It Information Technology help Desk Positions in it
This really depends heavily on the company that you work at. Positions as a help desk specialist are typically lower paying positions available to individuals that have some interest in computing but haven't necessarily become computer specialists. With the right application of customer service skills they have honed on other jobs, the corporation can teach them what they need them to know about computers and help advance their career throughout the organization.
But applying for a help desk position, though it does offer enough to make a better wage than other customer service jobs, in and of itself does not necessarily translate in a position into the IT department. If you want to utilize the help desk position to get into the IT department of the company you work for you need to begin to take courses in IT itself. A degree in and of itself is not always needed, but classes towards a certification or classes on top of a another degree you have already earned does help.
The company would not expect you to take your career in a completely different direction; for example a teacher or graphic design professional who hit hard times that ends up in the help desk department isn't necessarily expected to get a masters in computer science. However a dedicated focus and the ability to learn not only the skills of IT but those in the IT department itself is crucial. Network and learn who is in the IT department, volunteer your services whenever possible even if it means job shadowing or work in an IT capacity at some other company.
It may not necessarily be for you to work in the IT department of the company you are working at now, but working on the help desk will pique the interest of those around you and you may find entry level positions at an IT department somewhere else. You may end up having to work for non profit organizations or in a limited IT capacity on your next job, but that position in IT is attainable to anyone with the drive to work there. Often in IT a mix of good, healthy and honest competition along with some serious networking skills are as interesting as someone who is a bookworm that only breathes, speaks and eats IT. You may have to wait years for someone who is already working in that entry level position you're vying from the help desk to retire, quit, or move on within the organization. Get to know that individual; they may inevitably go on to work in an even greater capacity in IT somewhere else, and that may ultimately be where your first position in IT is found at that company.
