customer service representative

systems administrator

support analyst

technical support specialist

help desk analyst

Strategic Data Systems

A typical day at work consists of taking customer calls, troubleshooting their computer and telephone problems, resolving their issues if possible, and escalating their issue if I couldn't fix it. A great job if you're trying to gain experience in basic IT troubleshooting and basic systems administration. Typical problems would be email connectivity, malfunctioning programs, and activating new user accounts. These are all skills I already had thanks to my Navy IT background, but was a good way to refresh my skills and update them to Windows 7.
Co-workers are always willing to help you if you run into an issue you haven't seen before and you can't find a solution in Knowledge Management (KM). Likewise I was always willing to help co-workers who ran into an issue I knew how to fix.
The Marines and government civilians I worked for were always willing to work with my schedule when I needed to take time off for doctor's appointments and other personal reasons.
My work schedule was consistent, a solid 40 hours a week.
The pay was low, which is the main reason I left this job. Though it is low for a person of my experience and skill set, pay is commensurate with responsibility. This is not the company's fault,as they can only pay according to the funding they receive from the client, Hewlett Packard and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Lack of overtime is another problem. Again, this is not company policy but is a term of the contract.
Lack of advancement is another problem. Since Service Desk has the most open positions, employees looking to move to End User Support, Systems, Networks, or Field Services will find themselves waiting for a position that will never materialize. Again, not the company's fault but the client.

The pay and benefits were good, but the HR department had serious problems with professionalism. The department itself created an environment where employees who didn’t fit in were micromanaged and isolated. Minor mistakes were often reported rather than addressed in a constructive manner. Feedback frequently focused on unrelated personal traits instead of work performance, and legitimate questions were discouraged or viewed as challenges to authority and pushback.

This atmosphere, combined with a lack of transparency and trust in leadership, made the work environment stressful, unsupportive, and difficult to succeed in. They are very picky who they bring into the office and tend to hire strictly based off of culture fit- so these issues can be difficult to recognize, especially if you’re not working in this specific department. 

I ultimately made the decision to leave for my peace of mind. Other departments such as the recruiters, were lovely to work with though. 


The pay is alright...it’s definitely better than 90% of the call centers in the area. But at the same time...if you’ve got an active security clearance that they’d have to pay thousands of dollars to get other wise...it shouldn’t pay any less. The actual job itself isn’t bad. Sailors are a little confused on who their calling and what we do most of the time but that’s ok. It’s more laughable than upsetting. But middle level management? Oh yeah that is gooooooddddd awful. Their a bunch of hypocrites that pick favorites and harass the ones they don’t like. They don’t do real work except sending emails. They shop on facebook and make personal phone calls at their desk. It’s really ridiculous. Then they write you up over petty things that they do themselves. And they’re definitely discriminatory  against younger employees because their mad you’re doing the same job 10-20 years younger than them. The environment is so bad that during the pandemic due to 5 dollar hazard pay most employees we’re making upwards of $23 an hour and attendance was still at maybe 35%. 

This position is for technical help desk.  

A blend of troubleshooting and administrative work.  You are part of a very large organization.  You are working with a lot of ex-military people, so there is a flavor of that, but not in a bad way. The style there is just a little more blunt than you might expect in a commercial shop.

This is a federal contractor and there are metrics, but the emphasis is getting the job done, not just getting off the phone after x minutes.  You learn how to be efficient with your words. Ex and active military people do not waste words.  The atmosphere is fun, but be sure that you are getting your job done.  Different kinds of food trucks are scheduled to come at lunch, which is fun.  One day a week, orders are taken for meals to be delivered from a local restaurant (you pay for it)

I worked for Strategic Data Systems for five and a half years at Navy Personnel Command.  I can say that allot of people came and went, but as far as how easy Strategic Data Systems was to interact with at the corporate level and at the human resources level, and for how much I appreciated my on site Operations Manager, I cannot say enough good things.  My reasons for leaving were in no way a result of anything unpleasant.  This job was amazing for my family and I, and the work was not difficult.  The position was in a very strict environment, but that was easy to get on board with considering what this position was able to provide for us in return.  If you have a strong work ethic and you can be adaptable, and be accustomed to a somewhat strict environment, then a position like the one I had could be a very good fit for you.  Again, I have nothing but fondness for Strategic Data Systems and my co-workers in my former job with them.

I have worked here a couple years and seen alot (200+ or so ) of people come and go on my shift and in general. Have been passed up for other positions to more "qualified" personnel fresh off the street but have sat through the speech's about how promoting from the inside is top priority. Managers/ Leads come and go and the ones that care are used as work mules and burnt out quickly, then leave for better paying and less BS jobs. The managers/ leads that have been here a while act like they are untouchable and do whatever they want. Basically lie about anything and get away with and get others fired for it. Rumors and alot of sleeping around happens. Its basically the fifth year of highschool for alot of people. Raises are none inexistent and when they do happen the pay doesnt change besides 10 or so cents. Benefits are a joke and a half if you do take them and basically take a majority of you paycheck. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of working at this job was that I was overnight so it wasn't as hectic as the day time shift.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of working at this job was the intensity of training once you first got on the phones. There was a woman that you would have never met before after your first few calls that you would go in her office and she would basically make you feel very small in her critique of you.  She didn't even look away from her computer to give the sense that she even saw you as a person. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Once I got to my assigned shift it was pleasant

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day for me would be coming on to the military facility entering into my office space and be waiting for calls right before I end up being moved to ticketing awards

The job is great and there are multiple learning opportunities. However,  opportunities are missed for many because the good ones leave due to the poor leadership on what they call "operations side," which isn't even here in Millington. Now, I don't want to harshly judge the company,  because they really are a good company to work for, but they have to do better with hiring leadership and people in general. Most problems could be resolved with leaders, if they would uphold themselves to the same values of the company. But don't let my honesty divert you from working here. There are still many great leaders who do work here. I have had the pleasure to see many people promote within and do a phenomenal job-that being one of the reasons I feel SDS is a great company. 

Great place to gain a lot of experience in life, especially in operating contact center technology and customer resolution management platforms. The pay is good for the area in most fields (primarily the Customer Service Representative).

Leadership is not always the greatest. Senior leaders are the only decision-makers, the junior leaders are not empowered to actually lead their teams, and production numbers is all that matters at the end of the day.

There is some limited potential to promote internally, but outside of CSR to Team Lead (CSR+ that gets about 20000 steps in a day) they are few and far between.

It's just kinda like life, some days are good, some are bad, but it doesn't take much to stand out if you have a good work ethic.

This Review is for their location in Virginia Beach at Little Creek. This company is growing which comes with a lot of pains but the management and MORALE makes it ok. Although I feel their other Location in Millington TN micromanages us way too much and sends "trainers or as they call themselves "NON TRAINERS" that have negative energy, if Little creek could be self sufficient and not really have to deal with Millington drama I would recommend this company . However that is not the case and this can be a really big issue. Drama and Micromanaging and some management need to really take a step down from their pedestal. hopefully with time the Little Creek location will grow and be Millington Drama free.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Customer service representative 2 salaries reported	$56,750 per year
Systems administrator 2 salaries reported	$95,250 per year
Support analyst 1 salary reported	$60,000 per year
Technical support specialist 3 salaries reported	$55,000 per year
Help desk analyst 1 salary reported	$60,000 per year

Working at Strategic Data Systems: Company Overview and Reviews

Strategic Data Systems

Strategic Data Systems Ratings

Popular jobs at Strategic Data Systems

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected