Got a question for IT people. (applying, degrees, degree, employer)

[Chowhound]

Hello,

I kicking around the idea of getting in to IT desktop support. I guess that's pretty much the entry point into IT??

Anyway, I work in a technical field and do quite a bit of computer type stuff. Programming and some basic networking type of thing.

I was wondering what the challenges would be in desktop support. Is it the technical challenges or is it dealing with upset users. Maybe it ultra fast paced.

So what are the main challenges of being in IT support?

[J Arp]

You currently program and do light networking and you want to get into desktop support?


Are you a masochist? Or just miss the social interaction?

When I was helpdesk most people were polite, some a bit dense so you have to hold their hands if you aren't remotely working on their computer yourself. Then there are the people that always blame -you- for their own stupidity or someone else's actions. Whoever they have on the line is immediately at fault. In their minds it is you that run the mail server, web server, switches, backups, etc blah blah..

It can be fast paced, it can be dead (depending on where you work I suppose) Unless the employer has imposed some serious restrictions on the desktop computers no one will have the same configuration (software, updates, general layout, computer specs) and so you have to work with that.

I think the main challenge would be finding a job. I haven't been looking though so I really have no idea.

I actually liked helpdesk work quite a bit. I enjoy helping people solve their issues and you usually learn something new every day. But it didn't pay what I needed and too much social interaction really burns me out. After awhile when I got home I didn't really want to talk to my friends, girlfriend, dog...just wanted to relax by myself. Some people thrive on that interaction though.

If I could just manage some servers and switches, pull wire, setup wifi access points, do some light scripting and only occasionally talk to the end user I would be in heaven.

[Chowhound]

Originally Posted by J Arp

You currently program and do light networking and you want to get into desktop support?


Are you a masochist? Or just miss the social interaction?

I'm a bldg automation technician which means we have "boxes" that are networked together and the "programming" is really just using graphic blocks put together to do some function such as if someone opens a door we sense it and turn on lights. That type of stuff. So in my initial post it almost sounds as if I were in IT already.

Thanks for the info though.

[cleasach]

I don't know what it's like in other cities but in my workplace we have people with advanced computer degrees and many certifications applying for help desk positions in order to stay in the IT field.

If you want to get into IT as a help desk support person, I would focus on getting your A+ and Network+ certifications and then putting in a year at Best Buy or Staples as a computer tech. A+ is required for those jobs.

[Hesster]

With desktop support, make sure you aim to get a job that has to be done in person. Phone desktop support jobs are outsourcing over seas faster than you can blink.

If you live in pretty much any western nation there's no way you can compete with people who will work for $2 a day in India.