I'm a 22-year-old help desk technician and I've spent years working with computers, running help desk tickets, and doing some repair work back in high school. Recently, I've been feeling really bored with my current role. I've got a few certifications under my belt such as A+ and AZ-104, and I'm considering pursuing Network+ or other Microsoft certifications. However, I'm really tired of the repetitive tasks that come with help desk work, like retrieving keyboards for coworkers. I'm looking for guidance on what direction to take next—should I aim for a sysadmin role or something like a junior sysadmin? Alternatively, would it be better to specialize in areas like analysis or server engineering? I work at a mid-sized company with about 500 employees, but only 200 of them are office workers and there are only five IT staff, so growth opportunities seem limited. I just want to avoid becoming that senior help desk guy who's stuck in the past. What should I do next?
5 Answers
Best advice? Try shadowing your current sysadmin. It’s a good way to learn the ropes without formally being in that role. And while certs are nice, keep in mind you'll still have to manage those little help desk tasks. Experience will be key, so seek out side projects to expand your knowledge in areas that interest you.
I would recommend looking into the MSP scene for variety in your duties. I went through it myself and gained a lot of exposure to different systems over four years. While you'll still be doing some mundane tasks, it’ll offer more opportunities to engage with various technologies beyond just fixing printers.
Honestly, unless you're at a large company, help desk tasks never fully go away—even as a sysadmin, you might still find yourself fixing a mouse or something. But that said, you should focus more on gaining experience. What tools do you know? Are there others at your company that you haven’t explored? Learning those can open up new avenues. If your current position doesn’t offer growth, it might be time to move on—help desk is usually not a long-term job for many.
It’s crucial to figure out what you truly want to do. You're young, and your career opportunities are vast. Explore what piques your interest, and don't hesitate to invest time in developing new skills—this could lead to chances that come up within your current company, or elsewhere. You've got the experience, so start applying for junior sysadmin positions where you can grow!
Getting involved in networking or automation could be the way to go if you want to stay in-house. Otherwise, consider looking for a role at an MSP. Either way, pushing yourself to take on different projects at work will be beneficial. Don't just stick to help desk roles when there’s a whole world of IT out there to experience!
That sounds promising! I'll definitely consider MSPs as a stepping stone.