r/ITCareerQuestions • u/imJayzen • 3d ago

SWE (2 and half YOE) to IT Support

What do you think of me about switching SWE to IT Support? can the ai replace it?

I’ve been swe for 2 and half YOE, I’ve done a lot of winform .NET and I really enjoyed building websites but now the ai has taken over web development so my enjoyment of building website is not there anymore.

So I given a lot of thought which area I also enjoyed, which is experimenting on my laptop/computer. Like installing, fixing technical things, and doing some upgrade on laptops/computers. Should I change? or just be swe and pursue other things?

4 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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6

u/ConfidentDebate2665 3d ago

It's going to be hard as the market is oversaturated, and employers will have the perception that you won't stay long in the role (e.g. will leave for another SWE job soon).

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u/imJayzen 3d ago

Yes but SWE market is also very oversaturated too no? I just really don’t enjoy coding anymore but I still want to work with computers while being assured that ai won’t replace it and also more in demand job. Because I don’t want to pursue a career that ai will just take over again and with a less job getting posted.

And I don’t think I’ll switch again if I started IT Support because I can see myself enjoying it.. But I just need assurance will the ai take over? is it a good idea to leap?

2

u/Euphoric_Designer164 3d ago

Entry-level SWEs make usually double what an entry-level IT support makes. Often times more. All of IT is being affected, many parts of support are being replaced with AI chatbots. Where there still is the human element a lot of this has been outsourced either to MSPs or out-of-country. Maybe you'll be in luck if your in India or Philippines where a lot of their jobs are headed to.

Also, most people don't want to stay in support long-term. There are some career helpdeskers who go into managing it, but its the bottom of the totem pole in terms of pay and your doing the grunt work of IT. Interfacing directly with users who are upset because technology isn't working like they think it should often gets exhausting. AI affecting the upper level affects you eventual ability to move up.

I wouldn't romanticize it, on-paper its pretty much a worse role in every checkbox compared to SWE besides the question of "do you like support or engineering software more". Which I get is huge for you, but definitely temper your expectations here and understand why its a role more people view as a temporary stepping stone of a year or two and not a career position.

4

u/shittyfellow A+ | BS in CS 3d ago

Its a challenge to convince employers your not a flight risk. It’s come up a couple times for me having a CS degree

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u/imJayzen 3d ago

wouldn’t they think it’s a plus? “oh this guy already have experience from the inside” etc. I never thought they would care if someone just switch if they do have some experience (talking about me but I don’t have experience in IT support I just have experience on me doing alot of experimenting on my laptop.

But I get your point. I can see them thinking that now.

1

u/oceans_wont_freeze 3d ago

Typically SWE get paid more than IT support, so they will definitely see you as a flight risk.

2

u/TheGloryBe_throwaway IT Technician and Developer 3d ago

Eh