[danans]

This was true even 14 years ago, especially after the dot-com bust when many former developers took jobs as help desk techs when the job market fell apart. I was one of them.

I eventually figured out there were very limited opportunities for someone with my skills and interests in that role so I studied and worked to build the skills to get a software engineering job.

I think that Helpdesk roles in general should be seen as stepping stones toward careers in more advanced roles. I actually think my experience doing that work has made me a better engineer and coworker.

[snuxoll]

Helpdesk was my stepping stone as a degree less high school dropout getting into a software development role. They can certainly serve a purpose, but I wouldn't stay there longer than I had too given a choice.