To become a desktop support technician, you’ll need a decent level of IT training, which you can get in several ways:
- An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in information technology or a related field.
- Self-guided online courses in IT support.
- Instructor-led IT support training programs, either online or in-person.
Many articles on how to become a desktop support technician will tell you that you need a degree plus years of experience to get this job. But in reality, if you don’t go the college route—and you don’t have to—this simply isn’t true.
We looked through 100 job postings for IT support roles in order to prove this. We found 88 of them did not list a college degree under education requirements. In fact, many job descriptions explicitly say that anyone with the necessary IT skills to excel in the role will be considered.
In this article, we explore the options for IT support training outside of a two or four-year degree. These paths are much quicker, less expensive, and can be just as thorough in preparing you for your first desktop or other IT support role.
One of these options is Climb Hire’s six-month IT Support program. Our program will fully prepare you for any entry-level IT support role through comprehensive training and the soft skills you need to land and nail interviews. The icing on the cake is that our program is completely free for all students throughout 2024.
Climb Hire is a non-profit organization that helps low-income and underserved working adults launch careers in tech. Take a look at our IT Support training program and apply here.
Two Options for IT Support Training (Without Studying for a Degree)
The first step to becoming a desktop support technician is learning the knowledge and skill set you’ll need for the role. While getting a two or four-year degree is an option, we’re going to focus on the quicker and more affordable ways to go about learning the fundamentals of IT support, which includes:
- Self-guided online courses
- Instructor-led training programs
Instead of a degree, these courses and programs typically train you to earn CompTIA A+ certification. This is the industry standard certification for entry-level IT roles and exactly what you need to prove to employers that you’re qualified for a full-time desktop support job without a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
To earn CompTIA A+ certification, you have to pass two exams:
These exams cover concepts such as computer hardware components, operating systems, networking concepts, and troubleshooting techniques. Mastering these areas will help you to repair physical computer issues and to configure and troubleshoot software and network-related issues in desktop support roles.
There’s a lot of technical material to cover, which is why preparing for the CompTIA A+ exams through a course or training program is often necessary.
1. Self-Guided Online Courses
There’s no shortage of self-guided courses and YouTube training videos available online. Many of these courses are free or affordable, and you follow along with the materials on your own schedule.
While this may be appealing to some, the downsides can often outweigh the benefits:
- It’s not easy to teach yourself complex technical skills and concepts. Plus, there’s no one there to guide you if things get tricky, which can make it hard to know if you’re actually learning the concepts correctly.
- Some self-guided courses aren’t as free or affordable as they seem at first. They might offer free access for a certain amount of time before they start charging you. Other “free” courses may charge you for extras that are usually needed to fully learn the material.
- When there’s no one there to hold you accountable, you may fall behind in your learning schedule. This can easily lead to incomplete study sessions and rushed preparation closer to the exam date.
- The quality of self-guided courses can vary significantly, making it challenging to discern which ones provide accurate and comprehensive preparation for the CompTIA A+ exams.
- You won’t get any help in your job hunt with self-guided learning, which can make it harder to land a desktop support role or any other IT position.
In other words, self-guided learning may be flexible and affordable, but it often falls short in providing the necessary structure and support for understanding complex concepts and getting a job.
2. Instructor-Led Training Programs
An instructor-led training program means having an expert to help you learn the IT concepts needed to pass the CompTIA A+ exams. They’ll be able to answer questions and clear up doubts about complex or confusing concepts. Some instructor-led training programs are fully online, some offer in-person classes, and some are hybrid.
- For hybrid or in-person IT support training programs, you’ll have to search for what’s available in your area. Check what’s offered at local community colleges and universities, as they’re known for having these kinds of limited programs. While these programs are generally more affordable than taking normal college classes, they still tend to be fairly expensive.
- Fully remote instructor-led training programs are great for those who prefer the convenience of learning from home. These programs offer the same level of expert guidance and interactive learning as in-person classes but with the flexibility to study from anywhere. However, instructor-led IT training programs can sometimes be costly.
For example, CompTIA offers fully remote training toward A+ certification. Coming directly from the source, you know the course material will be thorough. However, it will also cost you around $1500.
