Work Experience

1. Work Experience I did a six-week work placement in a computer firm in Avranches. I worked from nine to twelve and from two to five from Monday to Friday. I had a fifteen minute coffee break every day.

2. EXPERT – Espace Lebon ,  St Hilaire du Harcouët I did my work experience at the firm « EXPERT – Espace Lebon » in St Hilaire du Harcouët (25 Kms from Avranches). It’s a shop that sells hi-fi equipment,TVs, multimedia equipment, electrical appliances and has recently installed a computer department. They also provide maintenance and after sales services.There are about 12 employees, 3 salesmen who are also secretaries and accountants at the same time. The others carry out maintenance, as I did for 6 weeks in the computing department.

3. Working hours My working hours were from 9 :30 a.m. until 12 :30 p.m.,and in the afternoon from 2 p.m. and until 7 :15 p.m. every day, Tuesday to Saturday I had my day off on Monday

4. Negative aspects The most negative aspect of this work experience was that they did not always need my help, in the computing department That meant that I had to find myself things to do : That’s why I tried to help customers in the shop. But in a way it helped me be self-sufficient and to see the real job under all its aspects. This work experience was very different from what I was expecting, from several points of view : firstly, because it was in different field from my last work experience (accountancy & sales) and secondly because of the numerous functions that a computer scientist can have in an enterprise. Most of the time you have to do everything by yourself.

5. My tutor My tutor was Jérôme De Baets, a 29 years old man who was in charge of the electronical & computing services. His main advantage was to combine those two functions. I adapted very well to the way he worked, because we both had the same vision of computing, even if he had much more experience than me. He learned computing maintenance all by himself. We got on well right from the beginning, as I did with the other employees.

6. Type of work Generally, I worked in the workshop but I was often in the shop to give a hand in the computing department when a customer needed a piece of information. My job was to receive customers who had problems with their equipment, with Jérôme. We had a look at this and repaired it (by installing a patch, re-installing programs, changing peripherals, sending back pieces to their manufacturer, etc). The internet was often particulary helpful ! As we had no idea about the way to proceed, we went on the web for information. Most of the time we found the key to this problem (by a text that explained what we had to do or downloading programs from the manufacturer’s website).

7. Sidetech I did my work placement in SIDETECH,which is a computer company which sells computer components, equipment and services. It sells various computer hardware, such as computers, laptops, printers and scanners. They sets up local networks for companies. As part of my training I learned how to set up local networks.

8. Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Fougères I did my work placement in Fougères, in the “Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie” (CCI) From 10th June to 19th July.  The CCI is in charge of the development and promotion of commercial and craft activities in the Fougères area and the establishment of new cottage industries.

9. Pirox France I did my training period at PIROX, FRANCE. It’s located in the town of Saint-Malo. It is not a very big company. In fact, they are a subsidiary company and the mother firm is located in Holland. They principally sell products with the SITECOM trademark, and some QWARE.. They receive orders from all over France, and they send them directly to HOLLAND

10. CAF, Avranches From the 29th of May 2002 to the 26th of June, I worked in the “Caisse d’Allocations Familliales de la Manche (C.A.F) ” in Avranches. It is a public service institute which provides social assistance or welfare to everyone who needs it . The computer team was composed of seven professionals each of whom had a different speciality.On the one hand, there were the specialists who offered technical help and assistance to the the staff who prepared the salaries and, on the other hand, there were specialists in networking and databases. Actually, my work experience was directed by the head of the computer staff.

11. Type of work My work in this staff was to create a new database for the C.A.F; I had to use software which was completely unfamiliar to me: Lotus Notes 5.06. I had to collate all the information on all the people concerned and enter their details into the database.In fact I created an important working tool for the management.   However, my work wasn’t finished: I had to install the new database – called “Comité d’Entreprise”- on the departmental server so that it could be available for consultation in every branch of the C.A.F. in the Manche. It is possible to consult the website containing this database

12. Computer firm,Saint Malo My training period started on the 26th may 2002. I was in a computer firm in St Malo, which, on the one hand created software for aeronautical maintenance and ,on the other hand, provided computer maintenance for customers. At the end of the first two weeks of my training period, my boss was obliged to find an other work placement because his firm closed and he couldn’t ensure my training.

