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Desktop support vs IT Automation role?

  • 01-05-2019 9:11am
    #1
    steve_baxter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭


    Hi all,

    I've got around 20 years experience in desktop support and my current salary is €41k. I'm 42 years old.

    I'm considering moving into IT automation for a better salary. I'm tired of desktop support and am sick of being a 'ticket monkey' and to be honest at my age it's not something I want to be doing for the next 10 years!

    I'm interested to find out is there a big difference between both roles? The salary opportunities look much better in IT Automation.

    I would really like to hear from anyone working in IT Automation. Any feedback is VERY much appreciated thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    OMM 0000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,733 ✭✭✭OMM 0000


    What do you mean by IT automation?

    DevOps? Automation Engineer (QA)?


  • #3
    shanec1928
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,203 ✭✭✭shanec1928


    you cant have been doing an entry level IT job for 20 years, surely made some movement up the ladder?


  • #4
    steve_baxter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭steve_baxter


    I'm a level 4 senior desktop support engineer, started off in helpdesks waaaaaaaay back.


  • #5
    steve_baxter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭steve_baxter


    OMM 0000 wrote: »
    What do you mean by IT automation?

    DevOps? Automation Engineer (QA)?

    Automation Engineer (QA)


  • #6
    Berserker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,046 ✭✭✭Berserker


    steve_baxter wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I've got around 20 years experience in desktop support and my current salary is €41k. I'm 42 years old.

    I'm considering moving into IT automation for a better salary. I'm tired of desktop support and am sick of being a 'ticket monkey' and to be honest at my age it's not something I want to be doing for the next 10 years!

    I'm interested to find out is there a big difference between both roles? The salary opportunities look much better in IT Automation.

    I would really like to hear from anyone working in IT Automation. Any feedback is VERY much appreciated thanks!

    Not sure QA Automation is the right way to go if you are moving for money. The experienced QA automation guys I dealt with in the past were all earning ~€45K. The two senior lads were on €50K. Would you not consider a move into management given the level of experience you have?
    shanec1928 wrote: »
    you cant have been doing an entry level IT job for 20 years, surely made some movement up the ladder?

    Why not? I know one person who's been an IT analyst for 25 years. I know a good few people who've been senior developers for yonks and have no interest in moving up the ladder. Different strokes for different folks.


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  • #7
    OMM 0000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,733 ✭✭✭OMM 0000


    steve_baxter wrote: »
    Automation Engineer (QA)

    How good are your development skills?

    Automation Engineer is a development role.

    I did it for a few years.

    It's a good job. You're left alone and the skills are in high demand.


  • #8
    the whole year inn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,123 ✭✭✭the whole year inn


    OMM 0000 wrote: »
    How good are your development skills?

    Automation Engineer is a development role.

    I did it for a few years.

    It's a good job. You're left alone and the skills are in high demand.

    I knew a Automation Engineer that didnt know how to install a network card.
    Am I right in thinking that automation is to do with PLC coding etc.

    @OP what does a level 4 senior desktop role entail?


  • #9
    OMM 0000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,733 ✭✭✭OMM 0000


    the whole year inn wrote: »
    I knew a Automation Engineer that didnt know how to install a network card.
    Am I right in thinking that automation is to do with PLC coding etc.

    An Automation Engineer writes software to test software.

    So instead of (for example) manually logging in and verifying you are redirected to the home page, and your username is in the top right of the screen, you can write software to do this for you.

    The idea is when you write hundreds or thousands of these tests, you can cover a lot of your testing overnight.

    In my experience it's value is mostly political - senior management love the idea of computers doing the testing.


  • #10
    Ush1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,482 ✭✭✭✭Ush1


    Depends what you mean by IT Automation, is it a GMP scenario? That's what I currently work in and the money is very good.


  • #11
    steve_baxter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭steve_baxter


    Ush1 wrote: »
    Depends what you mean by IT Automation, is it a GMP scenario? That's what I currently work in and the money is very good.

    It is in a GMP scenario. How do you find it? Are you on shift? I'd prefer to work in a daytime role if possible:)


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  • #12
    edora91
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭edora91


    Have you considered going into sales? Your experience at the IT helpdesk can position you well for understanding the customer pain points and solution selling. It might not be a huge jump, but it would get you out and about, meeting new people, etc. Commission can also be good. Think about the vendors you’re working with and browse their career sites, automation could also mean being the one selling the idea to the key stakeholders ;-)
    We’re all selling (product, service, idea, solution, ourselves), the trick is to find an environment that keeps you on your toes.


  • #13
    Ush1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,482 ✭✭✭✭Ush1


    steve_baxter wrote: »
    It is in a GMP scenario. How do you find it? Are you on shift? I'd prefer to work in a daytime role if possible:)

    I really like it. Operational Tech is different in some ways from IT but it's interesting. No I don't work shift. I work on projects but there is a sustaining team, they don't work shift but there is an on call rota for them.


  • #14
    steve_baxter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭steve_baxter


    Great info thanks guys, gives me plenty to think about!


  • #15
    irishguy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,305 ✭✭✭irishguy


    Its only really a career path worth looking at if you are interested in coding i.e . if your currently doing a bit of coding on the side. If after 20 years in IT you havent been inclined that way then I would say it might not be the role for you.

    Have you considered doing a business analysis role? One of the help desk guys in our office moved into that role and loved it, esp if your a people person/good communicator. There is a higher potential to earn (more so than in automation) more especially if you move towards product management in the future. I know some BA's getting €500 PD contracting, they have 10+ years exp and are good at what they do. This would be at the top end of the dublin market


  • #16
    Ush1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,482 ✭✭✭✭Ush1


    irishguy wrote: »
    Its only really a career path worth looking at if you are interested in coding i.e . if your currently doing a bit of coding on the side. If after 20 years in IT you havent been inclined that way then I would say it might not be the role for you.

    Have you considered doing a business analysis role? One of the help desk guys in our office moved into that role and loved it, esp if your a people person/good communicator. There is a higher potential to earn (more so than in automation) more especially if you move towards product management in the future. I know some BA's getting €500 PD contracting, they have 10+ years exp and are good at what they do. This would be at the top end of the dublin market

    It's OT Automation he is talking about, not IT. There's not much coding involved (depending on the role of course).


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