Calling I.T tech support/field technicians!!

[Stolly]

As somebody looking for junior helpdesk people, prior knowledge and experience is less important that overall attitude.

Its a junior role, by defination you are not expected to know much going in. You are expected to learn quick once in role.

 

[A[L]C]

Where are all you people getting this money to tech support? Im helpdesk IT support at a college and im on a measly £12.6k

I started with EDS on 11k at 16 years old as a vba programmer. Moved to Fujitsu Siemens on the public helpdesk @ 16k. Worked there for a year or so and did a few months on an internal helpdesk with MWA @ 19k.

Then did a fixed term contract for Synstar (now part of HP) on the first rail helpdesk @ 24k. Contract ran out and moved to Sita where I am on an internal helpdesk still @ 24k. The job is 5 minutes from my house and there seems to be scope to move around. Been here 6 months so far and all seems ok.

Personally I would say dont waste your money!

 

[Sp00n]

Sound's like your doing well mate

 

[A[L]C]

Sound's like your doing well mate

Yeah not bad. As I said 5 minutes from home, decent hours not bad pay.

Got a flat now, and my little girl is 1 on sunday

 

[Raumarik]

i did a degree in computing which didnt get me too far so im currently half way through my CCNA. ive just got a job as a helpdesk analyst. with no real experience and job specific qualifications i decided to work on both areas to improve my pay and quality of job.

I hope your a lot better than the Helpdesk "analysts" that work on my councils helpdesk, they never analyse anything, just take down jobs and send out desktop analysts to do the work!

 

[Matt-Page]

I.T. qualifications from my experience mean nothing. I work for a department store in the UK, in the I.T. department.

I started there 3 years ago on the 'Helpdesk' and have worked my way up. I have done massive Novell projects, Planned, managed and implemented new systems for new stores, etc. I didn't do great in my GCSE's and my 'National Diploma' in computing was a waiste of 2 years. Spending a week learning how to insert a graphics card when i had already been building PC's for years.

I could have gone onto uni, but decided I couldn't be doing with more time waisted and got the above job. I'm earning over 25K now and i am only 21 so i consider myself VERY fortunate. I worked hard to get here and did it with NO courses so my advice to you is skip the course, you could use that 4k somewhere else and do it at a later date if you really want it.

Also whenever i interviw people, i do look at there qualifications, but i am more interested in their experience and what drives them. Anyone can work from text books and be hopeless with computers, believe me i have seen people with more MCSE's than Microsoft and they weren't practical or any good at problem solving. A lot is about attitude as well.

 

[callmeBadger]

My way in IT was finish my Degree, try to get a decent job, realise that every job i wanted was wanting experience on first line. Took a job for around £12K and stuck with it to get my 1 year first line experience.

From there i left and did some little IT contracts for another year, these ranged from between £12K and £15K pro rata, all within the business environment. One of the companiesI contracted to offered 3 or 4 contracts back to back and then offered me a full time position as a Project Analyst, basically doing the same type of two or three week jobs that I was whilst contracting with the added perks of paid holidays sick pay. THis paid around £18K.

A couple of years doing this, being exposed to more complex problems and projects, gaining experience (still not one single qualification in IT) and i'm happily earning now around £32K (with a pay review comming next month).

Paying £4000 for a course that will not guarantee you a position (90% of those seeking got a job), and having to do it full time so you won't be earning an gaining the essential experience isn't something that sounds that good to me.

But thats just my opinion.

(EDIT: my Degree was in Maths, something I don't do anything with, not a waste as I had a great time, but not relevent to my work.)

 

[Raumarik]

believe me i have seen people with more MCSE's than Microsoft and they weren't practical or any good at problem solving. A lot is about attitude as well.

So true, use to work with two "senior" analysts both with over 20 years experience and up to the eyeballs in MCSEs, CISCO etc training. Neither of them was any use. One of them couldn't even format a HDD in DOS at the time (4 years ago when we were still having to support Window 98!) or even install a Printer because it wasn't on USB or being autodetected

 

[Matt-Page]

So true, use to work with two "senior" analysts both with over 20 years experience and up to the eyeballs in MCSEs, CISCO etc training. Neither of them was any use. One of them couldn't even format a HDD in DOS at the time (4 years ago when we were still having to support Window 98!) or even install a Printer because it wasn't on USB or being autodetected

I see this every day, stuck up graduates who think there on their way to big bucks and above everyone else. They soon realise what a useless coffee boy they are in my department and decide they need to learn real world stuff. I.T. is all so very very different, and the problems and experiences are sometimes the same, but it's how you react to them, and deal with them. Thinking logical is the way forward and a process of elimination. Looking on Google also helps sometimes I see them pulling there folders and books out and cringe. THINK FOR YOURSELF!!!

Old skool experience has taught me that computers/servers these days are too simple, everythign is done for you or made easy for you to do.

