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The Top Resources Guide: Computer Repair Training
Because of the widespread use of computers in business and for personal use, there is a huge demand for people who are able to install, set up, maintain, and repair computers and related equipment. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2003, 70 million American households, or 62 percent, had at least one personal computer in the home. This is up from just 8 percent in 1984, and studies suggest this number will continue to rise in the next decade. Computer repair technicians will see an accompanying growth in employment opportunities.
Computer Repair Technician Career Details
A computer repair or computer service technician is responsible for installing, servicing and maintaining personal computers, printers and auxiliary computer equipment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job prospects for computer repair technicians in the coming years will be excellent, and the average annual salary will be $37,810.
Computer repair technicians need to possess general skills in areas such as troubleshooting, active learning, problem solving, and reading comprehension. They also need excellent critical thinking skills, customer service skills, and oral comprehension in order to help clients effectively.
Computer repair technicians work in a variety of different occupational environments. About 20% of all computer repair technicians are self-employed, while others work in professional and commercial equipment, scientific research and development services, and computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing. While some own their own repair companies and offer contractual work, others work specifically for a certain computer-related company, such as Microsoft or Adobe. While some computer repair technicians provide technical assistance by telephone through a call center or through a repair workshop, others offer ‘house calls' to clients.
Certification and Educational Paths in Computer Repair
There are a number of educational and certification options available for aspiring computer repair technicians. Certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, and computer science undergraduate degrees can all lead to careers in computer repair. Below are some invaluable resources to helping you choose the perfect program for your needs:
- Associations such as the Electronics Technician Association and the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians offer a number of good certification programs. If you choose to obtain a certificate in computer repair, you will need to pass an online examination. You will need to become familiar with operating systems such as Linux, Microsoft, and UNIX; as well as transaction security and virus protection software including Norton Antivirus. You may also learn the basics in web platform development, including HTML, JavaScript, and ASP; and enterprise application integration, including XML and XSL.
- The most standard certification for computer repair is CompTIA A+ which is offered (and explained) through CompTIA. CompTIA A+ is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, and Novell.
- Many people choose to take a course in computer repair such as those offered through Tech Skills, which include certificates in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network +, CompTIA Linux +, Microsoft Certified Professional, and Cisco Certified Network Associate. Tech Skills supplies the coursework, instruction, and support, as well as information for acing your certification examinations.
- Computer Based Training is another online shop that provides assistance with specific courses for computer repair as well as IT Training. With course demos, live chat, and a number of valuable resources, you can choose which program you want to study, and work through the material at your own pace.
- PC Repair is also taught through online institutes for convenient at-home education. The Penn Foster Career School is a leading independent online school with a PC Maintenance and Repair program. Subjects include PC Hardware, PC Operating System, PC Maintenance and Network Protocols, and Interworking.
- CCI Training is another great place to go for classroom computer repair and support training. Their Computer Support Tech program takes three months to complete and focuses on computer technology to maintain and support Personal Computer (PC) hardware, network hardware, operating systems, routers, switches, and other peripheral equipment.
- Another option is to attend a community college that offers a computer repair program, such as Genesee Community College, the Community College of Baltimore County, or Erie Community College. Community colleges offer associate's degrees, diplomas, and certificates in computer repair, and include courses in hardware, software, data recovery, network protocols and topology, PC troubleshooting, and repair techniques.
- You may wish to attend a university and obtain a degree in computer science, information technology, or another computer-related program. You can choose a program though an online university such as the University of Phoenix, or through a High Tech Institute such as ITT Technical Institute or Anthem Institute. These schools offer diploma and associate degree programs that generally take two years or less to complete.
- You can also choose to attend a traditional university where an undergraduate degree will take four years to complete. This is your best option if you want to branch into other careers besides computer repair such as web development, systems administration, or become a computer support specialist. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University are widely considered the top schools for computer science majors.
- When it comes to choosing a program, it is also important to look into the accreditation and reputation of a school. Look for programs and schools accredited by ABET, the accrediting council of applied science, computing, engineering, and technology programs.
