What does a computer assistant do?
Also referred to as customer support staff or technical support, a computer assistant describes and solves technical problems associated with computer systems and programs. Computer assistants provide telephone-based and on-site assistance to clients and customers. They use their communication and technical skills to help users with their computer troubleshooting problems. While some of them work in call centers, communicate via email or through online chat. It is also their responsibility to install and upgrade the computer software and hardware systems of their employer.
Computer assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer assistant resumes:
- Set up and manage all Linux labs campus-wide.
- Process customer billing for cad services.
- Support deployment of all PCs and peripherals.
- Perform OS and software testing prior to creating system images.
- Install, modify, troubleshot and repair computer hardware and software.
- Perform HTML editing and page creation in support of classify intranet site.
- Create and maintain web pages in HTML format for the university's career center.
- Troubleshot/Provide support for desktop PCs, Microsoft operating systems, productivity software, and Internet resources.
- Support and assist with maintaining the operating system, which includes a dedicate LAN file server and print server.
- Help assist with regular office work and learned word, excel, outlook, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft programs.
- Provide project management with strict deadlines and tight budgets, while balancing resources for LAN, SAN and application integration projects.
- Create monthly reports and PowerPoint presentations.
- Upgrade, configure and troubleshot Macintosh computers.
- Verify accuracy of data entry in SharePoint and relate information systems.
- Configure and install routers for telecommuters to access internal network through VPN connection.
Computer assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Computer Assistants are proficient in Computer Equipment, Software Issues, and Customer Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Computer Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Computer Equipment, 12%
Performed help desk work; answered phone and routed inquiries appropriately; operated various computer equipment
- Software Issues, 12%
Diagnosed and repaired computer software issues such as viruses, driver errors, system corruption, and program failures.
- Customer Support, 9%
Advised and provided technical customer support to users inside and outside of the immediate organization.
- Software Applications, 8%
Provided support to information technology specialists by performing testing, documenting, and limited programming of software applications and operating procedures.
- Computer System, 8%
Worked rotating shifts with responsibility for first level troubleshooting, monitoring, and vulnerability scanning of computer systems and networks.
- Computer Operations, 6%
Review procedures, regulations and directives for equipment management and computer operations.
Most computer assistants use their skills in "computer equipment," "software issues," and "customer support" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential computer assistant responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a computer assistant to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what computer assistants do because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, a computer assistant resume shows how computer assistants use customer-service skills: "provide customer support services including installation, configuration, troubleshooting, customer assistance, and training in response to user requirements. "
Listening skills. Many computer assistant duties rely on listening skills. "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation.," so a computer assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways computer assistant responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated and collaborated with co-workers to resolve complex technical issues. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of computer assistants is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday computer assistant duties, as "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "analyzed and resolved customer support requests involving integration or configuration related issues. "
Speaking skills. For certain computer assistant responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a computer assistant rely on this skill, as "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what computer assistants do: "addressed various pc, mac and printer issues. "
Writing skills. Another common skill required for computer assistant responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of computer assistants all the time, as "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." An excerpt from a real computer assistant resume shows how this skill is central to what a computer assistant does: "implemented georgia-cumberland academy's web site by designing and writing html code and set up academy on the internet. "
The three companies that hire the most computer assistants are:
- Jabil6 computer assistants jobs
- Olsson6 computer assistants jobs
- Hannaford Supermarkets5 computer assistants jobs
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Compare different computer assistants
Computer assistant vs. Technical support specialist
A technical support specialist is responsible for assisting customer's and businesses' concerns and system issues by performing troubleshooting and remote solutions. These specialists must have extensive knowledge of system applications, including software and hardware database to handle complex processes that might affect the end user's experience or the business' daily operations. Technical support specialists should maintain excellent communication skills to guide the client and business on solving network problems. They must also document concerns and progress promptly for reference and quality checks.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, computer assistant responsibilities require skills like "media management," "computer operations," "treasury," and "cad." Meanwhile a typical technical support specialist has skills in areas such as "customer service," "technical support," "math," and "customer satisfaction." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Technical support specialists tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $60,838. In contrast, computer assistants make the biggest average salary, $52,027, in the government industry.On average, technical support specialists reach similar levels of education than computer assistants. Technical support specialists are 1.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Computer assistant vs. Desk support technician
A desktop support technician is responsible for assisting end-users with their network issues, grant authorization requests, and create user accounts. Desktop support technicians maintain the safety and security of networks, preventing unauthorized access and illegal dissemination of database information. They also handle the software configurations and upgrading the network infrastructure to avoid system downtimes and operational delays. A desktop support technician must have excellent communication and technical skills to monitor systems performance and enhance network navigation.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that computer assistant responsibilities requires skills like "media management," "computer equipment," "computer operations," and "treasury." But a desk support technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "technical support," "provides technical support," and "phone calls."
On average, desk support technicians earn a lower salary than computer assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, desk support technicians earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $50,316. Whereas computer assistants have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $52,027.desk support technicians earn similar levels of education than computer assistants in general. They're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for computer assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Ming Chow
Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University
References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity
Computer assistant vs. Help desk specialist
The primary role of help desk specialists is to maintain relationships between the company and its customers. Their duties and responsibilities include responding to guests' queries, providing technical computer support, and maintaining computer systems' performance. Help desk specialists are also responsible for following up with customers to resolve issues and train computer users. There are several requirements to be qualified for this position, which include having relevant customer service experience, problem-solving and analytical skills, and the ability to prioritize vital tasks.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a computer assistant is likely to be skilled in "media management," "computer operations," "treasury," and "cad," while a typical help desk specialist is skilled in "customer service," "technical support," "phone calls," and "client facing."
Help desk specialists earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $60,916. Computer assistants earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $52,027.Most help desk specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to computer assistants. For example, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computer assistant vs. Information systems technician
An information systems technician is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of various network systems' performance. Information systems technicians provide network troubleshooting, upgrading systems for optimization, maintaining the security of databases, managing the interaction of networks, and inspecting and troubleshooting system inconsistencies. Additional duties include creating network designs based on clients' specifications, configuring software and hardware applications, and creating reports on system issues and resolutions. An information systems technician must have excellent knowledge of information systems procedures, programming languages, detecting malfunctions, and making resolutions promptly.
Types of computer assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
