The Critical Role Computer Support Specialists Serve in Business

If you’re looking for a versatile career path that puts your enthusiasm for technology and inclination to help others to good use, becoming a computer support specialist is the beginning of a rewarding career with tremendous growth and advancement opportunity. These skilled professionals are in high demand even now during the economic downturn of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Unlike many other sectors of the economy, the employment of computer support specialists is a recognized must for maintaining business computer operations and meeting the tech support needs of individual users worldwide. Not only are these professionals employed to assist individual consumers, but they are also hired as salaried employees to handle day-to-day technological issues by businesses and organizations in virtually every industry. Moreover, they work for tech support firms and managed service providers providing multi-tiered tech services featuring outsourced contractual, technical support services.

If you’re looking for more reasons to make Computer Support your new career, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median (mid-point) annual wage for computer user support specialists in May 2020 was $52,690. The top 10% earned more than $88,940. Here, at ASPIRA City College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we provide education and training to prepare students who start with no computer background to successfully assume the various computer support roles in today’s business world.

Same job, Different Job Titles for Computer Support Specialists in Business

From employment in education or healthcare sectors to work in telecommunications and computer system design and related services, graduates of our Computer Support Specialist program find a wide variety of job titles to describe their roles in organizations, including:

Computer User Support Specialists Enjoy a Variety of Responsibilities

Whether they respond to support requests in person or by phone, a web-based chatline, or email, and whether they provide service remotely or on-site, Computer Support Specialists enjoy variety in their day-to-day responsibilities.

Utilizing a combination of problem-solving, customer service, and computer technology skills, computer support specialists carry out duties in traditional commerce and e-commerce that may include:

• Pay attention to customers’ descriptions of their computer problems
• Ask customers questions to diagnose the issue properly
• Walk customers through the recommended problem-solving steps
• Set up, maintain, and repair computer equipment and related devices
• Train users to work with new computer hardware or software or tech peripherals.
• Provide other team members and managers insight on user issues and concerns.
• Create training programs, manuals, and other materials
• Install new software, hardware, operating systems, and cables
• Perform diagnostic testing and troubleshooting to resolve issues
• Document technological issues and the solutions to address them
• Decipher the needs of software, hardware, automation, and workflow
• Make recommendations to improving user outcomes

How to Prepare for a Rewarding Tech Career in Computer User Support Services

With individuals and businesses relying more and more on complex technology each day, computer support specialists have a future they can count on because they play a crucial role in keeping systems running smoothly to ensure productivity. Even a minor computer glitch or user issue can have devastating consequences that individuals and businesses alike turn to Computer Techs to prevent or resolve.

ASPIRA City College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, provides a Computer Support Specialist AST Degree Program for on-campus and online learners. Graduates are qualified, career-ready, and able to handle any user tech issues that may come their way. To learn more about how we can prepare you for a dynamic career in technology support and services, schedule a virtual info session or request more info today.