As technology continues to advance and becomes more integrated into our daily lives, Technical Specialists play a crucial role in ensuring that systems and applications run smoothly. At AlphaKOR, our Technical Specialists are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex technical solutions for businesses and organizations.
In this month’s employee feature, I sit down with Ryan Stevenson to get a better understanding of what a typical day looks like for a Technical Specialist, as well as gain some career advice for those interested in pursuing this path. In this candid interview, we discuss the skills and qualities necessary to excel as a Technical Specialist, the challenges and rewards of the role, and more. Meet Ryan…
What drew you to the Technical Specialist position?
I had been working in a completely unrelated field and was interested in the Technical Specialist position because I wanted the chance to get a fresh start in IT and gain some valuable hands-on experience with a great company.
What does the average day look like for you in the your role?
The average day for me starts with logging into the computer and all the different resources we use. Then I work with the rest of the team to handle any critical issues that need immediate attention. I will go over my schedule and deal with anything from the previous day that needs to be followed up on. Then for the rest of the day, I will respond to support emails and phone calls from our clients, schedule a time, and try to help them resolve any problems they are having.
What educational background is required for your role?
In my opinion, the CompTIA A+ certification is a great entry-level certification for someone interested in getting a start in the industry. There are a lot of applicable post-secondary diplomas and degrees that would also be worthwhile. Personally, I chose to pursue the CCNA certificate because I really enjoy working with and learning about things related to networking.
Did you work in the IT industry prior to working at AlphaKOR?
Prior to working at AlphaKOR, I was in the security industry. I had always had a passion and interest in technology and would often build computers and other projects. I decided to try and turn that passion into a career and pursued an IT certification in my free time. It was challenging but I really learned a lot and it was absolutely worth it.
What is it like working for a managed services provider?
Working for an MSP is great, especially for someone getting started in IT like me. It is a fast-paced place to work, and you are exposed to so many different technologies, businesses, and environments. You can really learn a lot in a short time if you set your mind to it.
What skillset is critical for your role?
I believe that communication is an extremely important skill in my current role. Most of our days are spent communicating with our clients and co-workers for scheduling, troubleshooting problems, and asking our team for help. It is necessary for reaching out to users, and for understanding the challenges they’re facing, as well as confirming that the problem is resolved.
What personal qualities do you think a strong technical specialist possesses?
A lot of different people can be successful working in information technology, but one of the things that will help you is being friendly, polite, and easy to get along with. Having a good relationship with your team members and clients can help you in your career, and also make work more enjoyable for yourself and everyone else.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
At this point, my favorite things about my job are all the new things and technologies I get to work with. It’s exciting to have an interest in something and then get the chance to work with these things every day. It has also been fun having team members who have similar interests at work and hobbies outside of work to talk about. Also, takeout Fridays are pretty good too!
What is the least exciting part of your job?
Working with printers…
How do you hope to grow in your field of work?
Eventually, I hope to move on to working on projects, implementing networking equipment, servers, and backup solutions, working with virtual machines, and continuing to grow and learn as much as I can.
What have you learned at AlphaKOR that has helped you grow on a personal level?
I’ve only worked at AlphaKOR for a short time, but one thing I learned is that you can always ask for help if you need to because no one can possibly know everything in this industry, and we are all working towards the same goals at the end of the day.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto that inspires you every day?
“It Is What It Is.” – Me, All The Time
For someone who would like to obtain a position as a Technical Specialist, what advice would you give them?
I think that soft skills are often overlooked and are equally or more important than technical skills for success, especially when you are starting out. You can learn technologies on the job but being able to work well with others and communicate effectively is necessary for every field of work.
Careers in Business Technology
Are you an energetic and passionate individual who thrives on providing excellent service to both clients and fellow staff? If so, we want AlphaKOR to be the place you want to work. We want you to love your job. Because when you love your job, you’ll do great things. Come and do great things with us!