Two offers! Which one to choose???

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Two offers! Which one to choose???

rtd
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I am a relative newbie. I have been working in the non-profit sector for a number of years and have a Masters degree in Social Work (very non-related to tech). However, in all of my positions I have been the defacto "tech guy" since I knew more than anybody else. Well to make a long story short, I have recently realized that I really enjoy the technology aspects of my job (I almost pray for a computer to go down or an FRU to need replacing).

So, While studying to take the A+ exam, I decided to send out a resume to two jobs that looked interesting. Well guess what???? Two interviews and TWO OFFERS! (I know, a nice problem to have!)

Job 1 (With the City) Small IT department (6 mermbers) for the Municipal Court (3 sites and around 125 users)
- Systems Support Technician - Troubleshoot hardware/software, installs, troubleshoot, etc. They stated that I would also get "a lot of hands on" in almost every aspect of the IT dept. including AS/400, Novell, possible upgrade to Win 2000 in a year or two.

Job 2 (MAJOR Computer seller in Round Rock) - Help Desk - Desktop Support (Hardware)
Basically your typical help desk position (phones, phones, and dealing with irate customers), but the company is VERY well respected and the training seems good.

Both offers are about the same in terms of compensation (and really this is not as important to me -- I want the best experience!)

Questions:

1) What is more impressive to future employers - a lot of hands on with a City IT dept. OR help desk at a respected and well known name?

2) Anyone out there work for a City or State IT dept?? What were the pros and cons?

3) What is it REALLY like to work on a help desk?

Thanks for your help! I am totally freaking out about this decision!! Help Me!!!

rtd

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07-04-00 02:12 AM

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mars
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I'm from another country but Job1 sounds like the best... you want to get a lot of hands on exposure and sitting around on you're butt listening to silly users is not going to be of much help!

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07-04-00 06:03 PM

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behave
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quote:

Questions:

1) What is more impressive to future employers - a lot of hands on with a City IT dept. OR help desk at a respected and well known name?

I would say that you'll get better experience with hands on. Help desk isn't bad but don't you think it's better to be on the field and fix the problem right there? Sometimes they'll call you to visit them to fix a problem and you'll eventually have to fix other minor problem that wasn't bothering them enough to call to Helpdesk.

quote:

2) Anyone out there work for a City or State IT dept?? What were the pros and cons?

I work a community college that is own by the government as a Service Technician. I also do a bit of helpdesk when i can fix the problem without actually visiting the other centers. I service 3 centers that are about 30 mins from each other. Ok back to the topic hehe, The pros i have here is that my salary is a bit over what you would see in personnal companys. I have less than a year of experience and i have a 30K job which is not that bad. I had a job offer past august and the guy would pay me 8 bucks an hour which was a bit more than 16K. I just refused. Now for the cons, I don't have any job security right now. Usually the government down here just throw you 6 months contracts. That's not really motivating. I don't know if it's the same where you live but it's like this in New-Brunswick, Canada.

quote:
3) What is it REALLY like to work on a help desk?

Well i haven't worked only on a helpdesk. Like i said i have sometime to fix problems via the phone and i just hate it. Sometimes the end user is not very skilled in computer and you have to explain often and slowly. Depends what kind of job you like but Helpdesk isn't really for me.

I would definitly pick JOB1. You'll get a lot of hands on and will have new challenges everyday. There is nothing worst than having a job that don't bring in the daily motivation. Hope this will help you and you might want to check around with IT from you're region. Best Regards and Best of Luck.

- behave

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07-04-00 07:27 PM

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