Advice needed

Hey everyone! Long time reader first time poster. I am currently changing my career from food retail to IT. I have an AAS degree in Internet Service Tech. I was mainly going for programming but now leaning towards Network Admin as my goal. I have some familiarity with inside the pc and took some hardware and networking classes. I am also hoping to be finished with my A+ by early December.

So the question is... How likely am i to get a Help Desk job when I am done with the cert and what kinda pay can I expect? I still work food retail as a manager and just got a part time job with geek squad(nothing to do with computer repair but sales

).
I live in Orlando Fl and not sure what the pay is here. I need the very min of $12.50 an hour to live

. Also staying at my current job is not really ideal I hate it more than my ex

.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

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Comments

coreyb80

I'm in the process of changing careers as well. From what I've seen once you get your A+ you can obtain a gig as a Help Desk Rep for anywhere from $14-$20 an hour. Keep in mind, this is my experience in Chicago. My goal is to obtain my A+ in January and land a gig hopefully making no less than $17 an hour. The opportunities are out here for IT as far as I can see. Blessings on your new career path.

ltgenspecific

IMO, staying vendor neutral is can be important at the outset of an IT career. A+ is a great start and will definitely get you some looks at the help desk level. Focusing on getting your Net+ (if that's what it is still referred to as) is also a good slightly longer term goal. Folks on our help desk line currently pull $16-18 with an A+ and Net+ combo. The AAS you have is also great for getting looks for that type of position. I would imagine something around the same salary lines sounds correct when comparing Puget Sound area to FL.

One additional thing I can advise is that volume matters when applying to help desk positions. Given the current (and past economy) there are a lot of folks who have gone through training recently looking to change career tracks. Just pump out resumes and don't get discouraged, you'll have success in no time with the right consistent effort. Good luck!!

100k

Thanks for the input. Gonna be taking some practice test tommorrow to see where I am and what I need to focus on. Don't like blind studying. If I can get $15 I will be happy.

WiseWun

Baby steps my friend! Get the entry level certs (A+, N+) then apply for an IT position within Geek Squad. Study study study every opportunity you get.

W Stewart

Some of these guy may not know what the unemloyment rate or the job market is like in FL all though it is getting slightly better. I live in Tampa but I've looked at jobs in orlando from time to time and I think you could definitely get $12.50/hr. $20/hr for a helpdesk job with no experience would require a lot of luck and opportunity. I've seen helpdesk jobs requiring 1-3 years of experience offering $14/hr. Having a skillset that is in demand is what will get you around that salary. You're not going to make $20/hr doing password resets all day.

I also don't think you need to wait and get your A+ before applying to geeksqaud or any entry level job that doesn't require it. I got my first IT job making $12.50/hr with no A+. You do however need the knowledge and you will get a lot more offers once you do have your A+. Experience is what really matters though so I wouldn't wait to start getting it.

100k

I already got the job at geek squad. Been there for about a month now. I guess its time to update and redo my resume then. Sallie Mae is not gonna wait forever lol. Thanks for the input people. Anyone else from FL?

Complete_IT_Professional

W Stewart wrote: »

You do however need the knowledge and you will get a lot more offers once you do have your A+. Experience is what really matters though so I wouldn't wait to start getting it.

Yeah, try finish the A+ and proceed to more advanced certifications.

I'm not from Florida, but is $12.50 per hour the general rate for entry-level help desk support?