On the other hand, a non-profit organization like Climb Hire is able to offer an instructor-led IT Support training program for free thanks to our generous donors. Let’s dive into the details of our program and how it works.
Free, Comprehensive IT Support Training with Climb Hire
Climb Hire’s IT Support program takes six months to complete and it specifically trains students to pass the CompTIA A+ exams. When you graduate, you’ll be fully prepared for entry-level IT support roles, including desktop support specialist.
Here are some of the program’s stand-out features:
- Thorough training: Our program comprehensively covers key concepts needed to excel in a desktop support technician job and ensures you’re well-prepared for the CompTIA A+ exams. You’ll learn about hardware, software, troubleshooting, operating systems, network security, cloud computing, and more.
- Experienced instructors: Learn from seasoned professionals who offer tailored instruction in small, focused groups. This personalized approach means you get the attention and support you need to fully understand the concepts.
- Practical experience: The program includes hands-on lab work designed to sharpen your IT skills, improve problem-solving abilities, and solidify your understanding of course material. Plus, you’ll do a capstone project for real-world work experience.
- Training in essential soft skills: Beyond technical knowledge, our curriculum includes teaching soft skills, such as interviewing, resume building, and effective communication skills. These skills will significantly boost your job prospects.
- Career guidance: After graduation, each student receives dedicated support from a Career Development Advisor who will assist you throughout your job search and application process.
- Networking opportunities: Enrolling in our program gives you access to our extensive alumni network, where you can connect with industry professionals and potential employers. This network provides invaluable opportunities for job placement and advancement in the tech industry.
- Remote learning: Our online classes are planned to fit your schedule, making it easy to balance your studies with other commitments.
- Zero cost: Thanks to our generous donors, every student who enrolls in our IT Support program in 2024 will receive a full scholarship. That means it will cost you nothing. Additionally, we cover the fees for the CompTIA A+ exams, which normally cost $500.
Because of all of this, over 80% of Climb Hire graduates find jobs within six months of program completion, typically earning salaries of $50k or more.
For instance, Virginia was raised in a low-income community, but as an adult, she decided she wanted a life with more financial security. Enrolling in a Climb Hire program enabled her to secure a job with a higher salary and better benefits.
“I feel happy and liberated. Climb Hire makes it possible to be where you want to be when you grow up.”
Other Jobs You Can Get with CompTIA A+ Certification
With rigorous training in IT support, you don’t have to limit your job search to just desktop support technician roles. You’ll improve your chances of finding employment by expanding your search to related roles, including:
- Help desk technicians provide immediate assistance to a company’s employees or customers facing IT-related issues. They troubleshoot problems related to hardware, software, and network connectivity.
- IT support specialists have a broader scope of support. They not only address immediate technical issues but also manage computer systems, maintain network connectivity, handle server operations, and manage user accounts and permissions.
- Network support technicians focus specifically on computer network administration and network hardware within the IT realm. They troubleshoot network connectivity issues, manage routers and switches, and monitor network performance and cybersecurity.
- Field service technicians travel to client sites for on-site support, performing hardware installations, repairs, and maintenance as well as troubleshooting issues on the spot.
- Customer support technicians offer technical support for tech products directly to customers. They assist with product setup, configuration, functionality, and troubleshooting, and provide general technical guidance.
These are just a few of the roles similar to desktop support technician, giving you an idea of the range of career paths you’ll have access to with CompTIA A+ certification. And thanks to Climb Hire’s IT Support program, getting CompTIA A+ certified is just a step away.
Land an IT Support Role in Under a Year with Climb Hire
Climb Hire’s IT Support training program takes six months to complete, and over 80% of graduates find jobs within six months.
With Climb Hire, you can go from zero tech skills to being gainfully employed as a desktop support technician or another entry-level IT role — in less than a year.
From there, the possibilities are endless, with lots of opportunities to move up the IT ladder.
To recap, here are some of the benefits of enrolling in our IT Support program:
- All of our programs are completely free, no strings attached for 2024.
- You can complete the entire program from the comfort of your own home.
- From learning to labs to finding a job, we support you every step of the way.
- Upon graduation, you’ll be fully prepared for your first IT role.
Ready to start your IT career? Apply now to Climb Hire’s IT Support program!