• some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 month ago

    Look for a MSP (Managed Service Provider) for your first gig, if you can. MSP’s contract IT services to small to medium businesses that can’t / won’t hire or budget for full-time IT. You get exposed to a lot of stuff this way. Maybe half of clients use Google cloud services and the other half use Microsoft cloud services. You learn and become an expert in both.

    Same with different VOIP services, different app suites, different security software, different network hardware, etc. It’s a great way to speed-run IT and get exposure to a lot of tech. Bonus points when you later move to a dedicated company. The complexity goes way down. My job post-MSP is cruising and easy compared to what I did for the previous five years.

    Good luck!

    • WindyRebel@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Thank you so much! I was in good with my company’s IT and the IT Manager told me the same thing. I will take what I can get, but will try for an MSP. Is there a specific job type to look for to find them or just look for help desk or support tech and review the company to figure out if it’s a MSP?

      I know about Dice, LinkedIn, Indeed, and I live in Chicago so maybe Built In?

      I’m doing Coursera/Google’s IT Support Tech program for their certs while I read the Mike Meyers exam guide and also supplement with Professor Messer.

      • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
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        1 month ago

        You could try searching for “msp,” but also just look for “helpdesk” and IT in general, as you said, and review company details. I haven’t tried to find an MSP job, I just landed at one that wanted IT people. Good luck!