Careers: Interviews
Bob Kraus: Recipient 2005 NPA International "Professional Excellence and
Innovation Award - Corporate Small Business"
This week, Stephen Ibaraki, I.S.P., has an
exclusive interview with Bob Kraus, recipient of the �2005 NPA International Professional
Excellence and Innovation Award � Corporate Small Business� given out at the
world�s largest networking industry conference, Networld+Interop Las Vegas. The
Award is sponsored by the Network Professional Association with cooperation and
support including from Networld+Interop, Microsoft, Que/SAMS (Pearson
Technology Group Publishing), Network Computing Magazine, Network World
Magazine, Novell Canada, �
Bob served with distinction in the U.S.
Navy as an Electronics Technician working on radar, Tacan, and Satellite
navigation systems, and training students in tube and transistor theory. After
leaving the service, Bob taught at private post-secondary colleges for ten
years where he designed curricula and ultimately managed PC Repair and Network
Specialist programs in five campuses. His distinguished service and work
history led him to the Washington Inventory Service (WIS), where he contributes
as a Network Services/PC Repair Supervisor. Bob�s certification achievements
include Novell, Microsoft and CompTIA.
Discussion:
Q: Bob: congratulations on your fine
achievement as the recipient of one of the networking industry�s highest
international awards, the 2005 NPA Professional Excellence and Innovation Award
� Corporate Small Business. What are your thoughts and those of your associates
on this career achievement?
A: I am really happy about it. I have to
take my hat off to my boss, Steve Stevenson who nominated me. I am an active
officer in the San Diego chapter of the NPA, and figure that has helped me get the approval
of my peers. The NPA really does work for people who want to network with real
people in this industry.
Q & A: Provide a background of WIS.
I have been at WIS for about 8
years now. I was hired as a group lead for the network services group in the
international headquarters in San
Diego. Since then have been
promoted to supervisor, including taking over the PC repair facility.
Q: Describe the project that led to you
being the recipient of this award.
The project consisted of upgrading the 800+
field inventory taking PCs to XP. This started with loading and testing with
main focus on PC performance, recovery and hardware compatibility. Results
included the retirement of some hardware components, the introduction of new
components, memory upgrades, and the inclusion of a disaster recovery tool to
perform in-field reloads of the operating system. Once the builds went �gold�
we rolled the upgrade out to the field through a return visit to our repair
facility. All in all it was a successful campaign.
Q: What were your biggest hurdles?
Hardware compatibility with home-grown
programs. The more specialized the equipment, the more incompatibilities you
run into. Our PCs come standard with modems, network adapters, USB ports, ESD
protected serial and parallel ports, and PCMCIA card readers. We have
specialized software that allows a computer novice to run our programs without
much intervention other than plugging things in and pressing keys.
Q: What would you do differently?
I would have looked harder at replacing
older PCs while they were in the shop to alleviate the issue of some of them
not �traveling well� and ending up failing after shipment.
Q: What are five words of advice to your
peers?
- Work with the big picture in mind. You will catch more and be
more creative in the long run. It�s easy to over-focus on your tasks and
miss a precious opportunity to improve your company�s or your position.
- Don�t ignore your body�s own language. If you hate your job, go
find another. You�ll be doing everyone a big favor, including yourself.
- Avoid knowledge-hoarding. Many people believe that if they have
the knowledge, they will secure themselves in their position by keeping it
hidden from others. To a supervisor like me, that makes you a better
candidate for replacement. I can�t afford one person to have sole
knowledge of a technology or piece of equipment.
- Surround yourself with successful people. Here is a really good
reason to be an active member of the NPA! If you do this, you will be able
to help and get help from others. This to me, makes for a fun, winning
environment.
- Take all your life experience into account when promoting
yourself. You know stuff, you have experiences that are different from
others. That is valuable.
Q: Any further advice you would give to IT
Pros?
Stay in the loop. At your job, if your boss
likes to treat you like a mushroom, squawk about it. It is your right to know.
It�s your company! In the industry, keep your ear out, page through the trade
rags and read something that catches your eye. Go to seminars, webinars and
conferences. Join the NPA.
Q: What attracted you to serve in the Navy;
detail your main responsibilities, and what lessons would you like to pass on
from that time?
A: I joined the Navy to get education and
launch a career. I joined up for six years so that I could get electronics
training. I was a radar technician, who maintained the ship�s surface search
radar, and also the Tacan and Satellite navigation equipment.
Q: What led you to teaching?
A: In the navy, I also had the opportunity
to teach electronics right after I graduated my �A� school. This brought me
into the computer field when I began to work as a civilian. I landed a job
teaching electronics to students who were in a Computer Repair program. I then
had the opportunity to learn the software side of the PC, and then on to
networking.
Q: What are the top ten resources for IT
Pros in your profession?
A: Google for research, Trade rags for
industry news, vendors (engineers) for added expertise and over-the-shoulder
training, my peers for training, familiarity, and help on snags.
Q: Bob, thank you for taking the time and
sharing your accumulated knowledge and experiences with our audience.
A: Thanks. Thanks to the NPA, and you for
your time.
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