For IT guru Rob van Endt, learning and understanding technology never gets old. As a Network and Systems Administrator, his day-to-day involves problem solving technical issues, keeping the network secure and helping staff in all matters IT. Outside of work he enjoys motor racing and stays on top of his game by dabbling in technical areas of research.
I am the Network and Systems Administrator for a group of four companies, including Jonas Leisure, so I do all sorts of IT stuff to support our internal users. What I really enjoy about my job is the variety of technologies that I work with and need to understand fully. I also really enjoy working with the very competent people we have in the organisation.
I joined the company at the end of September 2021. Before that I worked for a total of 15 years in local government, at three different Councils in New Zealand, as IT Manager and CIO. I also worked for a short while at a document management software company. All of my career has been in IT, with a bit of manufacturing planning as well.
Every day I check our various internal systems to make sure that there are no security risks identified, resolve technical issues, and attend to user requests for systems access, enhancements, changes and new or leaving staff provisioning.
I am based in Wellington, New Zealand and work between two company offices and occasionally at home. I do prefer to work from the office, rather than working from home, as I think the people interaction part is important and communication is much more effective when in the office.
Sadly, one of my hobbies is computers, so I dabble in various technical areas and do research into things like quantum computing. I do also like motor racing (cars and bikes) and very much look forward to attending live events again as soon as we are able/allowed to.
The fact that the country is not overpopulated and has enough open spaces and fresh air to live a healthy, relaxed life.
If you could go on holiday to one country once international travel is back on the cards, where would you go (and why)?
That would be the USA, particularly California. I would hire a Ford Mustang and drive around to find diners that serve amazing hamburgers. Also, I might want to go to Vietnam at some stage.
An end to pandemic restrictions and a return to “normal” living. But from a work perspective, I look forward to all the new things that the IT landscape and technology brings every year.
