Technical Support Technician
Role:
A Technical Support Technician is the heart and soul of an IT system. They are tech-savvy geniuses who set up, maintain, and repair computer systems for businesses and organizations.
They install and configure hardware and software, maintain the efficiency of the network, run diagnostic tests and electrical checks to identify any technical issue or fault in the system, and nip it in the bud. They test and review new technologies as well and suggest improvements if they see fit.
They are not just excellent technicians, however, but charming people's persons as well, who are able to effortlessly elicit crucial information from customers about their IT issues. They bear with them until they solve the problem with patience and tenacity, give timely feedback to customers following up on matters if necessary, and create documentation of their cases along with reports on the efficiency of the service they provide.
- Average Salary: $40,210
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Technical Support Representative
Role:
As a technical support representative, you're going to talk to a lot of people throughout each day. You're also going to put out a lot of fires. Not literally, of course, but people will come to you when all else fails.
Technical terms are hard to understand when a product or service isn't working as it's supposed to. And that's where you come into play. Not only do you understand those technical terms, but you also can explain them in a way that customers can easily understand.
Technical support representatives are a godsend for many people. Without them, many customers would be lost and probably wouldn't be able to use their product or service. So you're the reason many don't waste their money.
- Average Salary: $34,758
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Technical Support Engineer
Role:
If you're looking to work in a fast-paced industry, to make a difference, and thrive on new challenges while having the opportunity to grow, becoming a technical support engineer might be right up your alley. Starting a career as a technical support engineer is one of the most dynamic, fast-paced, and exciting roles. Technical support is a field that offers you valuable practical experience, expands your soft-skills, keeps you right on the cutting edge of technological advancement. You may frequently learn and engage with the latest technology solutions.
Working as a technical support engineer (or IT support engineer), you may provide first-hand technical assistance to clients experiencing technical faults. You might resolve issues within different computer systems such as software, hardware, and other network-related or IT-related problems. Typically, the technical support engineer is a mid-career position that provides high-level job satisfaction and diverse working environments. As an IT support engineer, you'll work in a wide range of industries, such as telecom, automobile, medical, healthcare services, information technology, aerospace, and many more. While providing technical support to the customers, you may work in shifts, on-call, or solve the issue in-person, via phone, or a computer. You might even work traditional nine-to-five weekday hours when providing services to the company employees.
To join the technical support field, most aspiring IT support engineers hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology, or a closely related discipline. However, you might be able to secure this role without a degree if you have a strong customer service background and proven experience as a technical support engineer or desktop support engineer. To excel in your role as a technical support engineer, you must have excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and an ability to troubleshoot complex and diverse technical issues effectively. Working as an IT support engineer, you may earn an average annual wage of $70,000 along with compensation benefits. Besides offering higher wages, a position in technical support may offer more sophisticated opportunities to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the employment opportunities for technical support engineers expect to grow 11 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the nationwide average for all occupations. It means that more exciting opportunities are foreseeable in the future to you as a technical support engineer.
- Average Salary: $85,716
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree
