Help Desk: Often the First Step to Successful IT Careers

Those who are considering entering the IT industry, be they recent college graduates or entry-level professionals, often transitioning from one profession to another, often with the same first I have a question. Where do i start?

The concerns are justified. The first steps you take to start your career in technology will play a role in setting the path for the professionals you will eventually take. It also requires the early development of a solid foundation of skills and experience to prepare for future responsibilities and opportunities for future progress.

 So what's your first good job? A rewarding IT career often begins with a help desk service . The support sector is booming as companies continue to expand their businesses and invest in the technology that drives this growth. Also, new systems and products rarely launch slowly (a new Windows Vista and accompanying Office updates are a good example), i.e. an expert who helps end users fix applications and hardware on the they depend. It is always necessary.

But most importantly, help desk work can put you in a good position for future growth. There are many reasons:

Development of difficult skills. Help desk technicians work on almost any system a company uses or sells. This includes operating systems (applications, networks, internet, hardware, peripherals). The help desk feature provides deep real world knowledge about these technologies. This is a product of particular value to workers with little or no work experience. This broad exposure not only helps you develop difficult skills, but also determines which technologies you are most passionate about.

Development of soft skills. There is no doubt that well-developed technical skills are essential for IT professionals, but they don't have all the skills necessary to develop a successful career. Managers are increasingly seeking employees with high interpersonal skills such as communication, problem solving, and leadership skills. These so-called soft skills can be learned at the help desk. Please think about it. You can hone your communication skills by solving a proxy server setup step-by-step with someone who is unfamiliar with how your email system works. Also, staying calm by helping stressed people solve problems can improve their agility and diplomacy.

Possibility of progress. Perhaps the best part of a help desk's role is often being able to leverage the skills and experience gained there to secure a higher level of status. For example, many network, web, and email administrators started from the help desk. Also, there are many opportunities for progress on the help desk. Large companies need Level 2 and Level 3 professionals to supervise, train, and assist junior help desk technicians. Another possible career path is to seek a position as a help desk manager. According to the Robert Half Technology 2007 Salary Guide, the average starting salary for a help desk manager is $ 62,500 to $ 88,250 this year.

Unlike most IT areas that require highly specialized knowledge, helpdesks require professionals to be familiar with a host of technologies, at least in general. If you grew up on a computer or are a casual tech guru among friends, a help desk location may be the right way to start your IT career.