I hate this job.
Posted by Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 137 comments
I am employed by MSP that has a large client. I'm permanently based on the client's site. The client gives me jobs to solve while refusing to me give me access to the systems that are required to solve these problems.
- Go and fix that secure printer, the whole floor cannot print. I try to print from my laptop and I find out I cannot add the printer because my laptop is not customer's domain. I ask senior technician to check if the print server has some problem. Senior technician who is employed by the client....doesn't have access to the print server. So he contacts someone from Infrastructure team who starts a service that wasn't running.
Why was this job given to me?
-
Go and install ABC program for that person. I try to get the installer first from the file server only to find out that I can't browse the file server because it's accessible only from secure network. I'm allowed to use guest network only. No problem I will remote onto the client's pc and get it that way. So I'm connected to that pc and I browse the file server. I find ABC program installer and try to copy it to her desktop. Admin prompt comes up. I enter my creds. Permission Denied.
-
Go and test this equipment in all those rooms to make sure it works. One piece of kit is used to share screen on TV or projector for external people. It needs a executable to be launched from the internal storage of the device for it to work. I plug it into my laptop and realize I can't run the executable because I don't have local admin rights. I send email to my MSP asking for admin rights so I can carry out this test. Request is rejected. Fine....that's less work for me.
-
Go and fix that Linux machine. It has problems with programs not opening. I try to make some changes on the linux box and it's asking for root password. I go back to internal IT and ask if they can share the root password with me. Answer: No you will not be given the root password because you are not XXX employee. Pass the ticket to Linux team if you need help. I pass it to Linux team and they fling it back saying "we don't deal with desktops at this level."
At this point my blood is starting to boil.
They have million different procedures and rules and they are constantly changing them. Tickets get sent back a lot because "you passed it to the wrong department", "You didn't use template", "You used the wrong template". "you didn't tick this box" "Problems with this system need to be logged in different ticketing platform"
So naturally we start asking more questions and then they complain that we ask too many questions.
Everybody can plug their laptops into the LAN, but I can't. Everybody can go for breakfast before 9am but I can't. Everybody can walk away from their desk anytime they want but I can't. I'm getting really fucking tired of this. As soon as I find other job that pays similar amount I'm gone.
DrAculaAlucardMD@reddit
Hey, so I was in this boat once, and all of the new folks I work with are put in this boat too when they begin.
Make sure your workflow with your internal MSRP team is followed. Share your frustrations and they might course correct your assumptions. You will only get more frustrated until you are all on the same page. Perhaps this is an opportunity to grow?
Once you know what you can / can't do (And I suspect like others you are a human interface for the company) lean into that role. Be the people person they hired you to be. Practice your soft skills and make a quality impression for your company with the client. A great person who understands the client and can be a quality asset only helps to build that connection. It will lead to bigger and better things.
Ok now is the time to shine. You have a defined escalation path for tickets you don't have access to resolve, possibly with a suggestion for resolution. You can demonstrate basic skills and prove you can work with a team. That itself should build trust.
We have a person on our team who is insanely brilliant. She is also a beginner with our department and her focus is level 1. She wants to be at level 3 but as a new person isn't accustomed to flow, roles, responsibilities, and what is expected of her. I suspect this is partially being new and partially a lack of guidance from her direct report. That's being addressed. I do see her rising up the ranks very quickly if she can: Work through our well-defined processes and procedures, document to our standards, and have a good working rapport with the team.
Your time will come if you chose to adjust your thinking, and be open to change. You got this!!
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I forgot to mention that we were not invited to their chirstmas party. We work in the same building, on the same floor and in the same room together. Everybody is gossiping about what they are going to wear while me and my colleague were never even asked if we want to go.
DrAculaAlucardMD@reddit
But you aren't their employees, you work for a MSP. This should not be a shock or taken as a slight.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
In the words of my MSP manager he said "This is total bullshit."
Ivy1974@reddit
Welcome to my world. My last MSP did that and they locked down our laptops. Uh why? Don’t they know we can format them?
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I had to sign a policy that says I will not do things like this.
