Computer User Support Specialists
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.
š¬Career Video
šKey Responsibilities
- ā¢Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- ā¢Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- ā¢Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- ā¢Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- ā¢Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- ā¢Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- ā¢Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
- ā¢Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
š”Inside This Career
The computer user support specialist helps people use technology effectivelyātroubleshooting problems, answering questions, installing software, and providing the human interface that enables non-technical workers to function in technology-dependent environments. A typical day centers on user interaction. Perhaps 50% of time goes to support: answering tickets, diagnosing problems, walking users through solutions. Another 25% involves hands-on workāinstalling software, configuring systems, setting up equipment. The remaining time splits between documentation, training users, monitoring systems, and keeping current with the technology being supported.
People who thrive as user support specialists combine technical capability with patience and genuine enjoyment of helping people solve problems. Successful specialists develop broad knowledge of supported technologies while building the communication skills that make technical concepts accessible to frustrated users. They must remain calm when users are upset and explain solutions at the appropriate level without condescension. Those who struggle often cannot maintain patience with repeated basic questions or find the endless interruptions exhausting. Others fail because they cannot translate technical knowledge into user-understandable terms.
User support represents the human side of IT, providing the assistance that keeps technology working for the people who depend on it. The role has evolved with technology, now encompassing mobile devices, cloud applications, and remote support alongside traditional desktop assistance. User support specialists appear in discussions of IT operations, technology adoption, and the workforce that enables organizational technology use.
Practitioners cite the satisfaction of helping people solve problems and the variety of issues encountered as primary rewards. Resolving user frustration provides immediate gratification. The work involves constant human interaction. The field provides entry into IT careers with clear advancement paths. The skills remain in demand as technology expands. The work is essential to organizational functioning. Common frustrations include the repetitive nature of basic support questions and the blame for technology problems beyond the support specialist's control. Many find unrealistic user expectations challenging. The work is often undervalued. Support is always reactive, rarely proactive. Difficult users can make shifts exhausting.
This career typically requires technical aptitude and customer service skills, often demonstrated through certifications like CompTIA A+ or equivalent experience. Strong communication, problem-solving, and patience are essential. The role suits those who enjoy helping people and have technical interest. It is poorly suited to those impatient with basic questions, preferring deep technical work, or uncomfortable with constant interruption. Compensation is entry-level for IT, with advancement into specialized technical roles or IT management offering higher compensation.
šCareer Progression
šEducation & Training
Requirements
- ā¢Entry Education: Bachelor's degree
- ā¢Experience: One to two years
- ā¢On-the-job Training: One to two years
- !License or certification required
Time & Cost
š¤AI Resilience Assessment
AI Resilience Assessment
Moderate human advantage with manageable automation risk
How much of this job involves tasks AI can currently perform
Likelihood that AI replaces workers vs. assists them
(BLS 2024-2034)
How much this role relies on distinctly human capabilities
š»Technology Skills
āKey Abilities
š·ļøAlso Known As
šRelated Careers
Other careers in technology
š¬What Workers Say
37 testimonials from Reddit
I GOT THE JOB!!! 60K A YEAR
After years of being adrift and working every odd job under the sun. I finally got a job as an IT technician! No certs no degree (in school now). Mostly remote too. Iāve never been salaried before so this is all new. Itās a growing company so Iām getting in on the ground floor. Plenty of room for growth. Iām honestly still in shock. I will admit I feel under qualified and like I have a lot more need to learn. Iām going to brush up on my A+ tho! Anything I should know? Tips? From corporate culture to just what to expect from my first tech job? Any and all advice is welcome!
Rant: Just found out a good friend who's hiring is "that guy".
A friend of mine is the IT manager of a medium sized company. Yesterday I was sitting in his office, and he was talking about how he's not getting any "qualified" applicants for a couple of entry level positions he has open. These are positions that mostly involve imaging new builds, replacing broken keyboards, changing out toner cartridges, occasionally patching in a network drop, etc. The positions pay $36.5k / year. Granted it's in a LCOL area in the Midwest, but still. So I'm flipping through this stack of 20+ resumes on his desk, and it's all recent college grads, or post high school with A+ - basically, exactly the resumes you would expect for a position that *you, yourself,* are calling "entry level". Nope! He want's someone with *at least* six years of experience and a four year degree or multiple progressive certs. For $36k a year. To change out toner cartridges and plug in keyboards. We've all heard of companies like that, but I guess I'd just never come face-to-face with that line of thinking.... Honestly didn't even know what to say. EDIT: For everyone asking: The next time we're sitting around drinking beers on his porch, I'll have no problem tell him he's a fucking idiot. But I wasn't going to call him out in his office, at his job, with other employees around. I also don't know what his budget looks like. This could be beyond his control.
JUST RECEIVED A JOB OFFER!