Where to Look for Scholarships
The cost of attending a technical institute and obtaining a certificate, diploma, or degree in computer repair ranges from $400 to $40,000 depending on the level of credentials and the institute. If you are planning to attend a technical institute, vocational school, or college, then you may qualify for the following computer-repair and computer-related scholarships:
- The Society of Women Engineers sponsors a number of scholarships including the Adobe Systems Computer Science Scholarship, the Chevron Corporate Scholarship, and the Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Scholarship. These scholarships are offered to female students studying computer studies or engineering, including mechanical and repair. Check the website for a list of all related computer scholarships.
- The Association of Computer Repair Business Owners provides two scholarships to high school graduates planning on entering a technology industry through attending college, business school, technical training, or actual hands-on in the industry.
- Microsoft sponsors several scholarships every year for students in the field of computer science pursuing technical degrees. Microsoft has scholarships for minority students, female students, general scholarships, and scholarships for those with disabilities.
- The Hispanic College Fund sponsors the Google Scholarship Fund for Hispanic students studying computer science or computer engineering. For those computer technicians obtaining an undergraduate or graduate degree, this $10,000 award is definitely worth applying for.
- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund also sponsors a number of scholarships for Hispanic computer science and technical students through the HSF/Hewlett Packard Diversity in Education Scholarship Program. Students must be attending certain schools that participate in the program, and majoring in computer science or engineering.
- The Arkansas Department of Career Education sponsors the High Tech Scholarship Program, a $500 award for Arkansas residents who are United States citizens and plan to enroll or are enrolled full time in an approved technical program including computer repair. The department supplies 18 scholarships annually.
- The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship gives one female computer student per year a $10,000 scholarship to help with schooling. The applicant must be entering her senior year of undergraduate study or be enrolled in a graduate program in the 2010-2011 academic year, as a full-time student at a U.S. university. She must be enrolled in a Computer Science or Engineering program, or a closely related technical field.
- Specific schools also offer plenty of scholarship opportunities to those pursuing computer degrees. For example, Nashville State Community College offers the Electronic Data Systems Diversity Scholarship for minority students and women specializing in computer networking systems.
- The Erie Community College Foundation sponsors the Albert Adams Computer Repair Technology Endowed Scholarship, for students enrolled in computer repair. This $500 scholarship is offered annually.
- Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) sponsors the Computer Science and Information Technology Scholarship for students pursuing courses in computer studies or technology management.
Computer Repair Career Resources
When looking into education and careers in the computer industry, having a few excellent resources can really help. These organizations, associations, and websites are specifically designed for computer repair specialists and technicians:
- Computer Based Training Planet is your one-stop click for everything about the computer repair industry. With information about certificates, online courses and training sessions, career guides, useful articles, and outside links, this is one site that every aspiring computer repair technician needs to bookmark!
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics Computer Repairs page, and their sponsored O*Net site, provide general career information including employment projections, skills needed, key tasks, and national trends in the industry.
- The Association of Computer Repair Business Owners is a useful site to check out and join once you have completed your computer repair training. Network with other computer technicians and stay up to date on the latest news and events.
- The Association for Computing Machinery's career page is a great place to explore, especially if you are looking into degrees and certificates.
- The Electronics Technicians Association International website offers advice for students and professionals. Members and non members alike can benefit from upcoming events, certification and testing information, and industry news. The ETA also provides practice examinations and downloadable career information.
- The International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians website provides a gateway to electronic and computer schools, resources for students and professionals, and information about examinations, conferences, and other technical events.
- The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies is a great place to look for certificates and career paths related to computer repair. This site includes plenty of useful information about getting into the field of engineering technology, including a salary survey of computer specialists and a job center.
- Career Explorer sponsors two excellent videos: Computer Repair Training and Electronics and Computer Repair as a Career . These short and sweet videos provide a visual look into the world of computing repair.
- CompTIA is the official website for CompTIA A+, the industry standard certificate for computer support technicians. This site will direct you to the courses and programs you need to work in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security, and troubleshooting.
Computer Repair Job Boards
Once you have obtained your education and passed the certification exam, it's time to hit the streets and put your skills to work. Check out these online job boards for easy access into the industry:
- Computer Repair Expert allows you to search for temporary and permanent computer repair and maintenance repair job listings and employment opportunities in your area. You can browse jobs by state, post a resume, and learn more about the hiring companies.
