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What does a student technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.
What does a student technician do

A student technician is responsible for assisting the school personnel and faculty on utilizing class technologies and other learning equipment. Student technicians accept school requests for setting-up audio-visual equipment during school events, class presentations, and related technical support services. They run multiple diagnostic tests on the systems before actual usage to prevent any defects and inconsistencies during operations. A student technician must have excellent knowledge of the technology and mechanical processes to identify preventive maintenance efficiently.

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Student technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real student technician resumes:

  • Set up and manage all Linux labs campus-wide.
  • Manage encryption key using common asymmetric algorithms and distribute mechanism.
  • Set up IP's & DNS for machines.
  • Update department websites using HTML.
  • Create and maintain databases for various customers with SQL.
  • Support with setting up PowerPoint presentations and video conferences.
  • Assist in cabling, configuring IP settings for LAN users.
  • Solve system relate problems effecting both UNIX and NT networks.
  • Generate Visio link state diagram of fiber links and inventory monitoring.
  • Use SQL and SAS to access and process parts and ticket database.
  • Prepare maps, graphics, and PowerPoint presentations for meetings and conferences.
  • Learned the use of Ubuntu Linux and research laser-based range finding methods.
  • Create graphic user interface for military grade sonar equipment using MATLAB and Java.
  • Design and develop website as part of a student web design team using HTML.
  • Create and track work orders for all issues via SharePoint, and escalate them when necessary.

Student technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Student Technicians are proficient in Java, JavaScript, and SQL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Student Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 9%

    Create new student and/or faculty accounts using company based software including PeopleSoft, Windows 7, Office 2010, and Java.

  • JavaScript, 8%

    Implemented web-based application frontend with CSS and JavaScript, utilizing JQuery and AJAX for dynamic content.

  • SQL, 8%

    Provide training to new students in Microsoft Office Suite, Visual Studio, Linux, Backtrack, and SQL.

  • GPA, 8%

    Focused on art and psychology, maintained a high GPA

  • CSS, 8%

    Developed and maintained ISAB official website (isab.berkeley.edu), using HTML5 and CSS.

  • Android, 7%

    Registered Android developer in XDA online developers community.

Most student technicians use their skills in "java," "javascript," and "sql" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential student technician responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a student technician to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Student technicians often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "documented, escalated, and responded to customer support issues using a ticketed problem tracking system. "

Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform student technician duties is listening skills. Student technicians responsibilities require that "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." Student technicians also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "communicated with students aided staff with classroom technology support updated systems"

Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for student technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how student technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a student technician: "resolved all technical issue and provided help desk support to students and staff in the library and computer lab".

Speaking skills. For certain student technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a student technician 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 student technicians do: "performed program installations addressed network log in issues used designated metrics to determine escalation of service troubleshoot and helpdesk support. "

Writing skills. Another common skill required for student technician responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of student technicians 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 student technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a student technician does: "provided primary study support & feedback for students, encompassing such subjects as math, technical writing and science. "

See the full list of student technician skills

The three companies that hire the most student technicians are:

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Compare different student technicians

Student technician vs. Information technology internship

When it comes to an information technology internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to follow directions from supervisors and gain practical experience. Most of the tasks revolve around lending assistance in generating codes and building a database, participate in troubleshooting, and developing network systems under the supervision of more experienced colleagues. Furthermore, the tasks will vary on the directions handed, which is why it essential to coordinate with team members at all times and adhere to the guidelines and policies of management.

We looked at the average student technician salary and compared it with the wages of an information technology internship. Generally speaking, information technology interns are paid $6,416 higher than student technicians per year.Even though student technicians and information technology interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require java, javascript, and css in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a student technician are more likely to require skills like "html css," "sql," "gpa," and "patients." On the other hand, a job as an information technology internship requires skills like "python," "c #," "data entry," and "phone calls." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, information technology interns reach similar levels of education than student technicians. Information technology interns are 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Student technician vs. Technical internship

In a technical internship, the responsibilities will vary according to the organization or industry. Despite this, most of the tasks will revolve around accomplishing tasks or directives handed out by managers or supervisors, which might include duties such as researching and analyzing, crafting new ideas from scratch, assisting other personnel, and sharing insights during discussions. One may also have to create or improve systems, detect issues, provide solutions, and maintain an active communication line with team members.

Technical internship positions earn higher pay than student technician roles. They earn a $9,491 higher salary than student technicians per year.A few skills overlap for student technicians and technical interns. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "java," "javascript," and "sql. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real student technician resumes. While student technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "html css," "gpa," "math," and "working independently," technical interns use skills like "python," "c #," "cloud computing," and "preventative maintenance."

Technical interns earn similar levels of education than student technicians in general. They're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for student technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Babak Beheshti Ph.D.Babak Beheshti Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology

-The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.

-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.

-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.

Student technician vs. Information technology/support technician

An information technology (IT) support technician is an individual who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members. IT support technicians are involved in inspecting and resolving minor local area network and wireless network issues, which include TCP/IP, DHCP, and VPN. They are also required to obtain an associate's degree in computer science or related field.

An average information technology/support technician eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of student technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to information technology/support technicians earning a $16,665 higher average salary than student technicians.By looking over several student technicians and information technology/support technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "sql," "android," and "customer service." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a student technician is likely to be skilled in "java," "javascript," "html css," and "gpa," while a typical information technology/support technician is skilled in "desk support," "phone calls," "remote desktop," and "network printers."

Most information technology/support technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to student technicians. For example, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Student technician vs. Technician support tier

A technician support tier focuses on providing technical support to clients or employees within a company. Typically working in a team setting, a technician support tier addresses technical problems and troubleshoots to identify the root of the issues and perform necessary corrective measures or repairs. Their responsibilities also revolve around responding to inquiries, answering calls and correspondence, conducting regular maintenance of systems and networks, maintaining records of all transactions, and supporting software and networks. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with all team members while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Technician support tiers average a higher salary than the annual salary of student technicians. The difference is about $25,963 per year.According to resumes from student technicians and technician support tiers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "sql," "android," and "customer service. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A student technician uses "java," "javascript," "html css," and "gpa." Technician support tiers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "lan wan," "phone calls," "cisco ios," and "tier ii. "technician support tiers reach similar levels of education compared to student technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 2.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of student technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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