Alexander Coleman's journey
Why did you start the traineeship?
I started the traineeship after scouring online for a few days, as I have always had an interest in IT, choosing to fix my own hardware and troubleshoot software as opposed to sending it off to be fixed. I thought I’d try to break in whilst we were all locked down during the initial wave(s) of COVID-19 as it felt like a good time to earn a qualification. ITCareerswitch seemed like the most reviewed and well-liked company that I came across, and after talking to several other companies and comparing pricing, I decided that based on the reviews, value and interactions I had with the team at ITCareerswitch, I would go with them.
What did you enjoy most?
I really enjoyed learning about the various methods you can deploy to troubleshoot hardware/software issues (As I did a CompTIA A+ certification, this was the main focus). This then transferred over into my day-to-day life, where friends and family started coming to me with reasonably basic issues, but due to the knowledge and experience I had gained through the blend of practical and theoretical experience provided through the course, I was able to help them with newfound confidence.
What's your current role like?
I currently work within the IT support team for Education South West as an IT Services Technician. The role is well varied, as I’m based in two schools each week, but occasionally must travel to other nearby schools to troubleshoot on-site issues which can’t be fixed with remote assistance or instructions. The role itself consists of 1st/2nd line support – anywhere from account management in AD, using SCCM to remotely connect to staff members laptops to help troubleshoot their issues. A lot of what I do is also giving advice to people over the phone or face to face, so there is a customer facing element to the role too. I also take apart a lot of laptops, usually to look at disconnected cables to the motherboard/hard resets etc – but most recently replacing a hp screen. So, in a way, the Hardware/Software centric course I did was perfect for the role I now have, and I really appreciate all the help and support I had with ITCareerswitch, feeling (dare I say) blessed to have got such a good job in this economy – If you’re thinking about a career in IT, this company is a great place to start!