Randalldeflagg@reddit
Sure. But can you then rejoin it to the company domain? Probably not. You need enough permissions to do that. And also, what security software is protecting that system? We run daily audits on machines to make sure that user accounts are not in the local admin groups and if some how they are, removes the account. And then another set of software keeps an eye out if the admin count on the local machine changes. If so, it generates a priority ticket. And yet another security package that prevents against apps and plugins from doing malicious things even if said app started off safe and then got compromised later in the cloud.
Security should be just high enough that the end user doesn't even notice or cares that it is there. But annoying enough for the support staff to pay attention to what is going on
Fine_Ball_5686@reddit
I wanna huge you and cry for same reasons.... But the pay is well so... Mine is an organization with a lot of compliance... compliance and more Foxtrought Uniform Charly Kilo compliance....
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
Do you think the pay is too high or too low?
Fine_Ball_5686@reddit
Its ok for me but... I dont think I can work here for more than 2 years
Key-Brilliant9376@reddit
When the ball lands in your lap, you can toss it to someone else when you get blocked. Relax and collect the check.
elpollodiablox@reddit
So... If they have such a large, siloed team then why do they need a MSP?
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
Because paying MSP is cheaper then hiring internal staff. And they also don't want to do all the crap jobs. It seems to be beneath them. MSP is located far way in low cost of living town. Whereas the client is based in the second most expensive city in the country.
elpollodiablox@reddit
I mean, I hate the crap jobs, too. I'm trying to plan out migrating a data center to new hardware while working on getting resources coordinated for moving our HQ (where the data center resides) so I can have as little downtime as possible, only to get tickets about a couple of printers not working for a system I don't own and have never touched, because our phone monkeys don't know where else to send it, so may as well kick it all the way up to the top. It could possibly be a network issue. Who knows? It's not like they know how to ping or traceroute or go check a print queue despite being shown a hundred times.
But you sound like you're a capable person, not some chair warmer who does nothing but randomly assign tickets. I'd kill for someone like you. Well, maybe I'd maim someone. Killing seems to be a bit much.
Good L2 people are hard to find, and it does sometimes make me nervous to hand out privilege., But if I want someone to actually take some of the chickenshit off my plate then I have to trust that he's going to go do his job and no more, and I have to enable him to do it without having to come to me for everything. I've had a couple of guys like that over the years, and I'm actually proud to say that they went out and landed better gigs and moved up in the world because I gave them the freedom to learn.
I guess the part that is getting me is they have a Linux team who wants to rely on you to do the crap stuff, but then tells you you can't have the access you need to do it. So what then? Who does those crap jobs if they don't trust you to do them?
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
So basically they want all issues to go though lowest techs first no matter how trivial or important and they can be escalated only if they can't solve them. Think of it like pouring a contaminated liquid through several layers of filters. Where each filter captures and eliminates certain debris(tickets) until there is no debris left.
If me and my colleague from MSP can't solve the problem we have to talk to internal IT support who have better understanding of the systems and they have access to more tools. But they are still below Infrastructure, Linux and other teams. They begrudgingly take the ticket and try to solve it. However because of the lack of access we keep nagging them all the time since there is nothing else we can do and then they complain to our MSP manager and demand that we "improve the process".
elpollodiablox@reddit
Jeez. I can see why you hate it. I'm sorry they make life difficult for you. It sounds like you just can't win with them. Do you figure they resent you for even being there as a contract person rather than as an internal person?
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I wouldn't call it resentment. It's more like "We are better than you, we are richer than you, we are more important than you. So don't stick your nose into our kingdom."
JustRobReddit@reddit
This is the way.
Seriously though, it is beneath them. Time & experience is needed to get to those higher levels. Put in the time, gain the experience and some day you could become a real SysAdmin as well. For now, accept that you're the lowest rung on the IT ladder there, for a reason. It's a sucky position, but a needed one. Help those above you, do your time & stay humble. Or go elsewhere.
Astro721@reddit
To handle face to face interaction with users and gather data from them. Most people, myself included, aren't always up for hearing Brenda's entire life story for the 4th time because she always forgets to turn on her actual PC and only hits the power button on the monitor. I could absolutely see a world where the very necessary, but undesirable work gets thrown out to an onsite MSP worker because the main company can't keep the role filled.
