Sunday, November 11, 2012

What You Need to Know About Entry Level Information Technology Jobs


Inquiring about entry-level Information technology jobs would not be something that a regular person would be doing.

Either you are considering changing careers, or you are probably a college graduate trying to get some experience in computers, so you can be equipped for your next big job.

The term Information technology is sometimes referred to as "IT", and can relate to many career paths. Wikipedia, a popular online encyclopedia defines this term as, "a branch of knowledge concerned with the development, management, and use of computer-based information systems".

This article will approach this topic from the same perspective of Wikipedia's explanation. The majority of jobs in the Information Technology field are centered on the management and development of computer systems, and technology. For this reason, many entry-levels to advanced jobs are available in data centers around the world.

There are many basic characteristics present in all entry-level information technology jobs. Being armed with what characteristics to look for will give you the best chances of success, in finding a good technology job.

If you are in the process of changing careers, then you may have some difficulty in finding the right entry-level technology job. This is especially true, if you have no knowledge, or experience about information technology. Always remember that once you have acquired some basic training in computers, that you would be in a better position to get the right job, in an information technology department.

You should also be aware that if you have no degree, or experience in computers that you can still learn, as long as you have the desire to do so. Everyone has a chance, as long as they are shown the correct path to follow.

Experience has shown that many individuals, who had only acquired a high school diploma or a leaving certificate, were able to advance through the ranks within a data center, and into many advanced to medium technology jobs.

Listed below are the names, and basic details of some of the many entry-level to advanced tech jobs, that are available in many information technology departments today. These jobs are listed from entry-level first, to advance.

Entry Level Positions

Many of these positions that are listed below do not require a degree in computer science. Sometimes a high school diploma, with the willingness to learn is all that is required.

· First Level Tech Support, or Help Desk Support Technician

Working in first level tech support represents one of the most basic entry-level jobs that you can acquire. You do not even need a degree in computer science, to fill this position. A basic high school diploma may be all that is required, with some basic knowledge of computers.

Even if you have a bachelor's degree in computers but no experience, this would also be a very good place to start. Most employers prefer some experience, even with a degree.

First level tech support would be considered training grounds for second level technical support. The daily routine working in the tech support department, consists of answering the phones when people call into the department for help, and taking clear notes about the customer issues. This information is then passed on to the second level support technician.

· Second Level Tech Support, or Help Desk Support Technician

Second level tech support can also be classified as an entry-level position. A diploma may be required, but not necessarily needed. As long as you are able to demonstrate some technical ability in the area of computer repairs, then you would be considered teachable.

· Network Operation Support Technician

The network operations support technician assists with the monitoring of the entire infrastructure, and computer equipment of a company. This monitoring is done using sophisticated monitoring appliances, and tools.

All that is required to work as a network operation center personal employee, would be common sense and the ability to act on issues as quickly as possible. No technical abilities may be required, but having some ability may be a plus.

· PC Repair Technician

A computer repair technician takes care of all computer related repairs, of desktop computers. Persons working as computer repair technicians, also work along with the system administrator when servers are being prepared for deployment.

Working as a PC Repair Technician is somewhat entry-level in nature also. Even though it is a specialized job, it can still be filled in time by an entry-level person.


Working as a PC Repair Technician is somewhat entry-level in nature also. Even though it is a specialized job, it can still be filled in time by an entry-level person.

Sometimes we have to separate abilities, or gifting in areas related to computer repairs, from persons that are gifted in software applications.

In many organizations, you sometimes will encounter individuals that are really gifted in hardware support, but not software. If you try to fit an individual with talents in computer repairs into an administrative role, sometime that individual will fail.

Medium to Advance Positions

The positions listed below are advanced to medium and may require some kind of specialization to perform the duties required.

· Exchange System Administrator

This person normally works along with the System Administrators of a company. This position requires a trusted and dedicated individual. Trusted, mainly because that person would have wide open access to every employees email, including the Vice President of a company.

An exchange system administrator sometimes administrates the active directory of a company, in the absence of a system administrator. This normally happens within small to medium organizations, because of their inability to hire more employees.

This is also a specialized job function, but with some knowledge can be filled in time by anyone that has extensive understanding of email systems, including Microsoft Exchange Server.

The beauty of being an exchange administrator is that you would be highly respected by management.

· Windows System Administrator (Microsoft Applications)

These persons normally administrate Microsoft systems, including Active Directory and other Microsoft applications. They also work with other application like Symantec Backup Exec, and Net backup Applications.

The duties of this person may include, the daily administration of the company's domain, including adding new users to the company network.

· Network Engineer

Network Engineers normally works in the Network Services department, and takes care of the infrastructure, and security of the entire network of a company.

Persons working in the network services department, are normally persons that have acquired some sort of Cisco Certification.

This position is very specialized, and can only be filled by a certified Cisco person, or someone who has the ability to learn quickly. These persons are also known as the gate keepers of the company assets.

Always remember that any entry level computer job is good to start with, but once you have decided on a career path to pursue, you should strive to be the best you can be in your area of interest.


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