Hi everyone! I'm excited to share that I've landed my first job in IT as a consultant! Though I'm new to this field, I've worked on personal IT projects and provided some basic IT support in my previous job. The company hired me because they appreciated my enthusiasm, even though I lack certain skills. They assured me I could learn on the job.
The role involves providing technical hotline support, assisting customers with technical service requests, installing applications, performing system configurations, and even preparing analyses for development teams based on customer needs. They also expect me to help with technical support for payroll and attendance systems.
The skills the company is looking for include MS Windows and Server administration, LAN/WAN management, and some database experience, particularly with MS SQL. While I've dabbled in Linux administration and programming, Windows administration is brand new to me, and I'm not familiar with SQL at all.
I'm reaching out to see if you could recommend some good tutorials—preferably on Udemy or YouTube. Additionally, should I focus on Windows administration or SQL first? I've got some time before I start on February 1st and I'm ready to dive in and learn! Thanks a bunch!
5 Answers
You're in for an interesting ride! Since you need to ramp up quickly, I'd suggest downloading Windows Server and getting familiar with creating a local domain. There are plenty of YouTube channels that walk you through it step by step. This will help you understand how everything fits together once you get into your live environment. It's all about hands-on practice, so dive in and get your hands dirty!
Congrats on your new position! The job description sounds more like a typical operations role rather than a consultancy. You'll want to focus on your communication skills and time management, especially since it's a customer-facing job. For tutorials, I'd recommend starting with the CompTIA A+ certification. It's perfect for beginners and covers a lot of the foundational knowledge you'll need. There are great free resources like Professor Messer on YouTube. I suggest you start with Windows first, as it'll likely be your main focus at the start. And remember, don’t hesitate to ask for help—your team will appreciate it! Good luck!
I totally get where you're coming from! The job description can be really vague, so it might help to check in regularly on what tasks you're actually assigned. I’d focus on learning based on those duties rather than stressing about everything at once. Also, maybe reach out to a colleague in a similar role for a quick crash course—they can be a great resource! Good luck and enjoy the learning process!
Just jumping in here—don't get too caught up on the SQL. Your communication and problem-solving skills will matter a lot more in a helpdesk role. I recommend practicing how to comfort irritated customers and how to initiate small talk. Keeping calm and showing you care makes a huge difference! In terms of learning, yeah, start with Windows, it's going to be essential for you. Stay curious and don’t be afraid to lean on your teammates. Best of luck!
Make sure you're also aware of software version control and documentation—those are going to be critical aspects of your role. Since many technologies rely on their documentation, getting accustomed to that will save you a lot of headaches down the line. Just take it easy and focus on one thing at a time, and you'll be fine!
Exactly! It's important to focus on the practical stuff that you'll directly use. Take it one step at a time and don't overwhelm yourself with information that might not be necessary right away.