Tech Support/Help Desk Job Outlook - Computer Technical Help

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Tech Support/Help Desk Job Outlook

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07-18-2016 , 07:38 AM

SurfsUp949

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 309

What's the job outlook currently, particularly in Calif, for a tech support/help desk career? Also how soon could one go from 0 to getting job (0 meaning no skills other than knowing how to turn on a PC, and do the very basics)?
What training would you recommend? Lastly would you recommend this career path? I'm sick of sales...need a new career!

Many thanks

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07-18-2016 , 01:36 PM

CBorders

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 16,505

Why do you want to make a career of help desk? "I need a new career" won't cut it, employers aren't looking for people who want a start in IT just because it's their best/only shot at a decent paying white collar gig. If you haven't been tinkering with computers already before deciding you want to make a career out of working on computers you probably aren't a fit for this kind of job. You really have to love it.

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07-18-2016 , 03:03 PM

Loki

binary duo

Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 12,772

check out compTIA A+ study guides.

if you don't fall asleep reading them, report back and we can go from there

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07-18-2016 , 09:14 PM

SurfsUp949

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 309

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBorders

I know I love helping people out. And in the few times I've helped family or friends out with very basic PC issues it felt extremely rewarding. I'd like to learn more. I think there's a reasonable chance I may enjoy this career.

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07-19-2016 , 05:08 AM

SurfsUp949

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 309

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodle Wazlib

check out compTIA A+ study guides.

if you don't fall asleep reading them, report back and we can go from there

managed to stay awake.

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07-19-2016 , 09:14 AM

Loki

binary duo

Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 12,772

Groovy!

So, short of finding a call center that takes complete novices and trains them, you'll likey want to look into landing some certifications. Maybe build a computer for funsies. Read a bunch of CTH to see the process, as it's not all that different from irl.

If you happen to network well, you can usually land a help desk 1 job just by knowing someone.

Learn the basics of networks and security, hardware and printers, software and OSes

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07-19-2016 , 10:25 PM

Barrin6

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6,947

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurfsUp949

I was just like you before I landed a help desk job.

Now I hate people.

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07-20-2016 , 04:28 AM

SurfsUp949

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 309

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrin6

I was just like you before I landed a help desk job.

Now I hate people.

LOL

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07-21-2016 , 07:04 AM

SurfsUp949

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 309

Are MOOCs or any other free, self-taught methods useful enough to get going?

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07-21-2016 , 12:04 PM

#10

just_grindin

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5,263

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurfsUp949

Are MOOCs or any other free, self-taught methods useful enough to get going?

I'm no expert, but I don't know of any moocs that do IT support. Mostly software dev.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

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07-24-2016 , 01:52 AM

#11

eaglesfaan

grinder

Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 456

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurfsUp949

Are MOOCs or any other free, self-taught methods useful enough to get going?

You should study for and pass the A+ exam. You will learn a ton and it will make it easier for you to get a tech support/help desk job with the certification.

The Professor Messer free video series is highly regarded because they stay on point with the exam objectives along with clear & accurate explanations.
http://www.professormesser.com/free-...20-900-course/

If you're new to IT you may want to study using a second source also, you will understand things better when you get it from two different sources explained in different ways. The Exam Cram series is very good, and comes with a very large practice test.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/comp...gn=NOOK+EBooks
You'll want to buy it new so you can get the full registered practice test.

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07-24-2016 , 09:27 AM

#12

SurfsUp949

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 309

tyvm eaglesfan

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