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Getting Beyond the Helldesk

Posted by samzenpus on from the through-the-perly-gates dept.

An anonymous reader writes "I've been working as a helpdesk monkey for over a year in a small-medium sized law firm of around 200 users and I don't know if my patience and sanity can last much longer. I'd like to remain in IT, but in less of a front-line role where I can actually get some work done without being interrupted every five minutes by a jamming printer or frozen instance of Outlook. There isn't really any room for progression at my current employer, and with the weak job market it seems I can only move sideways into another support role. I've been considering a full-time Masters degree in a specialized Computer Science area such as databases or Web development, but I don't know if the financial cost and the loss of a year's income and experience can justify it. Do any Slashdotters who have made it beyond the helpdesk have any knowledge or wisdom to impart? Is formal education a good avenue, or would I better off moving back home, getting a mindless but low-stress job, and teaching myself technologies in my free time?"

5 of 474 comments (clear)

  1. Lucky Bastard! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I even wish I could get a helpdesk position! Last help desk job I applied for had hundreds of applications...for an entry level help desk job. Just about any IT idiot can do front line support, but I didn't get the job. In this economy, I think you better just be happy you have your help desk job. Some of us have to work flipping burgers, waiting tables, or working retail because we can't get back into an IT job.

    But if you have the money to do your masters, maybe do it. Perhaps the economy will be better when you're done. Just don't hold your breath.

  2. Maintenance by argee · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Web Development ... databases ... college ... Get a high maintenance woman, and you will not have to worry about any of those things.

  3. Re:It's not that bad, just stick with it! by Tokerat · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    WHOOOOOOOSH!

    --
    CAn'T CompreHend SARcaSm?
  4. Re:It's not that bad, just stick with it! by dangitman · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    That's definitely not the case here in Michigan, there's still a ton of stupid people in mixed into the general public.

    Thanks for proving that by providing primary evidence!

    --
    ... and then they built the supercollider.
  5. Re:i've got some advice by j_166 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I love how you get modded '0 Offtopic' for this. As if the mods were deeply offended by your dissing of the slashdot frist psot tradition.