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Sam, Infrastructure Problem Support Analyst

SAM, INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEM SUPPORT ANALYST

Uni, inline hocky and a guaranteed job!

Being part of the Council's student scholarship programme meant Sam didn't have to worry about paying for fees or looking for a job and could focus on the more important things at university ...

Watch Sam's video about life in New Plymouth and work at the Council on YouTube. 

Describe your job.

I started with the Council as part of the student scholarship programme. I worked in the IS Team during the holidays while I was student and then started my two-year bond in a Desktop Support role. This is a second level support role where calls come through to our Service Desk and anything they can’t resolve gets escalated to us. 

My two-year bond finished in November 2008, but before then I applied for and gained the Infrastructure Problem Support Analyst role. I basically help keep the IT infrastructure of the Council going. This involves working on the server network, maintaining our applications framework (e.g. document management system, websites, storage etc), development, trouble shooting and assisting in a second-level support role with issues escalated by the Service Desk. Return to top

What attracted you to the Council?  What qualifications do you have?

I was in my first year of the four-year Computer Systems Engineering degree at Massey University when I spied an ad in the paper about the Council’s student scholarship programme. As a student it was great to know that I had a regular holiday job (it being in the area I was studying was an added bonus!) but also a secure job when I graduated – as long as I kept up my end of the agreement and passed!

I chose the Computer Systems Engineering degree because I thought it sounded interesting. It covered a wide range of topics from designing hardware, programmes and electrical work through to management and networks. It gave me a good base.

While having a good understanding of information systems is a must for this role, a lot of what I do has been learnt on the job because the applications the Council uses are unique to them, it’s not something you can learn at university.

What do you like most about your job?

I find the work really interesting and like the different problems to solve. At the moment we’re making some changes to our core network and infrastructure to make it quicker and easier to manage so there’s a lot going on.

Because of the type of work my job involves it means I get to work with a lot of different staff throughout the Council. The variety is great, not just the people but the work also. It can be anything from testing, development, websites, through to day-to-day issues and email.

Is there anything in particular you like about working for the Council?

The Council recognises personal commitments outside of work which is something that I’ve found particularly valuable.

I’ve been playing inline hockey for about 13 years and I’m in the Senior Men’s New Zealand team as well as coach of the 14 and under and 18 and under New Zealand teams. This keeps me pretty busy!

The support and flexible working hours offered by Council has meant that I have been able to develop my hockey career as well as my IT career.

I’ve learnt a lot working for the Council, not just in my particular line of work but also all the other ‘behind the scenes’ work that the Council does for New Plymouth.

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