1

So I have been working for a small software company. When I was hired on I was told that my position will be the network admin for our Utah office. Right now I am Jr. Network Admin/ Assistant customer support manager. I have recently found out that our CIO has wanted to change the network so everyone is using thin clients. I was excited to help out with this. We are switching over to mid level cisco routers and switches. I am almost ready to take my ccent test. The Utah office manager asked me if I would be willing to stay after hours to help with this. I said yes obviously. Then come to find out our CIO decide to hire cisco to help him with it since he doesn’t understand how to set it up correctly. Then I received a call from another IT company helping him with pen testing of the network. Our CIO told me that is what he went to school for. I am not sure if he really has any IT knowledge about networks and pen testing. Since I am in charge of Utah office this makes me nervous. I would like to know what you think if I should stay with the company even though the CIO doesn’t really seem to know what he is doing. Or should I look for a new job that the CIO actually understands IT.

15 Spice ups
2

In the end, you’re the only one who can answer the question =]

But were it me, i’d probably start looking for another job. It doesn’t appear that your position or knowledge will grow at all where you’re working now.

4 Spice ups
3

Ha, welcome to the typical business, where your knowledge exceeds that of your superiors. And really, that’s how it should be, you should know how to do your job well, and your manager manages at a relatively high level. But it does not sound like.he trusts you yet either. Sometimes that just takes time, sometimes it never happens. It’s up to you to judge.

If there are other job opportunities, it won’t hurt to throw the resume around and see if anything bites.

6 Spice ups
4

If you stay there will be trouble, if you go it could be double.

You need to decide what is best for you and your career.

9 Spice ups
5

IMO, Getting outside help/oversight is a sign of someone who DOES know what they are doing.

7 Spice ups
6

Sounds like you got the equivalent of a phishing phone call, hope you did not give out any information to some unknown entity about your network.

1 Spice up
7

Yeah to me it sounds like he knows he’s only book learned, and wants to work with experienced folks before he just fires off half-cocked on his own and blows something important up.

Also this: Might want to verify he actually is working with those folks.

1 Spice up
8

How long have you been working for this company?

1 Spice up
9

Also, there’s nothing wrong of you knowing more than your superiors, that’s why you’re hired in a certain position. Managers are designed to manage and that could mean if they need to bring additional resources.

However that is why I’m asking how long the OP have worked for this company, to figure out why he’s not trusting his own employee or just needing additional eyes.

As a Director myself, I don’t know everything and probably never will. I have had developers and network admins who knows more than I and that’s why I’m glad they are there. I trust them. However I do at times bring additional resources for audits.

1 Spice up
10

I have verified that he is working with the companies. He informed me that the pen testing company will be trying some tests later tonight after work. They just called to double check. I have been with the company about 7 months. Our CIO has been here for about 1.5-2 years. There is a high turnover rate with this company. They have some people who are managers that shouldn’t be but they’re working on fixing that issue.

2 Spice ups
11

You CIO might just be doing his diligence in doing pen testing from outside resource for audit purposes to present to stakeholders/owner(s).

I would express to your CIO if you could be part of it if you haven’t yet. A lot of managers sometimes just doesn’t know and they go off by their ‘experience’ and sometimes letting them know that you’re interested in helping is all it takes.

I did this myself in the past where I brought someone else in for a quote. A small example was cabling. My help desk person expressed their desire of wanting to do it. Wasn’t a big project but I took them up on it. Wrote down timeline, cost, etc. Then I let them do it. It was a success! Build morale within the team and it trickled down to the rest.

Another instance years ago was integrating a report within our ERP. Was putting an SOW to our software partner since I didn’t have the time to build it myself then my network admin had asked if they can make that attempt. Since I knew my employee that they’ve been self-teaching themselves, I gave him the opportunity. Setup deadline, SOW, etc., and he implemented it. I trusted him.

I can tell you many examples in my career but starts with trust. I had to earn theirs and they had to earn mines.

1 Spice up
12

I’d roll away from it personally. Sounds like a dead end and one you’ll never be truly utilized in… It’s sad but a lot of times those on the exec level just outsource what they’re responsible for.

2 Spice ups
13

Also it’s only been 7 months, I wouldn’t leave.

Also there might be a deadline and bringing someone else in would make that deadline.

So many variables here.

3 Spice ups
14

Make a move to replace the CIO. Sounds like you might be more experienced than he is.

15

Mr. Davis, did you not think I wouldn’t see this? Please see me in my office.

4 Spice ups
16

Never met a CIO that was technically competent. Perhaps they are all hiding from me. Yes, that must be the answer. Sounds a little early to jump ship, maybe give it some more time. As long as the boss is not an ass then I would stick it out a bit.

1 Spice up
17

This. You don’t want to be a ‘hopper’. 7 months is early unless you’re just doing contract work.

18

I dont see this as a reason to leave. Opportunity to take over from this guy someday?

1 Spice up
19

At < 1 year on the job, I’d recommend:

Stay, update your resume and CYA.

:slight_smile:

1 Spice up
20

After 15+ years, I have learned just a few things. You do not make it to management because of what you know how to do. That mindset is the reason that most “techs” do not make it to management. Their job is to make sure that the job gets done in line with business goals, not to do the job.

1 Spice up