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What They Do
About This Career
Provides technical assistance to computer users. Answers questions or resolves computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.
This career is part of the Information Technology cluster Information Support and Services pathway.
A person in this career:
- Oversees the daily performance of computer systems.
- Sets up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- Reads technical manuals, confers with users, or conducts computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Answers user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Installs and performs minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Confers with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- Enters commands and observes system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
- Maintains records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
- Refers major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
- Prepares evaluations of software or hardware, and recommends improvements or upgrades.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
People who do this job report that:
- You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
- Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
- Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
- Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
- Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time
Working in this career involves (physical activities):
- Seeing clearly up close
- Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
- Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
Work Hours and Travel
- Regular working hours and limited travel
Specialty and Similar Careers
Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:
- IT Tech (Information Technology Technician)
- IS Tech (Information Systems Technician)
- Computer Tech (Computer Technician)
- Desktop Support Technician (Desktop Support Tech)
- Help Desk Analyst
- Help Desk Tech (Help Desk Technician)
- IT Specialist (Information Technology Specialist)
- IT Support Specialist (Information Technology Support Specialist)
- Technical Support Specialist
- Computer Support Specialist
Every year the U.S. Department of Labor conducts national surveys of wage data by occupation in every state and in all industry divisions. These surveys are conducted through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program.
The statistics collected for one year are published the next fall. For example, 2013 wage information was published in the fall of 2014.
There are over 800 occupations in the surveys, and these occupations cover the entire U.S. labor market. The surveys ask for reports in a scale of ranges for both hourly wages and annual wages.
In many cases, these occupations are broad enough to cover many more detailed specialties of an occupation. A specific occupation may be included in a broader occupational category for which labor market data is available. When you look at the statistics for a broad category, be aware that the salary data for a specific career may differ.
For more details about how wage information is collected and calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor, visit their website at http://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm.
Every year the U.S. Department of Labor conducts a national survey of over 400,000
employers in every state and in all industry divisions. This survey is conducted
through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program. Every other year the
department publishes outlook information based on these surveys.
Each outlook period covers 10 years. For example, in 2003 the outlook information
was published for 2004-2014. Employers are asked to report the number of employees
in about 770 different occupations that cover the entire U.S. labor market.
From this information, staffing patterns for different industries are established.
Industry growth is projected into the future based on past trends and current economic
conditions. Industry staffing patterns are then applied to the industry projections
to obtain occupational projections.
In many cases, these occupations are broad enough to cover many more detailed specialties
of an occupation. A specific occupation may be included in a broader occupational
category for which labor market data is available. When you look at the statistics
for a broad category, be aware that the employment data for a specific field may
differ.
For more details about how employment information is collected and calculated by
the U.S. Department of Labor, visit their website at http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.tn.htm.
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