| So let's say you are really good at fixing PC problems | | | | different. |
| and enjoy helping people. Or maybe you just enjoy | | | | For example, Ultra VNC and Timbuktu are programs |
| helping people and want to learn how computers work. | | | | that enable you to support a PC remotely they are |
| So you consider starting a career in the information | | | | just slightly different. Or one company may use Xerox |
| technology industry as a support professional? | | | | printers while another uses HP. Knowing the concept |
| Great, you are on the right track. However, knowing | | | | of printing would enable you to adjust easily to the |
| how to build and troubleshoot PC problems is just the | | | | unfamiliar printer. |
| beginning. You must have experience supporting users | | | | Further more you need to learn how to be resourceful. |
| in a corporate environment. | | | | You will not always have the answers to all the |
| There are 3 key elements that make up a good | | | | problems and should always know what steps to take |
| support professional. People skills, Technical skills and | | | | or help to get to find the answer. |
| experience. Having these 3 elements will make you a | | | | 3. Experience. In order to be considered a corporate |
| solid candidate for good paying corporate support | | | | level support professional you must have corporate |
| positions. | | | | experience. Experience is the most valuable aspect of |
| 1. People Skills. In order to be a successful support | | | | your career. You learn a great deal more when |
| professional you must have the desire to help people | | | | actually performing a job than going to school for it. |
| and are capable of working with all types of people | | | | Also, you will get paid more as you move to different |
| and personalities. You must be patient and have the | | | | positions. |
| right attitude to succeed in difficult situations. | | | | Fresh out of college you are considered "entry level". |
| In the corporate business environment there are many | | | | Unfortunately, some companies will not consider entry |
| critical elements that must be functional at all times | | | | level candidates in corporate support roles. If you are |
| such as computer networks, PC programs, and | | | | having difficulty finding a job after obtaining your |
| hardware, etc. There are also time constraints and | | | | education you may want to consider working in some |
| deadlines on projects and other business elements. | | | | lower paying and possibly less desirable positions first. |
| When one or more elements fail to function properly it | | | | Of course there are companies out there that may |
| begins to build pressure on a situation and stress levels | | | | hire an entry level person but it all depends. Diligent |
| will begin to rise. | | | | research will help in this case and I listed some good |
| People handle stress in different ways. Stress can | | | | entry level positions you might want to start in: |
| make some people very difficult to deal with. Having | | | | In-house or field service Technician jobs. You can try |
| the skills to maintain a positive attitude, thinking critically | | | | working for Geek Squad or other smaller PC repair |
| and adjusting yourself to the user's needs are the | | | | business as a PC Technician for a year or so. You will |
| keys to dealing with difficult people. Having the ability to | | | | at least get your feet wet and will have experience |
| handle difficult situations makes you very valuable to a | | | | supporting people in a dynamic environment. |
| company. | | | | Technical Support jobs. Many companies have |
| There are many people who have very little technical | | | | technical support positions. These positions usually deal |
| knowledge. They may have a hard time understanding | | | | with helping customers over the phone with the |
| technology or simply don't care to learn about it. Many | | | | products they purchase. Learning how to walk people |
| people just want things to work as they are supposed | | | | though problems over the phone is a useful skill. Keep |
| to without problems. Keep in mind that it is these | | | | in mind that many companies have started outsourcing |
| people who enable your job to exist. You also must be | | | | these roles to other countries but they are still out |
| able to communicate technical issues to non-technical | | | | there. |
| people. | | | | Helpdesk jobs. Some companies have help desk |
| 2. Technical Skills. You may already know how to | | | | support roles and might accept entry level technicians. |
| troubleshoot technical issues or you are really | | | | These roles are usually a combination of over the |
| interested in learning. Either way you should have | | | | phone and remote support. A companies Helpdesk |
| some sort of formal education to prove it. Having a | | | | usually is the centralized place that handles all support |
| degree or the right certification can make the | | | | related issues via ticketing software. This means you |
| difference in getting your foot in the door at many | | | | can get a wide range of knowledge and experience |
| great companies. | | | | about of the companies overall IT infrastructure. |
| You should get either a degree or a certification of | | | | Obviously getting as much knowledge and experience |
| some kind. For example, an A+ certification proves | | | | as you can should be your main goal. If possible you |
| knowledge of PCs and operating systems. You could | | | | should try to get one of these jobs while you are going |
| also get a degree in computer science or networking. | | | | to school to save time. |
| Research the institutions in your area. Be sure and talk | | | | Conclusion |
| to career counselor's. Tell them exactly what you | | | | Being a support professional can be a valuable and |
| want to do and they can help you to make a decision | | | | rewarding career choice. You can get a lot of praise |
| on the right degree or certification to go after. | | | | from users and often feel accomplished. Becoming a |
| There are many different types of hardware and | | | | proven problem solver is what you want to achieve. |
| software, and each company will use different | | | | With enough experience or by continuing your |
| vendors. Knowing the concepts is what you should try | | | | education you will eventually be able to get higher |
| to learn. Also, there are many different hardware and | | | | paying jobs such as It manager, It director and even |
| software that provide the same function but may be | | | | Chief Information Officer. |