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How should I get into help desk work?

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by max98037

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I am just starting out in IT and I have heard from some that help desk support is a good way to start out. How do I get qualified to find a help desk position. What would you recommend for training? What would I expect for starting pay?

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by kversaw

Breaking into the IT field is very difficult, but the rewards make it worth it, IMO.

If you want to get a Help Desk Job without experience, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances.

1) Get certified. While certifications are of dubious value to people with actual experience in the field, they are a god send to people trying to break into the field. For $100 (the last time I checked) you can become a Microsoft Certified Professional. There is also A+ certification.
2) Take classes/get a degree. This is another way to get experience without working on the job. With the job market the way it is, education is a very attractive option right now.

For starting pay, it really depends on where you live. I started at $10 an hour which is not bad for where I live.

by jamesburke18

Hey, kversaw, if you watching this thread, I have a question? Or two? How long you been employed as a help desk person? Are you a memeber of the Help Desk Insitute? or SSAP? Or anyother orgainzation. I've heard of certs being offered for Help Desk professionals, are you in fact certified? Of so which one you think would make the difference?

Let me see what else? Oh, is there a mix of employees on the line? What I mean is, is there a wide range in age on the line? Are there more 20 year old as compared to 40 year olds? (With the 40 years olds being of the same experience in technology?) And this brings me to, is there a mix of customer support people who know how to talk with people better that say the other side of the coin where the tech people may very knowledgable about computer but know nothing on how to deal with an irrate customer?

This is open to anyone else. For that matter.

As for the first guy, A+, MCP any creditials. Work on people skills as well. No one really talks about that much, but talking with people and talking to people are two entirely different ideas. Know the difference. If you have no tech experience, volunteer to help people with computer problems. If you can afford it, buy a computer you use as a guinea pig, experiment -have fun with it.

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