The only point I will add is that I stayed at a help desk role for 6 months just so I could add it to my resume. I had no prior IT experience before it. That little bit of experience got me a job in Cybersecurity.
Doesn't hurt one's resume by any means, but not a requirement if it's what helpdesk is these days. Look for those system admin, networking, and traditional desktop support/technician jobs all you mad hats 👀👀👀 but never stop applying to security ones if that's what you ultimately want. Seeing lots of people hard stuck in helpdesk.
bro im literally in the same boat as you, I started my help desk support role about 6 months ago, only because I had no prior experience. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take you to get into your Cybersec job after the help desk role? and how were you learning cybersec?
@@lifeforalife1 I was in a similar situation as well. Landed my first IT role in IT Support and moved into Cyber Security in 7 months. I did however already have a MSc in Cyber Sec and also worked on several certifications during my time in IT Support which further helped me work in Cyber Sec. I'd highly recommend the Sec+ if you already understand how basic networking and basic IT support related tasks work. I also have to say working in helpdesk really implanted my knowledge about IT and be successful at my Cyber Sec role. For a minimum if you have no IT experience at all - work in helpdesk/IT support for a year
Agreed, helpdesk is very easy and pretty straightforward for people who are quick learners and actually willing to learn. The troubleshooting mindset you adopt in helpdesk can be beneficial in cybersecurity positions I suppose as well.
@@madhatistaken That is quite literally what my plan is, i got accepted for an IT help desk role at a surprisingly popular company. I plan on getting the most out of the troubleshooting and communication experience before I bolt out of there. I already have my CCNA and I got my PCNSA (network security admin cert)
@@Sci-Fi_Fan296 learn a trade like electrician, or hvac or welder it makes you happier the work is valued and people need you and you can make more money. Working in I.T. is dead its just employment measure to waste your time and going nowhere. You also do not help anyone or contribute anything useful even if many people think they do.
@@robbirobson7330 so interesting that you say that, cause I went from working a corporate job, to being laid off and becoming self employed doing a trade on my own, and 6-7 years later, i'm looking into getting into I.T./CyberSec work. Mainly because I am tired of the extra curricular grind that comes from self employment, work being so dependent on weather conditions, and commuting someplace different every single day. I want to be able to work from home/remotely so that i can relax at home and still earn money even if weather is shit outside, which in my are can be for 2 weeks in a row and that's zero income coming in. So, no longer in love with that grind of not knowing when my next pay day will be and now i'm slowly stepping back, while still planning on practicing my trade but only on spare time for extra play $ here and there.
I’m a college student in my third year. I started at a community college first so I get my Associates in Cybersecurity any day now. I want to get an entry level job and I want it to be my only job. I can’t seem to find a real entry level job. Every job u see says “entry level” yet want u to have experience. I guess these companies don’t know the definition of entry level and are just doing whatever. When I ask, all I ever hear is that I can only start at help desk. The help desk jobs also want u to have experience and they pay like crap. Some literally pay less than Burger King yet want u to have experience and atleast an associates degree. Idk where they get that crap from. I search indeed several times a day. Are there companies that actually train students? Because it seems like all these companies are lazy and no one wants to train us. Like wth. I’m at a point where by if I’m not gonna get a job then I don’t see the point in finishing my Bachelor’s. How do I go about getting a job?
You are supposed to do internships during your Bachelors using your university's portal or look for internships specifically for students on linkedin job search. That's the experience the companies want so once you have those internships you begin to qualify for 'entry level' after that and you have stuff to talk about during an interview. If you do not get those internships you have to settle for a Burger King level salary for a few months to get experience as help desk.
For me help desk and specifically the IT Specialist role has helped me find my niche by exposing me to every department such as Cybersecurity, Cloud Engineering, Network Engineering, Data Science, SWE, SRE, Product, and many more. If you have a specific path you know you like then focus on that of course, but if you’re like me and you’ve transitioned into tech then it’s a great way to find what specific tech field really speaks to you!
Wish I saw this before having started a position w Geek Squad 😅… but in all fairness I unknowingly went from help desk to desktop support essentially and as someone with zero knowledge (I just learned all the parts of a motherboard!!) I’ve been enjoying gaining and learning knowledge from my coworkers and as a 24 yr old, I’m hopeful for where these experiences will get me in a year or less!
Get out of repairs ASAP. If someone wants to be a car engineer they don't start out learning how to change a tire. If someone wants to be an industrial architect they don't start as a bricklayer. Learn how data flows through networks, TCP/IP, networking.
I'd like to add that some jobs can be 'titled' as "helpdesk I.T technician" but in reality, you're more like a sys admin.This was the case for me with my first "helpdesk" role. I did a lot of networking and security cases and was literally part of the NOC unit despite having the title "helpdesk technician". If the "Helpdesk" role offers unusually high pay for "helpdesk" and it's at a tech company such as mine was, be aware of this as I think it was a great initial start for myself having no prior I.T work experience.
Yes. Im currently in "helpdesk" that's more like sysadmin. I don't mind at all, even though it is hard as first IT job I've had. Lots of new things to learn. Only thing i don't like is that i have a lot of responsibility and being so new (7 months in) i am completely wiped out after work.
@anthonyowens9320 I did really well on my interview and impressed them by speaking on the OSI model in particular. They also really liked that I had a prior career as a social worker for 6 and a half years. They thought those soft skills would be valuable and wanted someone who could write good case notes.
I’m currently going to school for my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and I’ve been back and forth in my head whether to try for an IT job first or just shoot for what I really want which is cybersecurity. I have foundational and network knowledge so this video helps with my decision. Thanks Mad Hat
I got my first helpdesk job a few months ago and I lasted 3 days. My training consisted of access to the company knowledge base where most of the links consistently timed out and it went downhill from there. I should've known something was up when the interview sounded like a sales pitch read from a script and it wasn't until after I'd accepted the job that I was told the salary was based on "performance modifiers" and $50 an hour was the average pay for "top performers" instead of the base rate which was what the job posting said. Due to budget issues i still haven't taken my A+ 1102 exam but I've basically switched over to studying cyber security exclusively and looking for some kind of internship.
if your in help desk for 10 years you chose that path. the point of help desk is not to learn computers. it is to learn the people you have to support your customer is every level of the workforce and it is not a lack of skill in most cases but a lack of care they don't care about the risks. they need to do X or want to take an extra break. learn the skills of interacting with the angry, impatient and helpful so you can pitch them the things they need even if they don't understand.