East-Dig440@reddit
Job description: human interface.
Isolate it department from users.
Astro721@reddit
Seems like the goal here.
elpollodiablox@reddit
That Brenda can be a real pain.
It just seems odd to me that they would have a dedicated Linux team, then hand off a Linux problem to an outside contractor, only to then tell them they aren't allowed to troubleshoot the problem because he's an outside contractor and can't have the access they need to fix the issue.
I mean, I get not handing out a root password to someone who is some L1 triage monkey, but OP is obviously a capable guy (or gal), not some helpdesk person who tries nothing and is all out of ideas, so he assigns a ticket about a printer not working to a senior engineer, who then sends it back down with a snarky message in the notes with step-by-step instructions on Googling "how do I update a printer driver?"
themanbow@reddit
Is Brenda the new Karen?
Astro721@reddit
I would assume OP is the first contact for all issues from their post. So, that's why they are constantly getting issues they don't have the access to solve.
I agree they do sound over qualified. But, that is just how it is sometimes. They are completely separate from their own employer, and it's not like the in-house IT is going to promote them. They needed a primary contact for all tickets to gather data, triage, and assign to the correct team, so that's what they hired out to the MSP for.
Unfortunately OP is on an island with no one who wants to help them, or to see them thrive then move them to a position that fits them better.
fatbergsghost@reddit
"If only it was someone else's problem".
megasxl264@reddit
I was in your exact position years ago. Trust me, your job is only to ‘show face’ and report problems. In most cases you’re only physically there because they’re contractually obligated to have someone onsite during maintanence hours, but the reality is 99.9% of everything can be resolved by one or two senior admins at the MSP who have been working with that company for years.
My advice to you is to honestly just show some humility and chill out. They’re looking for you to take charge mainly with people skills, hardware, and layer 1 issues. Eventually they’ll turn the reigns over, but the reality is for right now you’re ‘helpdesk’ and you have a script to read.
MuffinEclipse@reddit
I'd give the alternate advice of, GTFO out an MSP. More wretched hives of scum and villainy have never existed and OP's only hurting his career by working for one.
F0LL0WFREEMAN@reddit
Exactly this. Couldn’t have said it better myself. You’re in an entry level position. Now does that align with your skills? Maybe not. You need to take a stoic approach and decouple your feelings from the work. Do what you can and wait, or find another job but don’t be heard complaining by anyone, especially not yourself.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
Complaining helps me to relieve stress.
F0LL0WFREEMAN@reddit
It doesn’t and there’s scientific data to prove that. The opposite is in fact true. Taking a positive approach to any situation and reinforcing the positives (there are always positives) will relieve your stress.
weedboi69@reddit
Is it possible that it also reinforces the stress long-term?
awit7317@reddit
+1 for using stoic in a sentence
floswamp@reddit
Googles Stoic.
Oh yes nice, very nice!
sliverednuts@reddit
Mental awareness very important….
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I'm not even allowed to go into the storage room where they keep new monitors and USB keys. So when somebody asks for non-encrypted USB key I have to open a ticket and send it to them. They fetch the USB key for me and only then I can pass it to the user.
It's not possible to chill out.
megasxl264@reddit
Well that’s incredibly normal and should be procedure for most medium sized and up businesses. Only people who are designated should have access to any place that contains company inventory(tenured staff, purchasing/inventory, security/facilities etc).
Like others have said it’s incredibly normal if it’s your first IT job, you’re only a few months in and you were hired specifically to be lvl1 support.
Seriously, all it balls down to is risk. Most companies aren’t handing the keys off in the first few months or at all to entry support.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
It's not my first IT job. And this is definitely not normal. If they don't trust us then they shouldn't have hired us in the first place. I signed up to do technical work not be an IT receptionist.
Broken-Technology68@reddit
Get your foot in the door with users and mgmt.
Learn from onsite IT about "the way" they all should be contacting and or ticketing these requests and teach them how.
..else.. "Let me ticket and middleman that for you." will remain the only tool in your bag. 🐒
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I have been trying to do that for 6months. My manager even agreed saying he will get X person to show me how Zoom system works and how it's meant to all setup. X person never showed me anything. Even after asking multiple times. They just forget about it and then pretend I never asked.
