Most businesses rely on computers to handle payroll, inventory and a host of other responsibilities. When your computers don’t work, you don’t work. That’s where IT specialists come in. Information technology specialists rescue you when your computers freeze and work behind the scenes to prevent problems before they crop up. You’ll succeed as an IT specialist if you’re dependable, patient and technically savvy.
Are You Wired For It?
IT specialists need a mathematical and technical aptitude to diagnose and solve computer problems, but they also need to be able to relate to people so they can cut through a user’s frustration to figure out how to rectify his or her problem. You need to be a good listener and you need to work fast to get your users back online so they can resume their duties. You need persistence to try different fixes until you find one that works, and you need to be able to handle stress because your users are depending on you. of under tight deadlines.
Plugging In
You'll spend your days overseeing computer systems, making sure they run as efficiently as possible, and addressing problems as they crop up from users. You’ll be responsible for maintaining anti-virus controls and warning users about potential virus pitfalls. You need to log the complaints you receive and how you addressed them. You'll refer serious hardware problems to more specialized technicians. You'll help develop computer policies and procedures for users and update manuals as well as teach new employees how to use your company’s computers. You also might weigh in on what new computers and systems your company should purchase.
On a Nanosecond's Notice
Because companies depend so heavily on computers, IT specialists are on call 24 hours a day. Some system overhauls are completed overnight so as not to disrupt workers during business hours. You will find IT specialists in a variety of industries, from technology to finance to education to health care. You’ll be asked to uphold ethical standards. For example, if you’re working on payroll software you can’t share company salary information with others in the organization. It’s also your obligation to keep up with changes and trends in the computer industry.
Get Integrated
Information technology specialists are among the top 100 jobs in America, according to CNN Money. About a quarter of U.S. IT specialists have a bachelor’s degree, and an additional 40 percent have an associate degree or some college experience, according to O_Net OnLine. The job paid about $46,620 a year in 2013, according to O_Net. Opportunities were expected to grow 17 percent from 2012 to 2022. IT specialists can network and train through the Association of Information Technology Professionals, a trade organization based in Mount Laurel, N.J., among other institutions.
2016 Salary Information for Computer Support Specialists
Computer support specialists earned a median annual salary of $52,550 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, computer support specialists earned a 25th percentile salary of $40,120, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $68,210, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 835,400 people were employed in the U.S. as computer support specialists.
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Information technology, or IT, specialists are computer systems experts who help people solve computer-related problems. Many IT specialists work primarily over the phone, instructing people on how to solve issues by giving them step-by-step instructions. Other IT specialists work as on-call repairmen who will come to your house to fix your computer in person, while others work primarily in office buildings repairing computers for companies. IT specialists are highly knowledgeable about computers and must meet certain education and training requirements to be successful.
Formal Education
IT specialists usually need some formal education beyond high school to get hired. While some employers will hire IT specialists with only an associate’s degree, many jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. Candidates should take courses in computer science, computer engineering and PC support, as well as mathematics, physics, statistics and other related courses. Courses in communications and psychology are also useful in for this career, as great customer service is at the core of an IT specialist's work.
Knowledge
IT specialists need to be extremely knowledgeable about computers in general, though many specialize in a particular software, operating system or other niche. They should have expert knowledge of computer hardware, software, circuit boards, chips, processors and electronic equipment. Mathematical knowledge is also important for this career, and IT specialists should be familiar with the principles of calculus, geometry, statistics and algebra. IT specialists also need to know about telecommunications systems and should understand the principles of things like broadcasting, control and switching.
Skills and Personal Qualities
IT specialists must be very efficient to be able to finish the job quickly and thoroughly; certain skills and personal qualities make the process easier and contribute to an IT specialist’s success. Being a good listener is extremely important for this career, as IT specialists are constantly listening to clients describing their computer problems. They need to know how to interpret this information, even when the client is not very knowledgeable about computers. IT specialists are analytical, detail-minded individuals who are good at solving problems both big and small. They also need excellent verbal and written communications skills to be able to instruct clients on how to solve computer issues.
Certifications
There are hundreds of different certifications available to IT specialists these days that qualify them to work with certain programs, operating systems and hardware. Obtaining a certificate shows that you are an expert in a specific niche. Big computer tech companies like Microsoft and Apple train and certify IT specialists to work with certain systems, and many types of certifications can be obtained in just a few months or even weeks. Having certificates can really boost your earning potential and open doors to new job opportunities.
Corporate employees would have difficulty sending e-mails to coworkers or getting on the Internet without IT, or information technology, professionals. They connect employees' computers to area-wide networks and resolve technical problems when necessary. They also keep apprised of new computer technologies and install software programs on workers' computers. If you are proficient with computers and have good interpersonal skills, a job as an IT specialist might be the perfect career choice. You must, however, fulfill certain requirements first.
Education
Many IT specialists have bachelor's degrees in computer or information science. Others earn degrees in systems analysis or management information systems. An associate's degree may also be enough to qualify you for some IT specialist jobs. The essence of your IT career is learning how to work with different operating systems, such as Windows, UNIX and Mac OS X, and being able to install hardware, such as modems and hard drives. Learning to troubleshoot software and hardware problems is also crucial to your success.
