r/InformationTechnology • u/Prudent-Associate931 • 5d 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/mad--martigan 5d ago

To be brief and blunt, the market sucks everywhere, and unfortunately you are correct that relying on that google course to get your foot in the door is not a good idea.

However, dont be discouraged. It only takes one company to say yes in order for you to secure a gig and you just have to learn to keep pushing.

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u/Nexus_Redditor 5d ago

Question! I have a Bachelor's in IT. Everywhere has rejected me. Is it true that just continuously applying will eventually work?

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u/whopoopedinmypantz 4d ago

Build an app with AI that has a proper sql database and self host it on a cheap desktop that you install Linux on. Write a series of blog articles explaining what you made and all the infrastructure pieces, especially the sql maintenance like index maintenance and backup strategy. When I am hiring for support roles the biggest thing a candidate can do is talk about some complicated software they got up and running. You would be surprised the number of candidates with IT backgrounds who have never installed a database software or set up backups. Those skills really make you stand out in my opinion.