Rude_Signal1614@reddit
So stop whining on reddit and quit.
JustRobReddit@reddit
Trust, but verify. That's a core part of IT. They trust you enough to let you through the door, but not enough to cause any serious damage. That comes with time and experience.
If you want to cowboy up and have access to everything, you are in the wrong job / at the wrong client. If you want to learn how it's done 'properly' in the big leagues and carry that experience to a future role with better pay & more access, just do your time, take notes, learn everything. Be the best L1 helpdesk seat warmer that you can be, advocate for yourself and apply for internal promotions. A couple of years in that role will help tremendously when it's time to become an actual SysAdmin.
Fun-Fun-9967@reddit
if only...
Obvious-Water569@reddit
Bingo. If you haven't been given the tools to carry out the duties that have been asked of you, make sure your manager is aware and that's that. If your boss makes some changes that mean you can do the work then great. If not, there's nothing you can do about it so getting stressed out is utterly pointless.
livinlowe@reddit
Totally agree. Very much like this at my job. Look at it this way- easy money
greywolfau@reddit
Upvoting and commenting because this has some great advice.
This is your opportunity to build soft skills, negotiating your own and the client expectations. Being able to reframe problems so they can be re-presented back to the client in a way that let's you work with them to solve issues.
Trying to solve all these tech issues solely using tech answers isn't going to work. Friendly face, friendly and positive attitude will get you further and reflect well on you to the client and your bosses.
mobiplayer@reddit
1- Boss gives you a problem.
2- You solved the problem by engaging the right people.
3- "Why is boss asking me to solve these problems?"
:-)
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
Because it would save me having to drive 17 miles and then waste my and my colleague's time.
mobiplayer@reddit
Irrelevant to your boss, I'm just saying you're a problem solver, that's why they rely on you.
swamper777@reddit
Management 101: Unscrew thy company!
mammaryglands@reddit
Spend your time networking.
Learn some jokes. Show up looking nice and smelling good with a smile on your face everyday.
that'll take you farther in the next 5 years than learning anything technical
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
Telling random jokes to people you don't know is risky. People get offended so easily in the west.
The client complained that I made a "passive aggressive" comment on one ticket. It wasn't aggressive at all. In my culture we are more direct when we speak but these snowflakes cry over the most trivial stuff.
FriendlyWrongdoer363@reddit
Here's a non risky Joke.
A restaurant posts a sign that says, “$500 if we fail to fill your order.” A customer decides to put them to the test by ordering “an elephant ear on rye.” The server takes his order and walks to the kitchen. Seconds later, the chef storms out of the kitchen and slams down five $100 bills on the customer’s table.
“You got me,” he tells the customer. “But I want you to know that this is the first time in 10 years we’ve been out of rye bread!”
darthgeek@reddit
And now we see that you are the problem.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
You see a problem when there isn't one. Offence was taken not given.
darthgeek@reddit
My brother in christ, you are the problem. Your own words give you away. But, keep toiling at this job. I'm sure you're not trying to work beyond what your guidelines are or anything.
I mean, you can't even put tickets in correctly and you've been there awhile. Maybe take stock before you start accusing everyone else.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
My brother in christ, you are delusional. You have never set a foot in this place and yet you talk as if you knew everything. But keep telling your self that you are right. I'm sure it makes you feel morally superior.
mammaryglands@reddit
Okay then just be a stinky sourpuss the entire time I'm sure that'll work too
NDaveT@reddit
I hate that this is true.
ausername111111@reddit
Go do something else and find out how much it sucks compared to IT. You will be back in a year, if you're lucky.
Forsaken_Instance_18@reddit
Ask the company if they need you to work for them directly
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I have considered this before but then I realized I would have to report directly to power-tripping asshole and VP who micromanages everyone. Even some internal seniors left because they couldn't put up with this.
Dg1988@reddit
Sounds very frustrating.
I have been in a similar situation with regard to access but as a member of staff.
I had local admin rights Access to modify AD users via a tool along with RO access to a few systems. I had to ask a senior for jobs to be cleared on print queues.. I could do next to nothing.
