Is working Helpdesk a respectable career?

[J Dragon]

I am simply wondering If working the helpdesk in a company is respectable to anyone? I mean I love supporting peripherals Computers hardware and software, and Troubleshooting....

I never throught I would because originally I wanted to do Computer programming/gaming design. I fell into support and building PC's and I loved it and decided to Pursue a CIS degree instead of a Computer Science Degree...

I am now in this company doing helpdesk Which I love supporting clients and helping them with computer issues...

two problems though ...I am Under paid, and the company doesn't value us as much as they say they do.

They micro managed us on some verent system which regulates our lunches and breaks, and reduced our helpdesk to a call center/Customer service environment.

They have Data center employees who look down on us. All in all There are times where I am proud of what I do. Yet this company makes me feel lesser than what I am, and stumps growth.

I just want to know Since we all love Technology, Computers, and tekkies!!! How do you feel about Being a helpdesk Representative?

BTW I love this SITE!!!!! lots of information

 

[sdifox]

wait, the company treats you worse than the customers? You are doing it wrong.

 

[vi edit]

Help desk/service desk is a stepping stone to better opportunities. It's a job, not a career. Take your lumps, learn the ropes, and post out to better positions.

 

[SpunkyJones]

That is a entry level job, help desk monkeys are at the bottom of the barrel. This is the type of job you use to get experience to move on to something that pays better.

 

[bignateyk]

Helpdesk is not a career. If it is, you've failed at life.

 

[Away]

Welcome to Anandtech forums. I think helpdesk is a fine career as long as you enjoy it. It sounds like you got stuck working for the wrong company though. My friend is a helpdesk employee (Honeywell/IBM) and is treated and compensated very well. Might be time to start looking for a new employer.

 

[isekii]

I'm enjoying help desk. I want to get into network administration though later.
But so far, it's been pretty good.

Not much micromanaging

 

[BurnItDwn]

Help Desk work is a respectable stepping stone, but as others have said, it's not really a career. Sure, there are lots of people who don't pursue or qualify for any advancement, but really, it's not meant to be a place where you stick around forever. I'd say it would be wise to seek out second or third level/tier support position and then from there a systems analyst position or perhaps a hardware analyst position if you'd rather go that route...

 

[Mxylplyx]

Every helpdesk person thinks they are underpaid, which means they are not underpaid. They seem to think that because it falls under the IT umbrella, that they are skilled professionals worthy of a big paycheck. The harsh reality is that IT people are a dime a dozen, and therefore wont command a big paycheck. You should use it as a stepping stone, and nothing more.

 

[steppinthrax]

In the field of IT or within the IT enviroment helpdesk is usually the lowest IT related position. I don't think there is any lower then I can think of that is IT.

The help desk is usually there so that the higher ups are not inidated with calls from everybody in the company about simple shit like where is my task bar. It serves as a bottleneck so that that upper staff and other staff in general can tend to the more important issues in a company.

 

[Vehemence]

Help desk was pretty meh pay and respect, but it was a good start. Stick with it for your resume and then move on to a real position.

 

[imported_Imp]

I wouldn't call it a career in itself. It's not bad, you help people with their problems. You keep people from smashing things.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Helpdesk generally isn't seen as a career. Saying that, I know some people getting $60k on specialist helpdesks.

 

[takeru]

Originally posted by: J Dragon
I am simply wondering If working the helpdesk in a company is respectable to anyone? I mean I love supporting peripherals Computers hardware and software, and Troubleshooting....

I never throught I would because originally I wanted to do Computer programming/gaming design. I fell into support and building PC's and I loved it and decided to Pursue a CIS degree instead of a Computer Science Degree...

I am now in this company doing helpdesk Which I love supporting clients and helping them with computer issues...

two problems though ...I am Under paid, and the company doesn't value us as much as they say they do.

They micro managed us on some verent system which regulates our lunches and breaks, and reduced our helpdesk to a call center/Customer service environment.

They have Data center employees who look down on us. All in all There are times where I am proud of what I do. Yet this company makes me feel lesser than what I am, and stumps growth.

I just want to know Since we all love Technology, Computers, and tekkies!!! How do you feel about Being a helpdesk Representative?

BTW I love this SITE!!!!! lots of information

welcome to the grunt IT brigade. its the first level for IT and always will be. yours is a corporate environment right? thats usually how it is more or less. learn what you can and learn on your own. helpdesk teaches you many things. patience being a big point.

 

[J Dragon]

So many replies....you guys are great. Some Harsh truths maybe I deserve to hear them..

I was hoping that the later wasn't true but It's a harsh reality. I'm a loser I understand hopefully it won't stay that way...

Thanks guys I was just curious as to your thoughts...

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

If you enjoy what you're doing, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's your life, live it as you choose.

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
In the field of IT or within the IT enviroment helpdesk is usually the lowest IT related position. I don't think there is any lower then I can think of that is IT.

The help desk is usually there so that the higher ups are not inidated with calls from everybody in the company about simple shit like where is my task bar. It serves as a bottleneck so that that upper staff and other staff in general can tend to the more important issues in a company.

Lower would be Computer Operator by far.

 

[LS21]

there are help desks doing less work, making more money, than regular engineers out there...

 

[Baked]

If you're not a VP of some sort, you're a bottom feeder, thus a failure. It's true.

 

[J Dragon]

LOL you guys are awesome

thanks....for the replies

 

[hellokeith]

Get out of helpdesk as fast as you possibly can!

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

LOL, Helpdesk
-AE

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Help desk/service desk is a stepping stone to better opportunities. It's a job, not a career. Take your lumps, learn the ropes, and post out to better positions.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Level 1 HD is basically the lowest IT job possible what did you expect?

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
In the field of IT or within the IT enviroment helpdesk is usually the lowest IT related position. I don't think there is any lower then I can think of that is IT.

The help desk is usually there so that the higher ups are not inidated with calls from everybody in the company about simple shit like where is my task bar. It serves as a bottleneck so that that upper staff and other staff in general can tend to the more important issues in a company.

Lower would be Computer Operator by far.

what is that?