**HEY GUYS!** I just landed a job offer for $60,000 a year and Iām absolutely thrilled! Itās been a wild ride job hunting since Marchāhundreds of applications, 20 interviews, 18 rejections, 2 companies moved forward with second-round interviews (I failed both), and then this one came through after just a single interview stage. š Iāve only got 9 months of IT experience, and now Iām officially aĀ **Network Technician**! š¤Æ Went from making $18/hr at a help desk position to locking in a full-timeĀ **salary**Ā roleā$60K, baby!! Letās goooo!! I have a BS degree in IT from WGU, as well as the CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications, along with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, ITIL 4, and Linux Essentials. To be honest, I donāt even know how I got the job. Most of the interview questions they asked, I didnāt know the answers to. I just told them that I donāt know much, but Iām willing to learn.
Quit looking to do IT; itās not worth it.
Honestly, this job feels like a joke sometimes. If youāre cool with being a glorified nerd and under appreciated, then maybe itās for you. But donāt buy into the hype ā the pay isnāt nearly as great as people make it out to be. Iāve got 6+ years of experience, and my friends in the trades are clearing way more than I am, with half the stress and none of the corporate nonsense. Most companies expect you to be an entire IT department in one body ā sysadmin, help desk, cybersecurity, project manager, cable runner, and unofficial therapist ā all rolled into one. And they want to pay you like you just learned how to reset a router. Itās a never-ending grind of certs, degrees, and ākeeping your skills sharpā just to stay in the same place. Half the stuff youāre pressured to learn? Youāll never even touch it in the real world. Just fluff to tick a box on a job listing. Respect? Forget it. Youāre invisible when things work and public enemy #1 when Karenās printer wonāt connect. Everyoneās got jokes until the network goes down ā then suddenly youāre supposed to be a magician. People laugh when I say I work in IT. And moving up? Good luck. Itās less about skill and more about kissing the right ass. Office politics and fake enthusiasm get you further than real knowledge. You could be carrying the whole team, and still get passed over. I hope this offends a few nerds who think theyāve āmade itā ā maybe you need a wake-up call too. IT can be useful, sure, but donāt act like itās the golden path. If you donāt absolutely love this field or have a clear exit plan, youāre probably wasting your time.
CEO leaked I'm getting laid off
Hello, The CEO at my job replied to an email with me accidentally cc'd to the company lawyer this morning with a list of folks for separation agreements. They will begin preparing the drafts today and meet tomorrow. I assume I'm getting laid off Friday. I plan on taking PTO tomorrow but how should I address this if I bump into the CEO today? I've never been in this situation before. I'm currently sending out applications on indeed and trying to stay positive. I could use some professional help if anyone wants to review my resume. Thanks everyone!
Stop Applying to IT Help Desk Jobs If You Can't Even Google a Problem
Look, I get it. Everyone wants to break into IT. The help desk is a common entry point, and I respect people trying to start their careers. But for the love of all that is holy, if you donāt know basic troubleshooting, you have no business applying. Iām talking about people who: Donāt know how to ping an IP address. Have never used the command line. Think turning it off and on again is some kind of joke instead of the golden rule. Canāt even explain what DNS does. Have never, in their lives, Googled an error message before asking for help. I sit in interviews with people who claim to be āpassionate about ITā and then blank out when I ask them how theyād troubleshoot a printer not working. A PRINTER. If you canāt handle a basic, day-one issue, why are you applying to a role where 90% of your job is literally fixing basic issues? Iām not saying you need a CompTIA cert or years of experience, but at least show that youāve tried to learn something. Set up a home lab. Watch YouTube tutorials. Get familiar with basic networking. Hell, just tinker with your own computer a little! Iād rather hire someone with zero formal experience but a clear eagerness to learn than someone who just wants an easy job in tech and expects to be spoon-fed solutions. Anyone else dealing with this flood of unqualified applicants? Itās exhausting. Edit: I guess this post triggered the incompetent mods and they banned me.
Didnāt realize it was this bad
Recently my job opened up a new position on my team that Iām going to be conducting interviews for. Within 24 hours we had over 3k applications. Thats 3k for a general senior position. A little over 600 were from people without the proper background and were thrown out, and around 1300 were entry level (2 years or less of experience) and were thrown out. So we had around 1200 left of people qualified for the actual role. Its insane, the first guy weāre interviewing was a senior engineer back in 2004, and has since went on to become a principal engineer for a big name company. Im honestly a little shocked that the market is THIS bad where someone like this would even apply to this position thats so many levels below what he currently has. Also, how are actual regular mid career folks supposed to compete against these behemoths?
