
Skills you'll gain: Computer Hardware, Technical Support, Software Installation, Technical Documentation, Hardware Troubleshooting, Customer Support, Computer Networking, System Software, Technical Communication, Computer Literacy, Linux, Microsoft Windows
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft 365, Network Security, Business Software, Computer Hardware, Cybersecurity, Microsoft Office, Desktop Support, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Network Troubleshooting, Technical Support and Services, Technical Support, Hardware Troubleshooting, Generative AI, Operating Systems, Collaborative Software, System Support, Network Protocols, TCP/IP, Application Security, Cloud Computing
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Peripheral Devices, Network Troubleshooting, Desktop Support, Computer Displays, USB, Wireless Networks, Network Administration, Virtual Machines, TCP/IP, Virtualization, Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), Network Security, Operating System Administration, Cloud Computing, Computer Networking, Hardware Troubleshooting, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Mobile Security, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Starweaver
Skills you'll gain: Business Process Modeling, Data Storytelling, Responsible AI, AI Product Strategy, Business Process, Digital Transformation, Business Process Management, Business Process Improvement, Process Design, Sales Presentations, Google Gemini, Sales Strategy, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Sustainable Development, Social Impact, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software, Innovation, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Product Knowledge
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

Fundação Instituto de Administração
Skills you'll gain: Process Mapping, Operations Management, Process Analysis, Process Improvement, Revenue Management, Business Modeling, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Business Process, Organizational Structure, Supply Chain Planning, Business Operations, Project Design, Lean Six Sigma, Operational Performance Management, Strategic Thinking, Materials Management, Business Strategy, Business Strategies, Strategic Decision-Making
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Enterprise Resource Planning, Business Systems Analysis, Systems Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Cybersecurity, Business Requirements, Business Analysis, Business Systems, Cloud Computing, Cloud Services, Change Management, Business Technologies, Information Technology, Organizational Change, Technology Strategies, Process Flow Diagrams, System Implementation, Governance, Project Management, Critical Thinking
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

IBM
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing Architecture, Technical Support, Cloud Services, Cloud Deployment, Generative AI, Hardware Troubleshooting, IT Service Management, Cloud Security, Cloud Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Cloud Platforms, Cloud Computing, Professional Networking, Help Desk Support, Data Storage, Desktop Support, Peripheral Devices, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Service
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Operating System Administration, Package and Software Management, File Systems, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Operating Systems, OS Process Management, Linux Administration, Remote Access Systems, System Monitoring, Command-Line Interface, User Accounts, Systems Administration, Technical Support and Services, File Management, Software Installation, Virtualization
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Skills you'll gain: Patient-centered Care, Health Care Administration, Governance, Business Process, Business Process Management, Quality Improvement, Health Systems, Process Improvement, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Quality Assurance, Process Design, Business Process Improvement, Value-Based Care, Healthcare Project Management, Health Information Management and Medical Records, Health And Wellness Coaching, Presentations, Health Care, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Health Care Procedure and Regulation
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Medical Privacy, Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance, Electronic Medical Record, Telehealth, Patient Safety, Health Technology, Health Information Management, Clinical Informatics, Security Awareness, Personally Identifiable Information, Encryption, Help Desk Support, Medical Equipment, Desktop Support, System Support, End User Training and Support, Health Care, Patient Communication, Technical Support, Customer Support
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Multiple educators
Skills you'll gain: Sustainable Design, Corporate Sustainability, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainable Business, Sustainability Reporting, Sustainable Engineering, Sustainable Development, Business Ethics, Sustainability Standards, Sustainable Systems, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Planning, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Systems, Procurement, Supplier Relationship Management, Product Design
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Skills you'll gain: Terraform, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Continuous Integration, Ansible, Application Performance Management, Prometheus (Software), Network Monitoring, Continuous Deployment, Kubernetes, Application Deployment, System Monitoring, Package and Software Management, GitHub, Software Development Tools, Docker (Software), Containerization, YAML, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Automation
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Excellent computer skills are a must before learning support and operations. Any work or educational experience in IT, particularly quality assurance, infrastructure management, or technical support are helpful too. Because many people in support and operations deal directly with consumers and vendors, a background in customer service, even if it is from an entry-level retail job, can be beneficial too before starting to learn about support and operations.
People who are good communicators are well-suited for roles in support and operations. You'll spend much of your time communicating with customers, vendors, other IT team members, and people from other departments in your company. If you're planning to go into IT operations management, you'll also have to clearly communicate the needs of the job to your employees. This means you'll also need good leadership and decision-making skills. You should be a good problem solver too. When something goes wrong, it may be your job to figure out why and get to the bottom of it. Because troubleshooting can be time-consuming, excellent time management skills are a must as well.
People who work in IT support and operations may begin with entry-level positions, such as IT technicians, desktop support specialists, and field service technicians. As you earn your degree, gain more experience, and earn specializations or take courses related to your field, you may work towards more advanced jobs, like field engineers and support operations managers. You may also work towards jobs in cybersecurity, web development, software development, and data analytics.
Any education related to computer science or information technology can relate back to the field of support and operations. You may consider specializations in areas like IT support, IT automation, technical support, operations systems, and programming languages like Python. People who work in operations and support may also want to study English or communications to improve their written and verbal communication skills.
Companies that require IT support are the most common places that hire people with a background in support and operations. However, while some companies may have a team in-house, others may outsource to a third-party firm, so working for a company that specializes in support may also be an option. You may also find yourself working in schools, universities, government agencies, hospitals, and anywhere that operates using a computer network.