In the Air Force:
Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Apprentice, EC-130 Compass Call; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Helper, E-3 Radar Surveillance; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Journeyman, E-3 Radar Surveillance; Client Systems Journeyman; Cyber Defense Operations Apprentice, Systems Operations; Cyber Defense Operations Craftsman, Systems Operations; Cyber Defense Operations Helper, Systems Operations; Cyber Defense Operations Superintendent; Maintenance Management Analysis Craftsman
In the Army:
Information Technology Specialist; Network Communication Systems Specialist; Systems Automation Acquisition and Engineering
In the Coast Guard:
Electronics Specialty; Electronics Technician; Information System Technician
In the Marine Corps:
Aviation Communication Systems Technician; Aviation Logistics Information Management System (ALIMS) Specialist; Aviation Meteorological Equipment Technician, OMA/IMA; Aviation Radar Repairer; Data Systems Administrator; Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Engineer; Manpower Information Systems (MIS) Analyst; Network Administrator; Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Technician; Tactical Air Operations/Air Defense Systems Technician; Tactical Data Systems Technician
In the Navy:
ADP Customer Liaison Officer; AN/BYG-1 Maintainer; Communications Specialist; Cryptologic Infrastructure Maintenance Supervisor; Electronic Warfare Technician; Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M) (Force Level 4.1) Increment 2 System Administrator; Information Systems Technician (IT) Systems Administration; Information Technology Technician Submarines; Submarine Carry-On Equipment (COE) Supervisor; Surface Cryptologic Carry-On Program (CCOP) Director; Surface Cryptologic Carry-On Program (CCOP) Installer
A combination of technical know-how, persistence, and customer service skills are needed to be a computer support specialist. They provide essential help and advice to users of computer software and related equipment… in virtually every type of organization in the country. There are two types of specialists. Network Support Specialists keep computer networks running efficiently for their organization. They work within the IT department to test systems, perform maintenance, and troubleshoot local and wide area networks and Internet systems. Typically, their customers are other IT professionals. Computer User Support Specialists —or Help Desk Technicians— help individual employees work through computer problems. Talking with workers who do not have an IT background, specialists avoid jargon as they ask questions to diagnose a computer problem, and then walk users through steps to resolve the issue. They also set up and repair computer equipment and train users on new hardware and software. Computer support specialists are employed in a variety of industries, including IT, education, finance, healthcare, and telecommunication. Many help desk technicians work for call centers and firms that contract with businesses, some work from home-based offices. Most computer support specialists work full time, and many work nights and weekends. There are many paths into this field; a bachelor’s degree is required for some positions, but an associate’s degree or related computer classes may be enough for other jobs.
What they do:
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve 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.
On the job, you would:
Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
product and service development
Business
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Communications
telecommunications
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
order or arrange things
notice when problems happen
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Analytical Thinking
Integrity
Stress Tolerance
You might use software like this on the job:
Web platform development software
Google Angular
Spring Framework
Data base user interface and query software
Blackboard software
ServiceNow
Operating system software
Apple iOS
Microsoft Windows Server
bachelor's degree or high school diploma/GED usually needed
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force
, Army
, Coast Guard
, Marine Corps
, or Navy
.
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