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by4
34 PointsREQUEST: Desktop Support Technician Training
Of course as we all know, Treehouse is a technology education website. It seems it's focusing more on the programming and business side of things, though I think it'd be cool to see courses that train you in desktop support topics with badges similar to the web design and dev courses. Maybe stages like:
- Communication skills (in-person and phone)
- Problem solving process
- Technologies in the support centre
- Customer service situations
- Support process
- Network administration essentials
Along with your usual support classes covering hardware and software support, installation and configuration of Windows, diagnosis and preventive maintenance, and basic networking skills.
Just a thought. It's something that would be really cool to see implemented to further the career training from more than just web designer, web developer and mobile developer. It wouldn't take long to make, either, seeing as how it's all basically industry-standard stuff and can help you land a job fast :)
6 Answers
James Barnett
39,199 PointsI think CBT Nuggets is probably a better fit for a course like that.
In fact they have a Microsoft Desktop Support Technian course.
by4
34 PointsBut the price doesn't make it very accessible to everyone. One year on CBT Nuggets is five years on Treehouse. Treehouse would no doubt bring more affordable and accessible video education on the topic.
Kevin Lozandier
Courses Plus Student 53,747 PointsThere's dedicated training resources out there for such things that's not general soft skills. Microsoft and Cisco have widely regarded (and expected certifications) on such things as far desktop support technician training. The mention of CBT Nuggets is also spot-on, but can understand your concern regarding price.
A great deal of the things that related to general soft skills and responding to feedback that relates to web designers and web developers will likely be addressed a great deal with Allison Grayce Marshall's highly anticipated UX class refresh given it's due to have updates directly related to such things as far as what web designers and web developers should at least know.
Also look at Paul Boag's Running a Web Business class that recently was launched n this site; he's one of the best in that area and will address soft-skill/client-support topics when applicable. Overall, his class is a no-brainer to take. I highly recommend it.
Note: Haven't even started it yet. It's my mission to do so this week after I finish my stack of things to learn to refresh, recharge, and refine my enthusiasm to develop the remainder of the summer at a high level
There's other web-design & web-development learning resources that also address specifically communication skill, problem-solving, support process, and customer service situations, that would be sort of extra to post here.
For example, some of the best digital product development firms in the country host online seminars (even classes) on such topics.
Nonetheless, education relating to being a Desktop Support Technician is very, very specific and the everyday problems and concerns one would have with such a job can be argued borderline deviant from those of a professional web designer and web developer.
by4
34 PointsYes, the education is deviant from those of web developers. It would be much more specific. But it would help further the mission of Treehouse ("to bring affordable Technology education to people everywhere" - notice how it's non-specifically relating to web topics) and probably bring a lot more people into the field with the education necessary. We all know there's a shortage of IT professionals in all aspects, whether it be web or support. I think it would further the company and the users in quite a substantial way. (The biggest selling point I'm sure would be the price!)
Kevin Lozandier
Courses Plus Student 53,747 PointsHey Bailey Yordnoff , didn't mean for my response to be interpreted as 'since the education necessary for a Desktop Support Technician is very deviant from a web designer and web developer, it shouldn't be covered here'.
I was merely pointing out in the meantime, to check out, complete, or analyze the current offerings of Treehouse that can be useful addressing some of the things that you want covered by Treehouse in the future that's more in-depth in order to better support a person aspiring to be a Desktop Support Technician.
by4
34 PointsIs it feasible to see this in the future? It sounds like we have the talent, and definitely the resources available.
Kevin Korte
28,148 PointsFWIW, it's not something I'd be interested in at all. I wouldn't even spend my time on the lessons. As a matter of fact, I'd likely become quite frustrated if they started rolling these lessons out by putting further web dev classes on hold or delay.
Just my .02 Not knocking you Bailey, or the idea, it's just not what I'm personally here for.
by4
34 PointsAnd that's perfectly okay - I don't expect everyone already here to want to take these courses. I personally wouldn't take the mobile development courses since I came here for web design. Though the courses I've mentioned above would draw in a new crowd without a doubt.
It would help to find other people to teach the courses to not further delay web dev classes - you do make a very good point here. While that would incur some more startup costs, the courses and users of them would, in return, make up for the cost.
Kevin Korte
28,148 PointsYou make a valid point on the mobile classes, not really what I'm here for either. I think as long as we get a steady flow of new content, I'd be okay. If they have the staff to continue to pull off the web dev while getting into other tech fields. I'd be okay with that. We all want what we personally want out of this site.