I did what I could and escalated it stating on the ticket I was unable to resolve due to access. I had to repeatedly chase on behalf of users to get things done.
Nothing changed through out the 3 years I worked there. Shame as the job paid well for my level of experience in my area.
In the end It pushed me to look for another position elsewhere and I felt so much better for it which meant I gave it 110%.
We have contractors in all the time and we give them only the access required to do the exact job we want them to do and nothing more. At the end of the day If they screw up I have to fix it.
What are you contracted to do? Are you doing it but wanting to do more? If they aren’t letting you do what you are actually contracted to do then that’s all the more reason to leave.
I’d use my time twiddling my thumbs to get some online training done and collect the money until you can find something better.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
The MSP pays for various certifications so I will try to get some of them.
k0rbiz@reddit
Take advantage of this opportunity. I ran into something similar years ago. I had a workstation running 24x7 with Outlook rules that triggered based on the subject name of their request to route the emails to the international msp handling all the work. I didn't work a single day and yet I got praised for my work. I never complained once because why would I? I got promoted to "IT Director" with a six figure pay grade with the option to work from home. It took management 6 years to realize I got paid to do absolutely nothing when they ran an audit. They fired me and said hateful things. The best job I ever had.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
That sounds great man. However over here it's not that simple. Job requests come in a form of tickets not emails. And before we can pass a ticket to internal IT we need to post it in MS Teams group where a more senior MSP tech has to check and approve it and only then I can pass it back to the client.
Also I have to write all the things I have tried before it goes to them. So that's not something you can automate.
ansa70@reddit
Run away. Now.
Accomplished_Ad6195@reddit
That has nothing to do with system administration. It has everything to do with how you manage assholes and your employer. Just chill take your time, all communication via mail, cc your employer, cover your ass. Pick up salary at the end of the month.
Also stop working for a service provider and go work as an in house admin.
captain_222@reddit
I don't get these kind of rants. Your still being paid by the hour right?
thedanyes@reddit
Some of us want to actually solve problems. I find it hard to imagine a more boring and frustrating job than constantly being told what to do only to find I am blocked from doing it.
Rain_ShiNao@reddit
Well, guess I'm not the only one here.
I do have the same issue as you. They hire me as a IT engineer on paper but introduce me as a server engineer, without letting me see or understand anything about the server.
Our team has a network engineer but somehow I'm asked to draw our network diagram. Not the network engineer but me the IT engineer aka "server engineer".
My boss never shares anything, so I always have to figure out the system and etc.
I don't understand why, our infra vendor knows more about our system than my team. Everything I asked the network engineer and my boss would always be: "Go ask our vendor, they will let you know".
I'm getting off this job after the year end bonus. While the company is trying to split into 2 quarters, I'm guessing they want to delay everyone resigning after getting a bonus.
So yea, I'm with you on getting a better job.
hawaiianmoustache@reddit
This your first level 1 helpdesk job or something?
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
No it's my 4th one. Ironically this job is the least technically demanding but the best paying one.
hawaiianmoustache@reddit
Some orgs have layers of process for reasons, sometimes those reasons are good and necessary and not all orgs are for everyone.
Get paid and deal with the systems in place, or don’t mate. Best to find a way to operate within those systems and put positive energy into what you can do.
BoltActionRifleman@reddit
Wait, they don’t allow you to eat or stand up when you want/need to? Granted we don’t have a full time MSP on site but we’ve had them for a week+ at times and they can do whatever they want. I’m not going to tell a non-employee what they can or can’t do, that’s absurd.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
There is one senior tech that behaves as if he was our manager. He told off my colleague for having breakfast before 9am because I wasn't in yet and he wants always someone to be at the desk. When my colleague goes for lunch I need to wait until he comes back and only then I can go. Vice-versa too.
Of course they don't follow this rule. Rules for thee but not for me.
JustRobReddit@reddit
That's called seniority, that's how it works. You're not in a technical role, you're a glorified customer service representative. Suck it up buttercup, enjoy the paycheck while it lasts. Remind yourself that you are the most replaceable person on the team any time you get upset, that humility may save your job someday.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
No, I will not suck it up. His behaviour is completely uncalled for. He is not our manager he cannot really order us around. If he decided to make my life miserable I will keep pissing him off.
