It also depends on the requirements of the company you want to work with, as requirements will vary. To succeed as an IT support specialist, it is crucial to have a certain set of skills. The wide range of skills used in this profession is relevant in several fields. The next section has a visual roadmap of which IT certifications line up with which career paths.

Top Reasons to Become an IT Support Specialist in 2021

Additionally, ZipRecruiter states that senior IT specialists earn an average salary of $80,821, so there’s definitely room to grow in this profession. The JDRE Content Team consists of Professionals with over 20 years of experience in career development, recruiting, resume writing, research, journalism, and human resources, and with much passion for helping people. Individuals interested in the IT support specialist career are also to have the ability to stay abreast and keep up to date on the latest developments and trends in the industry. This role could put you on the fast-track to success, especially if you already know your way around a computer. A support specialist works directly with people,  or focuses on maintaining the network. It is important to recognize the significance of IT support in businesses today.

What type of work environment does an IT Support Specialist typically work in?

To stay ahead in the rapidly evolving IT landscape, IT support specialists must attend training sessions and conferences regularly. By developing comprehensive guides that outline step-by-step instructions for various tasks, users can easily reference them when encountering difficulties. Participating in team meetings is another essential part of the daily responsibilities. When responding to service requests, it is important to prioritize and address urgent issues promptly. They also collaborate with other IT professionals to identify and implement solutions to improve the overall IT infrastructure. An IT Support Specialist is a crucial member of any organization’s IT team.

Computer System Configuration and Support, Network Certificate

Moreover, they ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations and internal policies. Part of their role includes educating employees on best practices for cybersecurity, fostering a culture of security awareness within the organization. Explaining technical issues clearly, updating users regularly, and collaborating with team members all contribute to efficient support and user satisfaction. To ensure success as an IT support specialist, you should possess extensive experience in providing information technology support in a fast-paced environment.

• Their duties go beyond solving user problems—they also maintain, optimize, and safeguard IT infrastructure.
• However, being able to show that the experiences you do have are relevant to the role you’re applying for is really important.
• Server+ confirms the technical knowledge and skills required to support and secure server hardware and software.
• This role could put you on the fast-track to success, especially if you already know your way around a computer.
• Then, if we’re a good match for each other, you’ll be welcomed to the course.

You may not even have to go to work at an in-person office because, in many cases, all you need for the job is a stable Internet connection. IT support specialists require excellent communication skills, not only to provide great customer service but also to collaborate with software developers and business clients. IT support specialists also work as help-desk technicians who provide customer support by sending email responses, chatting online, and calling clients to respond to tech queries. Depending on the industry of employment, IT support specialists also train users and provide recommended problem-solving steps for business-specific computer programs. Similar to IT support specialists, network support specialists deal with network-related tasks such as troubleshooting, maintaining network security, and analyzing network issues.

By completing outstanding tasks, reflecting on the day’s successes and challenges, and setting goals for the future, SysAdmin / IT Support Specialist job they can finish their day on a positive note and be better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. They think about the problems they successfully solved, the challenges they faced, and what they learned from the experience. This information can be used to make informed decisions on how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the IT support team.

• As an IT support specialist, you’ll perform routine maintenance on hardware and software to ensure an entire system or network works properly.
• You will learn about the network model and gain skills in debugging, customer support, Linux, troubleshooting, and cloud computing.
• Companies will often have their own expectations for educational qualifications, level of experience, and technical knowledge.
• The average IT Support Specialist salary in New York is $146,529 as of May 01, 2025, but the range typically falls between $132,571 and $161,926.
• IT Support Specialists are responsible for providing technical assistance and support to users.

Familiarity with a broad range of tools and technologies is essential to effectively troubleshoot and resolve technical issues. An IT support career is both dynamic and rewarding, offering endless opportunities to grow and adapt as technology evolves. From troubleshooting technical issues to empowering users and driving organizational efficiency, IT support specialists are essential in today’s digital-first world. By building the right skills, gaining hands-on experience, and following expert advice—like the insights shared by Kevin Apolinario—you can Coding carve out a successful path in this ever-evolving field. Providing user support is a core responsibility for IT support specialists.