Top Skills 2019: IT Tech Support
We live in a world driven by technology. Every part of our lives is dependent on technology to make things more convenient and productive. Even our everyday comfort depends on technology. This is what makes IT tech support technicians so crucial in 2019.
One of the best ways to get a job in IT tech support is to get a certification. The first certification earned by many tech support professionals is the CompTIA A+ certification which is highly valued in the industry and the first step to more specialized and higher level credentials—not to mention it’s required before you will be considered for a tech support role in most companies.
How relevant is IT tech support with self-service technology?
Whether it’s a forgotten password, email issue, virus, inability to send documents to a printer, or thousands of other issues, tech support is the first place people turn for help when they have a problem using technology. Technical support, or tech support, involves the monitoring and maintenance of computer systems and or networks within an organization.
You might be responsible for installing and configuring computer hardware and software, diagnosing hardware and software issues, and solving user errors as well as applications problems. Depending on your organization, you may be responsible for doing this in person, over the phone, or both.
Why are tech support skills important in 2019?
You can earn a good living in tech support.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for computer support specialists is $53,470. And, PayScale reports the median salary for entry-level computer/network support technicians is just over $40,000. The top earners in the field earn more than $65,000 annually. You can expect to move up in salary quickly with a little experience and additional certifications and skills such as programming, database development, and even web design.
Tech support is a springboard to other IT careers.
Tech support can be a great entry point to an IT career which can help you gain respect and experience in the industry. Many employers like to test the abilities of their IT professionals before allowing them to tackle big projects, and a great place to do this is at the support desk. Moreover, support technicians often go on to become as systems administrators, network administrators, network engineers, and even IT managers.
Demand for support technicians is growing.
Globally, every company in every industry needs some form of tech support. As organizations upgrade their computer systems and software to stay competitive, more support technicians will be needed. The BLS projects an 11% growth in employment for support specialists through 2026. This is faster than average for all occupations. That means job prospects are strong if you have the right skill set.
Tech support offers a lot of variety.
All companies need some form of tech support. Even though you will be in an IT job, you could find yourself working in finance, healthcare, telecommunication, government, education, and many other areas. In addition, you can also choose to specialize in various areas of tech support such as networks or computer hardware as you move up in your career. Furthermore, few technology makes remote work very possible. As tech support technician, you could help clients regardless of your location.
What can you do with tech support skills?
With the right skills and certifications, you can start your career at an IT help desk. Not only a critical position, support technicians encounter other areas of the IT field. As you meet and help your colleagues in more advanced positions, take note; this can help you determine your ideal career path.
Essentially, gaining tech support skills can provide you with great job opportunities and a ladder for career mobility. Remember the next time you log in to your smart phone or your computer, there’s an IT tech support technicians ready to help.
