How much experience/knowledge did you have when you started your first IT job?

psaechao

How much experience/knowledge did you have when you started your first IT job?
I got offered a job doing help desk for a small MSP. Because it's a smaller MSP with very few technicians, there are no Tiers. I own whatever tickets I get and it's up to me to complete them. Nothing really gets "escalated".
I'm a bit nervous, though, because I have no real help desk experience. I have a basic understanding of computer components (I have read Mike Meyer's A+ certification textbook and have built my own computer), but I don't know what kinds of service tickets I'll be encountering. The hiring manager said that even though I don't have much experience, I can "be trained."
Should I be worried about my skills? I know that Google can probably help me solve many of the problems I'll encounter, but should I be worried about my base knowledge?

SpetsRepair

I'm speaking from my experience and what i learned about the IT field. The hiring manager said that even though you don't have much experience, you can "be trained." This in my opinion is a good thing, they will train and teach you on how they want things done. Somewhere many people fail at is not only social skills but knowing too much. An employer knows what risks there are when they have someone overqualified in front of them. I think you're headed down a good path and stick to it. Good luck

RellyRale

Thats good stuff it would help to start researching and learning as much as you can. Me reading the books studying for the win7 exams I learned a whole lot. Find out what systems they use and master it

aderon

I had an A.S. certificate in microcomputer repair/installation from a community college that was 5 years old and my background was in delivering pizzas, making tacos/burritos, and janitorial duties lol. Also, I had lost interest in IT by that point, so any knowledge I used to have had slowly slipped away.

Then a friend's brother asked me if I wanted a job at an ISP doing internet help desk and I was really hesitant. I didn't feel like I would even be able to do it. I hadn't done anything technical in years. I took the job and felt like a moron for the first 2-3 months. There was tons of stuff that I didn't know and, in general, I felt like most of the people I worked with were much better than me and more qualified.

However, by the fourth month there I started really getting into the swing of things and didn't need as much help as I used to. My interest in IT was reignited and I felt like I belonged. I started working on certifications, signed up for school again, and had ambitions for a career again. I was determined to finish my bachelors this time.

Now I'm here 2-3 years later, I work in a NOC doing something that I love with technology I find really interesting and I'm about one semester away from finally graduating with my Bachelors. Couldn't be happier. So I'd say take the plunge, take a few lumps along the way, and I'm sure you'll come out just fine.

Modern Legacy

Prior to I.T., I was a lead guitarist in local rock bands by night, and a Dishwasher/Busser/Cook at a local Restaurant by day. I was <21.

Through my rock band, my lead singer's dad was a computer tech in the Military and they funded his computer ownership, so he had a few old 386 relics to throw my way, I found it fun and enjoyable, so I considered that my fallback career. From that I would fix up old PC's from the thrift shops (heck, sometimes they would pay ME to take them away) and resell them to people as a fully working machine with some modern capabilities. I built 4 years of prior experience on that.

In November 2004 I took the A+ Exam at Auburn University and was one of 3 who passed the then new computer adaptive testing on the first try or so they told me. Not even more than a month or so later I was applying and getting offers for I.T. jobs - then got my first job in I.T. refreshing a warehouse in Columbus GA for a nice chunk more than the minimum wage of the restaurant. At that point all I had was 4 years Experience in OLD hardware and A+ Certification. As I added more piecework jobs to my resume, the more calls I got from both local and national contractors.

Since then I've come a long way, here I am, almost 11 years later, I've worked for two of the biggest fortune 500 companies in the Puget Sound region (one of which I'm still working for), and am just about to celebrate my 5 year anniversary working there - I was onboarded on August 8th 2011, and that opportunity has opened some other doors to me looking to get out of the client facing side of things and into a more backend role once I meet the prerequisites.....it's about time.

scaredoftests

I grew into my first job. I learned the ropes about networking..as I went. It was a great experience...

Dakinggamer87

My previous knowledge was from reading computer and technology books/resources. Additionally, from the experience side all I had was my Associate's degree and an internship while I was attending school before I got my first contract job in a PC/Desktop Support Tech role.

Params7

I had 6 months of intern experience that I originally got through my uni's co-op program. Got some ticket management/Cisco IOS Show Commands experience there. That helped me get some grounding in IT and after graduation I was able to find a position with an MSP in their noc.

Before my final semester finished, I also achieved my CCENT.

NetworkingStudent

Hello,

I would jump at it.

I started out at a MSP, and my only experience before that was volunteering and computer repair jobs.

Also, I did an internship at a computer repair shop.

Working at an MSP is not the easiest job, but it sounds like they're willing to teach you.

