Name: Sandra Rooney
Organization: J64
Years of Service: 30 years
What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically?
My job title is IT specialist, and I am a Windows Server administrator. My job is to administer servers that were built with a Windows operating system. This is mostly resolving problems that arise, but also includes administering the customer shared data and home drives.
What is your background, including experience and credentials? How does your background help you be successful in your current role?
I started as an electronic engineer working at Defense Electronic Supply Center in Dayton, Ohio, documenting microcircuits that are used by the U.S. government. After it was closed due to base realignment and closure in 1996, I took a computer course. That started my career in IT. Over the last 30 years of my career, I have added multiple certifications to my resume. Each course builds on using the logic that I was taught initially. I have tried to learn the basics of how each group in DLA J6 functions, so that when a problem does arise, I have an idea of what could be wrong and which teams might need to be involved to resolve the issue.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction? Why?
I like to solve problems. When a problem arises, I am very persistent until I can get the correct resolution. I enjoy helping people find solutions so that they can continue to do their jobs without interruption.
What are some of your passions outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family. I also like to travel, hike and ride bikes. I started volksmarching while in Germany. These are group hikes that are planned by volksmarch clubs. It is a fun way to meet people of other nationalities, and to enjoy food and drink of other countries.
What advice do you have for DLA employees?
Learn every aspect of your job and anything related to it. Get to know people from other areas of work within DLA and learn more about what their jobs entail. Take every opportunity for training that you can and always ask questions to learn more. As an employee who is close to retirement, I also suggest that everyone put as much money as you can into the Thrift Savings Plan.
What other self-initiated efforts have you worked on?
In 2015, I requested to be transferred to Germany to work as the only Windows Server administrator in Europe/Africa/Middle East. I was there for 5 years. It was a fantastic experience living in a foreign country and serving the warfighter there. Being in a time zone that was more than 6 hours earlier than the United States allowed me to make decisions about what needed to be done and to work on my own much of the day.