Is working Helpdesk a respectable career?

[multiband8303]

Then is a Network Analyst/Administrator a lowly position?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: 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?

Depends on the company. Some places - like say a small bank or hospital for example - have a person that comes in at night and goes through a checklist of tasks that include running batch jobs, kicking off backups, sending stuff to printers for the AM staff, ect. It's an absolutely effortless job for the most part and basically requires you to just be able to follow directions assuming there are no unexpected errors.

But it can be a much more complicated position or have high levels of responsibility depending on the particular company. In many large organizations they combine computer operators with operations. Operations are the all seeing eye locked away in a datacenter making sure that all systems and interfaces are up and running.

Not necessarily hard or skilled work, but it's incredibly important.

 

[Vehemence]

Originally posted by: multiband8303
Then is a Network Analyst/Administrator a lowly position?

Practically a janitor.

 

[Nitemare]

help desk is what you do yo get your feet wet in I/T.

It's like being a professional waiter/waitress only behind a desk

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
help desk is what you do yo get your feet wet in I/T.

It's like being a professional waiter/waitress only behind a desk

yet some people ARE life-long professional waiters and waitresses and LOVE it.
To most people HD is a way to get your foot in the door of the IT world. If you love it and enjoy doing it, there is no reason why you should stop doing it. Don't let other people tell you what you should like, what you should strive for etc.

I don't get all the negative responses in this thread. Some people that dig ditches love their job. It may not be for you, but if they enjoy it, why would you cast judgment. I see the ATOT crowd is no better than those the OP is supporting.

 

[Tommouse]

Originally posted by: dNor

Originally posted by: multiband8303
Then is a Network Analyst/Administrator a lowly position?

Practically a janitor.

**taps sarcasm meter** orly?

does that mean System Administrators are lumped into that group as well?

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: Nitemare
help desk is what you do yo get your feet wet in I/T.

It's like being a professional waiter/waitress only behind a desk

yet some people ARE life-long professional waiters and waitresses and LOVE it.
To most people HD is a way to get your foot in the door of the IT world. If you love it and enjoy doing it, there is no reason why you should stop doing it. Don't let other people tell you what you should like, what you should strive for etc.

I don't get all the negative responses in this thread. Some people that dig ditches love their job. It may not be for you, but if they enjoy it, why would you cast judgment. I see the ATOT crowd is no better than those the OP is supporting.

I'm all about being happy doing anything/everything, but there is some reason to consider help desk-type positions as inferior. The vast majority of those positions offer very little in the way of pay raises, job security or employer respect - simply because you tend to be very replaceable (read: short learning curve to bring in new personnel).

With the right employer or a niche market, I'd say stick with it. Otherwise I'd recommend climbing the ladder a little before that work gets farmed out to cut costs someday.

 

[drinkmorejava]

Helpdesk could be okay for a real job, def not a career though. Call center, I don't think I could stand it. I'm currently doing an internship at the helpdesk for a managed hosting company, and get paid well as far as interns go. I definetly wouldn't want to live on that wage though.