Recent CIS grad offered first MSP field tech contract job. Looking for honest opinions on what to expect.

I’m graduating with a CIS Tech degree and was offered a 45-day contract position with a small MSP. The company is only a handful of people from what I can tell. I’ve gone through multiple interviews, reference checks, and received an offer, but I’m having some serious doubts and wanted feedback from people who have actually worked in MSPs.

A few details:

* $20/hour

* 1099 independent contractor agreement

* Estimated 30-40 hours per week according to the owner

* Mileage reimbursement for travel between office and client sites

* Field technician role

* Small MSP supporting multiple client environments

* Mix of Microsoft 365, networking, hardware, workstation deployments, troubleshooting, onsite support, etc.

* Contract is 45 days with possibility of extension (not guaranteed)

My concern is that I have very little hands-on MSP experience. I’ve built PCs, done basic networking, troubleshooting, Windows support, some Microsoft 365 exposure, school projects, etc., but I’ve never worked as a field tech before.

One of the managers was very honest during the interview process and basically said the environment is fast-paced, there is pressure from clients, and that he was concerned about my lack of hands-on experience. That conversation honestly made me nervous.

My biggest questions:

1. Am I actually underqualified for this type of role, or is this a normal feeling for someone’s first MSP job?

2. How much training would you realistically expect from a small MSP?

3. How often are new field techs expected to figure things out as they go?

4. How difficult are typical workstation deployments, hardware installs, software installs, user onboarding/offboarding, network troubleshooting, etc. for someone new?

5. Is a small MSP a good place to learn IT quickly or a good place to burn out quickly?

6. Does $20/hour seem reasonable for a first IT job with no MSP experience?

7. If you were in my position, would you take the job for the experience or keep looking for a more traditional help desk / internal IT role?

I’m looking for honest feedback. I don’t need reassurance. If this sounds like a terrible fit, tell me. If this sounds like normal first-job nerves, tell me that too.

Thanks.