As we near the end of the summer and enter the second half of the year, we step into peak new job season. Statistics show that the most common time of the year to get a new job is January and September. The start of the year often marks a restart or change in people’s lives, which explains the hunt for a new job. September often marks the end of the holiday season for most people, especially those with children. Once refreshed and relaxed after a holiday, a lot of people take this time to apply for a new role and a new challenge.
This blog explores the benefits of working for an MSP and why you should consider one in your (end of) summer job search.
The benefits of working for an MSP
An MSP (Managed Service Provider), is a service provider that offers a range of IT services to organisations. From network management and cyber security to cloud services and data backup, they can help protect your organisation from all directions.
Working at an MSP offers a range of benefits and experiences to enhance your career.
Firstly, you’ll be exposed to the behind the scenes of IT infrastructure in a real, working environment. This provides invaluable experience as it enables you to apply knowledge and education previously gained and apply it to actual scenarios whilst learning how to troubleshoot problems, deploy solutions and maintain the health of IT systems.
MSPs can offer diverse learning opportunities. By working with a diverse client base, you will be exposed to a variety of different industries. One day you could be helping a small business secure its network, and the next you could be assisting a large organisation with cloud migration. The variety of each day keeps the role interesting but also broadens your knowledge, making you more versatile and adaptable to future employers.
Skill development is a big benefit of working at an MSP. The fast-paced environment of an MSP will teach you how to manage your time effectively, prioritise tasks and work effectively under pressure. All of which are crucial in any career. Also, working with a diverse client base will improve your communication and social skills continuously.
Finally, exposure to cutting-edge technologies is another benefit of working for an MSP. They often work with the latest technologies to stay competitive in the market. As an employee of an MSP, you'll get a chance to work with advanced tools and platforms, such as cloud computing, cyber security solutions and automation software. The exposure to this technology massively enhances your technical skills.
Current IT recruitment challenges
The current IT recruitment landscape is facing various challenges. Driven by a combination of technological advancements, a demand for specialised skills and a shortage of qualified candidates.
Arguably the most pressing issue is the skills gap. The demand for expertise in areas like cyber security, cloud computing, data science and AI, exceeds the available talent. This has made it increasingly difficult for organisations to find candidates with the right mix of technical skills and experience.
Also, the competitive job market has heightened the challenges of IT recruitment. Qualified candidates are often poached by multiple companies from tech giants to startups. This increases salary expectations and makes it harder for organisations to retain staff.
Equally, the rise of remote work has geographically expanded the talent pool but also created more challenges in evaluating and managing a distributed workforce.
Before beginning the search for a new role, consider an MSP. Offering a breadth of experience, it provides the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and exposes you to a wide range of professional networks. Whether you are beginning your career or wanting to explore a new field, working at an MSP can be the perfect start!
