anyone have a IT Support Specialist level II or III job?

[ViviTheMage]

There is this great opportunity for me to get a fulltime job at 44k a year + benefits, with my current background.

I am 20, about to complete my second year of school, and currently work in IT for a year or so, but only part time, due to school. On my current track, it will take me 4, maybe 5 more years to get my bachelors degree, so this job does look very appealing because this is what graduates generally get right out of school.

any thoughts from people who currently work level II or III support?

I will most likely take night classes in the meantime to see if I REALLY enjoy working in the large-scale business world IT. -- because I don't want to have that large 'ceiling' above me when I want to move up....maybe this job will pay for the rest of my schooling?

on that note, where can I move up if I don't get any sort of degree?

What other jobs are next in line if I decide to move up? aka my chain of command?

This job is through a recruiter, but I will be getting w2 status with the company themselves, not through the recruiting agency.

The job itself is for a large-scale international business.

 

[Blazin Trav]

If you can take the job without compromising your degree, I would go for it.

 

[SSSnail]

You will find that it'll take a lot longer that what you have set aside to finish your degree. As you make money, and eventually more money, your motivation for a degree decreases. Just my $.02

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
If you can take the job without compromising your degree, I would go for it.

it will obviously take me longer considering this job is full time, as ill be stuck with night classes.

but maybe they will pay some of my education when I am there?

 

[Mxylplyx]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
You will find that it'll take a lot longer that what you have set aside to finish your degree. As you make money, and eventually more money, your motivation for a degree decreases. Just my $.02

Very true. My brother was offered a job around 40K his sophomore year, and he took it, with the promise that his employer (Bellsouth), would finish his education. After buyouts, lengthy business trips, etc, he didnt finish his degree until about 6yrs later, and he had to pay for it himself. Just be careful.

But having professional job experience before you graduated college is a huge plus, especially in the IT industry. Good work on that. I'd probably be making half what I make if I didnt manage the same thing, especially since I graduated in the middle of the last recession.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Mxylplyx

Originally posted by: SSSnail
You will find that it'll take a lot longer that what you have set aside to finish your degree. As you make money, and eventually more money, your motivation for a degree decreases. Just my $.02

Very true. My brother was offered a job around 40K his sophomore year, and he took it, with the promise that his employer (Bellsouth), would finish his education. After buyouts, lengthy business trips, etc, he didnt finish his degree until about 6yrs later, and he had to pay for it himself. Just be careful.

But having professional job experience before you graduated college is a huge plus, especially in the IT industry. Good work on that. I'd probably be making half what I make if I didnt manage the same thing, especially since I graduated in the middle of the last recession.

thank you for that, it was my biggest thing that I got experience while I was in school.

I am actually surprised he completed his degree in 6 years! how many courses did he take a semester? nightly? any in the summer?

it'll be a huge 'lifechange' from school and work to a 9-5 job.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

support is not where you want to be in the IT field.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
support is not where you want to be in the IT field.

He's 20. It's not like you can just automatically leap into a better position without taking your licks and earning your stripes first.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
support is not where you want to be in the IT field.

Believe it or not, for some people it is EXACTLY where they want to be.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
support is not where you want to be in the IT field.

Believe it or not, for some people it is EXACTLY where they want to be.

I like to help people, as of right now its what I basically do...I am considered the IT Assistant Manager, haha.

and I do want 3-4 years of support under my belt, because it will show me if I really want to stick with IT, or get a different degree and change careers.

granted, id love to be traveling the world doing something else, but that's not realistic anymore.

 

[MisterJackson]

congrats on the offer, and just go with your gut.

My opinion is go for it, just don't lose sight of your education goals.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
support is not where you want to be in the IT field.

He's 20. It's not like you can just automatically leap into a better position without taking your licks and earning your stripes first.

I understand that I wouldnt put my degree on hold to work support though.

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
support is not where you want to be in the IT field.

He's 20. It's not like you can just automatically leap into a better position without taking your licks and earning your stripes first.

I understand that I wouldnt put my degree on hold to work support though.

It depends on your goals. Many people work support for less money even after they get their degrees, including a good friend of mine. If the OP found himself heading that way, it makes just as much sense to take the job now and not 3 years from now.

I will say that it'll be hard to get the degree if he stops school now. It's very easy to get distracted by the money, and to want to have more free time, and end up just quitting school. I'd say that more people end up quitting than go straight through and actually finish their degrees.

To the OP: What city do you live in? I just want to put that 44k into perspective.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
support is not where you want to be in the IT field.

He's 20. It's not like you can just automatically leap into a better position without taking your licks and earning your stripes first.

I understand that I wouldnt put my degree on hold to work support though.

its a toss up for me, as im sick of school and if i can basically get a job that grads get, why spend the extra money right now when maybe my employer down the line will pay it?

also, anyone actually have this job title and know from experience?

 

[JRock]

I would go for it. I did the same thing... night classes do suck are usually a bit easier or at least the profs are more understanding and dont crush you with reports and homework. Congrats on the offer also...

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: JRock
I would go for it. I did the same thing... night classes do suck are usually a bit easier or at least the profs are more understanding and dont crush you with reports and homework. Congrats on the offer also...

thank you, did you take summer courses --nightly? or just semester, fall, spring?

 

[JRock]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: JRock
I would go for it. I did the same thing... night classes do suck are usually a bit easier or at least the profs are more understanding and dont crush you with reports and homework. Congrats on the offer also...

thank you, did you take summer courses --nightly? or just semester, fall, spring?

Fall, Spring and Summer... 1 class per sem. per session so a total of 2 classes per sem. took me about 5 years to get my BA.