Stefan Frizzel is the newest addition to our IT support team, and is working as a support engineer at our office in Gateshead. We had a chat with him to find out how he got into IT.
'I first used a computer when I was 10 years old.' says Stefan. 'That was quite late for my generation, but I grew up in the countryside and my first school didn't have any computers at all. When I was moved to Newcastle I started IT, and I started spending a lot of time on computers inside and outside of school.'
'Google was just starting to come into the forefront, and the way people researched was changing - it was so different from going to a library and checking encyclopedias.'
As Stefan moved into high school, he started to become interested in coding and development, 'I was doing basic website coding. Basic HTML, that kind of thing. I spent a lot of time early social networks such as Myspace, because you could edit the code yourself.'
It was around that time that he started to think of IT as a career, 'I took IT though college, and then did a BSc in Computing Science at Newcastle University. It was quite different at college level, the software we were using was mostly Microsoft Office. Once I got to Uni it was much more technically focused; Java, C++, Web Development with PHP, which I liked.'
Stefan thought he'd end up working in software development, but once he started working in IT he took on more of a support role, 'I was providing support for local businesses, getting clients online, fixing printers, and then more advanced stuff like server configuration, disaster recovery, cyber security, hardware installation - a bit of everything really.'
'I do enjoy software development, but there are occasions when you can get stuck deep in the code and it can drive you insane. You could be focusing on a screen for ages and the code isn't working, but you can't find the solution, it can get frustrating as you go round in circles.'
'I find working in IT support more varied. You're working with clients, talking to them on the phone and getting them through an issue they're having. When you have an issue that's a challenge, it's really enjoyable and very rewarding when client expresses their appreciation'
Stefan started working for Transcendit at the beginning of January 2019 and is keen to start working towards his Microsoft certifications. He thinks working in our Gateshead office has been a breath of fresh air, 'Often in IT support work, because you're dealing with issues all the time it can have an effect on staff morale. But everyone here is really positive.'
For those who want to get into IT, Stefan says the best thing to do is get your own computer, 'Get a machine you can tinker with. And don't be afraid to research any problems and try performing the solution - the act of researching is going to massively improve your knowledge.'
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