Network and Systems Administrator - 10+ years experienceWhat type of job are you looking for? I seek a rewarding Network and/or Systems Administration career in Berlin, Deutschland! I wish to relocate to Berlin to live and work. I constantly seek new challenges and opportunities to learn. I'm available for up to 100% travel, full time and I am able to relocate immediately. What nationality are you? I was born in Los Angeles, California, USA where I've lived most of my life. What languages do you speak (and at what level)? I am a native English speaker and I can speak German at the A1 level. What country or area are you looking to work in and why? Berlin, Deutschland! It's a beautiful city filled with creative people. I have friends and family there as well. The perfect spot to relocate to! What countries have you worked in? USA, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Canada, UK What field do you currently work in? Network and Systems Administration. What fields have you worked in before? Network and Systems Administration exclusively. My previous assignment was as a Network Administrator for the U.S. Army at military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. What qualifications do you hold? I have over 10 years industry experience in Systems Administration, and over 3 years in Network Administration. I currently hold a CCENT and Security+ certifications as required by the Department of Defense. I have not pursued additional certifications because I am a miserable test-taker. Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why? Skills. Experience trumps formal education, in my professional experience. Many candidates tout many certifications, but lack practical work experience. I am capable of implementing and troubleshooting technologies, both systems and network at the MCSE/CCNP level. Describe the benefits of working with others "Many hands make light work" - This is also true with troubleshooting. "Two heads are better than one" and an alternate mind may offer a solution I did not think of. Describe the benefits of working alone Working alone allows me to concentrate on a task at hand instead of interacting with others. I can work comfortably alone, or as part of a team. What was your worst working experience? My worst work experience was in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a Network Administrator, I was responsible for the installation and upkeep of military networks in a warzone. My colleagues, almost without exception, lacked practical experience and were unable to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. 1% of the personnel did 99% of the work. What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career? Always look to gain new knowledge! The IT industry has a rapidly changing face; a technology available today may be obsolete in a year, or vice-versa. The ability to rapidly adapt and change to meet the demands of emerging technologies is an important part of any IT professional's skillset. What unique skills do you have? I am able to rapidly adapt to changing conditions and requirements. I excel at delivering unconventional solutions with short turnaround times and tight production schedules. I am available for travel up to 100% of my time, and can relocate to Berlin immediately. What would you consider as your 'dream job'? My dream job would likely be for a visual effects or videogame company as a Network/Systems Administrator or Engineer. I love the creative industry and the fun things it produces. What are the most interesting aspects of your field? The most interesting aspect of the IT industry is the emerging technologies. Staying at the forefront of technological development for personal and cloud-computing is an exciting place to be! What are the least interesting aspects of your field? Tedium. The more skilled you are as a Network or Systems Administrator, the less overall problems that your systems or network will encounter during everyday operation. There can be large amounts of down-time between major projects in a smoothly-running facility. How did you enter the IT industry? I started working for a small, local computer company when I was 16 years old. I was unable to produce the funding for a university education and decided to replace that with practical work experience. How can potential employers contact you? email: patrick dot mcculley at gmail dot com or USA phone +1-626-921-4442 | 