JustRobReddit@reddit
You're right, that attitude will definitely get you far!
https://youtu.be/5oATXLAS9MQ?t=11
curlyAndUnruly@reddit
I was in the same boat in a fking bank which made permissions a whole month ordeal. Not exaggerating.
Also I was the only loser working during holidays parties because I wasn't an employee.
The worst humiliation was not having access to the water in the office. We all contractors pooled together to buy water/toilet paper/snacks.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
Dude that the fuck? Were you not allowed to use the same bathroom as them?
curlyAndUnruly@reddit
In some offices yes, but in one in particular I had to ask security for the bathroom key. It was even more gross being the only woman most of the days ughhhh terrible, terrible experience.
agana49@reddit
Sounds like you just haven't realized your role yet. You're not given access, so you're more like an IT liason for a majority of duties. Your tasks that require access are just triaged to the appropriate channels. If the appropriate channel cannot be found, then your manager or the relevant company management needs to be made aware and create a channel for you. A typical email CC relevant management to establish processes may or may not be necessary. I don't normally go that path, as establishing working relationships will probably get you further. But documenting roadblocks professionally through emails can get results. It's easy to put all the responsibility on your shoulders, but it really is a shared responsibility in your situation. You just need to make sure your part is covered responsibly and allow the people that make decisions bandaid or fix processes.
Fun-Fun-9967@reddit
omg, I thought it was just me....
UnsuspiciousCat4118@reddit
So you’re tier 1 support acting like you were hired to be tier 3. Learn some humility and learn the systems in place. Eventually you’ll get it.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
How can I learn the systems when I don't have access to 90% of them?
JustRobReddit@reddit
Focus on the humility part first, the rest may come in time. If it doesn't, that will be in no small part due to the way you interact with those above you.
Boricuacookie@reddit
Would you say you are a liason between the MSP and the clients senior Admin who then opens a ticket?
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I suffer here.
Frequent_Fold_7871@reddit
Sooo.. you didn't do shit and still got paid... am I not understanding where the issue lies? Of course they are going to blame you, for the same reason your manager will get yelled at why it wasn't done by HIS boss. But he can't hit you, so what's the issue? Getting paid to send a "can't fix it boss, shits not working" email is like a dream job for most. You LITERALLY can't be blamed for a lack of network access or security privileges, so if you are, you nod and cash the check they send you every other week. You keep nodding and keep getting paid to not get anything done, bro has the best job and can't even appreciate it.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I would love to see you come here and pretend that this is a great job. One helpdesk person has left, one sysadmin has left after 8 months and one IT Director didn't last 2 months. They all got absolutely sick of this bullshit. You have no idea what you are talking about.
Diligent_Layer_370@reddit
How much are you making? Sounds like someone's dream job 🙃
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
35 000 GBP
EvenClock9@reddit
You're just trying too hard honestly, sit back relax and browse the internet to kill time, if you can't do the tickets for reasons you cannot control then there's no work to do so enjoy your free paid time.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I'm doing that already but it's making my brain rot. I probably forgot most of the difficult stuff I learned in previous jobs.
asedlfkh20h38fhl2k3f@reddit
> I'm allowed to use guest network only. No problem I will remote onto the client's pc and get it that way. So I'm connected to that pc and I browse the file server.
Wait wut
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
We don't use RDP. I believe the connection goes to some 3rd party server and then back to company network.
Hacky_5ack@reddit
Sounds like they hoard the knowledge cause you got a arrogant sysadmin who won't give correct access on purpose.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
Not sysadmin. VP of IT operations who loves to micromanage everyone and be involved in everything.
Hacky_5ack@reddit
Prob right haha
plump-lamp@reddit
Not on the sysadmin If the company that hired him wanted him to be on the client domain and have access then they should do that. It's not on a sysadmin to do that for them. Sysadmins job is to protect their systems
Hacky_5ack@reddit
You're missing my point. I've been around plenty of places where boss says sysadmin give them access and sometimes it never happens or doesn't happen for a long time
plump-lamp@reddit
Then OP needs proof of a ticket for request. Not rocket science. Likely whomever contracted with the MSP is also over the sysadmins at some point of the tree
Hacky_5ack@reddit
Now you understand my son
plump-lamp@reddit
Yeah.... Not on the sysadmin.