So true! There's a handful of help desk peeps where I work that have been in these positions for years, don't take the time to learn new skills and wonder why they're Still in help desk. I don't think it's bad to start there at all, just don't sell yourself short and stay stagnant
Been stuck for years. But every job I have moved to always says "Reason you want to work with us is we train you and love to promote from within." They never do, forget you until you submit your 2 weeks notice.
@@ralph4370 They say the same at my job, and do the same. Apply elsewhere, and hopefully someone will notice the skills and personality you'll bring coming from outside
I started my IT Specialist job at a university about year ago thinking that it was a nice salary. A year in, im thinking I should be paid more. I : - Manage tickets and provide Helpdesk support -Manage MECM/Munki for Windows and Macs -Fix computers/onboard computers -Manage an inventory system for students to checkout equipment (That's an entire headache on its own) -Spin up/recover/manage websites for faculty -network troubleshoot (which requires basic knowledge of switches/ports/etc_ -VR stuff - Other stuff im forgetting Honestly, I kind of love it but, my time here will be up in a year or two one I use my provided resources im offered as an employee of the university.
MSP i feel is the worst part of starting off. I am doing helpdesk and do a bit of everything along with stuff on servers. Working towards networking, I feel helpdesk/desktop support is a good place to start to build a resume as you continually specialize to apply else where ASAP. If your in a helpdesk role type for more than a year or 2 and you complain you cant get out ask yourself what am I specializing in. Me taking a bit longer but am working towards network engineering
I NEEDED THIS! Thanks! I would hate the help desk. I'm the type of guy you want on the frontline. I need to battle unique problems, or else I get bored and start to hate my life. I would have fun at the help desk, but for 2-3 months until the novelty disappeared. I'm pretty sure that any job has its routine, and I know I would despise that part really quick, but I need to find something in my life that throws new challenges every time. I also need to not get bored while studying cause that also affects me. 😂
Hey, Mad Hat! I am a high school Junior and am looking at majoring in/getting into the Cybersecurity industry when I go to college. I have other options, but Cybersecurity interests me and I think I may want to do this as my career. I really enjoy your videos-thanks for giving us this free content to learn about the field and what we need to do to prepare for a career in Cyber. Means a lot!
I am also a high school Junior and have been working in a helpdesk the past 3-4 months while studying for cybersecurity certs. Apply yourself and get certified!!!
Holy shit Mad Hat thank you for this video, there was so much in here that I needed to hear as someone who is working towards going to school for cybersec analysis. THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO!!
Most Level 3 jobs do require an x amount experience esp roles like Sysadmin, Network Engineer, DevOps Engineer. Is rare for some one to land a job as DevOps Engineer or Sysadmin as their very first I.T with no experience. The benefit starting in a support role gaining trouble shooting experience as well as having an opportunity to job shadow The network, server, cloud or security team. That's exactly what Network Chuck did that started on the Help Desk and then moved up as a Network Engineer without a college degree. I worked in a support role that was exposed to Linux and now I'm a Red Hat Linux Admin without a degree or certifications. I also had a home lab as well.
I've had multiple people in my graduating college class go directly into jobs. There's junior and internship opportunities. You just have to go out and find them. I was highlighting what is probably the majority of helpdesk roles at this point that don't have cross-training opportunities, so you're wasting your time there after a certain point. Sure, there are jobs asking for years of experience in a technical position but there's also jobs not asking for years of experience as a requirement.
@@madhatistaken I worked with people that gotten degrees and their internships were support roles. I was working the same job as them with no degree. Infact I dropped out of college back in 2013 as I already had a homelab. I was only 1 quarter into my Network and Sysadmins program before dropping put as I wasn't learning anything in the classroom. I learned more on my own with my homelab than what college was teaching me at the time. I was trading skill sets between my homlab and profressional on the job experience. Basically what I learned in my homelab I applied those skill sets at work esp powershell. I taught myself powershell and started using it in Desktop Support. I took on more responsibility in Desktop Support Supporting Linux machine's utilizing my past Linux experience from 2013 which led to a Linux Sysadmin role. I was already working with the server team at the time assisting them with the Linux stuff that got me the job.
@@madhatistaken well I worked with people in support roles with degrees. I dropped out of college as I didn't learn anything as I already had a homelab at the time. When I was going to college for I.T all the internships were Help Desk Call Center roles. Instead of me wasting time on a 4 year degree, I went and gotten my experience. I progressed in my career faster than my degree counter parts.
@eman0828 I don't condone college degrees, I was just saying that my graduating class landed jobs as a point of reference since they had no work experience. Your initial comment implied it's needed. You can self learn and prove your worth on your resume if you put in the work. I'm glad you advanced quicker than your college counter parts but that's irrelevant. College is slow learning and certificates are fast learning so regardless of what path you choose how fast you advance is based on your effort and work put in. Resetting passwords all day and reinstalling software all day isn't going to help you land a more technical role without additional self learning or that job shadowing you mentioned which isn't as common as you make it seem.
Been at the Helpdesk for a little under a year now. Getting burnt out from the politics more so than the actual work. I’ve got my CCNA and I’m looking to transition to cloud/network roles once my year is up
I love your vids, other cyber security youtubers like to use a sort of fear tactic in their videos, but you are brutally honest while making me laugh at the same time.
I love your channel bro! You give great advice! Back in 2021 I worked on the help desk at an MSP with many guys that had cyber security degrees. I was like "why are you here"? They said they couldn't find Soc jobs without some type of IT experience. I don't know if that was because it was 2021 compared to 2024 or what. I was always taught that experience was king when it comes to IT but I'm not sure now. Maybe you can immediately specialize and get on with the companies now.
I think you can get a help desk or desktop support or it support role to get paid in the meantime. In downtime during work or after work you can study for certifications or do homelabs for whatever respective field in networking, security, system admin, cloud. pick your disciple and study it. also you could get lucky and when in desktop support you could get exposed to one of these specializations in IT
I'm in desktop support. I have to be in the office every day while everyone else is remote. It's not too bad until the users that have to come into the office get pissy, and they turn that emotion towards you.
