Become A Computer Specialist

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Working As A Computer Specialist

Interacting With Computers
Getting Information
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

$73,131
Average Salary

What Does A Computer Specialist Do

Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called computer network support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization. Others, called computer user support specialists, assist non-IT users who are having computer problems.

Duties

Computer network support specialists typically do the following:

Test and evaluate existing network systems
Perform regular maintenance to ensure that networks operate correctly
Troubleshoot local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Internet systems

Computer network support specialists, also called technical support specialists, usually work in their organization’s IT department. They help IT staff analyze, troubleshoot, and evaluate computer network problems. They play an important role in the routine maintenance of their organization’s networks such as performing file backups on the network. Maintenance can be performed daily, weekly, or monthly and is important to an organization’s disaster recovery efforts. Solving an IT problem promptly is important because organizations depend on their network systems. Network support specialists may assist the organization’s computer users through phone, email, or in-person visits. They often work under network and computer systems administrators, who handle more complex tasks.

Computer user support specialists typically do the following:

Pay attention to customers’ descriptions of their computer problems
Ask customers questions to properly diagnose the problem
Walk customers through the recommended problem-solving steps
Set up or repair computer equipment and related devices
Train users to work with new computer hardware or software, such as printers, word-processing software, and email
Provide other team members and managers in the organization with information about what gives customers the most trouble and about other concerns customers have

Computer user support specialists, also called help-desk technicians, usually provide technical help to non-IT computer users. They respond to phone and email requests for help. They can usually help users remotely, but they also may make site visits so that they can solve a problem in person.

Help-desk technicians may solve a range of problems that vary with the industry and the particular firm. Some technicians work for large software companies or for support service firms and must give instructions to business customers on how to use business-specific programs such as an electronic health records program used in hospitals or physicians’ offices. Sometimes they work with other technicians to resolve problems.

Other help-desk technicians work in call centers, answering simpler questions from non-business customers. They may walk customers through basic steps in re-establishing an Internet connection or troubleshooting household IT products such as a Wi-Fi router.

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How To Become A Computer Specialist

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 computer support specialist positions, but an associate’s degree or postsecondary classes may be enough for others.

Education

Education requirements for computer support specialists vary. Computer user support specialist jobs require some computer knowledge, but not necessarily a postsecondary degree. Applicants who have taken some computer-related classes are often qualified. For computer network support specialists, many employers accept applicants with an associate’s degree, although some prefer applicants to have a bachelor’s degree.

Large software companies that provide support to business users who buy their products or services often require a bachelor’s degree. Positions that are more technical are likely to require a degree in a field such as computer science, engineering, or information science, but for others, the applicant’s field of study is less important.

To keep up with changes in technology, many computer support specialists continue their education throughout their careers.

Certification

Certification programs are generally offered by vendors or from vendor-neutral certification providers. Certification validates the knowledge of and best practices required by computer support specialists. Companies may require their computer support specialists to hold certifications in the products the companies use.

Advancement

Many computer support specialists advance to other information technology positions, such as network and computer systems administrators and software developers. Some become managers in the computer support services department. Some organizations provide paths for support specialists to move into other parts of the organization, such as sales. For more information, see the profiles on network and computer systems administrators and software developers.

Important Qualities

Customer-service skills. Computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic. They must often help people who are frustrated with the software or hardware they are trying to use.

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.

Problem-solving skills. Support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them.

Speaking skills. Support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand.

Writing skills. Strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as real-time web chat interactions.

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Computer Specialist jobs

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Computer Specialist Career Paths

Computer Specialist

Computer Technician Technician Specialist

Account Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Technical Support Specialist Project Manager Program Manager

Business Development Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Network Technician Network Administrator Director Of Information

Chief Information Officer

11 Yearsyrs

Information Technology Manager Windows System Administrator Senior System Administrator

Data Center Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Information Technology Specialist Information Technology Manager

Director Of Information

10 Yearsyrs

Information Technology Manager Director Of Information

Director Of Information Technology Services

12 Yearsyrs

Systems Analyst Program Manager General Manager

Director Of Sales

10 Yearsyrs

Systems Engineer Senior Network Engineer Network Administrator

Information Systems Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Systems Administrator Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Director

10 Yearsyrs

Systems Engineer Information Technology Consultant Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Infrastructure Manager

11 Yearsyrs

Information Technology Specialist Systems Administrator

Information Technology Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Programmer Analyst Systems Engineer Information Technology Manager

Infrastructure Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Systems Analyst Business Analyst Product Manager

Marketing Director

7 Yearsyrs

Systems Administrator Project Manager Program Manager

Marketing Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Computer Technician Technical Support Specialist Business Analyst

Product Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Network Administrator Systems Engineer Sales Engineer

Sales Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Network Technician Systems Administrator Information Technology Manager

Senior Information Technology Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Technical Support Specialist Business Analyst Product Manager

Senior Product Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Office Manager Sales Consultant Solution Specialist

Solutions Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Network Administrator Director Of Information

