Computer networking offers plenty of opportunities and the quickest way for students to get started in the IT field with a diploma. Are you someone who enjoys working on computers and is interested in learning how to fix hardware and network issues? Then a computer networking support specialist can be a viable career path for you.
Before learning how to become a computer support specialist and what certification options are available, let us understand what one does in this field.
What computer network support specialists do?
Computer network support specialists troubleshoot and resolve various computer hardware and software issues. The support specialists work to provide technical support in an organization’s IT department or take end users’ queries in a help-desk environment. The computer network support professionals might work in different fields, like computer systems, finance, telecommunications, and educational services. Some computer network support professionals may get the advantage of work from home, while others might travel to clients’ homes to provide computer support.
The objective of computer network support professionals is to provide support to the employees within their organization and assist non-IT users having computer problems.
What roles do computer network support specialists play?
Computer network support specialists:
- Test, maintain and evaluate existing network systems
- Perform regular network maintenance to ensure secure operation
- Troubleshoot wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and Internet system issues
- respond to requests for technical support from users and troubleshooting issues
Computer network support specialists are responsible for analyzing, troubleshooting, and evaluating computer network issues.
These technical support specialists play a vital role in the routine maintenance of an organization’s networks, like performing file backups. Network maintenance is essential to ensure an organization’s disaster recovery. Network support specialists often work under network and computer systems administrators, who handle more complex tasks.
Computer user support specialists:
- Give attention to users computer problems
- Ask users questions to diagnose the problem
- Recommended problem-solving steps
- Set up or repair computer equipment
- Train users to work with new computer software or hardware, like word-processing software, printers, and email
Computer user support specialists are also known as IT help-desk technicians. These IT professionals provide technical help to non-IT computer users by responding to phone calls and email requests. Help-desk technicians work for large software companies or support service firms.
What are the qualities of computer networking support specialists?
- Strong communication skills
- Sharp problem-solving ability
- Creative and analytical thinking-
- Good listener
- Time management
- Multitasking
How to become a computer network support specialist?
Education
Getting an education at a technical school is recommended if you want to work in the field. Earning a diploma or associate degree is required for entry-level to mid-level computer and network support specialist positions. The diploma training and associate degree programs teach students the essential skills to provide technical support for the users.
Certification
You may opt for certification after earning an associate degree, like CompTIA LINUX+, CCNA, MCSA, and CompTIA Network+.
Conclusion:
To gain skills and hands-on experience in the computer network support field, consider earning a diploma or associate degree. Good education combined with certification may open up for you more advanced positions that provide a higher salary and more responsibility.
About the Author:
This article is written by CBT College that provides training programs for computer network support specialists, and prepares students for professional certifications. Contact them today at 786-724-1478 or fill this form https://www.cbt.edu/request-info/ to know more about their diploma program for computer network support specialists!