 

[sniper007]

I.T. qualifications from my experience mean nothing. I work for a department store in the UK, in the I.T. department.

I started there 3 years ago on the 'Helpdesk' and have worked my way up. I have done massive Novell projects, Planned, managed and implemented new systems for new stores, etc. I didn't do great in my GCSE's and my 'National Diploma' in computing was a waiste of 2 years. Spending a week learning how to insert a graphics card when i had already been building PC's for years.

I could have gone onto uni, but decided I couldn't be doing with more time waisted and got the above job. I'm earning over 25K now and i am only 21 so i consider myself VERY fortunate. I worked hard to get here and did it with NO courses so my advice to you is skip the course, you could use that 4k somewhere else and do it at a later date if you really want it.

Also whenever i interviw people, i do look at there qualifications, but i am more interested in their experience and what drives them. Anyone can work from text books and be hopeless with computers, believe me i have seen people with more MCSE's than Microsoft and they weren't practical or any good at problem solving. A lot is about attitude as well.

^ quite good advice that ^

key word - ATTITUDE

I just got promotion because I have the right "attitude" for the job a lot of people have said to me. I think I just get on well with people in my department and have showed the right way to deal with things and people and problems.

I started on a helpdesk on something like 11k when I was 18. Stayed there for about 3 years and waisted a bit more time than I should have trying to work up. Finally got my break at about 20 and moved on to better things settling in a PC support role @ around 20k and then have been in this role for the last couple of years (but moved jobs once as was going nowhere) and have just got promotion from PC support to working on supporting specialist software. Money will be somewhere between 25k/30k.

I started off with a willingness to learn and some GCSEs and A levels. Thats it. I have done training like A+/Network+/Microsoft courses, but have never done the exams < I do want to but dont have the time! When I first started I didnt know what a motherboard was. Last few years I have built full watercooled rigs from scratch and have participated in AD/Exchange migrations at work.

If I was to employ someone to work in a PC support role, it would be someone with the right attitude and problem solving ability who was keen, compared to a graduate in Computer Science.

 

[M0KUJ1N]

I see this every day, stuck up graduates who think there on their way to big bucks and above everyone else. They soon realise what a useless coffee boy they are in my department and decide they need to learn real world stuff. I.T. is all so very very different, and the problems and experiences are sometimes the same, but it's how you react to them, and deal with them. Thinking logical is the way forward and a process of elimination. Looking on Google also helps sometimes I see them pulling there folders and books out and cringe. THINK FOR YOURSELF!!!

Old skool experience has taught me that computers/servers these days are too simple, everythign is done for you or made easy for you to do.

Slightly arrogant outlook that though? Just because someone approaches a problem differently than you would doesn't make their approach more or less valid. As long as the problem does get solved correctly of course

Also in today's climate I personally wouldnt employ anyone without a good degree in Computer Science or a strong numerate discipline such as Maths, Physics or Engineering i.e. that doesn't cover Mickey-Mouse IT/IS/Computing degrees from ex-polys And yes, I know it's snobbery but degrees of this sort (in general) mean that the person in question is of above-average intelligence, has problem-solving skills as well as technical/programming experience.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I was in a situation like you - but there is hope!

I did an IT degree but my first job out of uni was in new media basically as an input monkey. I really wanted out, but with no experience I couldn't get an IT job that wasn't ridiculously low in pay.

So I jacked the job in and started up my own business. Was ok for a while, but the competition was unbeleivable. The amount you had to spend advertising was very hard to recuperate from the work you're doing. It was around the time that everyone, even BT were advertising, plus PC World put out a big push on their clinics.

I had a loan and other nessecary expenses, so to ensue I had enough at the end of the month (£400) to cover them I took up a part time job just doing admin for a local civil service.

There was a local office IT guy there who I got on with quite well. He was leaving soon and recommended me to the IT manager as a replacement. He came down and met with me and decided to take me on a 3 month rolling contract to replace the local IT guy who left.

From there I've become permenant full time staff, I've worked in several offices around the county and left my mark wherever possible.

The only problem was I couldn't break into the central IT department (where the money is!) as most of the people who worked there had worked for the company for 20+ years, so they're there till they retire, which was longer than I was planning to stay as a local IT support worker. I got plenty of opportunites to do more technical work, however my big break came last year. They got a new communications manager, and his grand vision was to improve the internal and external communications within the company.

So before they went to a consultant, the IT manager asked around if anyone thought they could do it. That was my opportunity. I worked evenings and weekends learning all about sql, php, and web servers and how to get it all running, and the end result impressed everyone at headquarters.

In the end I had to threaten to leave before they decided they could spare the budger to give me the job I deserved at the central IT department. But it all worked out ok in the end.

Since then I've got involved with loads more projects and work closely with the companies senior management. I do the majority of IT purchasing for the company I even have my own government procurement credit card.