To those who want to get into IT, full remote, six figures , with no experience
I work at AWS as a sys engineer making 125k (L4 pay) People donāt get how fucking hard it took here, 3 rounds of interview, 2 technical ones. Iām not a SDE but still grinded leetcode and got my certs in SAA and Cloud+. On top of that I had to mass apply like a maniac since my freshman year as in 30 apps a week, to get a couple of internships to set the best outcome for me possible out of college. My GPA never went under a 3.8 and I made sure to TA and volunteer early on. Like the point is, it makes me sick people think they can skip all of this and get to that salary, it just sounds so entitled hearing ācan I get into tech with just my A+, full remote, and pays at least 100k.ā The amount of post I see per day asking this is just disgusting, yes it sounds like Iām gatekeeping from the field, but tbh I would not really have an issue with people who wanted to get into this field, did their research that market is rough, and have realistic expectations on what they need to get their first helpdesk job. Why does everyone keep looking at the one guy who made six figures, no experience. Itās a one off situation, why does everyone keep people suddenly think theyāre built different than others after seeing one YouTube video? Also spoiler alert, majority of people in IT donāt make six figures, thereās a reason why six figures is the top 15% in the US. within that 15% there are doctors, lawyers, politicians, other engineers unrelated to tech. So how many tech people do you really think make six figures? Be real people, and if youāre in IT or getting into IT, you should have the logical comprehension to figuring that shit out.
Iāve hired over 30 IT pros in the last few years and hereās what Iāve learned that surprised me.
Not all of our best hires had degrees from big-name schools or the most impressive resumes. A few didnāt even do great on the technical test. But they stood out in other ways and ended up being some of our strongest team members. Heres what they did have: * They communicated clearly and confidently * They were resourceful and didnāt wait to be told what to do * They were genuinely curious and always looking to learn Iām still figuring things out as I go, but thought Iād share in case it helps someone else whoās hiring (or job hunting). What have you noticed when it comes to spotting great people in tech, either as a manager or as someone who's been on the other side of the table?
Just got cussed out by a doctor
I (24M) have been doing IT for a chain of clinics for over a year with no issuesāuntil today. I was on a call helping a doctor with some software. About 10 minutes in (only 4 of which I was actually on his laptop), he snapped and said, āI have shit to do and youāre just fucking around. Can you get someone who knows what the fuck theyāre doing?ā I had just uninstalled the app and was about to reinstall it. I told him, āYou donāt have to talk to me like that,ā and he kept cussing me out. My team lead overheard and took over the call. I was heated, so I stepped out and took a walk to calm down. Later, I told my manager I needed the rest of the day off, and he was understanding. He also said he heard the call, confirmed I did everything right, and that theyāre reporting it to HR and the CEO. Still, I doubt anything will happenāheās a doctor and brings in money. Not looking for advice or anything just ranting maybe I am in the wrong but idk. My parents and manager says I shouldnāt let stuff like that get under my skin but Iām not used to be talking to like that especially when Iām helping someone. I need to get out of help desk. Update: I want to clear up a few things. I do not work for an MSP ā Iām directly employed by the clinic. That means the doctor involved isnāt just some external client; he was my coworker. Also, I did not take the entire day off. I only left one hour early. After speaking with management, I learned this isnāt the first time this doctor has acted this way. Management is fully on my side. Theyāve already spoken with HR and the Chief Regional Officer (CRO) about the situation. They made it clear this incident does not affect my standing with the company in any way. They told me they know my character and how I treat our users. They specifically mentioned Iām typically very calm and professional, and that it takes a lot to get a reaction out of me ā so they understood that the doctor must have said something inappropriate. For context, the first six minutes of the call were me trying to connect to his laptop using LogMeIn123, which anyone familiar with the tool knows is a standard part of our process. Management also let me know the doctor has since apologized.
From $19/hour to $31/hour, I am so scared, what to do?
I've been at a copier company installing copiers on local businesses network. I set up scan to email and smb and troubleshoot printing issues and those above. I interviewed for another job for on-site support tier 1. They asked a lot of questions about azure and cloud usage, and Active Directory. I have no experience in either. I was honest about that too. 3 weeks later after the interview they called and offered the job at $31 and hour! I nearly gasped. That's such a jump from $19. I'm so scared. Like imposter syndrome that I shouldn't be getting this money or position. What to do? Edit: thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. I'm very nervous but I will give it 100% effort to learn as much as possible
Just want to offer a cheat code
I say this every now and again. If you want an unlimited money and job glitch when it comes to IT/tech. Go cyber guard/reserve Air Force, get the free training, grab the top secret clearance, and then just profit from there. EDIT: this post pissed some people off somehow lol. Just wanted to show lost people an option. If itās not for you then hold back the tears and keep it moving. Also, I am not a recruiter and canāt help you in the process of joining. Just wanted to possible open a path EDIT2: thanks for all the interaction folks :] I feel like I genuinely helped some folks!! I donāt feel like my calling is IT or tech. I enjoy helping people the most but there isnāt much room to raise a family for helping people for free so Iām gonna stick to my career in the meantime. EDIT3: like Iāve said though, I will not be helping any of you through the process of actually getting started because there are way to many of you asking for it. I just wanted to open the door, now you have to do the research and see if itās right for you