- Simply Hired is one of the most valuable job boards online today, and offers thousands of computer repair technician openings. Simply Hired works with some of the biggest computer names including Best Buy and SmartTech, but also features freelance and odd jobs for computer repair technicians.
- Career Builder allows you to browse by company, state, job title, and experience. Career Builder includes an hourly pay rate for most jobs as well as the job type (full time, part time, contractual, etc). This is a simple yet effective site for finding your perfect computer repair job.
- Computer Repair Technician Jobs is sponsored by Monster.com and connects you to computer repair technician jobs and other resources related to the industry.
- If you prefer to work from home or online, IT Online Jobs is a great place that connects job seekers with contractual work and telecommunication careers. This site includes links to computer repairs jobs and to staffing companies specializing in IT and computer jobs.
- Computer Jobs lets you search for any career in the computer industry. You can sign up for job alerts and updates, keep a resume on file for an easy application process, and search thousands of job listings across the country.
- Computer Work is another excellent job board resource for IT professionals. Computer Work is partnered with JobServe, another excellent career-building resource.
- DICE is the career hub for technical insiders, where you can browse computer-related careers by state, skill or certification. This site also features career news and advice worth checking out.
- Tech Centric is another online recruiting service just for computer professionals.
- Computer Weekly allows you to search their database for hundreds of IT and computer jobs. Registration is free and you can upload your resumé, set up email job alerts, subscribe to RSS feeds, and apply for IT and computer jobs online.
- America's Job Bank is another excellent job search site which offers millions of job listings. Listings include jobs from unemployment agencies, private employers, and public corporations. You can search by state or by industry and connect with thousands of potential employers.
- A final mega-job-search site that is worth checking out is All Job Search which allows job seekers to narrow in on exactly what they are looking for. All Job Search pulls jobs from newspapers, internet newsgroups, private employers, and staffing agencies.
Top Ten Computer Repair Blogs
There are hundreds if not thousands of computer repairs blogs online. Here we've listed some of the ones worth checking out on a regular basis not only to get the latest gossip on computer repair, but also to see how a computer repair contractor can create excellent internet presence with a simple and effective blog.
- Mike's Computer Repair Blog is a great place to look for quick and easy fixes of common computer problems; for the aspiring computer repair technician it also offers a refresher course, and a sample of how a computer repair technician found success through the Internet. Mike also offers great product reviews and helpful hints – definitely worth a look.
- Geek Choice Blog is another fun blog to check out with categories in computer repair, computer technology, malware, software, networking, and much more. If you're looking for a great way to keep up to date on products, services, and industry news, check out Geek Choice.
- Paul's Computer Repair World features ‘ramblings from your local computer guy' and provides great advice on everyday computer questions and concerns, along with an excellent mock-up for aspiring computer repair technicians.
- Computer Weekly provides a weekly dosage of computer news and industry-related events. Other resources on the site include podcasts, a buyer's guide, and tech topics. This is a great blog to read over once a week to stay informed on the latest news in the industry.
- GeekTeks is another great place to go for all things computer related including repair tips and tricks of the trade.
- Computer Repair Guide is an excellent resource for computer repair hints and tips in a quirky design.
- B-Tech Computer Repair Blog is run by computer technician Brian Hamilton. This is one of the most well-put-together repair blogs, featuring tips, games, technology, and gadgets on the market.
- The Mac Wizard focuses on news pertaining to Macintosh computers, one of the biggest names in PCs. This blog will keep you up to date on the latest hardware, software, iPhones, and other gadgets.
- Microsoft Community Blogs is the mother of all blogs – this site contains a database of all community blogs related to Microsoft products and programs including blogs specifically created for SQL, Windows XP, .NET applications and so forth. There are also hundreds of different community blogs to choose from. This is one community blog center you cannot afford to miss.
- Mr. Ford's Guide to the A+ Certificate Exam is a great blog for those studying for the A+ Certificate, the general certification needed to become a computer repair technician. Mr. Ford breaks down the examination into sections for easy readability. Any computer repair technician will need to ace the exam, and this is the blog that shows you how it's done.
Becoming a computer repair technician will not happen overnight. However, if you love problem solving and working with computers and information technology, then this could be the perfect career for you. With the resources listed above, you are well on your way to entering the lucrative and rewarding industry of computer repair.