Working on the IT help desk can be a great entry-level job. As a help desk professional, your primary responsibilities are to provide help and technical support; That could mean setting up and repairing computers or answering a customer's question about how to use their computer. It could also mean performing routine maintenance on a company's computer networks and Internet systems or teaching staff how to use new technologies.
It's a good concert and it can be rewarding. The median salary for computer support specialists, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is about $ 52,000. Education requirements vary, but the job requires in-depth computer knowledge and good technical and interpersonal skills.
But what if you want more?
Additional credentials and advanced degrees can help you get beyond the IT help desk, but employers are looking first and foremost for the right mix of skills when they need IT and network security, software developers, and managers. Here are three career paths to consider.
Systems and cloud administrator.
System and network administration is the natural next step in the IT help desk. Organizations need reliable computer networks, so there is a great demand for qualified professionals who can manage, administer and protect computer systems. Job openings are expected to grow 6 percent through 2026, and wages are generally around $ 81,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency also notes that the adoption of cloud-based network services by small and medium-sized businesses could increase the demand for network administrators and IT systems.

The best candidates are expected to possess key industry certifications and understand major operating systems, cloud technology, and security. A systems administration degree should help IT professionals obtain traditional systems administration certifications, but it could be a great help when seeking more forward-thinking cloud certifications such as AWS SysOps Administrator-Associate certifications and CompTIA Cloud Essentials from Amazon.

Expert in security and network operations.
Cybersecurity is a primary concern in all sectors and industries. IT professionals with expert training in network operations and security systems are in high demand; The information security analyst workforce is expected to grow 28 percent by 2026, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary is just above $ 95,500.

Cyber ​​attacks are on the rise, so this area of ​​IT is constantly evolving to keep up with cybercriminals. Most information security and network operations jobs require a bachelor's degree, and employers will likely favor candidates with some experience in a related field. A degree in network and security operations should include key certifications, not just those that demonstrate competencies in cloud-related security and networking, but also advanced certifications in security design and management.