tower to setting their new device up. I am an older female who has always said I could NEVER work in tech support! Well I have proven myself wrong! I love tech support. Even if you do not know much about tech you CAN learn. Give it a shot as you have nothing to lose!!!
I wish you the best!!!
I wish you the best!!!
Updated
Michael’s Answer
I'm an operations manager for a telecom company. I have over a dozen techs that report to me and we cover a large geographic area. The day to day activities generally start with a structured checklist to check the health of the network and see how the team is doing on delivering on our maintenance tasks and our project goals to grow the network. The key to success is to have a structured plan to address the routine aspects of your work environment and also be flexible to adapt to any situation that arises. Get the routine tasks done early and quickly, then assess what are the priorities. Spend your time on the things that matter most, whether you want to do them or not. Do not waste all your time on little things. I pick three priorities as a start point and if I can only get two completed, one goes on tomorrow's list. Delegate or get assistance when you can. It is essential to maintain contact with your team, peers, other departments, and leadership. Silo's are not conducive to well informed actions. It is best to enlist the input of others. Give freely of your knowledge. Above all - work hard, be a team player, and have a good attitude.
Updated
David’s Answer
Working in IT Operations I start my day by checking various feeds looking for any issues that may need addressed urgently. I check the status of our providers to make sure there aren't any outages and I look for high priority tickets, tickets which need escalated and those which are approaching their SLA.
After this I typically spend about half my day in meetings. Some days it is mostly meetings and other days it is maybe 1/4 of my day.
In-between meetings I am working on projects which I have either elected to work on or those which have been assigned to me. I look for opportunities for improvement and from this I can create a task or project to work on them. In some cases, work is assigned based on other teams needs.
As a Team Lead I also help others with issues they may need assistance on.
After this I typically spend about half my day in meetings. Some days it is mostly meetings and other days it is maybe 1/4 of my day.
In-between meetings I am working on projects which I have either elected to work on or those which have been assigned to me. I look for opportunities for improvement and from this I can create a task or project to work on them. In some cases, work is assigned based on other teams needs.
As a Team Lead I also help others with issues they may need assistance on.
Updated
Dana’s Answer
I have been working in the software development industry for over 20 years.
This depends on your company.
Some companies do contract work for other companies and your work will entirely depend on what was negotiated with the customer and how much leeway they give you.
Some companies create products, and the team making the product has more creative control over what is created. But entry-level engineers almost always have to work on what senior engineers and product managers have decided already, though there is some creative leeway usually. Senior engineers are there to guide juniors on best practices and to ensure the end-to-end product works correctly and follows a vision.
The more senior you are and how capable you prove to be, the more freedom you will get, but it's only reasonable to expect freedom after you have proven yourself.
This depends on your company.
Some companies do contract work for other companies and your work will entirely depend on what was negotiated with the customer and how much leeway they give you.
Some companies create products, and the team making the product has more creative control over what is created. But entry-level engineers almost always have to work on what senior engineers and product managers have decided already, though there is some creative leeway usually. Senior engineers are there to guide juniors on best practices and to ensure the end-to-end product works correctly and follows a vision.
The more senior you are and how capable you prove to be, the more freedom you will get, but it's only reasonable to expect freedom after you have proven yourself.
Also, here is a great TedTalk for you!!! https://www.ted.com/talks/emma_rosen_how_to_find_your_passion_and_make_it_your_job
kelly nutting
Updated
Ramesh’s Answer
It depends on the day and priorities at work; however, the most common is to connect with my team to understand the progress of deliverables and provide the leadership support they need and guidance to take the work forward either by solution or remove the roadblocks.
Yes, I do get the liberty to choose what assignment I should work on; however, sometimes, based on the priorities and delivery timeline, we are encouraged to work on items we may not have planned.
Yes, I do get the liberty to choose what assignment I should work on; however, sometimes, based on the priorities and delivery timeline, we are encouraged to work on items we may not have planned.
Updated
kelly’s Answer
Here is a great TedTalk video to watch: https://www.ted.com/talks/greg_shirley_you_re_always_on_your_career_development_cycle
Updated
kelly’s Answer
Here is a great TedTalk video to watch: https://www.ted.com/talks/emma_rosen_how_to_find_your_passion_and_make_it_your_job
Updated
Akos’s Answer
I have been in Product Support during my career. First as an engineer, and later moving to management and leading teams. I worked for vendors pretty much. As a Support engineer, your primary task is to help customers with the products. A typical day is when you need to work on your backlog (cases you took) and take some new cases during the day to share the load of the team. Then you need to fix these using chat/email/phone/Zoom etc. - depending on the company. However, this is just part of the role! You get time to study, to learn new technologies. You work part of a team - you are never the lonely hero. You help others and you are getting help from others.