I don’t think I have a choice. I have 6 months help desk experience and would’ve loved to avoid it again, but I’ve been unemployed since March 2020. I’ll be lucky if I can get another IT job at all.
Im in college for cybersecurity right now and i pray i dont have to do helpdesk, i have certs and am working on projects to beef up my portfolio to give myself the best chance at skipping it, surely a degree, certs, and projects will count for something right? My cousin used to work support at a bank and ive heard quite the horror stories from her including a 3 hour call with a lady who instead of putting in the secuitty code kept trying to put in the phone number that sent the secuirty code.
Same! Going for a Cybersecurity and Network Admin degree and will be aiming for the A+ hopefully this Summer. I also assist in our IT dept at work. Hoping I can skip the help desk route as well, mostly due to the pretty decent sized pay cut compared to my current position lol Helpdesk sounds like being banished to the shadow realm I think I'd enjoy the experience gained, but no longer than a few months for sure
I am consistently amazed at the quality of the information that you put out! Overall video quality is great but it’s refreshing to hear someone say “helpdesk and desktop support don’t really prepare you for SOC analyst or more specialized positions” I mean really: are ticketing systems THAT hard to learn, to the point we need a year of experience with them?
Salute to you mad hat , love the channel, very informative, it help me choose where I wanted to go in this career field because before I found this video , I was confused on what I wanted to do, I’m currently in school now for my A.S and then I’ll go for the bachelor, by the way I subscribed and I joined the discord, again awesome channel
I swear I almost peed myself laughing at you!!! 😆😆😆This video has a lotta great information but DAMN it's hilarious!! Thanks for reminding me why I didn't want to get into Help Desk. Off to watch more of your shenanigans!!
What about the ''experience needed'' requirement for everything beyond HelpDesk? I think that's why it's always recommended. Hell, even Helpdesk itself requires 'experience'
I've seen both helpdesk and junior cybersecurity positions ask for years experience and no years experience if certain criteria is met. It all depends on the company and what they're looking for.
this is so relateable, worked help desk t1/t2 hybrid 1 year 5 months before I got a cyber job. everything you said was through I also had the same experience with colleagues too
Great videos, long time fan. and great to see your progress. I can't wait to hear about the new job. Did you move from a SOC to another SOC position in a different company or a different role entirely? Very interested to hear more (maybe even a video 😅🤞) I am a System Admin and currently building up my Security certifications, as well as focusing on Security Projects like configuring Keycloak IAM and Wazuh.
I made it from help desk to desktop support (geek squad), but I have little knowledge or experience of anything related to IT.. Where/how do I start learning for free to confidently keep moving up?
Loads of videos on UA-cam for whatever tech job you're interested in (home labs, projects, portfolio stuff, etc.) If you can get approved for financial aid on Coursera, that's a free option as well. If you're interested in blue or red teaming type positions, HackTheBox and TryHackMe have some free modules. Most importantly, you should consider making a plan for what you want to do. For example, study for 1-2 hours every day or every other day working towards completing this lab or this module by this date. I find it's easier to work towards something if you're following a plan.
As an IT Person, it is best to rise through the ranks. It is more fun and more accomplished that way. Not saying you shouldn't hit straight for a major certification but those support experiences are golden.
The second helpdesk job you described has been my life last 9 months... And the cherry picking part hit way too hard ngl Hoping i can make it out of this sht like you my man...
Good Stuff Man! Definitely Times have changed. Some companies have not caught up with the times and think because you are help desk you know everything. 😂 🤦🏽♂️ Its like asking a Generalist MD to do Shoulder Surgery. #PrinterSucks ✌🏽😎
any broad "advice" on your IT career is about 20% useful at best. Everyone's experience, resources, and accessibility is different. We all have dramatically different starts to our careers and move in different ways...
networking/system admin/internships/desktop support/technician role that involves configuring computers/networks/servers. If all else fails and you need a paycheck, accept a helldesk role but get out as soon as possible. Mileage varies by how stacked your resume is, region, and total effort put into application process
1. Just because younger generations have grown up with technology doesn’t mean they know how to use a laptop and printer. Most people starting a career out of college these days spend most of their tech time on a mobile phone. Going back to school in my late 20’s showed me how tech illiterate Gen Z can be. 2. I don’t think many people expect 10 years of help desk or desktop support before specializing. However, I have seen a lot more people struggling to get into security because they’re unwilling to work in a generalized IT position while they’re looking for security work. This problem is being compounded by higher education and certification institutions pushing the bajillion open cybersecurity positions. It makes people think that getting a job after X degree or X certification with no prior IT experience will be easy. Through my experience, you don’t NEED to work in generalized IT, but it does help your resume more than a lot of other things will.
I hate being help desking, or calling in because I'm not "authorized". Because most of the people who call in are dumb, I get treated alongside those morons
I'm a Freshman majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security. How can I make the most of college? What skills should I focus on for Cyber security?
Thats what Im doing right now the ConnectWise Tier 1 Tech Support, but I also have to go onsite and do projects. Kinda what ever they think I can handle. Trying to get my Sec+ soon. I did Desktop Support prior to Help Desk. How is Desktop Support an upgrade from Help Desk??
I would take those job definitions with a grain of salt and focus on what the role entails. Your help desk job might include more advanced responsibilities than the previous desktop support role. It’s all about gaining knowledge and experience.
okay so no help desk. what would be the next entry level job? like for a guy who got some certifications and is applying for job? guys like so that he makes a video about this issue!
Desktop support, sys admin, networking, and junior sec analyst/soc analyst positions. I think most people don't fix their resume and apply to enough jobs.
This was hilarious 😂 but super encouraging! I’m currently working through the Google Cybersecurity certificate to get a foundation then will move forward from there with other learning, projects and experience.
