How valuable is desktop support experience for networking?

zrockstar

Hey guys, I am just finishing up my CCNA track at my school and just have a few classes left to take. Since I still have a few classes left I can't start looking for a full time job, so I am scoping out a few help desk jobs just to get a little experience under my belt. Most of the stuff I am seeing is desktop support positions. I know some experience is better than none (which is what I currently have), but will desktop support help me in landing a networking gig once I get my degree and CCNA? Thanks.

networker050184

Like you said its better than nothing. Hopefully you will get some low level network troubleshooting included in your duties that you can try to highlight from the job.

zrockstar

Cool thanks, looks like one of them might have a little account management, but nothing in routers and switches where I want to eventually end up at.

networker050184

You have to start somewhere. I'd personally look for something in a NOC if possible but thats not always feasible.

dmoore44

If you're going to try for a networking career, I would try and start with a NOC position - NOC is viewed them as the help desk of the networking world - i.e. it's entry level.

dead_p00l

Desktop support is helpful if as a network tech you work all the way down to the customer level. If you're primarily focused on core networking then desktop support may not be as helpful.

zrockstar

I wish I could look for a NOC job, but there is no opportunity for that at all where I live. There are no corporations or big business here. So that is pretty much out of the question unfortunately.

matt333

what I have noticed is that some more networking position ask for "support" experience soo as long as you have the work history and maybe some networking certs you might be able to get lucky. I would say look for a position that is support but has some networking related duties

N2IT

I think it really depends on the organization, hiring managers, HR, etc. How helpful? Not that much to be honest, but like another poster mention compared to no experience at all it's much better.

I think if you can get yourself some networking experience while doing desktop that would be your best bet. Mention using basic networking protocols and low level router/switching.

While I was working help desk they tasked two of us to monitor the networks and eventually we gained experience telnet/SSh into the routers and switches. Usually just basic commands but enough to leverage into a NOC type position. Keep an eye out for opportunities like that.

Forsaken_GA

It depends. If you learned how to properly troubleshoot desktops, then that will transfer over well to the network realm.

If not, well, you're in for a ride.

netsysllc

In the long run it will help round your skills out, though it might not advance the career as fast.

paul78

@zrockstar - My comment may be a bit dated so perhaps if there are current hiring managers on the forum that can elaborate. When I used to hire, all experience related to customer servicing was seen as a big plus. Especially for jobs which are internally facing. People that have customer handling experience tended to perform better with the needed softskills and would generally be expecteda to have more emphathy with end customers. In IT, there is always a customer, even if the customer is an internal customer.

zrockstar

Thank you very much for this, Paul. I do have a lot of customer service experience, it is good to see that that means something in IT. I am hoping that my certs (when I get them) will hold the most weight because I have most personal control over that.

VAHokie56

I think its important, teaches you good core trouble shooting skills, gives you end user facing skills ,which can translate over into social skills dealing with team members and project managers. Also I would not expect to get a Cisco gig with zero experience so getting some desk top in there will help.

N2IT

Agree with Paul, customer service is always critical but eventually it bottoms out. It's critical, but not all encompassing in my opinion. The skills and experience usually have to be there as well.

Like VA eluded too or flat out mentioned, you will have a hardtime getting a Cisco gig with zero experience. That doesn't it mean it's impossible.

On a positive note I have noticed networking NOC positions requiring less man years of experience. And if/when you get your CCNA that will help out a lot.

pert

Only core troubleshooting skills carry over like experience in learning in how isolate issues and then test specific isolated scenarios. From a technical standpoint virtually nothing carries over. However, what other option do you honestly have? The only place you can realistically start is Help Desk or a NOC, and there aren't that many NOCs out there. From Help Desk you can get into tier 2 tech support. From there you need to really hit the books, gets some real knowledge and start applying like mad. 99% of people will ignore you, but eventually you'll get someone who will do a phone technical interview and that is your chance to prove yourself. Its much easier if you can get a job in a NOC, but its jut not realistic for people with no income to move for a job like that.

There's not many easy paths to make the jump from tech support into networking.

QHalo

I believe that everything you learn in IT can be applied to all areas. Having knowledge of things like how the organization images their computers, pushes their applications and what applications they run means that when it comes time to troubleshoot an issue, you have lots of experience to draw from that could help resolve it quicker. As network engineers know, it's "Always the Network" © that gets blamed first but more often times its the application or a misconfiguration somewhere else.

©Colby Glass

gdeusthewhizkid

he's right.. all experience leads you to your next position. I started out as a PC tech. I worked a few shops and realize i didn t like computer repair that much. Got my first IT position as a support specialist without a a+. but the people skills i learned from working at those shops help me get at my present job. Now at my present job im able to get the experience and as well study for certs and pay to finish my bachelors. So my next position should be a big step up..