Typically we start as Tier 1 support people. We answer calls, we solve issues. Tier 1 is where you "cut your teeth", learn the basics of general systems troubleshooting, and demonstrate customer service. CS is much more important than most think.
Once you have a year or 2 under your belt in environments that provide training wheels (not insulting, we all started somewhere and noobs need training wheels), you can move on to a higher support tier, or leave and go work for a non-IT company, in the IT role.
The next step is commonly small companies that only have the FTE budget for 1 technical emp, but need someone in-house. This person will spend their time addressing any and all issues for an entire small company, and farm out the things that require specialties.
This is a great learning experience, imo. You get to touch damn near everything, from firewalls, to PCs, to printers, etc.
After that, assuming you picked up the info, apply it well, deliver good customer service, etc. you have many more options.
As far as where to look?
I'd start with small computer companies (break/fix shops), MSPs or similar also often need more Tier 1s.
Once you have a year or 2 under your belt in environments that provide training wheels (not insulting, we all started somewhere and noobs need training wheels), you can move on to a higher support tier, or leave and go work for a non-IT company, in the IT role.
The next step is commonly small companies that only have the FTE budget for 1 technical emp, but need someone in-house. This person will spend their time addressing any and all issues for an entire small company, and farm out the things that require specialties.
This is a great learning experience, imo. You get to touch damn near everything, from firewalls, to PCs, to printers, etc.
After that, assuming you picked up the info, apply it well, deliver good customer service, etc. you have many more options.
As far as where to look?
I'd start with small computer companies (break/fix shops), MSPs or similar also often need more Tier 1s.