Why Tech Support Jobs Are Perfect for Career Changers

With the combination of AI automation and efficient production methods, both office and blue-collar jobs are declining rapidly. Some of the fastest declining occupations are word processors and typists, telephone operators, data entry keyers, order clerks, and more. 

So, if you are working in similar roles, you need to accept that these careers are becoming obsolete, and it is time to switch to an IT career. But why IT? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, information technology is projected to have about 317,700 openings each year for the next decade. 

Now, the question is how to and, more importantly, which IT role to aim for in this AI-dominant field, especially if you are coming from a non-technical background. 

The ideal starting point would be any Tech Support role because they don’t require a college degree, leverage your soft skills, are easy to learn, and are also safe from artificial intelligence automation.

4 Reasons Why IT Support Roles are Perfect for Career Changers

The following are the top reasons why you should aim for tech support roles to enter the information technology industry:

1. No Degree Requirement

According to the Census Bureau, just 10.5% of US citizens (age 25 or above) had an associate degree as their highest level of school education. Therefore, it is understandable that a large percentage of people who are switching to IT, don’t have an associate degree, let alone having a computer science degree. 

The good news is that entry-level IT support tech roles only require: 

• A high school diploma or equivalent GED
• Relevant job training (preferably hands-on) 
• Industry-recognized certifications

Career Training

Some employers offer on-the-job training for entry-level tech support roles; however, it should be noted that those are rare and often offer less pay. That is why it is highly recommended that you enroll in a reputable and fast-track Computer Support Technician Training Program.

These training courses can not only help you understand the fundamentals of IT support, but can also enable you to learn some advanced concepts, like IT security and cloud computing. 

Certifications

While you can certainly aim for multiple certifications to boost your employability, the recommended path is to obtain the CompTIA A+ certification and then aim for advanced credentials. 

2. Transferable Soft Skills

Another excellent reason that makes tech support roles ideal for career switchers is the fact that individuals can use their soft skills from their existing non-tech roles. 

For instance, if you’ve spent years in customer service, then you’ve already developed great communication skills and understand how to calm down a frustrated user, which are essential for this role. 

Key soft skills for this role are:

• Communication: Tech support is fundamentally about translating complex technical problems into simple, understandable (non-technical) language for the end-user. Therefore, the ability to listen, empathize, and explain clearly is essential.
• Patience and Empathy: Users are often frustrated when their technology fails. Your experience in de-escalating situations, managing emotions, and maintaining a positive attitude under pressure can become your biggest asset.
• Problem-Solving: In such roles, you’re not just reading a script; you’re applying critical thinking to diagnose unique issues. So, if you can help a frustrated customer with their issue in a busy retail environment, you can also troubleshoot their issue.

Learn about the 11 Essential Technical and Soft Skills for Tech Support Role. 

3. Safe From AI Automation

Much like how the Industrial Revolution made hundreds of jobs obsolete, the AI revolution is heading the same way. While not at the same scale, there are roles (both IT and non-IT) that are running the risk of being replaced by AI automation. 

Luckily, tech support isn’t one of them. In fact, it is among the few tech jobs that will remain safe from AI for at least the next 5 years. 

The reason why tech support, especially at the Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels, remains uniquely human is because:

• Handling the ‘Unknown’: AI and chatbots are excellent at handling Tier 0 (self-service) and basic, known issues (e.g., password resets). However, when a user encounters a genuinely new, complex, or emotionally-charged problem, a human is required to triage, investigate, and communicate a personalized solution.
• Relationship Building: Great tech support is about building trust. This is a critical factor in business-to-business (B2B) support and internal IT support, where establishing rapport and ensuring continuity are essential.
• Handling Hardware: Although the world is witnessing breakthroughs each year in AI tech, they are only in software. When it comes to fixing hardware issues, human intervention is essential.

4. Decent Salary and Growth Potential

Inflation in the US is skyrocketing, with the CPI of all items index at 3.0 percent. This, combined with the fact that the average salary for most production and sales occupations hovers around $45,960 and $37,460, respectively, it isn’t surprising to see a majority of citizens take on secondary jobs to make ends meet. 

This is another reason to switch to tech support roles. While the salaries of entry-level IT support roles are the same as the above-mentioned occupations, these act as the foundation to help you propel to senior-level positions that pay handsome salaries. For instance, Computer Network Architects or Information Security Analysts can earn up to $130,390 and $124,910 per year.

In-Demand Tech Support Roles

Final Words

Switching to information technology via tech support roles can be greatly beneficial for your financial situation and job security. 

Moreover, since the barrier to entering IT support roles is low, anyone can easily transition regardless of their technical background. If you want to discuss your career options with an expert, contact CCI Training Center representative.