It makes sense that you would consider starting a career in information technology (IT) if you are prepared to elevate your working life. The IT industry provides chances and flexibility for advancement as you build a career you can be proud of. Even better, there are entry-level IT positions available that don’t necessarily require many years of college training. You may have come across a desktop support technician position throughout the early stages of your career planning. Would this be the ideal starting point for you? What other popular entry-level IT roles does it compare to?
To find out more about the position and the requirements for applying, continue reading.
Computer Support Specialist, Versus IT Help Desk
If you’ve done any research into potential entry-level IT positions or the Information Technology department, you’ve probably come across the term “IT help desk” and pondered whether there is much of a distinction between this position and desktop assistance. The response to this question will be strongly influenced by your employer and the kind of help offered. Although they are frequently comparable enough to be used interchangeably, some positions may have some general distinctions.
The primary responsibility of desktop support personnel in a business is to support desktop (or laptop) operations. Many desktop support positions also deal with issues like Wi-Fi, VPNs, and the computers’ ability to connect to other devices because those tasks heavily overlap with network management.
Technicians at the help desk may deal with a considerably larger range of customers and issues. For certain companies, the help desk’s responsibilities include triaging user difficulties by taking client or customer technology complaints and, if necessary, escalating them to more experienced or specialized experts. If the problem can be resolved by the help desk, they will then help the user with their issue.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), help desk technicians may work for large software corporations or for support service organizations.1 A help desk may be established by employers who install or own certain platforms to handle any problems that may arise with that particular technology, such as an electronic health records program used in hospitals. Service desk personnel may also
What Kind Of Training Is Required For A Desktop Support Technician?
Since these professions frequently have a tiered system, the educational requirements for computer support specialist employment might differ significantly. Job titles that broadly follow the format Help Desk Technician T1, Help Desk Technician T2, Help Desk Technician T3, and so on are typical, for instance. According to the BLS, some businesses will accept individuals with a high school education (and some additional training), while others have criteria centered around an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This depends on the scope of the work.1 Employers typically demand more schooling, the more technical your expertise must be.
Salary Data for Desktop Support Technicians
You might anticipate some variation in pay given that these roles frequently have expertise and experience tiers. Nevertheless, the BLS reports that the median annual wage for computer user support professionals was $49,770.1 in 2021.
This position outperforms the 2021 national average for all jobs at $45,760, making it seem like a reasonably solid choice for those just entering the IT industry.
Bottom Line: Making The Initial Move Toward A Career In It
For a variety of reasons, becoming a desktop support specialist might be an excellent career choice. This position is engaging and offers many opportunities to grow and improve your IT skills while you work. A job as a desktop support technician may be the best approach to convincing potential employers that you are the applicant they are searching for since experience and skills are two of the elements on a resume that are most crucial in the computer business.
