Can i land helpdesk / junior sysadmin job?
Posted by Double-Masterpiece88@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 28 comments
Hey everyone,
Looking for some honest advice..
I’m 30 and trying to switch careers into IT/sysadmin stuff. My background is completely different. I have around 9 years of experience in CNC manufacturing doing CAD/CAM programming, machine setup, troubleshooting, training operators, QC, etc.
I don’t have an IT degree, but I’ve always been into computers. Over the years I’ve messed around with things like hosting game servers on vps, Linux and Windows admin stuff, web hosting, home networking, building PCs, and some PowerShell. I also know HTML/CSS and basic JavaScript and Python.
I finished AZ-900 and I’m studying for AZ-104 now. Plan is to start applying after that and do CCNA while chasing first job in IT.
Is this actually realistic for me? Should I be aiming for Help Desk, IT Support, Junior SysAdmin? Also, is AZ-104 a good move?
Thanks in advance!
RepulsiveDuck331@reddit
Totally realistic. Your CNC background actually helps - troubleshooting methodology, dealing with cranky operators, documentation, QC mindset all transfer. I've hired guys from warehouse and machine shop backgrounds who outperformed the CS grads on day one because they actually know how to talk to people.
AZ-104 is fine but honestly overkill for help desk. It signals you're serious though. CCNA is complementary, not redundant - networking knowledge separates you from the password-reset crowd fast.
Skip CCNA for now. Get AZ-104, learn ticketing flow (ServiceNow or Halo), basic AD/Entra, Intune basics, and M365 admin. Build a home lab with a Windows Server VM and a couple clients joined to a domain. Target help desk at an MSP - you'll learn more in 6 months than 2 years at a corp.
HighRelevancy@reddit
Assuming your resume is more coherent and specific about your experience, sure. Sounds like a more rounded skillset than some of my previous colleagues.
Double-Masterpiece88@reddit (OP)
Thanks for reply! Could I maybe send you my CV for some feedback? :)
Honestly, I've been around computers since I was a kid because my dad worked in IT. I grew up messing with all kinds of stuff like programming, networking, security, graphic design, video editing/production and similar things. I just ended up choosing CNC/machines because they seemed more interesting to me when I was younger 😅
whostolemyslushie@reddit
Pretty easy to get into a help desk role. So easily you can make the jump if you have some basic troubleshooting and patience.
HighRelevancy@reddit
Yeah I get you. I've a similar background but I always was going to do IT professionally. My early career was very dependent on selling my hobby experience. DM me a file link or something yeah.
AppointmentIll9358@reddit
No, you need it experience
mallet17@reddit
I rarely see HelpDesk/ServiceDesk going for or even passing the AZ-104.
If you do pass it, you'll have no problem finding an entry level IT job, and progressing fast beyond that.
CCNA is nice to have and will help you with everything you do in future.
Intelligent-Top-8465@reddit
First to answer your question: Yes you can land a Helpdesk/sysadmin job. The biggest blocker will be finding an org thats willing to take that initial chance but you're making good progress because the ones that care about certs will love that you have them. If you wanted to go Helpdesk I'd focus more on CompTIA certs but the AZ ones you are doing do position you well for a junior sysadmin type rile. There's 3 types of requirements I've noticed in my experience: Certs - very important for orgs that care about credentials, usually MSPs Degree - very important for orgs who value years of education as equal to 2 years of practical experience Experience - good in general but unless it's a place that believes skills transfer(ie customer service for Helpdesk) not super relevant for you
Test-NetConnection@reddit
100% realistic and id hire you in a heartbeat. Reach out if you are on the east coast and willing to potentially relocate.
Double-Masterpiece88@reddit (OP)
Sadly i’m in Europe, but if there’s any chance to work remotely i’m up for it! And thank you for reply!
Test-NetConnection@reddit
If you get your CCNA you will be qualified for a lot more than the helpdesk. Getting your A+ certification should be all you need to get your foot in the door, with network+ giving you a serious edge on other applicants. Everyone starts on the helpdesk, don't even try to jump the line to sysadmin.
BlockBannington@reddit
I got a helpdesk role by being polite. They really emphasize the need for 'being able to communicate in a normal fashion' and that's how I got the job haha. Had 0 experience.
Years later, I'm a sysadmin so it's definitely possible
BlockBannington@reddit
If you get az 104, you're immediately more qualified than most helpdesk people.
danrah@reddit
Sounds more than possible and if you don’t mind going into the office even more so, our company for instance doesn’t have a WFH policy so limit themselves massively so applying for an in office 5 days a week role makes you more attractive.
Double-Masterpiece88@reddit (OP)
I don’t mind going to the office at all, i might actually even prefer that over remote work. Thanks for your reply!
