Computer Support Training
Schools by State
for Computer Support Specialists:
AB AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK ON OR PA PR QC RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY
Career Highlights for
Computer Support Specialists
Training generally required for this career includes: Associate degree.
| Jobs and Salary | |
|---|---|
| Median Salary (2008) | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Vs. Other Jobs | Low |
| Jobs (2006) | 552,000 |
| Job Growth (2006-2016) | 12.9% |
| Jobs (2016 forecast) | 624,000 |
| Flexibility | |
|---|---|
| Working Part-Time | 7% |
| Self-Employed | 1% |
| Education of Current Workers | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor Degree or Higher | 43% |
| Some College | 44% |
| High School or Less | 13% |
Relevant Job Titles
(Supplied by experts and industry contributors for this career category)
- Automatic Data Processing Customer Liaison (ADP Customer Liaison)
- Call Center Manager
- Call Center Supervisor
- Call Center Support Representative
- Computer Hardware Technician
- Computer Instructor
- Computer Lab Assistant
- Computer Specialist
- Computer Support Specialist
- Computer Support Technician
- Computer System Technician
- Computer Technical Specialist
- Computer Technician
- Computer Technologist
- Computer Technology Instructor
- Computer Trainer
- Customer Liaison
- Customer Service Representative
- Customer Service Technician
- Customer Support Analyst
- Customer Support Information Technology Specialist
- Customer Support Professional
- Customer Support Representative
- Desktop Analyst
- Desktop Support Specialist
- Desktop Support Technician
- Education Technician
- Electronic Data Processing Auditor (EDP Auditor)
- Help Desk Analyst
- Help Desk Manager
- Help Desk Operator
- Help Desk Representative
- Help Desk Specialist
- Help Desk Support Specialist
- Help Desk Technician
- Helpdesk Analyst
- Helpdesk Manager
- Helpdesk Technician
- Information Resource Consultant
- Information Systems Analyst
- Information Systems Specialist
- Information Systems Technician
- Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst)
- Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)
- Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist)
- Information Technology Technician (IT Technician)
- Library Assistant
- Maintenance Specialist
- Maintenance Technician
- Micro Computer Specialist
- Microcomputer Support Specialist
- Microcomputer Technician
- Network Administrator
- Network Control Operator
- Network Control Operators Supervisor
- Network Specialist
- Network Support Analyst
- Network Support Specialist
- Network Support Technician
- Network Technician
- Networking Technician
- Office Automation Technician
- Office Systems Coordinator
- Operating Systems Specialist
- PC Installation Engineer (Personal Computer Installation Engineer)
- PC Support Specialist (Personal Computer Support Specialist)
- PC Support Technician (Personal Computer Support Technician)
- PC Tech (Personal Computer Technician)
- Printer Technician
- Product Support Consultant
- Product Support Engineer
- Product Support Specialist
- Sales Support Technician
- Software Installer
- Software Trainer
- Support Specialist
- Technical Account Manager
- Technical Support Analyst
- Technical Support Engineer
- Technical Support Manager
- Technical Support Representative
- Technical Support Specialist
- Technical Support Technician
- User Support Analyst
- User Support Analyst Supervisor
- User Support Specialist
- Work Station Support Specialist
Information Sources
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Computer Support Specialist Job Description
Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.
People who use computers at home or at work, regardless of their skill level, rely on computer support specialists for technical assistance and guidance. When something on their system needs repair or upgrade, or they don't know how or are unable to perform a task, users contact help-desk technicians and technical support specialists by phone, email, instant message, online forum or in person to receive answers. Additional responsibilities computer support specialists usually have are:
- Troubleshooting problems with computer software, hardware or systems
- Use of special diagnostic programs, reference guides, and contact management software
- Handling a large variety of requests from users at varying levels of skill, age, physical ability and language fluency
- Installing, configuring and removing data and software
- Taking protective and repair measure to computers infected with viruses, hacks and other vulnerabilities
- Writing training manuals and training support staff and computer users
- Providing customer service as quickly and efficiently as possible
- Communicate step-by-step instructions clearly and patiently
- Evaluating usefulness of software programs
- Monitoring computer systems and recommending fixes or upgrades
Most computer support specialists start out on the help desk, dealing directly with customers and capturing information that helps companies get feedback about their products. Many technical support specialists work in large call centers, while some work from home.
Computer Support Specialist Degrees and Computer Support Specialist Schools
Many four-year colleges offer bachelors degrees in computer science, information systems or information technology. Two-year associates degrees in similar fields are available through many vocational schools and community colleges.
Computer Support Specialist Classes
Computer science students divide their time between classroom and computer lab. Courses change quickly to keep up with industry trends, but typically include:
- Basics in computer hardware and networks
- Theory, design and management of relational databases
- Specific programming languages
- Software engineering
- Use and configuration of specific operating system, network and Internet software
- Computer systems design
- Computer and network security
- Distributed systems
Online Computer Support Specialist Classes and Programs
Computer science and information technology degrees are abundantly available online, and are well-suited for online education. Some online programs may not offer the internship and job placement opportunities commonly offered by brick-and-mortar schools. Any online program should be accredited by the Accreditation Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) or be part of a school with other recognized accreditation.
Computer Support Specialist Requirements
Many employers prefer to give entry-level positions in computer support to candidates with a bachelors degree in computer science or information systems. Others require a minimum of an associates degree in a computer field, or experience and certification in relevant software and technologies.
How to Evaluate Computer Support Specialist Schools
Students assessing computer science educational programs may find the following questions helpful to ask:
- Focus and preparation - Does the program provide a well-balanced curricula, covering the many aspects of computer science?
- Classes and subjects - Are there waiting lists for popular classes? Are there a substantial number of classes relevant to a specific career interest, such as software engineering or network security?
- Practical experience - Are computer labs equipped with the latest technologies? Are they crowded?
- Financial aid and expenses - Does the school provide detailed guidance in making use of scholarships, student loans and grants?
- Graduate success - What is the program's track record for placing graduates in computer support jobs?
Apply For a BrainTrack Computer Science Scholarship
The BrainTrack Computer Science Degree Scholarship is for helping students to pay for studies as they ready themselves for career paths in areas such as programming, software engineering, systems analysis, database administration, network administration, systems administration, network analysis, and communications analysis.
The scholarship is set up to provide helpful guidance to those considering entering or advancing themselves in these fields through essays that share the experiences of entrants. Eligible students must be currently enrolled in associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degree programs in computer science, information science, or information technology. A winning and runnerup award is given every semester.
Relevant Schools That Respond Quickly to Info Requests Through This Site
School names link to detailed profiles. Use the Info from the School link to contact the school directly for more information. You may request information from as many schools as you like.
Listed below are some of the careers in the US with the most job openings and/or fastest growth, according to US government statistics and BrainTrack's own analysis. BrainTrack's profiles for these careers overview responsibilities, degrees, areas of study, career requirements, online study options, and how to evaluate relevant schools. Each profile also lists relevant US schools including those in each state.
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