Here are some of my tips:
Master Social Skills Needed for Computer Support
I recommend watching The Compassionate Geek videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL58D8B118DED1097A

Prioritize tickets:
Is it a emergency? Does it need to be done today? Can it wait until tomorrow?

Document fixes:
If you found a fix, then document the fix in evernote or onenote.

Document everything you do.

After working on a ticket 15 for minutes, and trying somethings... you should ask for help.

These are my tips.

bpenn

I have always loved technology and first became interested in computers when I had to open some ports on my computer so I could play some online games. After researching how to do it, I actually wanted to learn more about it. So, I did, and I started fixing printers, installing drivers and software for family, and doing basic configurations with static IPs on wireless routers (no DHCP then).

2 years into college, I joined the US Air Force Reserves in a "Help Desk" type specialty job and acquired a security clearance and the A+ cert. Went active duty for 4 months and learned a hell of alot of stuff and met a guy who thought I would be a good fit for his organization. Interviewed and got the job 3 weeks later and here I am. The job is service desk/information assurance and it has been an incredibly valuable experience. Working on certs and degree and hoping to climb from here.

E Double U

First year of college I had an internship working on a helpdesk opening tickets. I had 0 IT experience. After graduating with a business degree (Information Systems concentration) I landed a contractor role building pc's. In college I had taken classes on Cisco, Visual Basic, HTML, and more.

Blackout

I was brought in as an in house Network Guy at my first job which evolved into your gonna be working contracts too, then it was your only going to be working contracts and not networking, so I ended up getting experience in Experimental Biometrics, Android development, stuff like that.

Fulcrum45

I had absolutely no knowledge whatsoever. I knew how to surf the web and install video games prior to my first job. I was brought on as a sales person. That lead me to learning the product so that I could better sell it. This also lead me to be the first to triage and troubleshoot issues. I saw an opening and was willing to learn so I kinda morphed myself into a support tech. No one minded- we were small enough that the other techs encouraged my learning. Prior to this my most "professional" job was in the Rental Car business...never, ever again.....

v1ral

I interned 5 months as a server admin, another 5 months as a NOC intern. I had a job offer as a tier 2 IT technician a month before I graduated with my associates.

psaechao

Thanks for all the great replies, everyone - definitely the type of answers I was looking for! I was starting to feel that I was "under qualified" so I really needed that boost of confidence.

echo_time_cat

I would probably call the ISP I work for (been there 2.5 years) my first IT job. Prior to that I'd always been the guy in the warehouse or office who'd also double as the IT department...fixing printers, backing up servers... but I didn't have much confidence that I could make a career at it.

When I started as helpdesk with the ISP I'm at now, I felt very much behind my co-workers... and the A+ material I had been reviewing from long ago hardly helped me (network + woulda helped at the time). I was really daunted by the breadth of services and the experience needed to effectively trouble shoot them all. However, after about 3 months (similar to other posters!), I started to get more confidence. At this time I started handling business accounts with managed services...and the learning curve steepened, but I pressed on wards and taught myself.

Now, everyone comes to me for help and I am responsible for training every agent. It's funny how time flies, and if you're determined, you can stack on the experience really fast. OP, I think you'll do fine if you are driven and eager to learn.

greg9891

I didn't have much experience when i got my first job other than doing repairs for neighbors and referrals. I work at a tech shop doing security and when ever the techs at the shop couldn't figure out something I would pitch in and get the job done surprisingly. The owner from another tech store saw what i had done and offered me a job as a Computer Field technician. I am currently out of the field now as I work in security but I still work for myself on the side doing repairs and am studying and passing certs along the way for my next big opportunity.!!!

Just keep at it if you want It bad enough you will get it.!!!!

mstd0n

I was in a somewhat similar situation as OP and was offered a job at a help desk with no real experience. I was working at a retail store in the electronics department and helped a lady out with an ipod issue. Afterwards she said I as very helpful and professional then asked for my email address and sent me an offer letter later that day. She said I can teach you how to fix computers but I cant teach someone how to effectively communicate with users.

5ish years later I have a few certs and have moved up to a sys admin role.

majestic_pecan

My first job was at a help desk. I had no technical experience (my major in college was in a liberal arts major) but I was hired because I had several customer service-type jobs as well as an A+ cert.
I was promoted after six months. I plan on looking for NOC jobs next year if I don't get another internal offer within the next 6-8 months or so.

Ismaeljrp

3 yrs of my bachelor, CCNA certification from 12 months before and a 4 month help desk internship.

Where I am, they also wanted to train me up. They needed to implement a NOC tier 1 because of the load of tickets they were getting from a couple of big customers. Started out handling very basic tickets, did fine since we use mostly cisco gear my CCNA helped me grasp things very quickly.

1yr 3 months into it now.