Great Student Job!

Interested?

Job Descriptions

Instructions for Candidates

Map to N42

Student Computer Consultants Hiring Information Site

Great Student Job!

If you are...

• a logical problem solver
• patient, friendly, motivated to help
• good at explaining technical topics
• seeking relevant work experience
• eager to learn in a team setting
• interested in a starting rate of $12.50/hour

If so, then the MIT Computing Help Desk is looking for you! Take a look at our podcast to see more about how we work.

Interested? How to Apply

August 2008

Our team is considering candidates for openings in these areas:

• Computing Help Desk
• Residential Computing
• Athena Consulting

Information on each position is found under the "Job Descriptions" section of this page. If you are interested in applying

1) please submit materials according to the Instructions for Candidates

2) attend one of the following orientation sessions where you will have an opportunity to hear job details from and ask questions of a current student consultant.

Wednesday, August 20th, 4:30 - 6:00 pm (Twenty Chimneys Student Center)
Friday, August 29th, 12:15 - 1:45 pm (Light Lunch Provided, Twenty Chimneys Student Center)
Thursday, September 4th, 5:15 to 6:45 pm (Demo Center, N42, 211 Massachusetts Avenue)

NOTE: Please note start times and allow the entire 90 minutes for orientation. In addition to learning more about the job, interested candidates will be asked to complete paperwork and carry out additional steps in the hiring process.

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Job Description

Help Desk Consultant | Residential Computing Consultant | Athena Consultant

Student consultants work on a team of 20 students, and a similar number of full-time staff members. They provide computing assistance to faculty, students and staff using Macintosh and Windows computers. They record, troubleshoot and resolve customer problems via phone, e-mail, and the web and in person.

Typical problem include difficulties connecting to the MIT network, operating system damage, virus infections or printing failures. We answer questions about downloading and installing software, and the use of common programs for sending email, preparing documents, using Internet resources, maintaining schedules, storing and working with data and creating web pages. Candidates should be comfortable using Macintosh or Windows computers, but we will also provide extensive training.

Consultants work 6 - 8 hours a week during the academic year and/or 15 - 40 hours a week during the summer, between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. There are no evening or weekend work hours. During the school year there is a mandatory weekly training meeting on Tuesdays from 5:15 to 6:45 pm.

An initial commitment of two semesters is expected.

Among the skills you will have an opportunity to develop are thinking on your feet, knowledge of reference materials, selection of relevant problem symptoms and data, prioritizing solutions with time constraints, explaining complex ideas to experts and novices, collaboration within a team environment.

http://web.mit.edu/rescomp/www/hiring.shtml

Residential Computing Consultants are an important part of IS&T Client Support Services. RCCs are a group of 25-30 students who provide computer support and consultation in the MIT residence halls. RCCs assist users with connecting to the MIT network; using the dorm printers and clusters; troubleshooting the wireless network; providing security advice and assistance with removing viruses and spyware; and general operating system help. There are also opportunities for web page design, tutorial preparation, dormitory information sessions, advertising and awareness, and personal develpoment.

RCCs are not limited to a set schedule - daily responsibilities including checking our ticket queue and voicemail, which can be done from any location. Most RCCs find the job takes about 2-5 hours per week during the term. During Orientation and the first few weeks of the semester, there is a much higher demand for the RCCs' services, and there is a significant increase in hours. There are often opportunities for additional hours or special projects.

RCCs are expected to keep up to date on cases in their assigned dorm queues. Residents who come to the RCCs for help typically do so because a problem or situation is preventing them from doing schoolwork, research, cehcking email, or preforming other tasks that are vital to their day to day life at MIT. It can be very frustrating to put in a help request and not receive a response for an extende period of time.

RCCs are also expected to attend biweekly training meetings help in buidling N42 on Mondays at 5:15pm. These meetings are held to discuss current events relevant to the job, get together with the other RCCS, and discuss cases, or listen to guest speakers on various topics.

Athena Consulting provides support for the campuswide Athena computing environment. We assist all users with the public workstations around campus, and provided some support for private Athena workstations. We support a variety of topics ranging from basic UNIX commands, web browsing and certificates to LaTeX, Matlab, and other academic software packages.

Athena Consulting provides an immersive learning environment where students can learn more about Athena and various software packages while assisting users. Our only requirements are the ability to clearly communicate both in writing and over the phone, and a desire to learn how MIT's academic computing environment works.

Athena Consultants attend a weekly meeting every Wednesday, at 5:15pm, in building N42. At this meeting, consultants have the opportunity to learn more about a specific component of Athena and receive updated information pertinent to their jobs. In addition to this meeting, most consultants work about 6-8 hours per week.

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