Hacky_5ack@reddit
at the end of the day if the asshole sysadmin is not giving access, whether the boss said to or not, then yes sysadmin is doing typical narcissistic shit
plump-lamp@reddit
No ticket, no approval, no access. Sysadmins job isn't to service a low level msp tech, his duty is protecting the company
Hacky_5ack@reddit
Put a ticket in then!!!!
Dry_Marzipan1870@reddit
im confused on why this company has the MSP. Like, we see everything you couldn't do. What exactly CAN you do? ive worked for two MSPs and we were admins for the infrastructure.
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I run from building to building and fix people's muilti-monitor setups because people can't figure out how to plug the cables in correctly. I also spend more time dealing with ticket bureaucracy than technical stuff.
Astro721@reddit
My assumption is OP's employer was hired to handle face to face interaction with users and gather data from them. It could be they have made them the initial contact for everything and just expect him to escalate to the needed teams. I could see the company hiring OPs MSP doing this if they had a hard time keeping someone in that role because of the mistreatment they received.
So, at that point mine as well just ensure you know you'll have someone in that role by having it staffed by contract with the MSP. If OP quits someone else will be forced to cover while the MSP finds the next person. That way it is on the MSP to replace them and the headache is out of the inhouse IT teams way.
Secret_Account07@reddit
They need to provide you a domain joined device. I work for a large govt org and we have plenty of contractors who have access to secure systems. Otherwise, they shouldn’t ask you to do this stuff.
You’re more patient than I am. The 5th time this happened I would send out multiple emails to techs and managers asking who to reach out to next time since you don’t have access. If you word it that way, magically they will find a way.
By the way, are you working in Ohio?
Old-Paramedic-2192@reddit (OP)
I asked for domain joined device multiple times. The response is always either : You don't need it. Or no response at all.
Secret_Account07@reddit
Yeah that’s BS.
I’d email managers or get in writing who to assign work to when ya don’t have access. They can’t have it both ways. Either give ya access or you don’t do the work.
VplDazzamac@reddit
Pretty much this. One laptop for doing your general MSP nonsense like your emails and timesheets etc. One for doing actual work on.
Frequent_Fold_7871@reddit
...would you rather work manual labor? My man, I guarantee you were in AC climate control the entire time with access to a bathroom and water at all times. You don't hate this job, you hate your coworkers. Trust me, it ain't as bad as you want it to sound, you fucked around with printers all day, that sounds like a great day at work compared to working in REAL IT and having to write your own proprietary printer drivers. You simply had to run a prebuilt setup wizard.. What's next? You have to turn a PC off and on again? How will you survive!?
zedarzy@reddit
Contracted onsite often deal only with break fix and user guidance. Often access is very limited and you are expected to just escalate or act as smart hands.
You are there to fill contractual obligations and follow corporate procedure. Fixing the issue is usually last priority in contracted IT.
MrCertainly@reddit
First of all, stop caring as if you owned the place. You don't.
Embrace the red tape. Be a chaos vulture. Things take 3x longer than they "should" because everyone is pant-on-head stupid? Celebrate it! Remember, not your company - not your profits. You get paid the same if you handle one case per day or thirteen.
Not all companies survive. You'll eventually be fired/laid off. In AWA: At-Will America (99.7% of the population), you can be terminated at any time, for almost any (or no) reason, without notice, without compensation, and full loss of healthcare. Your job search is NEVER over. This will not be your last job.
And some shit just isn't going to get done. "I put in my 8 hours, cheers mate. See ya tomorrow, we'll pickup where we left off."
CantankerousBusBoy@reddit
Or a perspicacious persimmon.
SapphireSire@reddit
Imo you merely need to setup automatic email forwarding to the right people.
Anything *printer gets sent while striping out the original senders tag and when it's fixed, take the credit for fixing it while you were out to lunch.