At Support, you need good troubleshooting skills not limited to the product itself, but a bit about networking, server, and in general the environment. However, this also helps you grow and gives you a good understanding of generic IT environments. I really enjoyed there were no two cases the same: one case might be super easy, but the next moment you end up working on an outage at an airport or a hospital where time really matters and there are some serious conditions (and pressure :).
At Support, you need good troubleshooting skills not limited to the product itself, but a bit about networking, server, and in general the environment. However, this also helps you grow and gives you a good understanding of generic IT environments. I really enjoyed there were no two cases the same: one case might be super easy, but the next moment you end up working on an outage at an airport or a hospital where time really matters and there are some serious conditions (and pressure :).
Updated
John’s Answer
What are your duties on a day to day basis?
As a Safety Manager I start out each day with a brief 15 to 30min safety talk with the subcontractor crew's with a weekly tail-gate meeting on site specific safety lecture. Then I'd make a daily walk-around site safety checks as well as weekly site safety inspections to check on:
1. slip, trip, fall hazard safe access, cleanup and storage of project debris
2. worker observance of site required and job specific PPE; PPE condition/cleanliness/wear
3. electrical safety; power sources, extension cords, individual tool power cords, site lighting
4. site specific safety posters and required federal and state signs/posters
5. storage of hazardous substances, fueling tanks, etc.
Additionally I make routine safety safety checks at random periods over the day to ensure everyone goes home in the same or better condition then they arrive in.
Do you also get to choose which assignments you work on?
YES and NO; as long as there are no accidents, our client is happy with the site the Project Manager lets the safety people do their own jobs.
As a Safety Manager I start out each day with a brief 15 to 30min safety talk with the subcontractor crew's with a weekly tail-gate meeting on site specific safety lecture. Then I'd make a daily walk-around site safety checks as well as weekly site safety inspections to check on:
1. slip, trip, fall hazard safe access, cleanup and storage of project debris
2. worker observance of site required and job specific PPE; PPE condition/cleanliness/wear
3. electrical safety; power sources, extension cords, individual tool power cords, site lighting
4. site specific safety posters and required federal and state signs/posters
5. storage of hazardous substances, fueling tanks, etc.
Additionally I make routine safety safety checks at random periods over the day to ensure everyone goes home in the same or better condition then they arrive in.
Do you also get to choose which assignments you work on?
YES and NO; as long as there are no accidents, our client is happy with the site the Project Manager lets the safety people do their own jobs.
Updated
Barak’s Answer
For example as a Linux administrator, your duties can vary depending on the organization you work for and the specific systems you are responsible for. Some common day-to-day tasks include:
System monitoring and maintenance: You will be responsible for ensuring that the Linux servers are running smoothly, performing regular maintenance tasks, and monitoring system performance.
User management: You will be responsible for managing user accounts, creating and deleting user accounts, setting up and enforcing password policies, and managing user permissions.
Security management: You will be responsible for ensuring that the Linux servers are secure, implementing security policies, performing security audits, and ensuring that all software and patches are up-to-date.
Backup and recovery: You will be responsible for implementing backup and recovery plans to ensure that data can be recovered in case of a disaster.
Troubleshooting: You will be responsible for identifying and resolving technical problems related to the Linux servers.
Regarding assignments, as a Linux administrator, you may be given specific tasks by your supervisor or team lead, but you may also have the flexibility to choose which tasks to work on based on the priority and urgency of different projects. However, it ultimately depends on the policies and procedures set by your organization.
System monitoring and maintenance: You will be responsible for ensuring that the Linux servers are running smoothly, performing regular maintenance tasks, and monitoring system performance.
User management: You will be responsible for managing user accounts, creating and deleting user accounts, setting up and enforcing password policies, and managing user permissions.
Security management: You will be responsible for ensuring that the Linux servers are secure, implementing security policies, performing security audits, and ensuring that all software and patches are up-to-date.
Backup and recovery: You will be responsible for implementing backup and recovery plans to ensure that data can be recovered in case of a disaster.
Troubleshooting: You will be responsible for identifying and resolving technical problems related to the Linux servers.
Regarding assignments, as a Linux administrator, you may be given specific tasks by your supervisor or team lead, but you may also have the flexibility to choose which tasks to work on based on the priority and urgency of different projects. However, it ultimately depends on the policies and procedures set by your organization.