Is a help-desk call center a good IT start or a bad one?

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Ronsoak

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#173492 25-May-2015 16:43

Been trying to get into IT for over a year and Ive had no luck, my severe lack of qualifications just puts me out. So ive got two plans available to me.

Keep on my current career path, earning decent money and build up an IT portfolio on the side (thinking of making an app or doing some web work like paid themeing)
or
Keep punting at low level IT jobs. Its getting to the point where I earn enough in my current career that starting an IT career is going to be a noticeable pay hit, so i really want it to be worth it.

I keep seeing call center rolls for Vodafone or Spark, are these a viable IT jobs that would count towards a IT career? Or are they really just not, I used to work at DSE and my current Job is admin/database support so I dont see a Vodafone Call center adding anything to my CV I dont already have.

Thoughts?

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#1311430 25-May-2015 16:54

What areas are you trying to get into exactly?

sidefx

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#1311431 25-May-2015 16:57

IT is a fairly big field, and to some degree I think it depends what area you're looking to get into. At the end of the day though, it is a good way to get your foot in the door, and that's always a good thing.

You also missed a third option, which is to get some sort of IT related qualification or certification,etc - perhaps by studying part time.

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cyberhub

224 posts

Master Geek

#1311445 25-May-2015 17:08

+1 that IT is a big field. Firstly figure out what type of IT you want to do. Web, system admin, helpdesk, coding, development, sales, security and the list goes on.

Once you have done that, learn as much as you can. Lynda.com has heaps of online training but you can find free training on Google and youtube etc.

Then start doing some of that type of IT for free for friends / family to get yourself some experience. Setup your own lab at home to experiment.

If you think you need more quals, you can check out something like computer power, or polytec or uni for some more training.

Good Luck

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Ronsoak

202 posts

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#1311449 25-May-2015 17:12

Option 3 is not available to me. Honors in psychology and linguistics means I have no government funded study left.

timmmay

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#1311451 25-May-2015 17:13

Experience is more important than training, but a degree or qualification helps. I recently hired someone with experience over someone with a degree, but he had 15 years experience doing it. Not sure I'd even interview someone with no practical experience who learned on Lynda.com, though I'm not hiring for entry level jobs.

You'll be looking at entry level jobs, and yeah you'll take a pay hit.

Dynamic

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#1311457 25-May-2015 17:25

IMHO a call centre job for a Telco or ISP is not going to kick start your IT career, or at least I have never heard of this happening. It may lead to some interesting positions within the company if your effort is recognised. If you currently work for a large organisation, perhaps talk to the head of the team that you would like to work for. It's generally easier to move sideways in an existing organisation than into a new position.

If you really serious, get your face in front of people. Find half a dozen or more companies near you who do what you want to do and get in front of the person who does the hiring. Tell them you want the next position that opens up and ask them what skills they want so you can work on these. Their socks will be rocked off, but you are still forgettable at that stage. Be politely persistent. Keep contact every 4-6 weeks, alternating an email (so they can find your contact details easily) and a phone call or a personal visit. If a qualification is required, get 2 people to tell you that they will hire you if a position opens up after you have achieved that qualification (or started part time study) and then go for it.

The second to last guy I hired rocked in unannounced to deliver his CV personally after seeing my TradeMe ad. (There was something different about him that I think made him suspect he would be cut out in the first round of CV checks if he just emailed.) I was having a crappy day and was ready for a walk. We walked around the block and I offered a him a job within days.

The last guy I hired was someone I met buying/selling through Geekzone. We had a quick chat and he advised he was looking for a career change. I didn't have anything then but he stuck in my mind because he had asked and because he had expressed interest in what we did. Some time later a position opened up and he was the first person I called.

Good luck.

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timmmay

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#1311464 25-May-2015 17:31

I got my Amazon Certified Architect qualification entirely using self study. Industry qualifications you can do evenings/weekends are probably a good option.

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mattwnz

20177 posts

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#1311485 25-May-2015 17:55

timmmay: I got my Amazon Certified Architect qualification entirely using self study. Industry qualifications you can do evenings/weekends are probably a good option.

You design buildings in the Amazon rain forests? :)

kiwifidget

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#1311499 25-May-2015 18:23

I started my IT career by working on an IT helpdesk doing first level IT support in-house. I found this to be a great entry level point coming across from the Accounts department. I worked my way up to IT/Systems Administrator which I loved doing and repeatedly turned down the offer of IT management from the company I was working for.

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sidefx

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#1311507 25-May-2015 18:37

Ronsoak: Option 3 is not available to me. Honors in psychology and linguistics means I have no government funded study left.

Sometimes you need to invest your own time and\or money to get where you want to go...

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- Richard Feynman

JamesL

956 posts

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#1311516 25-May-2015 19:10

I started on the computerland service desk and worked my way up, so it is possible but you need to be motivated, exceed expectations and go above and beyond.

I had no qualifications to start with, why they insist on that at a service desk level is beyond me but anyway. I'm now highly qualified in the Citrix space.

Ronsoak

202 posts

Master Geek

#1311520 25-May-2015 19:12

Good advice from all of you, it will help me a lot. Thank you

Oldmanakbar

110 posts

Master Geek

#1311526 25-May-2015 19:23

I started IT on an internet helpdesk a long time ago. If anything it taught me a lot of patience and how to explain anything to anyone.

I moved on from there to a more technical role and ended up doing the technical induction for new hapless souls.

Because of the people I met there I eventually was offered a role at an outsourced IT solutions company and due to the people I met there was eventually poached by one of my clients. I still work there 11 years later as a Sysadmin/Engineer.

So can it open doors for you? Sure it can, if you meet the right people and have the right attitude.

The good news is you won't have to step lonely 80 year olds through how to add init strings to modems anymore.

The bad news is you won't be able to hang up calls by going "ok now hang up and give that a go".

ming

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Wannabe Geek

#1311732 26-May-2015 02:24

Money = work for whatever

More money = invest yourself and work for what you want

Much more money = get experienced, keep investing yourself, and work for what people want

frankv

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#1311801 26-May-2015 08:54

my current Job is admin/database suppor

You're already in IT. Where exactly do you want to go?

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