If you have been studying various careers that you could pursue within the field of information technology (IT), you may at some point have asked yourself “What is a Technical Support Specialist in IT?” Read on to find more information about a technical support specialist in IT.
Technical Support Specialist – A Brief Overview
A technical support specialist, also referred to as a computer support specialist, is the individual responsible for providing support and advice to computer users. In many cases, technical support specialists work within a call center setting. There, they handle inbound issues from users who are experiencing various emergencies with their computers. In other cases, technical support specialists will work as private contractors. This type of work can involve things like performing system diagnostics or offering basic telephone support. An independently contracted technical support specialist might also make house calls.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment for technical support specialists, or computer support specialists, is expected to grow at a rate of 17% between the years of 2012 and 2022. This is faster than the national average for all vocations. The projected increase in job availability is attributed to the notion that more support services will become necessary as organizations make computer equipment and software a more integral aspect of the work they perform. The largest increases in employment are expected to manifest within realms that rely heavily on technology. Some of them include:
- Data processing
- Software publishing
- Computer systems design
- Hosting and related services
- Technical consulting
Educational Requirements
As a result of the fact that there is a broad range of skills used in various jobs within the technical support industry, there are many different educational paths that an individual can take in order to work within this sector. In some cases, a bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science would be effective. In other cases, however, attaining an associate’s degree would be sufficient.
Expected Salary
Individuals who choose to become technical support specialists can expect to earn about $40,000 annually. This salary is subject to change based upon a plethora of factors, some of which can include education, area of expertise, experience, and job location. For example, a technical support specialist who resides in California may bring in $43,000 annually. On the other hand, a technical support specialist who resides in Georgia might earn $46,000 each year.
Work Schedules
Typically, the technical support specialist will work a full-time schedule. However, this does not mean that individuals in this sector will work a typical 9-to-5 job. As a result of the fact that technical support is such an important service for businesses that rely heavily on technology, many technical support specialists have to be available to offer assistance 24 hours a day.
Related Resource: IT DIrector
Conclusion
If you have given any consideration to working within the IT sector, you should know that becoming a technical support specialist might be a good idea. Now that you know what a technical support specialist in IT is, you can decide whether this vocational path would be the right one for you to pursue.
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