During your interviews, hiring managers may ask you how you would respond to different types of technical issues and on-the-job crises. Getting the perspective of a friend in IT support can help prepare you for some common scenarios. By earning CompTIA A+, IT pros have all they need to land an entry-level IT support role, even if they have no IT education or experience with tech support.
How to Become an IT Support Specialist: A Step-by-Step Guide
Gaining real-world experience is one of the most effective ways to solidify your understanding of the IT field, and demonstrate your capabilities to future employers. This kind of experience can prove invaluable when you’re dealing with users who are frustrated or upset about their IT problems. There are numerous online resources, study guides, and Web development practice tests available to help you get ready. Before you can sit for these certification exams, you’ll need to prepare by studying the relevant materials. It’s slightly more advanced than the A+ certification but can prove invaluable for an IT support role. On the other hand, Network+ certification is more focused on design, configuration, management, and troubleshooting of wired and wireless devices.
Customer Support Skills
As information technology specialists advance in their careers, they typically pursue more specialized certifications that focus on the skills needed in that field. Network security specialists might pursue security-focused credentials, while a https://wizardsdev.com/en/vacancy/sysadmin-itsupport-specialist/ support specialist may need service desk certifications. Many employers offer certification reimbursement programs, recognizing that certified IT professionals bring valuable expertise to their organizations.
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- These are local institutions that offer a range of academic, technical, and professional certificates.
- The degree program will take about four years to complete, and will get you completely job-ready.
- In addition to formal education, obtaining industry certifications can significantly enhance your job prospects and demonstrate your expertise in specific areas of IT.
- Schools with active alumni networks can provide mentorship, job leads, and valuable industry connections.
- Specialized certifications, like Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), can further distinguish you in the field.
This understanding is crucial for IT support roles, as you will be involved in managing and resolving incidents, managing problems, and ensuring service levels are maintained. This practical experience, combined with your foundational knowledge, will prepare you for more advanced roles in IT support. You will often be the first point of contact for users experiencing technical issues, and being able to effectively communicate and empathize with their situation is crucial. After obtaining these basic certifications, you may wish to explore more specialized certifications based on your career interests, such as security, cloud computing, or project management. Even more, nonprofit trade association CompTIA estimates that 1,700 IT support specialist jobs listings were published in addition to 18,000-plus active listings in April 2024.
Typically, the role involves analyzing, maintaining, and troubleshooting computer systems. For instance, you may be part of a company’s internal technical support team, working to solve on-site issues from the help desk. For example, you can earn an IBM IT Support Professional Certificate or a Google IT Support Professional Certificate.
- In today’s fast-paced world, where technology constantly evolves, the demand for IT support specialists has increased significantly.
- It can also provide you with valuable insights about the industry and current job market trends.
- Expand your knowledge and skills by taking online courses, reading books and blogs, watching videos, or joining communities and forums related to IT support.
- A tech support specialist performs a range of tasks, from installing software to setting up computer workspaces, and solves technical issues that arise on a daily basis.
- While not always mandatory, professional certifications demonstrate technical skills to potential employers and may increase your chances of getting a job in your chosen specialty.
- You can also improve your job prospects by getting IT certifications and staying on top of trends in the field.
ETA Information Technology Security (ITS) Certification
If you’re looking for a job with untraditional working hours, a computer support specialist position could meet your needs. Since users may need support anytime, many computer support specialists work nights or weekends. The most popular educational route for becoming an IT support specialist is to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology or Computer Science. The degree program will take about four years to complete, and will get you completely job-ready. The next step is to enhance your resume by taking different certification exams. You can get certifications in things like systems design, network troubleshooting, and other IT support specialist skills.
In addition to a great job outlook and plenty of career advancement opportunities, there are a few more reasons you might want to pursue a career as an IT support specialist. Once you get the certification or certifications you need, get active on LinkedIn and start networking. Prepare your IT resume, apply for entry-level jobs, and get ready for your interviews. If you are very focused on your career goals, this could take a matter of months. By simply earning CompTIA A+, you will be qualified for one of the many entry-level IT support positions that are posted each year.