Prior to the pandemic, experienced IT support professionals enjoyed a very low unemployment. The ones most in demand were network engineers with more than three years experienced. These engineers averaged .07% unemployment rate. But then everything changed with the pandemic This article explores the past, present, and future of IT support jobs in the Atlanta area.
2020 Pandemic Affect on IT Support Jobs
During the 2020 pandemic, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT personnel were highly overwhelmed. It was a mad rush to set up all knowledge workers in their home office, ensuring they had stable home Internet, secure server connection, and the right equipment and communication tools to carry on as usual. Unfortunately, the rush was over as quickly as it started, and projects dried up.
According to ComputerWorld, a record 100,000 IT jobs were lost in spring 2020. The rush was over as quickly as it started, and projects dried up. Some of the most respected engineers across Atlanta suffered this fate and had difficulty finding jobs that matched their most recent incomes.
MSP Acquisition Frenzy of 2021
In 2021 Managed Service Providers (MSPs) experienced an increase in mergers and acquisitions from private equity firms. Government regulations and IT talent scarcity heightened the lure of aquiring MSPs. However, as with most PEs, they sought sweeping changes to slash the cost of doing business.
Changes often included cutting low performers and middlemen, salaries, slashing bonuses, vacation time, sick time, and cultural aspects like team lunches and parties. In addition, many PEs merged several companies simultaneously and eliminated duplicate management roles. Many overpaid IT managers found themselves out of a job and unable to find a company that could match the salary they had grown accustomed to.
IT Support Professionals and the Great Resignation
In 2021, many Fortune 500 companies overhired IT professionals. They lured them away from MSPs with promises of high salaries and benefits to prepare for the next technology wave. Unfortunately, many of these professionals found themselves walking the halls and looking for something to do. In addition, many of them worked in silos on one or two technologies. In both of these cases, the learning growth stalled, and the engineer found themselves behind in the latest technologies and unable to return to the MSP field without a slash in income and benefits.
The Future of the IT Support Job Market
If 2020 taught us anything, it was how dependent we are on technology. What used to be a necessary evil in technology is now considered essential. The good news is that LinkedIn’s Emerging Jobs Report anticipates 11.5 million network administrator jobs to become available in the next three years. In addition, Burning Glass Technologies, which tracks job growth and labor market trends, anticipates an incredible growth rate of 6.5% through 2030. Therefore, the future for IT support specialists is very secure.
How to Attract a Quality IT Support Engineer
It can be difficult for small businesses to attract quality IT support engineers. They require competitive salaries, a solid career path, great benefits, recognition programs, training opportunities, and a positive work environment. Most importantly, they need new technology challenges to grow their career. An engineer working with multiple IT environments at an MSP will be far more advanced in their field five years later than an engineer who worked in a stagnant environment.
INSI is a Great Resource for SMB IT Departments
Innovative Network Systems, Inc. (INSI) attracts quality engineers by offering them competitive salaries, benefits, training, variety, and new challenges. In addition, our signature Customized IT program provides SMB IT departments a great resource to access the tools and talent they need to complete the needs of their IT department. We even offer guidance and hands-on training on new technologies under this program.
Do you need IT Support? INSI is the top IT Support provider in Marietta/Atlanta Metro area. Contact us for your IT Support at 770-387-2424, Option 2 for more information.
About the Author
Deborah Frazier is the author of IT Outsourcing Secrets – A Small Business Guide to Compare IT Support Companies. With nearly 20 years’ experience consulting small and medium-sized businesses on their IT support needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge to INSI as Head of Marketing and Sales. If you like this article and would like to get notified when a new article is posted, click here.
