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It Specialist

IT Specialist

This thread has been started so professionals or others involved in this sector can post their job related descriptions and experiences to help you better determine if this is the career/job you would like to pursue in the future.

Professional: Please tell what the job involves, the pros and cons, usual salary, and kinds of promotions
Future Professional: You may ask questions here, but please be specific

Note: This board should not be used for discussions relevant to other boards.

Specialist It

I am an IT Manager for a Law Firm. I am certified in Novell and Microsoft. At my Firm, I basically am a staff of one. I do have a coop who works for me at times.

I determine all technology products - hardware and software for the firm of about 110 PCs. I spec out, purchase, build, and install software for all our servers and PCs. I am also responsible for the phone system.

I also trouble shoot software and hardware problems on all PCs and servers.
I don't know how to answer the question about salaries. It depends upon what part of the country you live in and how large the organization for which you work. Also, are you a technician only or a manager, an engineer or help desk support.

For IT Manager at a Firm of my size, I imagine the usual salary range is between $50,000 - $100,000 per year US. According to Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine's Salary Survey printed in the August 2002 issue Management Supervisory Positions averaged $73,000, Networking Project Lead non supervisory averaged $68,500. These are averages for US locations. Lower salaries in the midwest and south. Higher on the coasts - just like you would expect. This was not broken down according to size of company for which you worked or how many years experience you had.

Same survey said one year experience MCP-$38,700, MCSA-$37,400, MCSE-38,700 then 15 or more years MCP-$73,300, MCSA-$74,800, MCSE-75,650.

Pros are that it does pay well. Cons are that you often have to work late or weekends to perform updates or new installs. If server crashes at 5:00 p.m., you can't go home.