From Unemployed to a $58k IT Job in a Year: My Journey
I wanted to share my story to inspire those of you who feel stuck or are starting from the bottom. A year ago, I was completely unemployed, three months behind on rent, and facing a court order to either pay up or leave my apartment. My life was the very opposite of stable. I scraped together what I needed to stay in the apartment, and I took a dishwashing job to stabilize myself. It wasnāt glamorous, but it was exactly what I needed to keep going. Around the same time, I heard about the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. I decided to use what little stability I had from dishwashing to focus on earning that certification. When I finished, I started posting about it routinely on LinkedIn. That decision changed everything. A recruiter from Robert Half saw my posts and reached out with an opportunity: a four-month temp contract hanging wireless access points (WAPs) for schools in northeast Ohioā1300 of those. I took the job, did my best, and made sure to keep my resume updated with everything I learned. Before that, my only real IT experience was a tech sales job with an ISP a few years back, where I occasionally reset passwords or rebooted modems. Still, I kept networking and applying. Posting updates on LinkedIn led to more opportunities, including one from Randstad. I accepted their offer, but just three days before my start date, it was rescinded because the organization froze all contracting services after their CEO was fired. That couldāve crushed me, but I didnāt give up. I kept my resume sharp and continued posting. Eventually, a recruiter from my current organization found me on LinkedIn. They helped me prep for an interview, and I made the most of it. The result? A $58k job with a $3k relocation bonus that I started last month. The funny thing is, my experience was minimalājust the Google cert and some AP installations. What got me here was mastering soft skills, learning to interview, and refusing to give up, even when things went sideways. Hereās what worked for me and might work for you: 1. Take the first step, no matter how small ā For me, that was a dishwashing job to stabilize my life and the Google cert to build momentum. Do NOT go into the grind saying what you arenāt gonna do. If you wanna bend the situation to your will, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes. 2. Leverage LinkedIn ā Share your journey, post your progress, and connect with recruiters. It works. 3. Stay resilient ā Losing that first job offer hurt, but I kept going. Persistence really is key in this field. 4. Focus on soft skills ā You donāt need to know everything about IT right away. Being able to communicate, adapt, and think critically will set you apart. A year ago, I felt hopeless. Today, Iām in a role with more upward mobility than I ever thought possible, with a stable income and a clear path forward. If youāre struggling, I hope my story shows you that you can fucking do it. It wonāt be easy, but if you keep at it, an opportunity WILL break. Good luck.
Am I a jerk for making my boss think I'm going to accept a promotion when I'm in the process of quitting?
For the record, they offered me a "promotion" with no salary increase. It came with increased responsibilities, a heavier workload, and restrictive working hours. After interviewing me, they put me through my paces for two months while deciding between several candidates. In the meantime, I prepared an exit strategy in case I was rejected and started looking elsewhere. I was offered a much better position. Like, a lot more. However, I won't be able to start at the new company for a few months. My current company decided to promote me. I just said, "Cool, I'm happy. Let's do it." The truth is, I'm going to quit in a few weeks. They don't expect it at all. They're starting to organize for my new position, and I must admit that I'm starting to feel guilty about it. Today, I tried negotiating my salary again, but they refused. I'm waiting for a precise start date from the other company before submitting my resignation. Do you think I should tell my current employer?
I landed my first IT job at $25 an hour!
So I work in manufacturing and I've been working on my IT certifications. In the last few months I've earned my A+ and Net + and next week I take the test for my Security +. I was pretty dismayed, because when I started looking around at IT jobs in the area that I might qualify for I realized I'd have to take a major pay cut. I have bills and a family so it didn't feel like an option. Fortunately, my company had decided to bring me into their IT department. At our branch we have one IT guy that does both System Admin and Net Admin stuff and I'll be working with him every day and he's going to show me the ropes. I'm super excited because I didn't expect to be able to start in IT with the same pay I was making. Hopefully, in a year or two I can move on up, I'm working on my CCNA next!
Leaving the IT industry for good, and I won't be coming back.
Good afternoon fellow or should I say former IT folks. Its been a good run just under 4 years in the field and im here to say that I will be leaving IT. Im a network administrator and just realized that it isn't for me. The office/office politics are not for me. The people playing the blame game, the constant stress of not knowing if your network is going to go down overnight, and the pressure from others to excel when you just cant anymore. I wish whoever enters the field to keep an open mind and always be willing to learn that's how you make the big bucks out here. Bust your butt, and always look for a better opportunity no matter how good your current job is be disciplined because I wasn't. Also don't be arrogant try to bring the people around you up and don't put people down because that brings tons of negative energy and people can feel it. TLDR: im leaving because I cant keep up with people around me. I hope you do well. Always keep your head up and always learn and try to do more no matter how good you are at what you do.
VP of Tech with 20 Yrs experience, i wanted to offer some advise to those new or looking to get into IT.