No offense taken. I’m a total noob and felt I needed something very beginner to give me a foundation to launch from. So far, it’s giving me the basics to better understand cybersecurity which is what I was looking for to begin my cybersecurity career adventure! @@ME-ov7vp
Most people on Reddit don't even do i.t. Or they learned one theory based exam and think it's all they need. You need skills. Don't listen to reddit gate keepers. Majority don't do sht
With how people talk about hell desk. It seems like you don't need any certs for it. Just know how to use computers which is hard to prove over paper but still
Well I managed to get helpdesk work before I even started college so I guess I'm fine. I'm studying Computer Science with Cyber security speciality and thats my main goal. I'm about to pass first year and about to work in helpdesk for a year. I'm thinking about getting some certs before 2nd year start. Why am I writing this? Because please I need someone to tell me its not a waste of time.
The helpdesk job isn't a waste if you're doing it while in college. Pays the WoW sub and you can leverage that for a better paying helpdesk job once you graduate while looking for your long term comp sci/cyber sec job.
As someone about to graduate with a BS in cybersecurity, this video gives me 0 hope because the only jobs that are interested in me are general help desk.
@@madhatistaken I have applied to over 100 jobs this semester alone (My last semester) and those are the only people that reach out. I have applied for everything from helpdesk to SOC stuff to digital forensics work. Only 2 companies have gotten back to me and I am in the final part of the interviews.
@@SilkG job market is more of a numbers game these days. I applied to over 500 and only heard back from 2, rejected and ghosted by the rest. All I can recommend to people is to continue applying and adding to their resumes
@@madhatistaken Ya that's about where I am at. I'm going to accept one of these jobs if I get the chance. Then it's just getting experience and more certs than stupid network+.
Hey buddy how much did your salary increase when you left help desk and got a SOC analyst position? No need to give flat numbers, maybe you can give a percentage :)
I worked on Helldesk for 8 years, and after that, I gave up on IT-not because of computers, networking, or coding, but because of the customer service. Customer service can kill you. Lost faith in humanity.
most office users still can’t install MS Office, not 365, and still can’t fix office app errors, nothings changed in 20 plus years in corporate companies, just sayin
I’m kinda confused on my label I work with network infrastructure I do deployments Meraki router , Cisco MX and GX routers , Aruba WAPS, Fortinet firewall troubleshoot and install on all these devices I’m a beginner in porting tho but I get to do it in the real world what am I? They call me network tech or network engineer . But sometimes I do electrical services for them also 😂😂😂 this is confusing because I don’t know what to apply to
Most businesses has 15% of people doing most of the work, 15% actively making it harder. With the last 70 just doing jack shit and going where ever they get pulled
Im kinda annoyed because you say this, yet in other vids you literally say “certifications alone wont get you the job, you need to have documented your application of what you learn” If this is the case and much like with many role in which they say you need “experience in it related field” How can i just get a certificate and say im more worthy of a role than someone else who has same cert and helpdesk experience?
Projects/home labs. If you're working helpdesk jobs that are literally 99% resetting passwords and reinstalling software then you're not getting any experience that's going to show in interviews. Saying document what you've learned isn't saying go work for whatever helpdesk job you can find. Intention is to bring attention to the fact that helpdesk has turned into a very non-technical position in alot of MSP's and companies to the point where it really is just a paycheck while you pursue certifications and self-learning.
The only point I will add is that I stayed at a help desk role for 6 months just so I could add it to my resume. I had no prior IT experience before it. That little bit of experience got me a job in Cybersecurity.
Doesn't hurt one's resume by any means, but not a requirement if it's what helpdesk is these days. Look for those system admin, networking, and traditional desktop support/technician jobs all you mad hats 👀👀👀 but never stop applying to security ones if that's what you ultimately want. Seeing lots of people hard stuck in helpdesk.
bro im literally in the same boat as you, I started my help desk support role about 6 months ago, only because I had no prior experience. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take you to get into your Cybersec job after the help desk role? and how were you learning cybersec?
@@lifeforalife1 I was in a similar situation as well. Landed my first IT role in IT Support and moved into Cyber Security in 7 months. I did however already have a MSc in Cyber Sec and also worked on several certifications during my time in IT Support which further helped me work in Cyber Sec. I'd highly recommend the Sec+ if you already understand how basic networking and basic IT support related tasks work. I also have to say working in helpdesk really implanted my knowledge about IT and be successful at my Cyber Sec role. For a minimum if you have no IT experience at all - work in helpdesk/IT support for a year
@@lifeforalife1 Totally depends on you and the jobs in your area. I was in helpdesk for 18 months before landing my first proper cyber role
That's absolutely my plan. I started help desk last week. I'll start applying for security jobs around the 6 month mark :D
Helpdesks seems easy. If you're young you could do it for a year to get experience until you hate yourself and then look the next level up.
Agreed, helpdesk is very easy and pretty straightforward for people who are quick learners and actually willing to learn. The troubleshooting mindset you adopt in helpdesk can be beneficial in cybersecurity positions I suppose as well.
@@madhatistaken That is quite literally what my plan is, i got accepted for an IT help desk role at a surprisingly popular company. I plan on getting the most out of the troubleshooting and communication experience before I bolt out of there. I already have my CCNA and I got my PCNSA (network security admin cert)
5 years in the hell desk still trying to escape.
its not only help desk its all of I.T. the other jobs may pay better but its not fun anymore like it was 20 years ago.
I feel your pain after 8 years and counting of help desk.
@@Sci-Fi_Fan296 learn a trade like electrician, or hvac or welder it makes you happier the work is valued and people need you and you can make more money. Working in I.T. is dead its just employment measure to waste your time and going nowhere. You also do not help anyone or contribute anything useful even if many people think they do.
Get off youtube and get certs instead of complaining about hell desk
@@robbirobson7330 so interesting that you say that, cause I went from working a corporate job, to being laid off and becoming self employed doing a trade on my own, and 6-7 years later, i'm looking into getting into I.T./CyberSec work. Mainly because I am tired of the extra curricular grind that comes from self employment, work being so dependent on weather conditions, and commuting someplace different every single day. I want to be able to work from home/remotely so that i can relax at home and still earn money even if weather is shit outside, which in my are can be for 2 weeks in a row and that's zero income coming in. So, no longer in love with that grind of not knowing when my next pay day will be and now i'm slowly stepping back, while still planning on practicing my trade but only on spare time for extra play $ here and there.
