Hallam Parkes moved into Junior IT Technician

My main reason for choosing to start the IT career switch was due to wanting a new challenge in my career. I was feeling unfulfilled and stagnant in my current role and was needing something new which I both had a passion for and would be challenging while also rewarding. What appealed to me most was that the IT field offers numerous opportunities for specialization and advancement, whether that be in cyber security (which was the area which most interested me), software development or networking. Another major factor was the fact that the tech industry is always evolving, which means there are always new skills to learn and new technologies to master. All of this combined made me believe this was the right traineeship for me.

There were many things which I really enjoyed about the Traineeship. The first was the ability to study independently, this contributed to me improving a whole host of skills; time management, task prioritization and the ability to self-teach and find solutions to problems myself. These have helped me in both finding a job and performing better in my new job. An exposure to a broad range of topics within IT- such as Cyber Security, hardware and software principles, and cloud computing. All these topics were both stimulating and engaging which helped me identify your areas of key interest to myself. Engaging in practical, hands-on projects in the Live Labs, building on what I had learnt in the classes felt very rewarding and really gave you an insight into some of the many tasks you’ll be involved in, in your first jobs.

My current role is as a Junior IT technician in an MSP (Managed service provider) company. My main responsibilities involve: Technical Support: Providing first-line support for hardware and software issues. Assisting users with troubleshooting computer problems via phone, email, Hardware Management: Setting up and configuring new hardware, such as desktops and laptops. User Account Management: Creating and managing user accounts and permissions. Assisting with password resets and account lockouts. Ensuring compliance with security policies. Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service and maintaining a professional demeanour. Communicating technical information clearly to non-technical users. Prioritizing and managing multiple support requests effectively. Some challenges I face are Balancing multiple tasks and dealing with difficult technical problems or frustrated users can be challenging but also rewarding as you develop your skills quite quickly.