Are the (repair) android stores becoming the new help desk

The IT field seems to be growing so fast and I am just trying to eventually get into networking. So many of the help desk jobs have be outsorced to India and everyone knows that your IT career begins with a help desk job. It just seems like breaking into the field is becoming more and more difficult.

No breaking into. Just become your own IT service company. Business license, cards and start going at it.

This works for those that know networking, basic PC repair, can install Windows and such. For those that don't have the skills, it's back to school.

I am getting my A+ cert right now and studying for it on my own accord. I just wonder if this will land me a job

It's sad but I'm sure you run into Starbuck baristas with degrees. It's not only your degree but all about you.

I myself have about 6 years customer service experience, and 4 years experience as a security guard. I am 29 years old and have an AA degree and was one semester (18 credits away) from a degree in Public Safety Management when they cut me off from financial aid. It will cost me about 2k to complete that degree and I don't have that kind of money.

What is very discouraging is I have a good friend with a clean record (I also have a clean record) and he has a Bachelor's from our local University in Healthcare Administration and a master's as well from another very well acclaimed school in Florida.

This guy is a very good employee (I can attest to that) but he can't seem to keep a job to save his life. Also just about everyone I know is also in the same predicament.

It seems to be like winning the Hunger Games to even get a job paying $15 an hour or more right now

While some call this IT, many just get a job with Geek Squad or other service companies. Requirements differ, some train you and so on.

Education or certs do not mean you get a job today.

Yeah I am seeing many people get a job at Geek Squad and get their start in IT. I will definitely consider that option. I just wonder if getting a job at these "uBreakiFix" android type stores that you see popping up all around would be just as good.

Again, I think it would be hard to get an entry level help desk job at a local pc repair shop because those seem to be gone with the dinosaurs. For instance, I did a google search on Tampa, Florida and in that huge city....THERE WERE 4 PC REPAIR SHOPS IN THE WHOLE CITY.

You are having to become very creative to break into the field these days

But the ubreak shops will be vary narrow in the repair skill spectrum. Nothing like the breadth of issues you will need to work in a real IT operation.

In fact the IT shops I know of never do the work that I think ubreak offers. You may be adding a skill that won't be called upon.

BUT if you need a job, why not?

So PC networking companies would not really count this as IT experience then? Would it be more advantageous to get my A+ cert as well as finish my Bachelor's then?

I just noted that in the IT shops I dealt with over the years (I am someone that has apps in companies and more) they didn't have their IT staff do what you see in those shops. Is it worthless? Can't say but it's not a big skill called upon in IT groups I know of.

As to PC networking companies I think you get more exposure to everyday IT issues there. Not upper level IT issues but boots on the ground issues.

The Bachelor's degree is always worth it. The certs? Come and go as to if it helps in the job finding/landing process.

(There was no delete button or edit button so I had to make another post)

But there is always option 2 to break into the field. Here are the steps to option 2:

1) I get my A+ certification (which is good for 3 years before you have to renew it).

2) I am an unarmed (D License) security guard for a living now but could go and get my g license (And be an armed guard) and would make 2 or 3 more bucks an hour doing that. The class is 3 days and costs about $500 (class and license included)

3) I become an armed guard and make 2 or 3 bucks an hour more.

4) I use the extra income to take only one semester or two to complete my B.S. degree in Public Safety Management which is totally not IT related but it is,a Bachelor's.

5) I apply directly to IT companies but with no experience?

ARE YOU SURE THAT IS A BETTER IDEA?

1. Your choice.

2. Dangerous move IMO. One of my jobs over the years was CCTV DVR design (camera design, DVR design not installing!) While I did cover a lot of electronic and software design this also meant I was going to trade shows to demo our products and by extension run into the guard companies.
Armed guards are well, a dangerous profession. Not only to you but others. One bad day and your life is either over or life as you know it is over. You have to make this decision with much deliberation.

3. sounds like question 2.

4. Always a good investment. But let me pry a bit. I find many burdened with 100+ dollar a month cell phone plans. My son, I and others go with Ting.com or Verizon's new 40 buck unlimited plan. You may have places to cut costs.

5. Why not? Here today there is a shortage of workers.

When you say, "There is a shortage of workers" in IT could you go into detail? In what subsets fields of IT are there a shortage of workers?

For example, I have heard there is a shortage of good help desk people. I would imagine that this is because help desk people either have to be disposed of quick because they just can't grasp the material OR because they use the help desk as a launch pad to jumpstart their IT career and then move on very quickly. Perhaps you could shed some light on the issue?

Also, again, what subsets of IT need the most help and if you could please elaborate on "quality help" because let's take programming for instance. These fly-by-night coding bootcamps are popping everywhere now and now I have heard that field is becoming ovesaturated with unqualified programmers that have no clue what they are doing

That is in the news so I would be duplicating the web.

Here's an example search: https://www.google.com/search?q=Worker+shortage+in+USA%2C+why+people+are+not+finding+jobs%3F

Those are the exact type of pc issues I am working on now