I jumped straight into being a Sysadmin right out of HighSchool. Now I made my way to a Senior Penetration tester 🙏
Whoa how
@@blizyon30fps86he did this in 2016. Its impossible to do that now
I’m a college student in my third year. I started at a community college first so I get my Associates in Cybersecurity any day now. I want to get an entry level job and I want it to be my only job. I can’t seem to find a real entry level job. Every job u see says “entry level” yet want u to have experience. I guess these companies don’t know the definition of entry level and are just doing whatever. When I ask, all I ever hear is that I can only start at help desk. The help desk jobs also want u to have experience and they pay like crap. Some literally pay less than Burger King yet want u to have experience and atleast an associates degree. Idk where they get that crap from. I search indeed several times a day. Are there companies that actually train students? Because it seems like all these companies are lazy and no one wants to train us. Like wth. I’m at a point where by if I’m not gonna get a job then I don’t see the point in finishing my Bachelor’s. How do I go about getting a job?
You are supposed to do internships during your Bachelors using your university's portal or look for internships specifically for students on linkedin job search. That's the experience the companies want so once you have those internships you begin to qualify for 'entry level' after that and you have stuff to talk about during an interview. If you do not get those internships you have to settle for a Burger King level salary for a few months to get experience as help desk.
For me help desk and specifically the IT Specialist role has helped me find my niche by exposing me to every department such as Cybersecurity, Cloud Engineering, Network Engineering, Data Science, SWE, SRE, Product, and many more. If you have a specific path you know you like then focus on that of course, but if you’re like me and you’ve transitioned into tech then it’s a great way to find what specific tech field really speaks to you!
Wish I saw this before having started a position w Geek Squad 😅… but in all fairness I unknowingly went from help desk to desktop support essentially and as someone with zero knowledge (I just learned all the parts of a motherboard!!) I’ve been enjoying gaining and learning knowledge from my coworkers and as a 24 yr old, I’m hopeful for where these experiences will get me in a year or less!
Get out of repairs ASAP. If someone wants to be a car engineer they don't start out learning how to change a tire. If someone wants to be an industrial architect they don't start as a bricklayer. Learn how data flows through networks, TCP/IP, networking.
I'd like to add that some jobs can be 'titled' as "helpdesk I.T technician" but in reality, you're more like a sys admin.This was the case for me with my first "helpdesk" role. I did a lot of networking and security cases and was literally part of the NOC unit despite having the title "helpdesk technician". If the "Helpdesk" role offers unusually high pay for "helpdesk" and it's at a tech company such as mine was, be aware of this as I think it was a great initial start for myself having no prior I.T work experience.
Yes. Im currently in "helpdesk" that's more like sysadmin. I don't mind at all, even though it is hard as first IT job I've had. Lots of new things to learn. Only thing i don't like is that i have a lot of responsibility and being so new (7 months in) i am completely wiped out after work.
How did they pick you with no experience?
@anthonyowens9320 I did really well on my interview and impressed them by speaking on the OSI model in particular. They also really liked that I had a prior career as a social worker for 6 and a half years. They thought those soft skills would be valuable and wanted someone who could write good case notes.
I’m currently going to school for my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and I’ve been back and forth in my head whether to try for an IT job first or just shoot for what I really want which is cybersecurity. I have foundational and network knowledge so this video helps with my decision. Thanks Mad Hat
Life is short, go for it! Can't hurt to apply for 50/50.
You and Unix-Guy are on one today lol
I'm just a weird dude 😅
"We're breaking the conditioning!"
Rips shirt off, balls up help desk résumé, and throws it at boss.
I got my first helpdesk job a few months ago and I lasted 3 days. My training consisted of access to the company knowledge base where most of the links consistently timed out and it went downhill from there. I should've known something was up when the interview sounded like a sales pitch read from a script and it wasn't until after I'd accepted the job that I was told the salary was based on "performance modifiers" and $50 an hour was the average pay for "top performers" instead of the base rate which was what the job posting said. Due to budget issues i still haven't taken my A+ 1102 exam but I've basically switched over to studying cyber security exclusively and looking for some kind of internship.
Yeeea....lots of poorly established and run helpdesk positions out there. Keep up the learning grind! 💚
Sounds like a company called Asurion that I almost fell for
if your in help desk for 10 years you chose that path. the point of help desk is not to learn computers.
it is to learn the people you have to support your customer is every level of the workforce and it is not a lack of skill in most cases but a lack of care they don't care about the risks. they need to do X or want to take an extra break. learn the skills of interacting with the angry, impatient and helpful so you can pitch them the things they need even if they don't understand.
I really appreciate how even your humorous rant vids are actually informative. The editing is awesome.
So true! There's a handful of help desk peeps where I work that have been in these positions for years, don't take the time to learn new skills and wonder why they're Still in help desk. I don't think it's bad to start there at all, just don't sell yourself short and stay stagnant
Been stuck for years. But every job I have moved to always says "Reason you want to work with us is we train you and love to promote from within." They never do, forget you until you submit your 2 weeks notice.
@@ralph4370 They say the same at my job, and do the same. Apply elsewhere, and hopefully someone will notice the skills and personality you'll bring coming from outside
I started my IT Specialist job at a university about year ago thinking that it was a nice salary. A year in, im thinking I should be paid more. I :
- Manage tickets and provide Helpdesk support
-Manage MECM/Munki for Windows and Macs
-Fix computers/onboard computers
-Manage an inventory system for students to checkout equipment (That's an entire headache on its own)
-Spin up/recover/manage websites for faculty
-network troubleshoot (which requires basic knowledge of switches/ports/etc_
-VR stuff
- Other stuff im forgetting
Honestly, I kind of love it but, my time here will be up in a year or two one I use my provided resources im offered as an employee of the university.
sounds like a $25 per hour job.
@@marceloarnez1491 $32 before the BS is taken out.
Thank you I am certified in cybersecurity and I’m tired of ppl trying force helpdesk down my throat
This man is speaking to my soul right now 😂😂. As a Systems Engineer this is so accurate. Studying Cybersecurity and I am gone asap I’m done.
MSP i feel is the worst part of starting off. I am doing helpdesk and do a bit of everything along with stuff on servers. Working towards networking, I feel helpdesk/desktop support is a good place to start to build a resume as you continually specialize to apply else where ASAP. If your in a helpdesk role type for more than a year or 2 and you complain you cant get out ask yourself what am I specializing in.
