IT Support - What Next?
Discussion
Hi there all,
Just wanted some opinions on the below.
Currently have a job, I'm 'Trainee IT Support' if you will, low salary, relatively enjoyable, good working environment etc. However it is more or less the same thing day in day out.
Just not sure what to go 'into' next, the company I work for have offered training courses either partially or fully funded, CCNA and other numerous Microsoft/Cisco courses.
I am also looking at studying a degree, not sure whether to do this part time or go full time and get it done?
I'm pretty sure I don't really want to stay in the support role for the rest of my career, but can't really decide out of Network, Software Dev etc what I would like to move into. I am slightly leaning towards Software Development, due to being a little more 'creative' (correct me if I'm wrong!) and also the average salary seem higher.
Would appreciate any feedback or opinions on what courses/experience other people have found to help them and also your experiences of the different jobs within the IT sector I guess.
Cheers for any input.
Jonny.
Just wanted some opinions on the below.
Currently have a job, I'm 'Trainee IT Support' if you will, low salary, relatively enjoyable, good working environment etc. However it is more or less the same thing day in day out.
Just not sure what to go 'into' next, the company I work for have offered training courses either partially or fully funded, CCNA and other numerous Microsoft/Cisco courses.
I am also looking at studying a degree, not sure whether to do this part time or go full time and get it done?
I'm pretty sure I don't really want to stay in the support role for the rest of my career, but can't really decide out of Network, Software Dev etc what I would like to move into. I am slightly leaning towards Software Development, due to being a little more 'creative' (correct me if I'm wrong!) and also the average salary seem higher.
Would appreciate any feedback or opinions on what courses/experience other people have found to help them and also your experiences of the different jobs within the IT sector I guess.
Cheers for any input.
Jonny.
How long have you been doing the IT Support role?
Most people start out in a Support role, but not many stay in it for life, so I would not get too stressed about that
Generally once you get to see some of the areas of specialisation, one of them takes your fancy
If you are thinking of Software Development have you had a go already? As you say its a fairly creative field distinct from the other, more standardised, areas of IT so you need to have the interest and the "knack" for it
Most people start out in a Support role, but not many stay in it for life, so I would not get too stressed about that
Generally once you get to see some of the areas of specialisation, one of them takes your fancy
If you are thinking of Software Development have you had a go already? As you say its a fairly creative field distinct from the other, more standardised, areas of IT so you need to have the interest and the "knack" for it
Take any courses you can get.
Experience counts for a lot in IT. You might get more rapid advancement or start at a higher level with a degree but you could also have 6 years experience by the time you've completed a course. And you still might not know what specialist angle you want to pursue.
Most people I know tend to go - Support (1st/2nd/3rd line) - Install/Deploy - Solution Engineer(low level design) - Pre-sales(high level design). You get less hands on the further up the chain you go.
Experience counts for a lot in IT. You might get more rapid advancement or start at a higher level with a degree but you could also have 6 years experience by the time you've completed a course. And you still might not know what specialist angle you want to pursue.
Most people I know tend to go - Support (1st/2nd/3rd line) - Install/Deploy - Solution Engineer(low level design) - Pre-sales(high level design). You get less hands on the further up the chain you go.
Depends what's important to you. Techies can make good money, especially higher up, on the road, Sold to clients at a day rate, and its hands on, which may be your bag..
If it were me, and I were a little more astute when it comes to the tech side (jack of all trades account manager currently), I would train for specialty technical pre-sales, In something that isn't going anywhere in the next 5-10 years. Networking is always a good one, pick your poison, make sure the company you work for is big enough to make use of you in the position you are trying to achieve, and go for it..
Flash storage for me..
If it were me, and I were a little more astute when it comes to the tech side (jack of all trades account manager currently), I would train for specialty technical pre-sales, In something that isn't going anywhere in the next 5-10 years. Networking is always a good one, pick your poison, make sure the company you work for is big enough to make use of you in the position you are trying to achieve, and go for it..
Flash storage for me..
AGK said:
I'd go for vendor certification + experience over degree. It's what I've done personally and the fact I've not got a degree hasn't affected me.
same here. I would pay more attention to product knowledge and hands on experience than a degree in 'theory'.If they are offering CCNA and the like, grab it with both hands.
IMO a degree simply gets you your first job in IT. Once you've got that first job and a bit of experience then the degree is rarely worth anything over anyone else. After 3 years in support then I'd expect that you'd be on 2nd line now (?). If you've been offered training then it sounds like they recognise your potential so are there internal opportunities for you?
I found that the big pay rises come from moving between companies as well.
I found that the big pay rises come from moving between companies as well.
The company I currently work for are only small in relation to the IT dept, there's 7 of us. Manager, network guy, 2 developers, web admin, hardware guy and myself, support - but have the option of going into software, hardware or support.
The wage is pretty poor, they will pay for qualifications and bump it up ever so slightly - but have found jobs out there 1st/2nd line support where I could easily be earning 40% more than I'm on now - is it worth making the jump? I enjoy working here, and being young the prospect of paid training appeals to me.
Cheers for your help.
The wage is pretty poor, they will pay for qualifications and bump it up ever so slightly - but have found jobs out there 1st/2nd line support where I could easily be earning 40% more than I'm on now - is it worth making the jump? I enjoy working here, and being young the prospect of paid training appeals to me.
Cheers for your help.
I've been in IT for 17 years, having got a degree first.
Take the training, particularly if they also put you through the exams as well.
Of the 4 companies I have worked for in that time, only one has actually put me through any exams, and that is my current one. All the others were of the opinion, "if you've done the course, there is no point paying for the piece of paper to prove it, all it does is give you a better chance to move on".
If you want to move on in IT support, which is what I do (now do third line/project implementation and infrastructure management) then get the MS quals for Exchange, server 2012, and SQL, get your CCNA, and possibly something in virtualisation (VCP, Citrix or the MS equivilant for Hyper-v).
Take the training, particularly if they also put you through the exams as well.
Of the 4 companies I have worked for in that time, only one has actually put me through any exams, and that is my current one. All the others were of the opinion, "if you've done the course, there is no point paying for the piece of paper to prove it, all it does is give you a better chance to move on".
If you want to move on in IT support, which is what I do (now do third line/project implementation and infrastructure management) then get the MS quals for Exchange, server 2012, and SQL, get your CCNA, and possibly something in virtualisation (VCP, Citrix or the MS equivilant for Hyper-v).
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