Is Desktop Support A Good Job?


Is Desktop Support A Good Job? 

Desktop Support is nowadays known as a popular job position considering that no organization or company can go without their services. However, even though desktop support is in high demand, people still question what benefits this job has and how it is valued. So, is desktop support a good job?

Having the position of desktop support means opening up a road to many benefits and opportunities. It is the stepping stone for beginning a career in any tech industry, and it greatly improves your technical skills. Desktop support might be a great launch for a sparkly career in the IT world.  

In this article, I have explained in detail what it means to be a desktop support and what skills this job requires. I have listed the responsibilities that are in the description of desktop support, and the average salary that you might get if you land this job position. Once you read all of the information, you will have a clear image of this profession and what it might mean for your future career. 

What Does A Desktop Support Professional Do? 

It is a fact that no organization can survive without the IT support of its team. Since the digital world has been constantly expanding in every field with technology being present everywhere, it is no surprise that desktop support is high in demand. So, what skills and responsibilities are expected from desktop support professionals? 

A desktop support professional is a person who is highly skilled in maintaining computer hardware and software. They are the people in a company who are responsible for installing, updating, and monitoring new programs and systems and providing technical support for the same. 

In the description of a desktop support professional belong certain responsibilities and the fulfilling of these tasks plays a crucial role in the performance of one organization. The responsibilities might vary from company to company; however, the most common are the following: 

  • Working closely with the help desk for resolving customer issues and requests. 
  • Diagnosing issues in hardware and software systems and networks. 
  • Configuring different systems used in a particular company. 
  • Anticipating and assessing user needs, along with recommendations for upgrading to achieve a better experience. 
  • Ensuring proper installation and maintenance of systems. 
  • Documenting and collecting data of procedures done for customers. 

Depending on the company’s needs, these responsibilities might vary. The listed responsibilities are one of the most frequent, but some organizations require desktop support on a higher level. Therefore you will need to show more skills, and work on more complex tasks. 

The Average Salary Of Desktop Support 

The positions occupied by desktop support usually have full-time working hours. Since we are talking about support which involves working closely with the help desk and the customers, your working schedule might involve night shifts and even weekends. Therefore, you should be prepared to be flexible when it comes to the working schedule. 

When it comes to salary, it can widely differ from company to company and depending on the needs and assignments in the same. Also, this might also depend on the educational degree and certifications obtained by the employee. However, the average salary of desktop support technicians is around $20,000, while the salary of desktop support specialists is around $15,000. 

Education And Training

Employers usually ask for a certain degree that proves that the employee is skilled in computer science and information technology. Some companies might require a candidate with a bachelor’s degree, while others might consider certifications of different computer-related courses enough. In other words, you might find a job in desktop support even if you do not possess a college degree. 

However, a certain degree in a particular field might open the road to many opportunities and career growth. Desktop support is considered a great starting point for a significant career in the IT industry. Therefore, if you plan to take your career to the next level, it would be a smart choice to pursue different IT certifications

Certifications 

Nowadays, the IT certifications provided by different tech figures play a very important role in the growth of careers in computers and networking. Certifications might give you great benefits in terms of salary and positions you get in a certain company. 

The following IT certifications will help you in landing a job in desktop support and improve your skills greatly. 

CompTIA A+ 

This is an entry-level certificate that provides skills in maintaining and operating different systems, devices, and printers. It is perfect for those who have little or no experience in the IT field. 

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 

CCNA is an entry-level certification that provides knowledge and skills in routing, switching, and security. This is a vendor-specific certification. Therefore, you would only be validated for working with Cisco equipment. 

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSE)

This is a more advanced certification than the previous ones. It provides skills and knowledge in data and software infrastructure, data platforms, and business intelligence.

These certifications will definitely help you in getting a job in desktop support. However, before choosing one, you need to consider your end goal, because it surely impacts your career path for the future. These certifications offer specialization in different fields, so you might want to consider what you desire to pursue after desktop support.  

Desktop Support Work Environment 

Desktop support professionals do not work directly with customers, but they work closely with the help desk. So being a communicative employee and a team player are essential characteristics of desktop support. 

Desktop support professionals work in teams and they strive to achieve the same goals, i.e., successfully helping the customers. They work together to resolve different issues and to find ways to ensure the greatest experience for the customers. Along with coming up with solutions for tech issues, desktop support professionals might need to deal with the paperwork and perform tasks for managers or supervisors. 

Desktop support is a great job for those who want to be a part of the IT world. It offers a lot of benefits, but also a good foundation for taking your career to the next level in the IT field. It is also a perfect opportunity for enhancing and improving technical skills. 

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