IT Department

Hey You Work in IT Right?

Or, How to Become an Unofficial IT Helpdesk Without Ever Leaving Your Desk

If you work in IT, chances are you've heard this phrase more times than you can count. It's the universal call to action for anyone with a vague understanding of technology, and it's usually followed by a request that's about as reasonable as asking a chef to perform brain surgery.

Let's break down some of the most common IT requests we receive:

• "My computer is slow." Well, congratulations, you've discovered the laws of physics. Computers, like humans, tend to slow down over time. Try closing some tabs, maybe even uninstalling that game you haven't played in years.
• "Can you hack my ex's Facebook?" No, we can't. And even if we could, it would be highly unethical and illegal. Please seek professional help if you're having relationship issues.
• "My printer won't print." Is it plugged in? Are you using the correct paper? Have you tried turning it off and on again?
• "My password won't work." Maybe it's because you've typed it in wrong for the hundredth time. Or maybe it's because you've used the same password for everything since 1998.

It's important to remember that we IT professionals are not wizards. We can't wave a magic wand and fix all your tech problems. We're just people who understand computers a little better than the average person. So please, be patient, be respectful, and try to troubleshoot the issue yourself before coming to us.

And next time you ask "Hey you work in IT right?", consider the possibility that we might not actually be able to solve your problem. After all, we're not Gandalf. We're just IT guys.