Technical Services ESP — 
Building a Quality Workforce

So Much to Do, Never Enough Time

The Constant Tug-of-War

Like everyone these days, Technical Services ESP feel pressured by having too much to do and not enough time to do it. Their time crunch is further exacerbated by the nature of their work. Everyone who requests technical assistance wants attention immediately, and they usually think their particular problem is more important than anything else the tech might be dealing with.

Technical Services ESP must constantly judge which problem to tackle first while looking at the overall picture. For example, if the mainframe for the school is down, repairing it obviously takes priority over anything else that needs doing. At the same time, there might be many other problems that need fixing in a variety of departments throughout the school system. The Technical Services ESP must be prepared to decide which one to tackle next. As technology progresses and more complex equipment is used in schools, the demand for Technical Services ESP support and problem solving increases exponentially.

Time management difficulties for Technical Services ESP are compounded by the fact that most school systems don't have enough technical services personnel to handle the kind and amount of technology they are using. Also, when Boards of Education purchase technology equipment, they usually buy the cheapest. This of course creates more problems for Technical Services ESP. It is generally true that technicians spend much more time dealing with cheap and inadequate equipment than they would if Boards of Ed would choose more carefully and expend the resources needed to keep what they have up-to-date. If administrations would consult and include Technical Services ESP in the choice and purchase of equipment, they could save a lot of money as well as increase efficiency and productivity.

Technical Services ESP often must keep working on a project after hours in order to complete the job. Administrations continually demand instant results while not properly paying for overtime or providing compensatory time off. In cases where comp time is provided, the Technical Services ESP often cannot use it due to workload.

Technical Services ESP are often highly stressed due to chronic short staffing and shoddy equipment. In addition, they constantly deal with people who are frustrated or angry at "their computer " and who want the problem resolved immediately. Technical Services ESP must practice stress reduction psychology in order to maintain their relationships with other employees. Again, many Technical Services ESP feel that those in need of their services often expect them perform magic.

But while they may seem to be magicians, Technical Services ESP are actually highly trained individuals who contribute invaluable service in this technology-rich age. It would be impossible to maintain most systems of a school district today without their expertise. Despite inadequate training and updating opportunities, and in an atmosphere of too much need for service and too little time to accomplish results, Technical Services ESP perform with professionalism and respond with great skill while supporting the students and staff they serve.

To Section 6: A Technology-Rich School = A More Sophisticated Technology User Community