by Douglas Black

Created on: July 14, 2008

Our workplace has become fueled by high technology driving the need for Information Technology Specialists to ensure the whole thing keeps working smoothly. Businesses are forced to choose between hiring and training someone in-house, outsourcing or hiring a fully certified computer technician.

What is a computer technician?

Typically a computer technician has two specific areas in which they are required to have developed skills. The first and most important proficiency a computer technician would have to be adept would be the hardware and electronics. Technicians must be able to service hardware, test for areas of problematic symptoms, install and remove components within a technical environment.

The second component in being a technician would be diagnosing software problems, ranging from viruses, memory recovery, and network topology. A technician must have knowledge of simple and complex networks, LAN, WAN and WiMax networking systems, and a plethora of related software environments like Windows NT, Linux and Unix just to name a few.

How do you become a computer technician?

There are many ways to become a computer technician but regardless of the stripes you have earned, it is experience that will determine your worth in the real workforce. There are many accredited programs that will reward you with a nice piece of paper to hang in a frame at your desk, but if you're green behind the ears it surely won't land that higher paying salary.

Becoming certified is the first step you should make when you enter into the Information Technology field. Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, Unix and Linux and many others offer various certification programs, dubbing you as a bonafide specialist. There is always a much greater chance of being noticed after obtaining a diploma in computer science or electronic engineering, but this isn't the only way that will guarantee you a job as a computer technician.

Computer nerds wanted:

The alternative to years of dedicated education would be the self-taught method. Although this method is definitely not the simplest road to take, I can attest it is quite possible to land a job as a computer technician without a single year of schooling. The first thing obviously is to learn everything there is to know about computers, networking and everything between. The next part is creating a distinctive and complex resume to show that despite the lack of education you obviously know you're stuff. I also recommend showing up for a face-to-face confrontation,

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