Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Information technology careers can require a variety of certifications. You might choose a technical college, or opt for a four-year degree. Your career choice can dictate the certification you need, so be sure to consult your school to learn more.
Common degree programs offered in information technology include:
- Certificates
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
The explosion of the Internet in today’s workplace makes information technology specialists in high demand. From working as a customer support specialist on the phone to setting up workstations for an entire company, information technology professionals bridge the gap from engineering to operations – and sometimes work in those fields, too.
Depending on the career you want, your information technology career could be a year or two away. Most professional certificate programs can take at least a year (sometimes two). Whether or not you decide to go to college, you should inquire about internship programs that can help to jump-start your career.
How to Become a Computer Support Specialist
There are two categories of computer support specialists: technical support specialists and help-desk technicians. Technical support specialists oversee the performance of computer systems and may diagnose and resolve issues as they occur, while help-desk technicians respond to customer issues over the phone by walking the customer through the required repair steps.
While some may enter the work force in a computer support specialist career with a certificate from a technical school or community college, many employers will require prospective employees to have a two or four year degree in a computer field.
Certification classes typically last from six months to one year; sample classes required are technical math, PC hardware maintenance, computer science, information science, and workstation operating systems.
Degree programs will include advanced classes in the same subjects as well as classes in statistics, database management systems, programming languages, and other topics in the specific computer field chosen.
Computer technology is always changing, and those in a computer support specialist career can expect to continue their education after employment to reflect advances in the industry. Aside from on-the-job training for the specific position you are hired to fill, you can expect your employer to require you to attend periodic training courses in order to keep abreast of technology.
Computer Support Specialist Salaries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median computer support specialist salary in 2008 was $43,450; the lower ten percent reflecting entry level jobs earned under $26,580. The highest computer support specialist salaries were over $70,750. (Salary data retrieved 5/13/11)
To get the training you need to become a computer support specialist, find a degree program today!