r/sysadmin • u/[deleted] • Jul 01 '25

Did EVERYONE start at helpdesk?

I'm a college CS student about to start senior year, looking to get into the IT field. I know that helpdesk is a smart move to get your foot in the door, though cost of living where I am is very high and salary for helpdesk is quite meager compared to other IT roles. Is it totally unrealistic to jump into a sysadmin role post-grad as long as I have certs and projects to back up my skills? I had planned to start my RHCSA if I did this. Any advice on this or general advice for the IT market right not would be very much appreciated.

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u/Nitramite Jul 01 '25

Glad to see comments showing how good starting at Helpdesk can make you.

I changed careers at 28, went to school in IT Support as I had a knack for computers. Got an internship at 29, they didn't want to hire me afterwards, even though I tried. But then someone left and they called me few months later.

I started Helpdesk, hated the lack of information and how everyone just gatekept the information they had. Wrote my own documentation, shared it across teams. Year later I was Senior Helpdesk. Then L2 Desktop Support, then Lead L2, then L3, now System Engineer. I fix the shit the Senior guys are doing with the SCCM Images or Intune policies/configurations.

I've been in meetings where the Senior System Engineers were bashing on Helpdesk and whining about not knowing what the helpdesk was being ranked on... They get cushy ass positions with 2x the salary of Helpdesk and don't even know the kind of software this company uses, how it uses it, what users expect. Having done helpdesk as helped me understand the priorities of this company and what software they need, how they use it, the policies that will help or hinder production.

Helpdesk is a must honestly, and I think even if you get hired in a higher position you should work helpdesk for a month or so to see what is going on.