IT support up-skilling

Dingle_berry

My profession uses some specialised computer programmes. It is common for at least one person in the department to be designated as an IT support person, they would set up new users, tweak the programmes where required, liaise with the IT department over network issues, upgrades, extensions etc.
As these roles are not full IT roles a formal qualification in computer science isn't normal, but are there any courses (preferably short, online and free!) that would teach IT skills such as computer networks etc? I'm not really sure what I'm looking for exactly, something that would help qualify a person to do the above job and look good on an application for such a job.

Stheno

Dingle_berry wrote: »

My profession uses some specialised computer programmes. It is common for at least one person in the department to be designated as an IT support person, they would set up new users, tweak the programmes where required, liaise with the IT department over network issues, upgrades, extensions etc.
As these roles are not full IT roles a formal qualification in computer science isn't normal, but are there any courses (preferably short, online and free!) that would teach IT skills such as computer networks etc? I'm not really sure what I'm looking for exactly, something that would help qualify a person to do the above job and look good on an application for such a job.

What you are talking about is what IT people call superusers who have indepth knowledge of applications and that tends to be about it, they are a cross between normal users and business analysts

The best courses to do are application specific to be honest

the_syco

CompTIA A+ may suit you if you're just looking for general info? Get the cert if you wish. They wouldn't have info on tweaking the programs, however, as this would be fairly specific.

Agree with Stheno, though.

moc moc a moc

Stheno wrote: »

What you are talking about is what IT people call superusers who have indepth knowledge of applications and that tends to be about it, they are a cross between normal users and business analysts

Power users, not superusers.

Dingle_berry

the_syco wrote: »

CompTIA A+ may suit you if you're just looking for general info? Get the cert if you wish. They wouldn't have info on tweaking the programs, however, as this would be fairly specific.

Agree with Stheno, though.

Thanks, I'll look up the CompTIA A+ course.
The only way to get an application specific training course is through work. I'll have to start sucking up I suppose!

Mrs OBumble

moc moc a moc wrote: »

Power users, not superusers.

Depends on it site. I'd call them superusers if they have abilities (eg setting up new users) that regular users don't.

OP, in some ways, any IT qualification will "overqualify" you for this role. You really need to be expert in the application(s), and have good conceptual thinking, analysis and communication skills to work with the networking etc specialists.

L.Jenkins

Dingle_berry wrote: »

Thanks, I'll look up the CompTIA A+ course.
The only way to get an application specific training course is through work. I'll have to start sucking up I suppose!

Be aware that, if you like the A+ Course and go for the Certification, there is also N+, for Networking, Linux+ and Security+, the latter two being self explanatory. It could go someway to giving your role within your organisation a little boost.

As Stheno has also stated, look into applications the Company uses and see if you can undertake Training and Certification in each. I wouldn't be afraid to approach Management either and see if they will pay for the training. May give them the impression that you're willing to do more, which could only work in your favor.

drumswan

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Depends on it site. I'd call them superusers if they have abilities (eg setting up new users) that regular users don't.

Well you'd be wrong.

Op, definitely have a look at The A+

nibble

drumswan wrote: »

Well you'd be wrong.

Op, definitely have a look at The A+

Yeah, a superuser is really a UNIX term meaning a user that has admin level privileges. Power user is just a generic term for someone that has a higher level of knowledge and/or uses their computer to a more advanced level than the average desktop user.

Anyway, doesn't really matter.