How Can I Stay Productive in a Helpdesk Role?

Definitely use the downtime to read articles on tech topics you find interesting, especially those that are somewhat related to your work. And see if your company might cover any training or exam fees for certifications you want to pursue!

I feel you! I nailed my CCNA earlier this year, but honestly, I find myself just watching YouTube a lot of the time to beat the boredom between tasks. It's tough to stay motivated, but maybe you can also look into doing some practice questions for certifications you’re interested in while at work!

One way to keep busy is to invest in online courses, like those on Udemy. I found that taking these courses while at a helpdesk job helped me level up my skills. I took a bit longer to move out of helpdesk because there wasn’t a high demand for IT in my area, but learning kept me engaged! Now I’m in level 2 support and still trying to learn as much as I can.

If you're getting paid to study or explore tech topics, make the most of it! You can either align with your company's goals to improve in areas they support for promotions or follow your passion and learn what you think will benefit you most in the long run. A few years ago, I chose to focus on a cloud platform instead of the organizational suggestions, and it led me to a role in Cloud Engineering—totally worth it! The flexibility of cloud tools for labbing also helps you practice without needing special setups at home.

Honestly, sometimes I just chill and hang out in IRC to escape the boredom! It’s a good way to connect with others and keep the tech chat flowing while you pass the time.