This is what it's really like to be the entire IT department

Five articles, in order, about what it really means to be a small company's only IT department — from the reality of helpdesk to not burning out after three decades.

1. What does it actually mean to be "the IT department" for a small business?

If you're working helpdesk right now, someone has probably told you to become a consultant. Here's what the job actually is, after 30 years in the field.

2. The skills helpdesk never teaches you (but you'll need)

"Get more experience" is useless advice. Here's what actually closes the gap between helpdesk and being the entire IT department.

3. How to price yourself when you become "the IT guy"

This is the article that would have saved me years of undercharging. Let's talk about money honestly.

4. "It's not my system" isn't good enough — a 3am story

A weather forecast service was down in the middle of the night. It seemed trivial. It wasn't.

5. Work ethic will make you great. It can also ruin you.

You'll only ever be as good as your work ethic. This job will also eat you alive if you let it. Both are true at once.