13. Town hall Avranches I did my work placement in the Town Hall in Avranches. In terms of equipment, I used three types of computers. Firstly, I used and configured an ordinary computer with Linux (the future server). Sometimes, I used the proxy, it’s a computer between a server and a normal computer. ??? And I also used the server to do tests. ???

14. Allardi, Saint Hilaire du Harcouet For six weeks, I did my work experience in the firm.ALLARDI. It manufactures luxury packaging (Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy). It is located in Saint Hilaire du Harcouët. It belongs to the NORDEST group which is located in Paris. It has a workshop in Fougères. My work experience was in the engineering department. It was composed of four individuals : the boss (my tutor) and three computer scientists.

15. Types of work I worked with three computer scientists. They gave me different jobs to do. Firstly :I had to draw up an inventory of computer equipment. Secondly I had to prepare a quotation for an internet connection. I also had to observe Network errors and propose solutions.

16. DCN Cherbourg I did my training in the DCN (Direction des Chantiers Navals) which means shipyard management in English . This company is situated in Cherbourg, and it has subsidiary companies inToulon and Brest. DCN is a multinational construction company for military vessels such as submarines, aircraft carrier, corvettes and frigates as well as equipment bound for defence vessels .They also build ships for countries such as India , Pakistan and Chile.

17. CIB Cherbourg Last June, for six weeks, I did my work experience in Cherbourg in CIB, a computer services firm. It was a very enjoyable work placement

18. Conseil général du Calvados I did my work placement in the Conseil Général of the Calvados region in Caen. This is a very big enterprise because they have a lot of servers in many towns in the department

19. Type of work In the service where I worked service, they did the maintenance for all the computers in the network.I worked with a lot of people. Each person has his own particular speciality. In fact, one had to program a UNIX server, an other had to repair Windows station and another had to create HTML pages. The atmosphere was very good and friendly because we always needed each other’s knowledge and there was good team working. My tutor’s speciality was Windows 2000. I worked with him on a print-server and on maintenance but I also worked to create a small web site for the intranet. I also updated a Windows server for the first time.

20. Description of computer room In the place where I worked everyday, there has a big server room with about twenty Windows 2000 servers and about ten UNIX servers. Moreover there was a big printer which printed all the wage-bulletins for the enterprises dependent on the Conseil Général. This machine needed three servers to operate. All the rooms were air-conditioned and it was very pleasant to work in these rooms !

21. Amix Informatique, Alençon I did my work placement in the company “Amix informatique ”. Amix is a computer assembly firm, located in Alençon. This firm has three employees including the manager. The manager was in charge of the accounts department and reception of customers and the employees were in charge of repairing computers. During my training, my work was the same as that of the other employees. In fact, for six weeks, I repaired customers’ PCs.

22. colleagues My colleagues were all very friendly and helpful. I got on very well with all them. They were always ready to give advice. I learned a lot about good work practice. There was a good atmosphere .

23. Setting up a data base My computer was very recent and I had Microsoft Access installed on this machine, so I could work on my data base for the documentary service. Indeed, I set up a data base to computerize the library system.  This database was very beneficial for the company because their previous system was so outdated and couldn’t cope with the workload. Indeed, they were using Windows 3.1 which is an old operating system. Things evolve so quickly in the computer domain that companies are constantly obliged to update their systems.

24. Routine maintenance work I carried out routine maintenance work. For example, I repaired computers. I replaced components, which were faulty.

25. My tutor My tutor was very friendly and helpful. He entrusted me with different tasks which I had to carry out on my own.

26. Product testing Equipment My principal work was product testing.I tested all the products in the catalogue But there was always a good reason for doing it.

