get out of support

[dezze]

UML wtf is that?

i'll have a read up on it.

also reading in the paper today that microsoft are toying with changing their OS's in future releases from the ground up and making them more web based, wonder how this will affect the desktop support industry because surely there will be implications (no software to install on PC's, less hardware spec).....less to do for the meagre desktop support technician.....

Unified Modelling Language. Basically stick men and process diagrams.

[Clippy]

You need to build upon the skills you have already developed from your time in support.

IMHO, a natural progression is ITIL based Service Delivery or into areas working closer with the business in terms on interfacing between them and IT.
This is assuming you have good soft skills - communication etc.

I was in support for about 6 years so can relate to where you are coming from and the above is the direction I am currently taking.

[Diver]

get out of support

Damn! I keep thinking this thread is going to be about boobs

[Bob Dalek]

8ys of 1st, 2nd touching on 3rd line support.

want to get out of it and move into something more exciting.

Any recommendations on an additional hot skill or area to learn?

Prostitution, perhaps? Watch out for lorry drivers, though, esp. if bearded.

[ace00]

You need to build upon the skills you have already developed from your time in support.

IMHO, a natural progression is ITIL based Service Delivery or into areas working closer with the business in terms on interfacing between them and IT.
This is assuming you have good soft skills - communication etc.

I was in support for about 6 years so can relate to where you are coming from and the above is the direction I am currently taking.

I agree. I was a 2nd / 3rd line network support bod for years. The natural progression is in to team lead -> project management (technical) / supplier management -> "proper" PM.
I haven't logged on to a router in years. Kind of miss it to be honest.

[NotAllThere]

As others have said, you should persue a direction that fits in with your experience.

At the start of my career, I did two years development work. Then I did five years in support - variously in 3rd line combined with systems programming; 2nd line support (PC software and networks - including exciting projects like upgrading to Windows 3.1); 1st line support (dealing with the IT departments of local councils who'd been foolish enough to buy our crap software).

During my time in support, I was continued to use and improve my programming skills - developing tools to deal with repetitive admin task, or to solving user problems; pinpointing precisely where the developers had mucked up. ( I recall one C numpty, who used string slicing to get year from the date ); doing application development using enduser tools.

From that I went contracting; my first contract was a developer using one of the aforesaid enduser tools.

I never went back into support...

[NetwkSupport]

You need to build upon the skills you have already developed from your time in support.

IMHO, a natural progression is ITIL based Service Delivery or into areas working closer with the business in terms on interfacing between them and IT.
This is assuming you have good soft skills - communication etc.

I was in support for about 6 years so can relate to where you are coming from and the above is the direction I am currently taking.

thanks that sounds mor like where i am leaning towards - any suggested courses (apart from ITIL) or resources that i can look at to give me a bit of direction?

[NetwkSupport]

Damn! I keep thinking this thread is going to be about boobs

It is now - www.page3.com NOT SAFE FOR WORK

[alfatech]

Prostitution, perhaps? Watch out for lorry drivers, though, esp. if bearded.

Or grow a moustache and become a porn star.