As I was searching for a job that would fit my skill set I realized that it was going to be a lot harder than I had originally thought. I could find jobs that required my basic skill set, however they all required some sort of prior experience in the filed, usually a substantial amount of time, usually around 3-10 years worth of relevant experience. After searching for awhile I finally landed on this one.
http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.aspx?JobID=78913188&JobTitle=Systems+A...
This job is full time Systems Administration position for the Southwest Florida Water Management District. I chose this job because it is a basic entry level position. I felt that this would be a good place to work for right after leaving college.
The main reason I finally decide on this job was the fact that it seemed like it would be the best place to continue my learning. I would mainly be providing backup to the senior system administrators, by helping with troubleshooting and basic maintenance. The job description also makes it seem like I would be covering a wide range of fields. My other main field of interest, other than Systems Administration, would be System Security. This job would give me the opportunity to work with people that have been in this field for a while. The biggest pro about this job, in my opinion, is the fact that I would not be doing the same thing all of the time. This job would also encourage further education because it forces you to receive certification specifically related to your responsibilities.
After reviewing the job requirements for this position I feel that I am perfectly qualified to take on this entry level Systems Administration position. This job calls for a bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer information technology. I have had at least some experience with everything that was in the job description. I have had experience setting up operating systems, troubleshooting network problems, managing workstation and printers, setting up basic network security, configuring routers and switches, Active Directory, and pretty much everything that was in the job description. Most of this experience has been gained through my classes both in college and high school.
When I look at this job and the requirements that I have when looking for a job, such as location and pay, this job meets most of them. The location is fine. It is not my first choice of location, I would prefer to stay a little closer to home, but it is Florida. Who wouldn’t like to live in Florida? The company size is to my satisfaction. I would prefer to work with a smaller company when first starting my career. As I said earlier this job offers plenty of opportunities to expand my knowledge about current and future technologies. This is a very important aspect of any job considering the fact that technology is always changing. Constant learning is a necessary aspect if you want to have a career in a tech field. The pay is a little less than what I would like. However, I am willing to live with this because of the other aspects of this job. I am willing to live with this pay rate because I feel that this job would be a good place to stay until I would meet the required amount of experience needed for higher paying jobs.
I feel that this job would be perfect for pretty much anyone seeking a career in this field. It is a good entry level position for this type of career. It provides an excellent opportunity to continue your core education and to gain the valuable experience that will be needed to move ahead in your career.
Instructor Feedback
You have clearly thought about your fit within this company. What I would like to see more of, and what will be expected in the employment documents is closer attention to what you can offer the company and more details about the skills and experiences you currently possess. Because this is not an internship, you will need to focus less on what they can offer you and more on what you can provide for them. By all means, consider the former as you choose a position, but do focus on the latter as you try to get the job.
As I have been telling your classmates, the key move know is mining your experiences for great stories that demonstrate what you have to offer. As Jeremy and I will be telling the class repeatedly, you need to do more than tell them what you have to offer: you have to prove it by demonstrating it. And that means concrete details. You write, "I have had experience setting up operating systems, troubleshooting network problems, managing workstation and printers, setting up basic network security, configuring routers and switches, Active Directory, and pretty much everything that was in the job description." While it is good that you can meet "pretty much everything," you will need to focus your letter on a few key instances of your experience wherein you demonstrate your ability to handle the work they will give. Describe a time, for instance, when you set up an operating system and the managed it or secured it. Give them a picture they can remember rather than a list they will easily forget.
Use your knowledge of the company to help you make these choices.