Training
IT specialists usually train for about three months after they are hired, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, year-long training might be required in companies with larger and more complex computer systems. Your training might be conducted in both classrooms and computer labs, so you gain both theoretical and practical experience. In this field, you are also expected to continually attend workshops and seminars to stay current with new software and hardware systems.
Certification and Advancement
While certification as an IT specialist is usually not required, some companies prefer it. Certification can also increase your employment opportunities. It may also help you advance into higher-level positions, such as a computer systems administrator, who oversees all IT functions and company servers, or as a software developer, who creates software programs for various applications, including database management and payroll systems. Apple, Hewlett Packard and the Institute for Configuration Management are just a few of many companies and organizations that certify IT professionals. If you aspire to advance into higher management or executive positions some day, a master's degree in business, or MBA, is beneficial.
Skills
Problem-solving skills are essential to IT specialists. You must know how to diagnose technical problems and develop solutions for them. In some cases, for example, you might decide to install a newer software system to alleviate problems caused by company growth. However, you would need to evaluate whether the extra cost is within your company's budget parameters. IT specialists must have listening and speaking skills. They must listen carefully to problems employees are experiencing so they can quickly resolve them. And, you need speaking skills to explain complex problems in layman's terms, and teach people how to correct smaller problems on their own.
Computer technicians typically work in support positions, taking care of users’ computer problems. They work anywhere from the backroom of a large corporation to the front help lines for computer manufacturers and software companies. Every industry needs computer techs in some capacity. In 2010, they made a median income of $46,260, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Maintain Skills
You may not need a degree to land a computer technician job, although some companies may require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or at least network certifications. One of your primary duties however, is to keep up with changes that affect your company’s IT systems. You’ll be involved in everything from installing new systems to troubleshooting and repairing existing networks. Ongoing training may occur at work, through the network provider, or at off-site seminars and workshops.
Install
A big part of your job is to install new hardware and software. In addition to working for an IT department in one company under the supervision of the network administrator, you also could find work with a sub-contractor who installs and troubleshoots network systems for small businesses. Computer techs also work independently, since many small business owners and individuals need assistance installing and setting up new computer systems.
On Call
In a big company, the IT department is on call for a wide range of issues that employees have with their computers. While you may be able to analyze those issues from your own computer with network access, you may have to interact with other users throughout the company on a regular basis. The job calls for a significant amount of patience with users who don’t understand the technology the company employs, but who do rely on that technology every day to do their jobs. Similarly, as a freelancer or outside contractor, you can expect to be on call for your clients.
Advise
When you work as a computer tech on a help line, you have to listen to your callers’ issues and try to figure out how to solve their problems. You may have to prompt callers with the appropriate questions to get to the bottom of their problems. At other times, you may find yourself on the line with a frustrated and angry customer. It’s your job to remain polite and turn the call over to a supervisor if you can’t calm the caller down. Once you’ve figured out the problem, then it’s your duty to walk the caller through the procedures he needs to perform to solve his problem.
2016 Salary Information for Computer Support Specialists
Computer support specialists earned a median annual salary of $52,550 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, computer support specialists earned a 25th percentile salary of $40,120, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $68,210, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 835,400 people were employed in the U.S. as computer support specialists.
With many organizations increasing consumption of information technology products and services, more positions are being created for IT professionals. Configuration specialists are responsible for readying computer software, applications and systems for use. They also participate in the manufacture of software, where they help to ensure development of products that meet user needs. Although most configuration specialists work for software publishers, others find jobs as in-house specialists in business entities, educational institutions and government agencies.
Doing the Work
Configuration specialists working in the IT departments of various organizations configure software so it works efficiently. For example, when a business wants to install a new filing software, the configuration specialist helps to set up the program in several computers. If some workers require training on using the software, the specialist conducts the training and provides any additional support they may require. In software development, configuration specialists communicate customer-specific preferences to the software designers and engineers. After the software is ready, the specialist may conduct configuration tests to verify it executes the required functions.
Getting There
To get started as a configuration specialist, you need to obtain a bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science or a closely related field. Employers also prefer applicants with excellent planning, analytical, communication, technical and problem-solving skills. Although not an essential employment requirement, having configuration management experience can improve your prospects. To improve your competence and career progression prospects, you can earn professional certifications offered by the Institute of Configuration Management. You could also pursue a master's degree in project management to become an IT project manager.
Telecommunications is an ever-changing industry, and to meet customer demands, telephone companies now extend their services beyond the “basics.” No longer will you find them offering just telephone service, but also Internet, cable and wireless capabilities. So, telephone technicians have become telecommunication technicians, installing, repairing and troubleshooting a wide array of products, such as modems, routers, switchboards, network applications and other equipment that transmits signals and information.
My opinion: This career seems to be hard because you have to get a bachelor's degree in computer science. It seems like tech support and not that interesting to me.
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