CTP Skill Center

Today we did a Mock Interview with Mechanics Bank. My interview went pretty good and I got good feedback and pointers from my interviewer Sharon. She gave me her card and will try to hook me to get coding experience from people she knows. I will update my resume to reflect what she pointed out.

Today Alex introduced Ninite to the class. Ninite is an automatic installer for applications such as browsers and programs including WinDirStat and Putty. We tried out WinDirStat which is an application that shows how files occupy the storage space. Putty is network connection tool which is especially useful in looking at router and switch configurations including other devices. We also looked at the PCPartPicker website where you can custom build a PC online. This is a useful site to use to get an estimate the cost of a build and check the compatibility of the required components. Lastly, we continued the Lab Assignment for the week.

Today I worked with Frank to set up our second network for the lab assignment. I was not here yesterday so there was a lot of catching up to do task wise. We had to use a project computer that re-images off the network image. However, we did not connect it to the CTP network and used a different network address. It took longer to complete but we did manage to create a local area network using just a switch with no router by setting up a static IP. Unfortunately, both did not work with ping. So, we set up network discovery and shared some folders to determine that a laptop and a desktop can see each other. When we verified it was working I added a router and used its DHCP to get the IP address dynamically. Then we connected it to the CTP network to have internet access. Everything worked out pretty well.

Today for the Lab Assignment we were asked to create a network by rehabilitating a Project PC and using that as a host. I also had my one-on-one check-in with Alex. As always it was an interesting and fruitful conversation. Unfortunately, I had to leave early to go an appointment and was unable to start working on the lab assignment with Frank.

Today Alex shared a lot of utilities and tools that we can use. Tools such as Bar code readers and QR code scanners that are useful for technicians to verify information and and record keeping. Even taking pictures using a smartphone to document and create a timeline of actions for reference. Utilities that help in transferring information within software applications. Documents may contain formatting information and simply copying and pasting information may not give the desired results. Pasting without formatting or using a text editor with no formatting such as Notepad can retain the information needed.

We also looked at the Event Viewer which shows the log information of events within computer processes be it hardware and software. Looking at this log files can give a picture of how the computer is performing and can help a technician in diagnosing a system. Finally, we use TeamViewer for a Remote Desktop connection which is a very valuable resource to add in a Computer Technicians tool belt.

Today we worked on practicing interview skills related to answering questions with the STAR method. Situation, Task, Action, Result. This method of answering questions helps highlight what kind of a worker you are in a variety of situations by giving examples of times when you solved problems with different circumstances. We also researched the Mechanic’s Bank for our upcoming mock-interviews next week in the classroom. This makes me a little nervous still having to answer questions on the spot is always challenging. So I will try to spend some time in the next week getting some answers ready.

Today we had two assignments assigned to us at Employment Services. First was to answer 3 Behavioral interview questions using the Star method and a Company Research Assignment on Mechanics Bank. Mechanics Bank will be doing the mock interview for us at CTP on the 22nd. Also, we practiced the additional behavioral questions with different partners.

Today we learned what a DevOps operator does. Then we continued working on the mBot robotics project. There is still a lot more I want to explore with this project.

Today Alex discussed briefly what Operations, Development and DevOps are. DevOps is an interesting field where one is a jack of all trades in both hardware and software with generalized skill set. A sort of fixer that bridges the gap between hardware and software needs to create IT solutions.

Next, I helped out my CTT colleagues in the Coding Robotics Assignment with mBot this week.

Watched a TED talk about the Customer Service bar being extremely low. Learned about the two radio stations WIFM/ WIFO (what’s in it for me/ others). Working with the PRO students is always interesting, we did a group exercise where we role-played to be workers that had to tell their clients NO! (Link to TED talk) https://youtu.be/yuuk3pStM24