I've been browsing through this sub all morning and I've seen a ton of negative posts from burnt-out individuals. This can seem very discouraging to anyone looking to get into IT or new in the industry. This advice is only for those brand new or looking to get into IT. A single cert (such as A+) unfortunately isn't enough to be put on top of the list of candidates for a position. This is interesting and a bit unfair since, on paper, an A+ is technically more than enough for a level-1 helpdesk position (I personally still have and update my A+). If you're looking to appear more well-rounded, skip the A+ and focus on the following: * **Microsoft 365 Fundamentals**, followed by **AZ900** * **Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)** ā focus on **Outlook** first, because it causes the most "noise" in a normal office. * Maybe add **Azure Fundamentals** or **AWS Cloud Practitioner**. If I'm looking to hire an on-site level-1 technician, hereās what Iām looking for (and so are most IT Managers/Directors): **Appearance:** How are you dressed? Personally, I'm a metalhead with tattoos and a sleeve ā but you'd never tell by looking at me because I cover it. Work isnāt the place to express yourself; it's where you go to make money. At minimum, dress business casual. Hair neat. Smell good. If you donāt know how to dress well (youād be surprised how many donāt), get help. These days itās affordable to look good ā go to H&M, Express, or any trendy store and ask the younger employees for advice. Theyāll likely be more helpful than your relatives or significant other. You donāt need to wear a tie, but get clothes fitted to your body shape. Donāt wear clothes that are super baggy or shirts that are too tight ā yes, I see this a lot. **Small lifehack:** Buy a work outfit and wear it around the house. Youāll get comfortable in it and wonāt feel awkward wearing it to work. Dress nicer than your peers in the same position, and youāll be taken more seriously by managers ā I promise. **Communication:** I want someone with a good demeanor, whoās well-spoken, helpful, and has common sense. This is huge. Friendly, but not overly social. When dealing with office staff, get in, get out ā donāt linger. The IT industry has improved a lot but there's still that stereotype of the creepy awkward it guy whos going through your personal pics, just know this is still a thing, don't be that guy. **Technical Skills:** I prefer someone whoās well-rounded over someone whoās hyper-specialized but unwilling to leave their comfort zone. This is where having a few foundational certs makes a difference. A big part of your job will be putting out small fires ā like solving a printer issue or dealing with a dead laptop, RMA, recover data, setup the user with a new device and make it look like the old one did. etc... it depends on your job, but just know the more well rounded you are the better.. **Resourcefulness:** This is HUGE. It's okay not to know something. What matters is how you handle it. I look for someone who can say, *"Iām not sure whatās going on, but Iāll get back to you within X time,"* then takes ownership, researches (whether through escalation or Google), and follows up with a resolution ā without needing a babysitter. I hate the micromanaging culture! **Direction:** If youāre just getting into IT, you probably donāt know which branch of IT you'll end up in. Thatās OK. I used to be a Linux Telecom Engineer before realizing there were better-paying opportunities in finance. Now I work for a Private Equity firm. Why? It pays more ā thatās it. # Some things I wish I did sooner: * Get a mentor ā ideally someone in a high-level position in the field you're aiming for. for example, in cyber security it would be a CISO, Compliance Officer, etc. * If possible, get an internship, even doing low-level work. Itāll show you the path. * Talk to successful people in the branch of IT you want to enter. Burned-out people love telling you how bad it is ā thatās often a reflection of their own life, not the industry. * Mentorship programs at mature companies are GOLD ā take advantage. Avoid negative, salty people. I've read plenty of those comments here. Sure, bad days happen. But Iāll share this: In one of my previous jobs (and still as a consultant doing internal IT assessments and M&A work), I developed a knack for spotting unhappy IT employees ā the complacent, lazy, or those who lost their drive. Every profession that pays well requires *continuous* improvement. IT is no different. If you stop learning, someone will pass you by. Itās just how it is. Know the difference between **perception and reality**. Some folks lie A LOT on their resumes. Some donāt lie at all. Find the balance. Also understand that **corporate politics will always play a role** in career growth. If you think just being technically good and keeping your head down will land you a $250k salary ā youāre mistaken. Perception matters. Thatās why dressing decently and having a well-rounded cert portfolio are important in the beginning. Also, realize that your resume might end up in front of a 25 year old HR person that doesn't know Jack Shit about IT and all she's thinking about is her drama with her bf and how she needs to find an outfit to go have drinks with the girls, **make it easy** for them to put you on the lists of candidates that should be interviewed, and this might mean pay for someone to review your resume but don't overly rely on this either. This was supposed to be a short post š . If you made it this far and have questions, drop them ā Iāll answer as best I can. EDIT: I'm trying to wrap my head around the few Chatgpt comments, do you think I didn't write this? In a way it's very fascinating because if you cant tell a human being wrote this post then we're all done for in the future lol.
IT Can Be a Thankless Job
Working in IT is exhausting. Youāre expected to fix problems people can barely explain, and when you do, youāre lucky to get a thanks. But make one mistake, suddenly, youāre public enemy #1. No one notices the overtime or the extra effort, but the second something goes wrong, itās like the worldās ending. Hereās the thing: being rude to your IT team doesnāt help. It just makes us less likely to go out of our way for you. A little patience and appreciation go a long way. Weāre here to help, but weāre human too. Anyone else feel this way?
If you're looking to get into Cyber Security please consider the following..