27. Assemble a computer I had to carry out various tasks. For example,I had to assemble computers for the customers. Firstly I assembled the different components, the hard disk, the motherboard, floppy disk driver etc and this allowed me to improve my knowledge. After assembling the components I had to install and configure the system.  

28. Answering a hotline In the data processing service, we had to solve/ deal with some of the technical problem for clients who bought the products. We had to answer the technical phone service (hotline), when clients phoned. Otherwise, we answered the mail, which was send to us for the same reasons.

29. Configuring a server I learned how to configure two different servers. The main difficulty, during this period, was to configure a computer with Linux instead of Windows .

30. Wirless lans I used some of the latest technology, like the wireless LAN, and wireless access points. I tested all the latest models of modems, which use v92 technology. This allows people to be connected to the Internet and to receive a call at the same time, on the same phone line.

31. Managing a computer park in a school My job consisted of managing the computer park and installing a maintenance tool. I had to update certain software versions on the park machines I had to carry out the wiring and the installation of a networked computer classroom in a lan of 10 PCs under Win95 and NT4 Workstation. Protocol TCP/IP and Access in Web by LS128 and TADSL 5100, with an installation of switch. ???

32. Types of work The first job that I had to do wasn’t very interesting or enriching because it was always the same thing. I had to install the same maintenance tool in 90 PCs On the other hand the the installation of the Lan network of 10 PCs. was very interesting as I had to use the knowledge and skills that I had acquired during my studies. .

33. Types of work During the six weeks, I had the opportunity to put into practice all the skills and knowledge that I had learned in school. I built fourteen computers from scratch.,starting with the motherboard and the microprocessor. On the internet I searched for lots of drivers for graphic cards, network cards, sound cards or mother board drivers. I prepared estimates/quotes for the installation of computers for firms. I installed computers and the accompanying software. I used many different sorts of equipment in the firm. I worked on different hardware, for example laptops, micro-computers a network of computers and I used different software.

34. Positive points The positive points are that I learnt lots of new things about network technology which will be very useful to me in my job as a network administrator

35. Negative points But I regret not doing more computer maintenance.

36. overtime Sometimes I had to do overtime.

37. Working conditions The working conditions were superb. The computer suites were air-conditioned

38. Evaluation 1 All in all ,my work placement was a very valuable and worthwhile experience and I was able to put into practice what I had learned in school

39. Evaluation 2 The positive points are that I learnt lots of new things about network technology. Moreover, I got a good insight into this type of work and the working condition, day by day. I didn’t really have any difficulties during my training period, but, for me, the worst thing was that the period was too short. I couldn’t compare this experience to any other, because I haven’t really had work experience like this before. But I think I will really enjoy being in the world of work later. I am keen on computers and everything to do with them

40. Evaluation 3 In conclusion, this training work experience allowed me me to discover a network administrator’s job and to put into practice the theory I had learned in school. This was my first training period in computer science and it was very interesting and instructive.   The team was very friendly and working with them was very pleasant. .

41. Evaluation 4 The atmosphere of the company was relaxed and each did his best to manage to solve the customers’ problems. In conclusion, my work experience was very interesting because I learned how to use different computers The main difficulty, during this period, was to configure a server with Windows 2000 servers. If I were to do it again I would . It was my first experience in informatics and it was very interesting and exciting.

42. Evaluation 5 To conclude, I enjoyed my work experience because I was made welcome by the employees. Moreover, I learnt different things about hardware and software. My work experience was a first step into the working world and I am looking forward to starting work as a network administrator , when I get my BTS.

43. Evaluation 6 To conclude I appreciated working in the CCI and I think that they were satisfied with my work but I regret not doing more computer maintenancework

44. evaluation7 My work placement was, on the whole, very successful. Everybody was really attentive to me, but they give me enough liberty to work autonomously. That’s why it was a pleasure for me to work there. To conclude, this work placement was very beneficial to me: it was really interesting for me to work in real life conditions and I proved to myself that I could adapt to working in an office.