Thomas Bayley
Computer Infrastructure and Network Engineering Technology
System Administrator at City of Fishers
Describe your potential job duties
- Provide customer service/technical support for staff
- Troubleshoot hardware/software
- Provide support and maintenance on servers, email, span filters, security certificates, user accounts, active directory, and group policy
- Maintain system center environment including performing installs, upgrades, and patching of windows systems
- Provide help desk support
- Create and maintain documentation
- Work with vendors evaluating new software and tools as well as resolving problems with currently utilized hardware and software.
In what ways did the Polytechnic and/or Purdue help make you uniquely qualified for your new job?
Working for Purdue IT, I gained valuable experience in customer service, troubleshooting, and IT operations. I maintained our Active Directory environment, ensured desktop functionality, implemented network changes, and kept documentation as accurate as possible. I couldn't have asked for a better experience — my team and instructors were instrumental to my success.
How has the college or someone in the college helped you achieve your goals?
When I started my college career at Purdue, I knew I wanted to work in IT but wasn’t sure exactly where I fit. The wide variety of classes I had the privilege of attending were critical in setting me down the right path. From coding and systems administration to network engineering and project management, I was able to discover both areas I enjoyed and others that weren’t the right fit for me.
What specific classes helped prepare you for your new job?
CNIT 242 (Systems Administration) was the first class that showed me just how involved this field can be. While most of my work will align with systems administration, CNIT 344 (Network Engineering Fundamentals) and CNIT 345 (Internetwork Design and Implementation) were also crucial. Both classes highlighted the importance of documentation and how every part of IT ties together.
If you had a favorite class, project, experience, or professor, what/who was it, and why?
Professor Deadman is my favorite professor. He designs his classes to prepare students for the real world while always being willing to help when you ask. His classes are fun, and he genuinely cares about everyone in the room. He does a fantastic job not only teaching the material but also tying it back to the bigger picture.
Purdue’s broad curriculum allowed me to explore various areas of IT, helping me find the perfect fit in systems administration. My experience working with Purdue IT, especially with Active Directory and troubleshooting, has prepared me well for my new role. Classes like CNIT 242, CNIT 344, and CNIT 345 emphasized the importance of systems integration and documentation, while Professor Deadman’s real-world-focused classes helped me see the bigger picture in IT."