Me taking a bit longer but am working towards network engineering
I NEEDED THIS! Thanks!
I would hate the help desk. I'm the type of guy you want on the frontline. I need to battle unique problems, or else I get bored and start to hate my life. I would have fun at the help desk, but for 2-3 months until the novelty disappeared. I'm pretty sure that any job has its routine, and I know I would despise that part really quick, but I need to find something in my life that throws new challenges every time.
I also need to not get bored while studying cause that also affects me. 😂
Did I post this while I was sleeping?? You sound just like me. What is our problem??
@@prtitan27 maybe we have ADD/ADHD or something :(
@@crimson1369 No. Everyone needs a challenge
Hey, Mad Hat! I am a high school Junior and am looking at majoring in/getting into the Cybersecurity industry when I go to college. I have other options, but Cybersecurity interests me and I think I may want to do this as my career. I really enjoy your videos-thanks for giving us this free content to learn about the field and what we need to do to prepare for a career in Cyber. Means a lot!
I am also a high school Junior and have been working in a helpdesk the past 3-4 months while studying for cybersecurity certs. Apply yourself and get certified!!!
@@txic.4818don’t go into cyber sec it’s all glorified lol
Holy shit Mad Hat thank you for this video, there was so much in here that I needed to hear as someone who is working towards going to school for cybersec analysis. THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO!!
I was just looking for one of your videos yesterday. Glad you made another one.
Most Level 3 jobs do require an x amount experience esp roles like Sysadmin, Network Engineer, DevOps Engineer. Is rare for some one to land a job as DevOps Engineer or Sysadmin as their very first I.T with no experience. The benefit starting in a support role gaining trouble shooting experience as well as having an opportunity to job shadow The network, server, cloud or security team. That's exactly what Network Chuck did that started on the Help Desk and then moved up as a Network Engineer without a college degree. I worked in a support role that was exposed to Linux and now I'm a Red Hat Linux Admin without a degree or certifications. I also had a home lab as well.
Exactly, if you didn’t go to uni then a starter role like helpdesk is required
I've had multiple people in my graduating college class go directly into jobs. There's junior and internship opportunities. You just have to go out and find them. I was highlighting what is probably the majority of helpdesk roles at this point that don't have cross-training opportunities, so you're wasting your time there after a certain point. Sure, there are jobs asking for years of experience in a technical position but there's also jobs not asking for years of experience as a requirement.
@@madhatistaken I worked with people that gotten degrees and their internships were support roles. I was working the same job as them with no degree. Infact I dropped out of college back in 2013 as I already had a homelab. I was only 1 quarter into my Network and Sysadmins program before dropping put as I wasn't learning anything in the classroom. I learned more on my own with my homelab than what college was teaching me at the time. I was trading skill sets between my homlab and profressional on the job experience. Basically what I learned in my homelab I applied those skill sets at work esp powershell. I taught myself powershell and started using it in Desktop Support. I took on more responsibility in Desktop Support Supporting Linux machine's utilizing my past Linux experience from 2013 which led to a Linux Sysadmin role. I was already working with the server team at the time assisting them with the Linux stuff that got me the job.
@@madhatistaken well I worked with people in support roles with degrees. I dropped out of college as I didn't learn anything as I already had a homelab at the time. When I was going to college for I.T all the internships were Help Desk Call Center roles. Instead of me wasting time on a 4 year degree, I went and gotten my experience. I progressed in my career faster than my degree counter parts.
@eman0828 I don't condone college degrees, I was just saying that my graduating class landed jobs as a point of reference since they had no work experience. Your initial comment implied it's needed. You can self learn and prove your worth on your resume if you put in the work. I'm glad you advanced quicker than your college counter parts but that's irrelevant. College is slow learning and certificates are fast learning so regardless of what path you choose how fast you advance is based on your effort and work put in. Resetting passwords all day and reinstalling software all day isn't going to help you land a more technical role without additional self learning or that job shadowing you mentioned which isn't as common as you make it seem.
I used the Help Desk to get me to this video.
I used Help Desk to make this video.
Lollll
Been at the Helpdesk for a little under a year now. Getting burnt out from the politics more so than the actual work. I’ve got my CCNA and I’m looking to transition to cloud/network roles once my year is up
Start applying for network jobs ASAP and update your resume and linkedIn, with ccna and help desk 1 yr exp you can get a good network job out there
I love your vids, other cyber security youtubers like to use a sort of fear tactic in their videos, but you are brutally honest while making me laugh at the same time.
I love your channel bro! You give great advice! Back in 2021 I worked on the help desk at an MSP with many guys that had cyber security degrees. I was like "why are you here"? They said they couldn't find Soc jobs without some type of IT experience. I don't know if that was because it was 2021 compared to 2024 or what. I was always taught that experience was king when it comes to IT but I'm not sure now. Maybe you can immediately specialize and get on with the companies now.
Mad hat, it’s time for you to do cybersecurity meme reviews, it is the way of the internet.
Could be decent filler content or shorts...🤔
I think you can get a help desk or desktop support or it support role to get paid in the meantime. In downtime during work or after work you can study for certifications or do homelabs for whatever respective field in networking, security, system admin, cloud. pick your disciple and study it. also you could get lucky and when in desktop support you could get exposed to one of these specializations in IT
I'm in desktop support. I have to be in the office every day while everyone else is remote. It's not too bad until the users that have to come into the office get pissy, and they turn that emotion towards you.
I don’t think I have a choice. I have 6 months help desk experience and would’ve loved to avoid it again, but I’ve been unemployed since March 2020. I’ll be lucky if I can get another IT job at all.
Thank you for the Information!! love the edits 🤣😅😆 especially in the beginning !
Im in college for cybersecurity right now and i pray i dont have to do helpdesk, i have certs and am working on projects to beef up my portfolio to give myself the best chance at skipping it, surely a degree, certs, and projects will count for something right? My cousin used to work support at a bank and ive heard quite the horror stories from her including a 3 hour call with a lady who instead of putting in the secuitty code kept trying to put in the phone number that sent the secuirty code.
