I am imagineing that the people who answer Help Desk calls here at the university are paid in a manner comparable to me, as they are (for no good reason) classed as secretaries. The people they transfer things to are "junior analyst/programmers"-- they will come to your desk and help you.
It depends on what the "Help Desk" actually does. If they just field and transfer calls (which is what some help desks do) then I can understand the logic. If they actually try to help the user and troubleshoot the problem, then it's definitely something different.
Then again, there's a often a difference between a "receptionist" and "secretary" which pushes things back into being similar again.
So I guess, in retrospect, I don't have a clue what they should be considered, because there's too many variables.
ION, I just had a call that reminded me that sometimes being chained to a desk isn't all bad. "I just replaced my toner cartridge and now the printer's spilling ink everywhere and it's saying 'Needs Service'." I didn't mind having to pass that one off to a field tech at all.
When I worked in a cube, most of my coworkers had jobs where their jobs had them on the phone a lot, and everyone who worked there was very social. My job? Had a lot of writing in it. It was Not Fun. I mean, the fun part was real fun, but trying to actually work? NSM.
Oh Nilly, I will be sending you much good will and good thoughts.
I have a lot of respect for Warren Buffett. Rich guy who recognizes he's privileged and uses his powers for good. Lucky Jesse got to meet the guy.
As long as I am complaining about loudness in the office-- people freaking SHOUT down the hallway. Like they are in their office down the hall TALKING TO ME! WTF. Call me on the telephone or get up and talk to me. I am OK with my boss doing this a) because she is my boss and b) because her office is right next door. But the accountant down the hall should JUST STOP IT.
Julia and Chris were just screaming at each other (about the BAND they are going to start), through me, each one into one of my ears. They've now been sent on a walk around the block. I don't suppose you can send your cow-orkers for a walk around the block?
And having worked both Help Desk and Field Tech now, I honestly feel like Help Desk is a harder job.
I really don't want to work help desk. And the lady called back to say that maybe they could swing $15/hour, but if I have to have a long commute and talk on the phone in 3 languages all day (only one of which I am fluent in, one I used to be fluent in, and one in which I could probably order beer and tacos), I don't think it'll be worth it.
This is kinda' short notice, but:
Free movie tickets in San Fran.
There will be a screening of the movie “The War Tapes” in San Francisco at the Castro Theatre on June 26th at 7:30 pm. “The War Tapes,” winner of the prize for best documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival, offers a soldier’s-eye view of the Iraq war. The film is based on footage recorded by three members of the New Hampshire Army National Guard who were deployed to Iraq in early 2004.
[link]
“The War Tapes”
HIGHLY recommend this movie -- it's really really really well done.
In re office noise - the thing that really bothers me in my office is the people who insist on using speaker phones for everything. Dialing, picking up voicemail, all their phone calls ... drives me up the wall. Aside from the distraction, all these calls are done at top volume ... and they're all things I don't want to hear about.
I really don't want to work help desk. And the lady called back to say that maybe they could swing $15/hour, but if I have to have a long commute and talk on the phone in 3 languages all day (only one of which I am fluent in, one I used to be fluent in, and one in which I could probably order beer and tacos), I don't think it'll be worth it
They're looking for someone tri-lingual as well? For $12 an hour. Their logic is not the same as our earth logic.
ION, why does July 4th have to be all silly and land on a Tuesday this year. I'm looking at the department vacation Calendar and only a handful of us are actually going to be here on the 3rd. Unfortunately, one of the other Help Desk guys already requested it off, otherwise I'd be joining them. Especially since a friend of mine is throwing a party on Sunday.