Denver80211@reddit
100% yes. You would start in help desk, of course. As a manager who has hired many people who have done very well over the years: I look for people who are curious, engaged, and ready to learn. I have no interest in degrees, certificates, etc. None of that has ever been a measure of success.
VonTreece@reddit
This is exactly why I feel stuck..
Everything you described fits me to a T. I’m eager to learn, I genuinely enjoy challenges and problem solving, and I love working with and helping people. Right now all I have is my A+, and I’ve been applying nonstop with tailored cover letters… I’m honestly confident that if I could just get in front of a hiring manager, I could land something. I just can’t seem to get there. It’s endless applications sent into the void. The best feedback I’ve gotten is a LinkedIn notification that HR viewed my profile. Never an actual response, good or bad.
Denver80211@reddit
Getting in the door doesn't seem like the biggest challenge. I think I've changed jobs five or six times but it's always been through a reference. often, It's not what you know, it's who you know.
VonTreece@reddit
That’s a lesson I’ve learned many times over and the part I struggle with most. I don’t really have connections in the industry, so I don’t have anyone to put in a word for me. I’m basically starting from zero on that front, and it often does feel like I’m just spinning my wheels.
Sn0Balls@reddit
Help desk sounds like a downgrade from what you're currently doing depending on the org.
Responsible_Tart_393@reddit
Yep, likely many stories like this. I did a transition with a similar story but came from a health field. I am late 30s. Took A+, listed home lab projects and keywords on the resume, IT hobbyist blah blah blah. Your CAD/CNC background would look good on a resume for IT.
K12 or local community college seems to be willing to take chances on entry level techs. I used that to land a job at a small manufacturing business doing internal support, just a 2-man team. Touch everything from tier 1 to jr sysadmin stuff. Has been a great experience.
Nonaveragemonkey@reddit
Yes it doable and you should aim for help desk, you'd be a boon at many industrial sites with that experience
Turbulent_Fig_9354@reddit
I landed help desk by the grace of god with nothing but 10 years experience as a professional chef and kitchen manager, and I’m dumb as bricks. I probably got lucky, but if anything my experience taught me how to talk to people.
PandemicVirus@reddit
It's a growing segment, I'd still call it niche somewhat, of Operational Technology which sounds adjacent to what you're doing now. It bridges traditional IT with industrial controls, networking and cybersecurity are a big focus of this segment of course. I'd encourage you to check that path out, it's not a complete derailment from what you have been studying either and I think your Azure certs are a smart move regardless.
Double-Masterpiece88@reddit (OP)
That’s interesting, i never thought about that as an career path, i’ll have to lookup a little bit more about that, thank you!
Chaucer85@reddit
You absolutely should. Your CNC, CAD skills are very valuable, and being the human link between systems that aren't natively networked and managed, is even more valuable.
See what further training and certs could help you shore up a resume for that type of role and start applying to those jobs.
Don't just go for generic help desk, the pay is shit, and you need to hop from it quick or get stuck there until you change companies. You can always get into a more strict sysadmin role if you do enough networking in your industry and home projects. Every environment is slightly different, so you're always having to refamiliarize yourself with how things are setup at each company.
RoxoRoxo@reddit
possible? 100% my coworker landed help desk with sec+ and experience as a pharmacy tech lol 0 experience and 1 cert. youll really need to sell it but its possible
UpperAd5715@reddit
Helpdesk, probably. Depending on where you are market might be shit, especially in the US with the big tech purges but theres some place where they'd rather get you with your experience and knowledge over some new grad that'll up n leave for sure in a year.
I have AZ104 and i'm hesitant on saying whether you should go for it. I got it for the interview wow but only really wanted to work with the networking stuff (and since landed a job outside ms ecosystems) and all it gave me in terms of knowledge/experience was the ability to "talk the talk". If i ended up actually going for a sysadmin role i'd be scrambling to figure out how to work things out. It will no doubt be a great resume booster but it took me a while to go through it, while the networking and identity management portions were second nature to me.
Start applying now to functions that look good to you, interviews showed me my weak points and i shored them up to now land frankly the best opportunity i could realistically have landed. Remember that recruiters are helping their own bonus and not you so if they pull the veil and it's not what you want don't hesitate to not follow them in their plans.
If you're in the US net+ and sec+ might be more interesting for government clearance. Networking knowledge is nice but CCNA is quite something so just know it's not a "watch videos once and pass" for the vast majority of people.
Jr sysadmin position might be a tall grab for someone without servicedesk experience BUT your OT experience with machines and production might land you in one. Knowing your way around machinery is definitely valued in factories where you'll be also doing the IT side of production environments.
Market is pretty meh at the moment but try and project some confidence and amiability in the interview and you'll probably be surprised how far your experience could carry you.