Vice President Of Information Technology

12 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Computer Operations Specialist 5.2 years
Computer Systems Manager 4.6 years
Computer Operation Technician 4.6 years
Computer System Specialist 4.3 years
Systems Specialist 4.2 years
Computer Specialist 4.0 years
Computer Network Administrator 4.0 years
Computer Service Manager 4.0 years
Senior Technical Support Specialist 3.9 years
Computer System Technician 3.9 years
Computer Network Specialist 3.8 years
Information Systems Specialist 3.8 years
Computer Technical Specialist 3.5 years
Systems Support Specialist 3.4 years
Computer Analyst 3.3 years
PC Systems Administrator 3.3 years
Computer Consultant 3.2 years
Computer Support Analyst 3.1 years
Computer Support Specialist 3.1 years
Computer Engineer 3.0 years
Computer Service Technician 2.8 years
MIS Technician 2.7 years
Computer Support Technician 2.5 years
Technical Support Specialist 2.5 years
Network Support Technician 2.5 years
Hardware Specialist 2.5 years
Computer Assistant 2.2 years

Top Careers Before Computer Specialist

Top Careers After Computer Specialist

Computer Specialist Demographics

Gender

Male
69.7%
Female
27.9%
Unknown
2.4%

Ethnicity

White
76.7%
Hispanic or Latino
11.0%
Asian
9.2%
Unknown
2.3%
Black or African American
0.7%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
55.8%
French
7.0%
Portuguese
4.1%
Arabic
4.1%
Vietnamese
3.5%
German
3.5%
Mandarin
2.9%
Chinese
2.9%
Japanese
2.9%
Cantonese
2.3%
Hindi
1.7%
Russian
1.7%
Italian
1.7%
Swedish
1.2%
Korean
1.2%
Hebrew
1.2%
Marathi
0.6%
Hmong
0.6%
Wolof
0.6%
Bosnian
0.6%

Computer Specialist

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Computer Specialist Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
17.2%
University of Illinois at Chicago
11.3%
University of Maryland - University College
9.3%
Strayer University
8.4%
Northern Virginia Community College
5.9%
George Mason University
5.4%
University of Maryland - College Park
4.1%
Western Governors University
4.1%
Brigham Young University
3.4%
Webster University
3.2%
Troy University
3.2%
Pennsylvania State University
3.2%
George Washington University
2.9%
Anne Arundel Community College
2.9%
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
2.9%
Colorado Technical University
2.9%
Michigan State University
2.5%
Community College of the Air Force
2.5%
Prince George's Community College
2.3%
Old Dominion University
2.3%

Majors

Degrees

Bachelors
40.0%
Other
23.2%
Masters
15.6%
Associate
14.1%
Certificate
4.6%
Doctorate
1.4%
Diploma
0.9%
License
0.1%

Computer Specialist

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Real Computer Specialist Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Computer Specialist	Jean Martin Inc.	Las Vegas, NV	Jun 17, 2016	$125,000
Computer Specialist	Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc.	New York, NY	Oct 20, 2015	$98,904
Computer Specialist	Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc.	New York, NY	Nov 09, 2016	$98,904
Computer Specialist	Pegaframe Infotech Inc.	Bedminster, NJ	Jun 24, 2016	$95,000
Computer Specialist	Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc.	Santa Clara, CA	Nov 09, 2016	$93,579
Computer Specialist	Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc.	Sunnyvale, CA	Jun 19, 2016	$93,579
Lead Computer Modeling & Analytics Specialist	Xceedance, Inc.	Boston, MA	Oct 09, 2016	$92,810 - $98,000
Computer Specialist Analyst	Global Bridge Infotech Inc., .	Millington, MD	Sep 30, 2015	$92,300
Computer Specialist	Jean Martin Inc.	San Jose, CA	Dec 14, 2015	$92,290
Computer Specialist	Jean Martin Inc.	Sunnyvale, CA	Sep 07, 2015	$92,290
Computer Specialist	Jean Martin Inc.	Richfield, OH	Sep 22, 2015	$67,350
Computer Specialist	Tech Mahindra (Americas) Inc.	Franklin, TN	Sep 14, 2016	$67,210
Scientific Computing Professional Specialist	The University of Georgia	Athens, GA	Mar 29, 2016	$67,098
Computer Specialist	Tringapps Inc.	Bohemia, NY	Oct 26, 2015	$67,000
Computer Specialist	Jean Martin Inc.	Scottsdale, AZ	Dec 14, 2015	$66,997
Computer Specialist	Jinigram LLC	Palo Alto, CA	Sep 27, 2016	$66,830
Computer Specialist	Jinigram LLC	Palo Alto, CA	Sep 29, 2016	$66,830
Computer Specialist	Jean Martin Inc.	Princeton, NJ	Nov 20, 2015	$64,189
Computer Specialist	Jean Martin Inc.	Warren, NJ	Mar 11, 2015	$64,189
Computer Specialist	Jean Martin Inc.	Carmel, IN	Jan 20, 2015	$64,189
Computer Specialist	Tringapps Inc.	Monmouth Junction, NJ	Jan 20, 2015	$64,189
Computer Specialist	Tringapps Inc.	Bedminster, NJ	Jan 20, 2015	$64,189
Computer Specialist	Tringapps Inc.	Warren, NJ	Jan 09, 2016	$64,189
Computer Specialist-Content Management System	Tekivy Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Sep 15, 2016	$64,000

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Top Skills for A Computer Specialist

Top Computer Specialist Skills

Computer Hardware
Personal Computers
Data Entry

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Handled installation, configuration and troubleshooting of microcomputer hardware, software applications and peripheral equipment.
Build, configure and repair Personal Computers (PC's) to include multimedia systems.
Performed weekly data entry tasks to maintain current database, and registered clients to receive groceries.
Recognized for outstanding quality of customer service with numerous IT departments and personal commendation from company vendors.
Configured and installed shared resources; network printers, network accessible scanners, workstations, tape backup and disaster recovery.