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Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

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Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#1
hello void,

i am an IT Support Intern at a manufacturing company. My company makes precision parts for a variety of customers. my company uses a program called Epicor, and on Monday we are scheduled to update to the newest version. The problem here is that my boss has left this in my very... "capable"... hands and is jetting off for the week.

I have not been prepped, I have not even recieved a login for Epicor, and I am panicking.

Does anybody in the void have any experience running through a large feature update such as this for a company with around 150 workstations with this software loaded onto it?

I assume my boss has left the process to be automated, but I am concerned that I will be completely unable to troubleshoot in the event of a catastrophe. maybe i am overthinking. maybe i am anxious for no reason. i guess i just need someone to tell me to calm down haha.

thanks everyone. have a good weekend!

-db

Re: Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#2
This is the time to get your resume ready. If you've not been involved in the upgrade planning and you've not been given a detailed MOP to execute and you've not even been given a login for the software... And the person who I assume has been planning the upgrade is going on vacation then it's time for you go as well.

Alternatively raise your concerns with your bosses boss.. Since I would also assume your bosses boss approved his vacation knowing that this upgrade was coming they may be less then helpful. Or they could have been lied to by being told you are comfortable with all aspects of the project.

If you're not comfortable, get them to postpone, or ignore it all and get you resume in order. This is one of those red flags for bad companies.

Re: Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#3
Calm down, haha

Do you know anyone there that uses this software? Can you ask them what the experience was like the last time this happened (from their point of view)? Maybe you don't need a login, maybe they just push the update out and you pretend to be involved!

Re: Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#5
post #4

Does this Epicor does not have a support department you can call in case of trouble? And: "I assume my boss has left the process to be automated", that would be something to check with said boss. Assumptions are the mother of all f-ups ;)

yes i agree that assumptions make asses out of people... i like my boss, he seems to have confidence in me but let's say he is a man of few words. maybe i just needed to get this off my chest haha.

excellent point, though, about the support. in my haze i seem to have forgotten that support systems exist... thanks for your advice

Re: Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#6
post #2

This is the time to get your resume ready. If you've not been involved in the upgrade planning and you've not been given a detailed MOP to execute and you've not even been given a login for the software... And the person who I assume has been planning the upgrade is going on vacation then it's time for you go as well. Alternatively raise your concerns with your bosses boss.. Since I would also assume your bosses boss…

i appreciate your candor. i think you may be right. in my current position, i feel at a loss. i think sometimes people, like me in this case, can feel almost indebted to a company that took a chance on them. i have no professional experience in this field and this was known at time of interview. i feel like i am not being utilized in a fashion where i could actually LEARN instead, but then again i struggle with my own head telling me "well, am i really not prepared to be in this field?". it almost feels like imposter syndrome and i know i am ranting now.

all in all, thank you for mentioning this - i definitely have things to consider.

Re: Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#7
post #3

Calm down, haha Do you know anyone there that uses this software? Can you ask them what the experience was like the last time this happened (from their point of view)? Maybe you don't need a login, maybe they just push the update out and you pretend to be involved!

this is where i get stuck - the operators on the shop floor use the program to print their labels, whereas a sales person in the office is using the program to draft purchase orders. it is an absolute beast software and i think i am just getting... in my head.

thanks for the "calm down" it sincerely helps. i will continue to ask around here, as communication is probably the best tool i have at my disposal right now.

thanks again -

Re: Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#8
post #2

This is the time to get your resume ready. If you've not been involved in the upgrade planning and you've not been given a detailed MOP to execute and you've not even been given a login for the software... And the person who I assume has been planning the upgrade is going on vacation then it's time for you go as well. Alternatively raise your concerns with your bosses boss.. Since I would also assume your bosses boss…

> raise your concerns with your bosses boss.

100% this. "I would love to help with this but I honestly don't think it is safe for me to try."

Re: Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#9
post #6
post #2

This is the time to get your resume ready. If you've not been involved in the upgrade planning and you've not been given a detailed MOP to execute and you've not even been given a login for the software... And the person who I assume has been planning the upgrade is going on vacation then it's time for you go as well. Alternatively raise your concerns with your bosses boss.. Since I would also assume your bosses boss…

i appreciate your candor. i think you may be right. in my current position, i feel at a loss. i think sometimes people, like me in this case, can feel almost indebted to a company that took a chance on them. i have no professional experience in this field and this was known at time of interview. i feel like i am not being utilized in a fashion where i could actually LEARN instead, but then again i struggle with my ow…

Alternatively this is one of those things that, maybe, if it all goes well, you could leverage for a promotion and pay raise.

Of course, there's a lot of context that we don't really have access to but that's another thing to consider.

Re: Tell HN: I'm nervous and don't know where else to go

#10
I think it is the job of your boss to provide you with access. That should obviously happened sooner but I would still enjoy the weekend. It may be your last one.

Kidding, wouldn't worry too much. If your boss works in IT he is probably used to getting called when not in the office. Maybe just tell him you are nervous because of the update. But I very much doubt anyone would blame you if there are any difficulties.

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