Is desktop support a good job?

desktop support analyst salary

A career in IT/Desktop support offers a lot of opportunity and benefits. It gives you an easier window into almost any tech industry. It also provides a good medium for improving your technical skills. If you love computers, network systems and working with people, IT support may be a great way to launch your career.

To become a desktop support technician, you’ll need to have good knowledge of computer hardware, operating systems and applications. If you’re new to the field, you can get a quick head start by reading books or enrolling for online foundation courses with sites like Coursera, Udemy or Lynda. Some desktop support positions also require that candidates have some experience with network connectivity as well as soft skills like:

• Good customer-friendly attitude
• Strong communication skills
• A process-oriented or analytical approach to solving problems
• A passion for the job and willingness to learn

Education and Experience

Most companies do not require a college degree for entry-level desktop positions. If you’re experienced and have the right skills, you stand a good chance of getting hired. That said, having a degree significantly improves your qualifications and puts you ahead of the pack. A degree is even more important if you intend to expand your career into mid-level or senior-level positions. Good fields to earn a degree in include computer science, software development or any IT related field.

Working as a Junior Level IT Support Technician

The duties of a desktop support technician vary with the size and needs of the company, but they typically include installing and configuring operating systems, monitoring computer systems and performing system upgrades. You may be tasked with solving software issues, replacing hardware and maintaining computer systems. Other possible duties include:

• Setting up new accounts
• Resolving password issues
• Testing and evaluating new technology
• Conducting safety checks on hardware

Desktop support professionals typically work in full-time positions, sometimes in shifts. They interact with clients and often have to work quickly, especially when resolving technical issues during the day (so productivity in the office can return to normal). Desktop support technicians working with larger companies may be required to travel between offices or to work late night or over the weekend. As your skill improves, your title may change to support specialist or maintenance engineer. The duties of higher level positions may include providing procedural documentation, managing teams and working with other professionals such as network engineers or software developers.