1. Itās mostly meetings, audits, report writing/reading, and then more meetings. Yes, there is a large technical component, but itās often overshadowed by paper pushing. This isnāt just true for blue teams - it applies to red teams too. One pentest report could have 12ā15 pages dedicated to one IDOR vulnerability. 2. Cybersecurity degrees are almost never worth it. College is great, and itās even better when youāre studying a tried and true degree like Computer Science, which will always offer value well into the future. Howevr, cybersecurity is not an entry level field, and very few people actually graduate and move directly into a JR Sec Analyst/SOC role. It just doesnāt happen. Youāre better off doing a 2 year IT program that covers computer science fundamentals/programming from an accredited school, or a 4 year CS degree from a traditional university. If neither of those are an option due to cost or flexibility, then go for certificates from known and reputable vendors - not some random LinkedIn Learning module nobody has heard of.. 3. Youāre going to need knowledge across several domains: networking, programming, OS architecture (deep familiarity with Windows, Linux, and macOS internals.. especially command line, file systems, permissions, processes, and memory), incident response, risk management, threat analysis, and much more. Most importantly, soft skills. You will not get hired if people donāt want to work with you. I just wanted to list these as I feel they are most pertinent to finding a job in cyber security. I work as a Cybersecurity Analyst and have 7 years in IT, and it's PARAMOUNT that you understand the above IMO.
I did it guys. After 7 months...
I was laid off back in Feb. Spent not even a year with my last employer before I got the dreaded Teams meeting with my boss and HR. Got RIF'd, a measly severance, and escorted out of the building by front desk security. In this economy, might as well be a death sentence. I feel for you guys who are looking in the current job market, it's hell. They're paying pennies on the dollar, it's all onsite with little to no remote work, mostly contracts. I remember I was almost willing to take a Tier 2 Desktop Analyst position for 25hr cuz I was desperate. I had to burn through my savings, unemployment is a joke. I lost my relationship of three years because of the layoff, (my ex would say otherwise but we mostly argued over finances), couldn't afford repairs for my car, and my cat required surgery ($4000). To add insult to injury, the ex moved out, wanted half of her deposit back and now I had to pay for everything in full for almost half a year. Dude, I was going through it. After 7 months, 24 interviews, hundreds of emails, and thousands of applications, I got the job I was aiming for. IT support for the city public transportation department, and the commute is 12 min. $70k a year, direct to hire, full benefits. I can't tell you how much relief I feel, it's like I got my life back. I owe it in part to this sub, all the tips and questions answered helped me build a decent resume and improve my interview skills. There is a light at the end guys if you're willing to keep the course and put in the work!
Got yelled at for taking a 7-minute break Fuck Corporate Life
Just today, my manager called me out in front of the team for "being away from my desk too long." I had stepped out for literally 7 minutes to take a breather no lunch yet, 6 hours into my shift, and handling back-to-back calls from angry clients. Apparently, "it sets a bad example." You know what sets a bad example? Making employees sit for 9+ hours with no mental break Measuring productivity in minutes instead of outcomes Preaching "mental health matters" in HR emails while micromanaging bathroom breaks I used to think I needed this job for stability. Now I'm starting to think it's killing me slowly. I'm tired of being a cor a machine that doesn' t care if I break down Fuck corporate life. If you've had a similar moment that pushed you over the edge, I'd love to hear it. Maybe I'm not crazy after all.
I was going to be a Software Dev, but I guess I'll be an IT Guy.
I'm 25(M) who graduated with a Computer Science degree last summer. I had planned becoming a software developer, and all my internships and projects were focused on software dev. But as you might know, it's incredibly tough for new grads to land a software job right now. So, instead of staying idle, I took an IT support role without any prior experience. Surprisingly, I've started to really enjoy it! I've found that instead of coding or debugging all day, I prefer dealing with a variety of technologies. One day I might be setting up a physical server, another day I'm handling hosting issues, and the next, I'm knee-deep in Active Directory. The only problem was that I worked at a food company, and there weren't any IT professionals I could learn from. But good news! Last week, I received a job offer from a company that specializes in IT, with a higher salary. I'll be starting in a few weeks. The best part is that I'll be working with professionals in a company whose core business is IT. So, it feels like a great step forward for my IT career. The only catch is that it's a shift-based role, meaning I'll sometimes work weekends or even all night. But I think it'll be worth it. What do you all think? Am I on the right track?
One month in from changing careers at 41.
I was a retail manager for 20 years and at 41 I packed it all in, got my A+, and last month I landed a role in an IT support role (hybrid, 3 days wfh). I feel like the luckiest person in the world! One guy in the office was complaining about pay and I was just smiling. After earning a fairly decent salary for decades yet being completely miserable in my role, I honestly just can't believe I'm doing this stuff every single day and can't wait to learn more and push further in my new career. To anyone considering switching careers but worried about age or prospects etc - just do it. If I can do it, you can.
