Technical Support Specialist
A Technical Support Specialist
· Troubleshoots hardware and software problems.
· Good interpersonal skills and patience arae required for this job.
· What Is This Job Like?
· How Do You Get Ready?
· How Much Does This Job Pay?
· How Many Jobs Are There?
· What About The Future?
What Is This Job Like?
These workers provide more advanced assistance than computer support specialists. Common problems are: connectivity-the user cannot reach data or gain access to it; missing data-data cannot be found; slow performance-excessive amounts of users are slowing down the system; overload-lack of space on a machine for data; or program problems-the program is not running efficiently. Technical support specialists also work with hardware such as monitors, keyboards, printers, etc.
Generally a technical support specialist will work in a climate controlled, well lit office. A 40 hour work week is typical, although there will often be evening and weekend work times required, especially for entry level employees. Most work hours are spent working at a computer.
Technical support specialists and help-desk technicians falls under the occupational group Computer support specialists.
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How Do You Get Ready?
Typically employers require a bachelor's or associates degree in a computer related field for technical support specialists.
Graduation from a two year technical college with a major in computer science, information technology or related area and one year in the information technology field related to the position’s role; or graduation from a four year college or university and one year experience in the information technology field related to the position’s role; or graduation from a four year college or university with a major in computer science or information technology or related degree. Related information technology experience may be substituted year for year for the required education.
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How Much Does This Job Pay?
The median expected salary for a typical Technical Sales Support Specialist is $42,118.
Median annual earnings of computer support specialists were $40,430 in 2004 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Computer Support Specialists and Systems Administrators, on the Internet at Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm (visited March 13, 2007)).
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How Many Jobs Are There?
There were about 518,000 computer support jobs in 2004 across several industries. A significant portion were in the computer systems design and related services industry, which serves other industries typically on contract.
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What About The Future?
There is expected to be greater than average growth for this field, so if you enjoy working with computers and people, and you have the education or knowledge base required, this may be a field to consider.
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