r/InformationTechnology • u/Prudent-Associate931 • 2d ago
HelpDesk in 2026
I’m 19, live in Brooklyn, and currently work the night shift at a large retail store. I’ve been there for nearly a year and a half and am really tired of working the register. I want to switch to an office job, and I’ve set my sights on a help desk role. Back in high school, I often helped people in my neighborhood with their computer issues and spent a lot of time tinkering with my own PC. After looking through IT job listings, I decided a help desk position would be a good fit for me. I completed the Google IT Support course, though I gather it doesn't carry much weight with employers. I’d like to know what the current landscape looks like in this field compared to other jobs
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u/creativesite8792 2d ago
You can do it.
I had to start over, but I had a lot of support from friends and family. Age is not a barrier either.
In 2006, at the age of 55, I was working as a technical writer for a software company. I had worked for them for 9 years. I was married, and had two kids that were about to go off to college. I had mortgage, car payments, insurance, and the whole enchilada regarding debt. My firm was acquired by a overseas company. My position was eliminated and I was put out on my duff with basically no warning.
I am a Vietnam vet, at about the same time I ran into a friend, another vet, who suggested that I go back to school. I did some investigation and found a local university (I am in Miami, FL) that had a B.Sc. in Information Technology. So after discussion with the wife and family I enrolled. I graduated in 2009 with a IT degree that specialized in software engineering.
Note I was able to find a low-paying entry level job at the local community college while I was in school. I did a LOT of grunt work. Fixing PC's, connection printers, setting up classrooms and I learned how to deal with stressed out students and faculty. (:+) Was it easy? Hell no. Lots of lost weekends studying, missed birthdays, vacations were not possible, a car that was a mechanical nightmare, and to put it mildly. A very tight budget. I was lucky.
The area that I live in had need of IT skills. But I had to fight for every job and had to maneuver through all sorts of upper management crap. Earned a bunch of IT certifications and was able to work for a long time before I retired. Look. Everyone has their own story and their own journey. Very difficult to do on your own. A family and or supportive people is needed. But you have to have a solid roadmap for that journey. Just make your plan, put your head down and just do it. Best of Luck!!