Same! Going for a Cybersecurity and Network Admin degree and will be aiming for the A+ hopefully this Summer. I also assist in our IT dept at work. Hoping I can skip the help desk route as well, mostly due to the pretty decent sized pay cut compared to my current position lol
Helpdesk sounds like being banished to the shadow realm
I think I'd enjoy the experience gained, but no longer than a few months for sure
Helpdesk is ok to put in a resume for 0 experience guys, but meanwhile study and apply for something bigger
I am consistently amazed at the quality of the information that you put out! Overall video quality is great but it’s refreshing to hear someone say “helpdesk and desktop support don’t really prepare you for SOC analyst or more specialized positions”
I mean really: are ticketing systems THAT hard to learn, to the point we need a year of experience with them?
Salute to you mad hat , love the channel, very informative, it help me choose where I wanted to go in this career field because before I found this video , I was confused on what I wanted to do, I’m currently in school now for my A.S and then I’ll go for the bachelor, by the way I subscribed and I joined the discord, again awesome channel
I swear I almost peed myself laughing at you!!! 😆😆😆This video has a lotta great information but DAMN it's hilarious!! Thanks for reminding me why I didn't want to get into Help Desk. Off to watch more of your shenanigans!!
Im on year 7 of helpdesk, its mostly fine. But cybersecurity is the where i want to be.
What about the ''experience needed'' requirement for everything beyond HelpDesk? I think that's why it's always recommended. Hell, even Helpdesk itself requires 'experience'
I've seen both helpdesk and junior cybersecurity positions ask for years experience and no years experience if certain criteria is met. It all depends on the company and what they're looking for.
this is so relateable, worked help desk t1/t2 hybrid 1 year 5 months before I got a cyber job. everything you said was through I also had the same experience with colleagues too
yea I have some red coat tell me to do customer support even though I have several years with it inside IT.
Great videos, long time fan. and great to see your progress. I can't wait to hear about the new job. Did you move from a SOC to another SOC position in a different company or a different role entirely? Very interested to hear more (maybe even a video 😅🤞)
I am a System Admin and currently building up my Security certifications, as well as focusing on Security Projects like configuring Keycloak IAM and Wazuh.
I made it from help desk to desktop support (geek squad), but I have little knowledge or experience of anything related to IT.. Where/how do I start learning for free to confidently keep moving up?
Loads of videos on UA-cam for whatever tech job you're interested in (home labs, projects, portfolio stuff, etc.) If you can get approved for financial aid on Coursera, that's a free option as well. If you're interested in blue or red teaming type positions, HackTheBox and TryHackMe have some free modules. Most importantly, you should consider making a plan for what you want to do. For example, study for 1-2 hours every day or every other day working towards completing this lab or this module by this date. I find it's easier to work towards something if you're following a plan.
@@madhatistakenthank you!!!
As an IT Person, it is best to rise through the ranks. It is more fun and more accomplished that way. Not saying you shouldn't hit straight for a major certification but those support experiences are golden.
The second helpdesk job you described has been my life last 9 months... And the cherry picking part hit way too hard ngl
Hoping i can make it out of this sht like you my man...
Any projects/ to help build a portfolio ? Recommendations for a soc analyst ?
check out UnixGuy
Go for the HackTheBox certs and TryHackMe training. Very valuable.
Man you are funny af , “uninstall, reinstall” 😂😂😭😭😭
Good Stuff Man! Definitely Times have changed. Some companies have not caught up with the times and think because you are help desk you know everything. 😂 🤦🏽♂️ Its like asking a Generalist MD to do Shoulder Surgery.
#PrinterSucks ✌🏽😎
any broad "advice" on your IT career is about 20% useful at best. Everyone's experience, resources, and accessibility is different. We all have dramatically different starts to our careers and move in different ways...
I wouldn't say it's very broad advice. It's specifically exploring helpdesk, butttt 20% useful versus 0% is ok by me 😅
Doesn’t seem like help desk, desktop support, etc. helps learn anything with Cybersecurity
This video showed up right on time in my algorithm
The exact same reason why I just dropped my two weeks notice last Friday
Machinist here who is on 3/9 of his first cybersecurity cert, 2nd week of coursera wish me luck.
no matter what job, dont we all check on that 1 colleague that literally doesnt do a f*ck?? 😅
What specifically would you recommend, oh great one?
networking/system admin/internships/desktop support/technician role that involves configuring computers/networks/servers. If all else fails and you need a paycheck, accept a helldesk role but get out as soon as possible. Mileage varies by how stacked your resume is, region, and total effort put into application process
Thanks for making understanding tech hilarious 😂🔥
Either some experience or at least some projects you can show they need some form of proof of concept that you know what your doing
1. Just because younger generations have grown up with technology doesn’t mean they know how to use a laptop and printer. Most people starting a career out of college these days spend most of their tech time on a mobile phone. Going back to school in my late 20’s showed me how tech illiterate Gen Z can be.
2. I don’t think many people expect 10 years of help desk or desktop support before specializing. However, I have seen a lot more people struggling to get into security because they’re unwilling to work in a generalized IT position while they’re looking for security work. This problem is being compounded by higher education and certification institutions pushing the bajillion open cybersecurity positions. It makes people think that getting a job after X degree or X certification with no prior IT experience will be easy.
Through my experience, you don’t NEED to work in generalized IT, but it does help your resume more than a lot of other things will.
I hate being help desking, or calling in because I'm not "authorized". Because most of the people who call in are dumb, I get treated alongside those morons
I was about to start a help desk course. Hopefully I didn't. Time is money. Don't waste your time.
Love your content
I'm a Freshman majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security. How can I make the most of college? What skills should I focus on for Cyber security?
I would love a remote help desk position. Too bad all the ones they post are hybrid or in office. Not worth it at all.
I was that guy in every job i got hired to that was not IT. Once they heard i was a cs major they are like "oh can you fix this".
Thats what Im doing right now the ConnectWise Tier 1 Tech Support, but I also have to go onsite and do projects. Kinda what ever they think I can handle. Trying to get my Sec+ soon.
I did Desktop Support prior to Help Desk. How is Desktop Support an upgrade from Help Desk??
I would take those job definitions with a grain of salt and focus on what the role entails. Your help desk job might include more advanced responsibilities than the previous desktop support role. It’s all about gaining knowledge and experience.
