Strategy for new IT professionals

N2IT

I've been doing searches on Dice and Indeed lately (locally) and have seen a rash of pure mobility support. There must be 6 positions out there for different companies. I validated it wasn't multiple recruiting agencies for the same position.

Here is my thinking so bare with me.

First of all service desk position are out there but once you get in one it hard to get out for some folks. What about going into mobility support for a corporation. You would be working with the provider, but you would potentially be working with the developers as well. This could possibly get you into mobile development. (Just wanted to throw that out there)

Anyway what about skipping the A+ since it's completely flooded and focus more on mobile certification. Apple and Android specifically.

I think it's a nice angle to play.

I realize there are mobile support for companies like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Etc, but what about mobility internally in a large to mid size company? This may be the first of a new breed of IT professionals. (I'm just saying)

Sponx

Don't get me wrong, I like looking outside the box... Here's the issue though...

1. What we see with "Desktop Support" will happen with "Mobile Device Support" - Will just be a different aspect of "Desktop Support".

2. If you work in Help Desk/Desktop Support, it's not a 'given' assumption that you will be able to work with the software developers, package developers, software testers, programmers, etc... So, are you sure that just because you work Mobility support you can interact with the mobility development teams?

3. I feel the Mobility Support will fall faster than Desktop support (VMWare/VDI taking over Desktop Support advantages for a stable job...) but more-so the proprietariness of mobile device repairs, and facilitations... Voiding warranties trying to repair the units of possible hardware failures...

4. Getting stuck... That's still going to be a large issue...

Just playing devil’s advocate.

N2IT

What about the people who are looking to get into IT? Specializing or getting a certification in Mobility could help. And there are more and more positions opening up for these particular skillsets.

I've seen mobility specialist move up in companies and transition from contractor to employee. That's a real world example. Getting stuck will still happen, but mobility specialist are viewed as tier 2 in a CORPORATE environment.

I guess we agree to disagree. Thanks for your viewpoint though!

Sponx

Hm, interesting. I mean I am not saying I disagree with you, I think adding to your skillsets is something you should always look to do!

In the "Corporate" environments I have worked in the telecommunications team has managed most of the mobile contracts and development and information security has managed the lock down and application management. In another "Corporate" environment I have worked in we have had our Deskside Support Technicians manage most of the mobile applications, warranty facilitations, and repairs. One was/is Blackberry/iPhone/iPhone mixed, and one was/is iPhone & iPad based.

All larger Fortune 200/300/500 corporations and they never really looked for "Mobility Specialists" - Real world example.

Now, I am not saying this is something to look down upon... But in the corporate environments I have worked for/with they looked at Mobility Specialist/Technicians/Experts as either a part of another department, or down as help desk type position with very limited interactions to other teams/departments, and most of the 'repairs' were facilitated and most of the 'applications' were managed by other teams.

Just giving my $0.02, wasn't trying to shoot down your idea... Just trying to provide another aspect of where it might bring someone.

N2IT

Sponx no worries at all. You made some really good points, I don't think it's flawless. I just see mobility becoming more of a deciding factor in interviews.

Just recently I have seen this.

paul78

There seems to be a different mindset with people that are "mobile-aware". Even within the company that I work at, we are starting to be a bit more conscious of hiring people that have exposure to mobile technologies.

pamccabe

I agree with your outlook, especially with people wanting to be connected constantly on the go. As a Cisco, fan and student, I know they are making a push towards all things streaming such as video. The only thing I could see wrong with this, is that I never see positions looking for mobile support. It is always desktop support and oh, we have tablets, laptops, mobile devices. I started an internship recently and the job posted was for desktop support. Come to find out, we just rolled out iPads and iPhones to all users. We are expected to support those also. Not one word of it in the ad. I wonder if hiring departments are behind in that aspect. Hope that makes sense.

ArabianKnight

Here in NE Ohio I have recently seen numerous positions that work with mobile devices, and a few of them are entry level. Only problem is you would not be getting the traditional IT experience one would assume in a desktop support role as mobile is a specialty.

Cisco Inferno

A little off topic, but has anyone seen the Dice forums? They are the most sorry and butthurt IT community I've ever come across!