Consistent_Research6@reddit
Get tf out of there before you will end up hands around someone's neck.
andoryu123@reddit
Can't figure out if there is a problem without knowing your expected tier support level. If you are level one, then it sounds par
Essa_ea@reddit
What a fucken hell seriously. Like this's the dumbest shit I've ever read on this sub. I mean for real wtf they want you to do if you don't have permission to access anything damit? That's a complete waste of time, you simply can't fix anything with those procedures.
I mean they have several options to allow you to have admin rights and a machine that's connected to the domain.
On the other hand why the fuck no one is fixin their shit from their team instead.
Honestly if i were you i wouldn't tolerate this utter bullshit.
BlackV@reddit
seems like ~~a lot~~ most of this is directly on you
good not you found the root cause, pass it along to the responsible people, move on, not your job to maintain the print server
Yes, that would seem like lunacy to allow any network to connect, why are you "getting" the file in the first place ?
why what ? why the feck would you copy this locally, AND TO THE DESKTOP, stop that
find out first, do they have an RMM system, does the deploy apps ? does the user juts need to be added to a group ?
if not sure then explore options for install, first run the install from the network ? what account were you planning on installing this software ? if you have limited access do you have admin right to install that ? hopefully the user sure didn't
sound like may you do not, or more specifically cause YOU copied it to a user folder you (that admin account) does not have access that (and they shouldn't)
is that actually the reason ? depending on the devie normally those device dont need admin softwre installed, but do they not have LAPS for example to get you temp local admin access
BUT I do acknowledge MSP work is often a painful painful slog, document the issues, work through the issues with the customer and the MSP, GET MANAGER SIGN OFF on the process for each moving forward
Corelianer@reddit
Check if they have admin by request, so you can get temp admin rights.
GullibleCrazy488@reddit
lol, I was predicting the issues you were going to run into for each point, and I really felt your frustration.
-maphias-@reddit
I didn’t have to read past the word “MSP” to know how much you hate your job.
mercurygreen@reddit
Worked with a client that had not one, but FOUR external separate MSPs around the world that each did one layer of IT management. And the ones in charge (who had sub-contracted to the rest of us) hated us low lives for not seeing their greatness... and also for for questioning how they managed to get the entire company shut down in a cyber attack by compromised credentials from one of their admins.
thatohgi@reddit
Sharpen up that resume.
I’m assuming your shop only has one client, no management, and is you running as an MSP? Otherwise talk to your manager, like the one that signs your checks and get out of that role, or quit once you find a new job. Don’t worry about leaving notice, you don’t have any access and aren’t of any use at this place anyway.
How long have you been in the industry? What’s your network for job prospecting look like? Most folks I know can pivot to a new role in under 30 days, but that comes with experience and intentionally building that career advancement network.
Most_Medicine_6053@reddit
I’d spend my time rubbing that easy one out in a company stall. At the very least you wouldn’t be so pissed off for a good hour or so.
traversecity@reddit
Poor ticket triage. One of our large customers tries, sometimes get it right, sometimes I need to update the ticket to get it routed.
DarthJarJar242@reddit
Welcome to working for an MSP. Most of them are garbage companies.
ObeseBMI33@reddit
autogyrophilia@reddit
Submit ticket with all that information
Take your sweet time when the blockers clear.
Train new skills or play balatro in the meantime.
analbumcover@reddit
Balatro certified
william_tate@reddit
Put everything back to them when you can’t do something and watch YouTube videos while you wait. Let anyone know who asks what you are waiting. Pretty sure they will either fix the issue or get you the access they need when they realise how much money they are wasting having you site there waiting for someone to do the job you were hired for. Get your MSP to deal with it and relax
Intelligent_Desk7383@reddit
Yeah, time to split... It's been my experience this is a common problem though, on at least a smaller scale. Places don't like to give their contractors access to a lot of "for employees only" resources. Makes it impossible to get the work done they literally paid you to come help them do!
I think often times, they just haven't thought it through. They assume the times you need admin rights for X, Y or Z are "relatively rare" and you can just ask someone to get you past that point, as needed.
mike_grinda@reddit
good luck with your new job