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Whether the title is help-desk support, technical support or computer guru, they all share one sizzling denominator – the people to fill those jobs are in high demand.

"IT assistant positions consistently are one of the top [staffing needs] in the Bay Area," reports David Knapp, branch manager for Robert Half Technology in Oakland. "According to our recent Hiring Index, these support jobs [should see their] largest growth in the coming quarter."

Companies across the board are eager to hire tech experts and those with a computer science degree. A good place to start, Knapp advises, is to sign on with a specialized staffing firm, look at Internet job postings, or just tap into your own family and friends’ network – anyone who might have an inside scoop on the companies that are hiring IT personnel.

Salaries reflect the rising demand for individuals with these IT skills. "Jobs on the help desk range from $40,000 to $60,000 depending on the level," says Knapp. "There are three different tiers of expertise, depending on the size of the company and the comfort level of the jobseeker."

A typical Tier I role would be answering phone calls to troubleshoot problems for personal-computer users. Tier II duties could involve basic hardware/software installations and regular maintenance functions supporting servers and workstations. Tier III gets into more complicated programming and network activity.

Build Experience

Knapp counsels jobseekers to grab the first opportunity to get hired and pick up experience. That move will position you to get to the next level.

"In addition to computer skills, an IT assistant needs to have good customer skills and be comfortable talking to people," he says. "When a computer user calls the help desk, he or she has a problem and those at the other end of the line must be able to put the user at ease and address and solve the problem in a timely manner."

These positions aren’t just for those who have already been trained and employed as computer geeks. Those considering crossover careers are cashing in, too.

"I would advise those with real-world experience to get any kind of computer certification to get in the door of an IT department," Knapp adds. "An A+ certification with Windows applications is highly recommended because it’s 99-percent universally utilized."

Another idea is to take online courses and find training that has ‘boot camp’ programs for the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer professional designation.

IT assistant positions are one of the best places to start your technical career because you can dabble in many areas before deciding where you’d like to specialize.

"With the country’s strong economy and corporate growth on the rise, these types of IT positions will continue to be in high demand," Knapp concludes. "Now is the time to jump in."

Jake Quan, a principal with PCSC, an IT service in San Francisco, concurs. "More and more people are using computers in offices and that means there is more opportunity for them to break down," he states. "When there is a glitch, it throws the whole company into chaos."

Self-Help to Get Hired

There is no licensing required in California, so entrepreneurial IT assistants can get started quickly. Quan advises studying for the A+ certification via online courses or through training offered by junior and four-year colleges.

"Although school training is the basic foundation to any career, practical training is essential to increasing your competence," Quan relates. "If you are unable to land a job at a large company right away, there is another way to get experience."

He advises jobseekers to put a notice in a community newspaper advertising their freelance services. After building a small client base they can return to their job search with practical experience to add to their resume.

"I have seen an increase in the number of IT technicians going this route to a higher-paying assistant’s job at a large company," says Quan. "This approach also could highlight the fact that your are a resourceful candidate."

The training needed to begin your career can also be found at technical schools, like Heald College, which has nine campuses from Fresno to Sacramento.

Heald offers certificate, diploma and degree programs which can be completed in six months to two years. Courses run the gamut from system security to network maintenance.

The degree programs concentrate on network systems administration and the short programs include certifications in Cisco Systems and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.

"Specifically, our graduates end up in fields such as LAN administration, junior network administrator, technical support and help desk," states Erik Ward, business development manager for Heald College in San Francisco. "It’s a good field for someone who likes to troubleshoot, fix things, and is comfortable working with their hands.

"The factor that makes the IT assistant field so attractive is the fact that these jobs are less likely to be outsourced," he says. "You can hire coders in India, but if you want your system maintained, you have to have bodies in the building."

Ward points out another positive about entry-level IT assistant’s positions – the rosy job outlook. Heald has more employers calling for graduates than they have graduates. The demand for candidates with IT skills has grown considerably in the last two years.

"We make internships a priority," Ward emphasizes. "We want students to be working in the field while they are in school. These opportunities definitely increase a candidate’s earning potential when they graduate."

Enterprising students would be wise to get certification programs under their belts along with a longer course of study. That extra technical training will set you apart.

"We also emphasize the soft skills, such as English and math, because you have to have a resume that speaks as well as you do," Ward concludes. "You might be a great engineer, but if you don’t have soft skills you won’t get in the door."