Rebooting Your Career – Help Wanted on IT Help Desks

Picking a career can be tricky. Often times, for many of us, the career picks us. We find a steady job, roll up our sleeves, get to work and start down a career path that wasn’t necessarily part of our ‘game plan.’

But what happens when the path we’re on doesn’t seem so clear? Job stability no longer feels as stable; wages aren’t as sustainable as they once were and opportunities for advancement are few and far between. Or, to put it simply, we just feel stuck.

Changing careers is scary and for many, figuring out what new fields to explore can be overwhelming. As markets shift, jobs that were once coveted are becoming increasingly obsolete. Business across all sectors has changed – from manufacturing to retail, agriculture, healthcare and the service industry.

While certain areas of the job market struggle, hiring in the IT industry remains strong. Every company needs technology to function. It’s impossible for a company to compete and succeed without it.

So it comes as no surprise that the U.S. tech sector continues to top the charts for job growth. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation Report, employment in the U.S. technology sector grew by an estimated 15,800 new positions and companies across the U.S. added some 370,000 core IT workers in January.

Additionally, future hiring in IT is on the rise. Postings for IT-related jobs increased by 52,090 in January 2020 over December 2019. Cities across the U.S. are experiencing a surge in IT jobs, including Austin, Raleigh, San Jose, Seattle and San Francisco.

So if you’re looking to kick start a career in IT, where do you start?

A great “foot in the door” is on the IT help desk. And here’s the thing – every company has one. Across every industry, in companies both large and small, help desks are what make a company’s IT infrastructure run smoothly.

There are thousands of help desk jobs available throughout the U.S. In fact, recent data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics finds some 863,100 help desk positions throughout the country. And that number is expected to increase 10 percent within the next year.

Help desk positions are great entry-level opportunities because they don’t require a college degree or previous IT experience. But having the right IT certifications, such as the CompTIA A+, shows potential employers you have the skills needed to help with challenges involving desktops, laptops, mobile phones, printers and other devices.

What does the Help Desk do?

A help desk specialist ensures computer systems are up-to-date, secure and functioning property. An employer would expect a help desk employee to assist with the following:

• Hardware. Identifying, using and connecting hardware components and devices.

• Operating systems. Installing and supporting Windows, Linux and mobile operating systems.
  
• Software. Installing software and troubleshooting PC and mobile devices issues, including applications and security.
  
• Networking. Understanding and being able to explain the different types of networks and connections; troubleshooting issues.
  
• Security. Identifying and protecting devices and networks from vulnerabilities.

• Mobile devices. Installing and configuring laptops and other mobile devices.
  
• Virtualization and cloud computing. Comparing and contrasting cloud computing concepts and setting up client-side virtualization.
  
• Operational procedures. Following best practices for safety, environmental impacts, and communication and professionalism.

Necessary skills needed to land a job and succeed in IT

While employers look for help desk technicians with basic tech knowledge, they also seek specialists who understand people.

According to Manpower Group — a Fortune 500 multinational corporation that studies staffing trends — 65 percent of companies hiring IT employees say communication is the most valued soft skill for a technology role.

Employers also reported that communication, problem solving, and collaboration were the most desirable soft skills someone could bring to an IT role. In the end, these staffing studies found that most successful IT employees are equipped with both hard and soft skills.

What type of training is available to launch a job in IT?

There are several IT training options on the market that fit the needs of those looking to start a career in tech.

• College Degrees: College can be a good option for some interested in tech jobs. But the two-to-four-year commitment and tuition costs can be a barrier for some.
• Bootcamps: Bootcamps are great resources and have helped tens of thousands gain certifications. They tend to focus heavily on the technical skills needed for help desk jobs.
• Video on Demand: For low cost training, On Demand trainings are a good option. However, they don’t have real-time instructors to answer your questions or the ability to collaborate with classmates.
• IT Workforce Courses: Short-term courses taught by industry instructors, such as the CompTIA Tech Career Academy, focus on a combination of technical and soft skills needed to succeed in the IT market.
  

If you’re looking for a career change and considering a job in IT, there are several resources available, including CompTIA’s website which offers career advice and tools for building emotional intelligence. CompTIA also offers a free online quiz so you can see how readily your current skill set might transfer to IT.

Sustainable career opportunities in tech are available if you have the drive to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Bio

As Executive Vice President, Social Innovation, CompTIA, and CEO for Creating IT Futures, Charles Eaton helps populations that are under-represented in IT and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure and be successful in information technology careers. Creating IT Futures, a workforce charity founded by CompTIA, develops programs like CompTIA Tech Career Academy to expand the IT pipeline and create more on-ramps to tech careers and under Eaton’s direction, Creating IT Futures has expanded its scope to cultivate best practices in American workforce development and tech-related STEM education.