From unemployed to $70k+remote in 2 years
Just wanted to give you guys my story and hopefully some motivation to those who need it. Dec 2022: Graduated college with a compsci degree. No certs, no projects, nothing. At the time, I thought a degree was all I needed to get a high paying job. Reality set in quickly. August 2023: Months of applying to SWE jobs with no luck. I made a pivot into IT. Started studying for Sec+ while doing UberEats + Doordash everyday. Feb 2024: Landed my first job @ help desk making $21/hr. Earned Sec+. Happy to finally get my foot in the door. Now: Earned my Net+. Landed a job making +$70k fully remote. For those searching for their first job in IT, keep learning, obtain relevant certifications, do a few projects, make good connections, and keep applying. Good luck to you all
Going on 30 years in IT, here are my answers to the FAQs of this sub
* Get whatever entry level IT job you can.Ā * If youāre in college, get an on-campus student job doing any sort of tech support.Ā Every college has these types of roles. * Non-profits and small businesses are often more willing to hire with less experience. * Early in your career look for opportunities that give you a broad range of exposure to different technologies.Ā * Certifications complement experience, Iāll take a shot with someone that has 1 year of helpdesk experience before someone with no experience and multiple certs. Get a job and if youāre interested in the tech used in that org, go after an applicable certification. * The best path to cyber security is through IT. Ā The most effective and successful cybersecurity professionals I work with all came up through the IT ranks. How can you secure tech unless you understand how things work? * Titles in IT are largely worthless.Ā Titles are often inflated, especially in organizations under 100 people.Ā IT Director at a 75-person company is basically a glorified helpdesk/sysadmin role. * Explore professional organizations and industry events to get to know others in the field. * [https://www.aitp.org/](https://www.aitp.org/) for IT professionals * [https://www.issa.org/](https://www.issa.org/) for Cybersecurity
How I got into a 6-figure tech job without an IT/Comp Sci. degree or coding
A few years ago, I was working in a low paying Finance job with no clear direction. I didn't have an IT/Comp Sci degree and had zero interest in learning how to code. I kept seeing stories about people landing high-paying tech jobs, but I felt completely left out of that world. Then I discovered a lesser-known tech career path through something called Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O). It is enterprise software that big companies use to manage things like finance, inventory, and supply chain, and they need people who know how to work with it. What surprised me is that these roles (like D365 ERP Analyst or D365 Functional Consultant) are in high demand, often remote, and usually pay 80K-120K. You don't need to be a programmer or have a traditional background, just the right training and a good understanding of how businesses operate. I followed a structured learning path, practiced with real examples, and got certified. Within a few months, I had my first offer and I've been working in the space ever since. It completely changed my career and income. If you're looking for a way into tech that doesn't require coding or a CS degree, I'd highly recommend exploring D365. It's not talked about much, but the demand is real. Happy to share what I learned or point anyone in the right direction if this sounds like something you're curious about.
The IT to Trades Pipeline - The Grass is NOT Always Greener
I recently was trapped in a longer-than-comfortable drive with an in-law around my age in his mid-20s. We're both in IT, although he's a bit more junior and frustrated by his lack of growth at his company. During the ride he couldn't stop talking about a couple of things which inspired me to make this post (as I'm pretty sure this sub inspired him): * IT is a dead field with no growth * AI is going to take all of our jobs * Trades are where it's at! We should all switch careers and get into trucking/plumbing/electrical Here's the thing - I've worked in trades for over 5 years. What people don't seem to realise is that the *exact same barriers exist*. Most trades in North America require an **apprenticeship**, and you canāt start an apprenticeship without a sponsor (usually an employer). But employers often want someone who: * already has some hands-on experience * wonāt slow down the job site * doesnāt require a lot of training * shows up prepared with basic skills **Sound Familiar?** You need experience to get experience ā kinda like IT? Yes, trade schools are a thing that exist. No, they are not a guaranteed job. Many college grads from mechanic and HVAC programs constantly deal with lack of employment in their fields due to the exact dilemma above. Worried AI is going to replace you? Become someone that people enjoy having around with skills that either cannot be replicated or are protected by governance that AI cannot touch. Feel stuck in your position? Study on your own time and level up. Can't find a job? Hey, we've all been here at some point. The best advice I can give is to level up your soft skills for interviews. Trades are 100% not a cakewalk. I have injuries from my short stint that I carry with me to this day. Times are tough, but you can choose to be tougher fellas.
IT Career at Porn Company
Some dude in here past up a remote job at a porn company. It got my interested and has piqued my interest? What is it actually like? Are you looking at porn more often than not? Or is pure IT and all the component stuff? Super curious and donāt mean any offense at all. Whatās it like working in Tech for a company that does porn or adult entertainment?
So let me get this straight in IT you learn certifications for 10 years, have 10 years work experience, 15 certs under your belt and you have no security and get paid 70k for 10 years of studying plus a degree?
I keep seeing job postings that require A+, Network+, CCNA and a tech based degree and they pay 41k-46k. Are you joking that 6 years of education for a job paying less than 20 an hour. Is this industry just a joke or what. Please help me understand!