More recently there has been a shake up of the pay structure which meant my job role got a payrise when they considered all the things I manage and am in control of.

So, to cut a long story short, thats how I managed to get myself out of a dead end job into the job I'm doing now. At no point were any qualifications considered or required. The fact I could do the job was far more important to the people paying me.



edit - Ratbag. Where do you live. We're looking to take people on.

 

[sniper007]

degrees of this sort (in general) mean that the person in question is of above-average intelligence, has problem-solving skills as well as technical/programming experience.

Absolute BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have colleagues that started from scratch all working up through experience and are of much more use and have better future prospects than grads with their Maths and Computer Science degrees. While I respect a degree, the truth is that these days they mean much less.

 

[triggerthat]

I can understand why you say its BS. Majority of graduates don't have the right skills. Whereas someone who has been in industry will pick these skills on the way

 

[Raumarik]

Also in today's climate I personally wouldnt employ anyone without a good degree in Computer Science or a strong numerate discipline such as Maths, Physics or Engineering i.e. that doesn't cover Mickey-Mouse IT/IS/Computing degrees from ex-polys And yes, I know it's snobbery but degrees of this sort (in general) mean that the person in question is of above-average intelligence, has problem-solving skills as well as technical/programming experience.

You're justification for wanting people with degrees is rather shaky. I don't have one, didn't want to go to university as I wanted to start work straight away. Just because someone doens't have a degree doesn't mean they're less intelligent. I have exceptional problem solving skills, I have NO IT qualifications yet I manage a network of over 5000 users, 900 computers ON MY OWN. I'll quite happily go up against anyone to see who has the better problem solving skills, common sense approach or knowledge.

Fact is a degree shows a certain level of intelligence, but it's not a guarantee that someone can do the job, has problem solving skills or even an attitude to get the work done and let people get on with the work they're employed to do. When weighing up job applications I wouldn't even check what type of degree it is or even what level of pass. I'd head straight for the sections "about me" and "experience" then start firing off questions and if needs be give them a competancy test to prove it (they'd get this even with a 2:1 degree by the way..

Personally from what my mates all told me (all went to uni whilst I worked) it's very hard to actually fail..

 

[Matt-Page]

Slightly arrogant outlook that though? Just because someone approaches a problem differently than you would doesn't make their approach more or less valid. As long as the problem does get solved correctly of course

Also in today's climate I personally wouldnt employ anyone without a good degree in Computer Science or a strong numerate discipline such as Maths, Physics or Engineering i.e. that doesn't cover Mickey-Mouse IT/IS/Computing degrees from ex-polys And yes, I know it's snobbery but degrees of this sort (in general) mean that the person in question is of above-average intelligence, has problem-solving skills as well as technical/programming experience.

No, not arrogant at all, but most companies want I.T. problems fixed QUICK, spending hours looking through folders and books is some what irritating when it requires little thought. Most of them don't think for themselves which is the biggest problem. I'm not slating degrees at all, but from my experience, and i work with a lot of people those with them, are poorer than those with pure experience by a LONG LONG way. There is NO substitute for practical experience.

Remind me which degree demonstartes and teaches problem solving in IT?

 

[Beerbaron]

degrees mean less but it still shows that the person can study to a certain level and are willing learn. qualifications are more important now than they were 10 - 15 years ago

 

[Flubble]

what do you actually do on a helpdesk job? is it just answering phone calls all day?

ive been looking at getting into an IT career, but i want to be hands on fixing stuff instead of answering phones, i cant really explain how to do something without actually doing it

 

[M0KUJ1N]

You want some sauce for that chip on your shoulder?

Mind you I suppose I'm lucky/ unusual that I did a degree (Physics w/ Comp Sci) and spent a fair bit of my spare (and not-so spare) time hacking around with hardware, web sites and programming/scripting. Did a full-on software project in my final-year and left my Masters because I got offered a Helpdesk role I applied for about 4 yrs ago. (Doing the MSc straight after uni was a mistake and tbh I jsut wanted out) So best of both worlds (although nowadays with so much empthasis put on grades/exams by Blue Chip employers I probably wouldnt have been able to do this).

Also experience gained "on the job" generally results in fairly superficial knowledge. A good example of this would be "AD". I reckon most of the IT techs here would say that know AD pretty well. However, I bet that most of the guys banging on about how experience > * wouldnt have a clue about what AD is actually constituted from. Its relationship with LDAP and DNS. How it implements Kerberos, why it uses Kerberos as its security mechanism and what this means in terms of how passwords are transported and mutual trust relations are established. What actually goes on during DC replication.

I think you get the picture, although I could have course be doing a lot of you a dis-service

 

[Flubble]

i can configure vlans, nat and pat and stuff on a CISCO switch and router, but i have no idea what you just said, lol

ad ldap kerberos dc? direct current lol

college seems to have not taught me a lot