Working on being my blue team certifications!
okay so no help desk. what would be the next entry level job? like for a guy who got some certifications and is applying for job? guys like so that he makes a video about this issue!
Desktop support, sys admin, networking, and junior sec analyst/soc analyst positions. I think most people don't fix their resume and apply to enough jobs.
Uninstall and reinstall. Still not working, escalate that shit.
hope you're having a good day mad hat
This was hilarious 😂 but super encouraging! I’m currently working through the Google Cybersecurity certificate to get a foundation then will move forward from there with other learning, projects and experience.
no offense but that certification is a total waste of time. i did it
No offense taken. I’m a total noob and felt I needed something very beginner to give me a foundation to launch from. So far, it’s giving me the basics to better understand cybersecurity which is what I was looking for to begin my cybersecurity career adventure! @@ME-ov7vp
@@ME-ov7vp for someone who is completely new,i think its worth the time
@@ME-ov7vp why tho? is it too basic?
Most people on Reddit don't even do i.t. Or they learned one theory based exam and think it's all they need. You need skills. Don't listen to reddit gate keepers. Majority don't do sht
With how people talk about hell desk. It seems like you don't need any certs for it. Just know how to use computers which is hard to prove over paper but still
Other than the A+, you wouldn't need much to land a helpdesk job. It all depends on how well you can showcase your computer knowledge on your resume
Well I managed to get helpdesk work before I even started college so I guess I'm fine. I'm studying Computer Science with Cyber security speciality and thats my main goal. I'm about to pass first year and about to work in helpdesk for a year. I'm thinking about getting some certs before 2nd year start.
Why am I writing this? Because please I need someone to tell me its not a waste of time.
The helpdesk job isn't a waste if you're doing it while in college. Pays the WoW sub and you can leverage that for a better paying helpdesk job once you graduate while looking for your long term comp sci/cyber sec job.
Hey MH!
July is approaching. Got plans to come to LA for AX 2024?
If you are, I'm down to invite you lunch and give you a tour of the area
I recently passed OSCP can’t find a job
As someone about to graduate with a BS in cybersecurity, this video gives me 0 hope because the only jobs that are interested in me are general help desk.
A lot of job descriptions still put degree in exchange of work experience. You're only interested in help desk jobs? Why is that?
@@madhatistaken I have applied to over 100 jobs this semester alone (My last semester) and those are the only people that reach out. I have applied for everything from helpdesk to SOC stuff to digital forensics work. Only 2 companies have gotten back to me and I am in the final part of the interviews.
@@SilkG job market is more of a numbers game these days. I applied to over 500 and only heard back from 2, rejected and ghosted by the rest. All I can recommend to people is to continue applying and adding to their resumes
@@madhatistaken Ya that's about where I am at. I'm going to accept one of these jobs if I get the chance. Then it's just getting experience and more certs than stupid network+.
Hey buddy how much did your salary increase when you left help desk and got a SOC analyst position? No need to give flat numbers, maybe you can give a percentage :)
0% increase but I only work 2 hours a day and didn't have to make phone calls anymore to angry people 😁
I worked on Helldesk for 8 years, and after that, I gave up on IT-not because of computers, networking, or coding, but because of the customer service. Customer service can kill you. Lost faith in humanity.
Mad Hat is the 🐐 😊
There’s too many fucking things to know in IT.
most office users still can’t install MS Office, not 365, and still can’t fix office app errors, nothings changed in 20 plus years in corporate companies, just sayin
nobody said people still don't need people to help install things. you missed the point if you actually watched the video lol
@@madhatistaken your right, I made that comment before seeing the end, lol
I’m kinda confused on my label I work with network infrastructure I do deployments Meraki router , Cisco MX and GX routers , Aruba WAPS, Fortinet firewall troubleshoot and install on all these devices I’m a beginner in porting tho but I get to do it in the real world what am I? They call me network tech or network engineer . But sometimes I do electrical services for them also 😂😂😂 this is confusing because I don’t know what to apply to
I’m 1099 by the way I want to go w2
Every job working directly on electronic hardware deals with electrical as well. You're a network engineer. 🎉
All of that is networking.
@@goofballbiscuits3647 thanks bud haha its confusing sometimes
Most businesses has 15% of people doing most of the work, 15% actively making it harder. With the last 70 just doing jack shit and going where ever they get pulled
Dude, why did the affiliate links come now? I signed up a month ago!
Their sales are random it seems
@@madhatistaken I got the new year 'sale' so thats aight. But you missed out bro. :-(
Exactly, i hate how every reddit and youtube comments be like "Get helpdesk first!!!" like bro u can literally try any IT jobs
OUTRO GOES HARD 🔥
The mad lad is back!
Now it's time to hack!
I’m 20 years old studying for network tech certification and I want to start help desk or it tech is that okay?
COOL VIDEO!😃😎👍🎉
What's your opinion of Geek Squad @Mad Hat?
They're aight. If you can fix a computer, you're better off than someone who only knows how to uninstall and reinstall a program.
Im kinda annoyed because you say this, yet in other vids you literally say “certifications alone wont get you the job, you need to have documented your application of what you learn”
If this is the case and much like with many role in which they say you need “experience in it related field”
How can i just get a certificate and say im more worthy of a role than someone else who has same cert and helpdesk experience?
Projects/home labs. If you're working helpdesk jobs that are literally 99% resetting passwords and reinstalling software then you're not getting any experience that's going to show in interviews. Saying document what you've learned isn't saying go work for whatever helpdesk job you can find. Intention is to bring attention to the fact that helpdesk has turned into a very non-technical position in alot of MSP's and companies to the point where it really is just a paycheck while you pursue certifications and self-learning.
@@madhatistaken Gotchu … i will add projects/home labs to my roadmap and take out service desk
@@madhatistaken thank you for reading and replying
This is gold! 🤣🤣🙌🏽🙌🏽
What’s the song at the end?
A~ your voice is so far
Devops is the future of IT.
Mad had I just got my 1st Helpdesk job this week, give me a break
Didn't even change the wreck it ralph bit huh? Just upload the whole clip
It was wayyy too long, I tried my best to shorten it
So funny... great personality
preach
Auch, Cocomelon hit hard XD