Diane Burns - Network Manager

Ten years ago I decided to return to work after taking a career break to bring up my two daughters. Because I had virtually no computer experience, I decided to undertake various courses at college to bring me up to speed.

I was soon hooked and signed up for the networking courses, starting with the Comptia A Plus and eventually taking the MCSE.
Because my previous background was in recruitment, I knew that qualifications alone wouldn’t get me a job, so I wrote to various schools and colleges offering my services for free. This resulted in me working for South East Essex College for two days a week whilst studying for my exams.
 

Nine months later I secured my first paid job at Fitzwimarc School in Rayleigh, where I worked as a part time ICT Technician for 15 months. Then I moved to St Bernard’s High School as I felt the career prospects there would be better. I started as an ICT Technician, mainly looking after the laptops and was soon given the challenge of improving the ICT facilities for all staff and students.

Five years later, I am now an ICT Manager and work alongside two other ICT Technicians, who have been through the ITEC apprenticeship programme here at the school.

I am responsible for 13 servers, the school website and email systems and we have over 400 computers and laptops plus numerous interactive whiteboards, projectors and printers to look after, which keep us all very busy.

I love working in ICT as it is a challenging job where no two days are ever the same.
 

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