Thousands of North Korean IT workers have infiltrated the Fortune 500āand they keep getting hired for more jobs
FORTUNE just came out with this information. Not sure what to think of it given the current job market and layoffs ... https://fortune.com/2025/04/07/north-korean-it-workers-infiltrating-fortune-500-companies/
How many of you work in IT that make over $100k with no Bachelors or higher?
Title states it - so happy and thankful I landed a job with about a $100k cap with no bachelors required - Tier 2 desktop support - only did 2 years technical school no certs
H1B Abuse - Why is no one on here talking about it?
Hello, Microsoft just laid off 9,000 people and applied for 15,000 H1B (cheap foreign labor). Why isn't this discussed on here considering the terrible job market? https://www.newsweek.com/microsoft-layoffs-h1b-visa-applications-2094370
Gen Z is ditching college for āmore secureā trade jobs
https://www.yahoo.com/news/gen-z-ditching-college-more-125239819.html This is a good insight when people talk about joining Trade work instead of Information Technology. A reminder to do what you love/find interesting because the grass isn't greener on either side.
IT-veteran here with a word of advise- make sure you finish a 4-year degree to stay in corporate IT
Years ago, a degree was ānice to have,ā and experience trumped a degre. Things have changed in the current market with layoffs and offshoring. Your resume is likely to be screened out without one. And if you work for a larger company you are probably aware that chances of promotion are nil without a formal degree.
I doubled my IT salary in less than a year by job hopping
First, I fully acknowledge that I may have just gotten lucky through this process, but I also feel that I definitely put in a lot of work to progress my skills faster. Long story short, loyalty to a company is dead nowadays. I only have (coming up on) a year in the IT industry with just one cert(Sec+)and I have job hopped 3 times in that time. I started at $48k for my first job, help desk. After 5 months, I found another help desk job for $62k. Then, 3 months later, I found another role as system administration role for $80k, then 3 months later, I just now accepted an offer for $100k in networking. The things I PERSONALLY feel made made me excel were only small things that compounded. First, I would always ask what project to be put on that could be improved. Things like bench stock inventory, software documents, or any additional duty. Something that is big enough to show you really made a difference, but not so big youāre in over your head. This gave me something to do in my down time and made me always look busy. Iād always gone a very brief weekly update without being asked to show that Iām still working it, the progress I made, and what I had planned next week. This can show your skills like organization, initiative, and willingness to learn. Second, cross training and finding single points of failure within the desk or job. Someone doesnāt have a secondary for an additional duty, help them out. Only one person knows how to do a specific job, ask to learn. This helps you meet and get to know your cowriters, learn the job better, and help the team. For me, this helped me bond with coworkers via work and not small talk because Iām an introvert and hate that. Lastly, I took my time with applying to jobs. I applied to only 2-3 a week, but I tailored my resume to each one and made sure I met all or most requirements. Tailoring my resume started giving me about an 85% response rate vs just mass applying. I canāt stress how much this helps. This wasnāt a bragging post, but just something I wanted to share to see if it helps something else and to let them know that itās possible to speed run the salary ladder to decent pay. Thereās more I felt I did and Iād be happy to explain if you want more tips.
I FINALLY BROKE INTO THE INDUSTRY.
Long time lurker/asker of question here. I finally did it. Just accepted my first actual IT role at a MSP. I currently have no certs. My only experience is ~ 6 months at an āhelp desk role.ā You really canāt even call it that. I do super basic stuff, and run everything here. My current company is a mess if you canāt tell. I have a few years building PC experience and have been around computers my whole life. Today I got the call for the offer. I couldnāt believe it. I am so excited to actually start my career and LEARN. I am so interested in this stuff that it is great to have a company that is willing to take a chance. I canāt believe it. Thanks for listening to my Ted talk.
Cybersecurity job interview: I thought I was being tested, and I was not
Update (7/3): the recruiter contacted about a final interview next week. I nearly choked on my breakfast. Update (7/10): I had the interview today. While it was not the final interview, it was with people the position would be working with. Going out of the interview, I felt awful as no matter what answer I gave, the panel was not impressed looking. Awesome feeling. I had a job interview today for a cybersecurity project manager role at a large, multinational company. I'm currently an IT Director overseeing all IT operations for a small company - including cybersecurity. When I entered the building, security didn't copy my ID nor did I get a guest badge. When the interviewer brought me to a conference room across the building from the entrance, I noticed unsecured workstations INCLUDING his that was sitting open screencasting to a large TV. After introductions, he asks me my background in cyber, so I give him a rundown AND I bring up all the security issues I saw in just the walk to the conference room, and I congratulated him on the test on whether I would notice. It wasn't a test. Security is just that shitty. The guy looked really embarrassed, and seemed to go through the motions for the rest of the interview. I either knocked it out of the park so well he just didn't care about the rest of his planned questions, or I fucked myself over. Thoughts?
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