Computer Support Specialists

Computer Support Specialists

Career Overview

Computer support specialists provide help and advice to computer users and organizations. These specialists either support computer networks or they provide technical assistance directly to computer users.

Education

Because of the wide range of skills used in different computer support jobs, there are many paths into the occupation. A bachelor’s degree is required for some applicants applying to computer support specialist positions, but an associate’s degree or postsecondary classes may be enough for others.

Future Outlook

Employment of computer support specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. More support services will be needed as organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software.

Work Environment

Most computer support specialists have full-time work schedules; however, many do not work typical 9-to-5 jobs. Because computer support is important for businesses, support services may need to be available 24 hours a day. As a result, many support specialists must work nights or weekends.

Recommended High School Courses

  • Business
  • Communication
  • Technology - as much as possible!

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
  • Monitor computer system performance to ensure proper operation.
  • Read documents to gather technical information.
  • Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
  • Resolve computer software problems.
  • Install computer hardware.
  • Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.
  • Train others in computer interface or software use.
  • Test software performance.
  • Modify software programs to improve performance.
  • Test computer hardware performance.
  • Document operational activities.
  • Install computer software.
  • Maintain computer hardware.
  • Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
  • Provide recommendations to others about computer hardware.
  • Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
  • Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
  • Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
  • Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
  • Participate in staffing decisions.
  • Supervise information technology personnel.

Schools

usa_school
Alvernia University
Angelo State University
Appalachian State Univers...
Arcadia University
Arizona State University
Arkansas Tech University
Ashworth College- Norcros...
Assumption College
Atlanta Technical College
Atlantic Technical Colleg...
Auburn University
Augustana University
Baker College Online
Barnard College
Baylor University
Bellevue University
Belmont University
Bemidji State University
Bennington College
Bentley University
Bethel University
Bethel University (indian...
Biola University
Birmingham Southern Colle...
Bismarck State College
Bluefield State College-...
Bob Jones University
Boise State University
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Bowling Green State Unive...
Bradley University
Brandeis University
Brescia University
Cal Poly Pomona
Carleton College
Central New Mexico Commun...
Colgate University
College Of Business And T...
Francis Tuttle Technology...
Gateway Community College...
Georgetown University
Georgia Piedmont Technica...
Hampden-sydney College
Harvey Mudd College
Hobart And William Smith...
Iḷisaġvik College
Iowa Central Community Co...
Jefferson State Community...
Jefferson State Community...
Jefferson State Community...
Johns Hopkins University
Lanier Technical College-...
Matanuska-susitna College
Miami Dade College- Wolfs...
Middlebury College
Miller-motte College- Onl...
Miller-motte College- Wil...
Miller-motte Technical Co...
Miller-motte Technical Co...
Muhlenberg College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwest Iowa Community...
Northwestern University-...
Pennsylvania State Univer...
Red Rocks Community Colle...
Rensselaer Polytechnic In...
Roane State Community Col...
San Antonio College
Suny Columbia-greene Comm...
Suny Finger Lakes Communi...
Suny Plattsburgh
Suny Rockland Community C...
Suny Sullivan County Comm...
Suny Tompkins Cortland Co...
Thaddeus Stevens College...
Thomas Nelson Community C...
Tufts University
University Of California-...
University Of Chicago
University Of Illinois At...
University Of North Carol...
University Of Notre Dame
University Of Texas- Aust...
University Of Virginia
Ursinus College
Washington University- St...
Wellesley College
Westmoreland County Commu...
York Technical College
canada_school
Academy Of Learning- B...
Academy Of Learning- H...
Academy Of Learning- H...
Academy Of Learning- R...
Algoma University- Sau...
Athabasca University
Bishop's University
Cdi College- Calgary S...
Cdi College- Edmonton...
Cdi College- Edmonton...
Cdi College- Mississau...
Cdi College- North Yor...
Cdi College- Scarborou...
Cdi College- Surrey Ca...
Cdi College- Vancouver...
Cdi College- Winnipeg...
Herzing College- Montr...
Montreal College Of In...
Robertson College- Mai...
Seneca College- Newnha...
Western College

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship
Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...
Curt Pozan Trades Scholar...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:
Low End:
$38,990.00 /yr
Avg/Med:
$63,460.00 /yr
High End:
$106,420.00 /yr

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
WorkBC's Career Trek, http://www.careertrekbc.ca/.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.