Career as a Computer Support Specialist | What Is a Computer Support Specialist?

Computer Support Specialists provide assistance and direction to individuals or organizations that use computer software or equipment. These modern-day specialists are also known as computer network support specialists. Their job is to provide assistance to information technology employees in their organization. A career as Computer Support Specialist has a huge demand. 

Qualifications for a career as Computer Support Specialist:

1. The computer support specialist must be knowledgeable about how computers work. 
2. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree may be required by large software companies that provide support to business users who purchase their products or services. 

Responsibilities of a Computer Support Specialist:  

1. They test and execute existing network systems to ensure that networks function properly; they also perform routine maintenance. 
2. Computer support specialists provide individuals and organizations with useful and necessary information technical assistance, support, and advice. 

The following are some of the skills needed to begin a career as a Computer Support Specialist: 

1. Customer service abilities 
2. Listening abilities. 
3. Problem-solving abilities. 
4. Communication abilities. 
5. Writing abilities. 

Some of the job profiles where we can work as Computer Support specialists are as follows: 

1. Tech support specialist:

 A company hires a Technical Support Specialist to oversee and maintain its computer hardware and software systems. Their abilities benefit the company by assisting in the resolution of technical issues involving customers’ accounts or the company’s software infrastructure.  

Requirements for a Tech Support Specialist:  

1. It is preferable to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related technical field. 
2. Certification in relevant computer languages or software may be required for the industry.  

Responsibilities of a Tech Support Specialist:  

• Install and configure computer systems and applications throughout the organization. 
• Respond to customer inquiries and assist with troubleshooting and problem resolution. 

2. Help Desk Technician

A Help desk technician provides technical support and assistance to computer systems, hardware, and software over the phone, in person, or remotely. A help desk technician responds to customer inquiries in order to provide technical support.  

Help Desk Technician Qualifications: 

1. The candidate requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related field. 

2. A thorough understanding of computer systems, hardware, and software.  

Responsibilities of a Help Desk Technician: 

1. Handling inquiries over the phone, via email, in person, or via remote access. 

2. Providing technical support for computer systems, hardware, and software delivery, configuration, setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting. 

3. Network Specialist:

Network specialists set up and maintain IT network infrastructure for a wide range of businesses. To manage the flow of information, they collect network performance data, monitor network security, and optimize server capacity. 

Requirements for a Network Specialist:  

1. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information science, or a related field is required. 

2. Thorough understanding of network connectivity, technologies, protocols, and security. 

Responsibilities of a Network Specialist: 

1. Determining company needs and coordinating network infrastructure development and maintenance with the IT team. 

2. Ensure secure and stable server connectivity and network protocol testing. 

4. Information System Managers:

An Information System Manager is in charge of overseeing, implementing, and maintaining a company’s computing needs. They ensure the safe and efficient operation of a company’s computer systems, related applications, hardware, and software.  

Requirements for an Information System Manager: 

1. A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field is required. 

2. Demonstrated experience managing IT infrastructu re and services.

Responsibilities of an Information System Manager:  

1. Managing IT personnel by recruiting and training new employees, communicating job expectations, and tracking performance. 

2. Managing the annual IT budget and ensuring its effectiveness. 

5. Network Architect:

Network architects create, deploy, and support computer systems for businesses, organizations, and individuals. 

Requirements for a Network Architect: 

1. A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field is required. 

2. Demonstrated experience as a network architect. 

Responsibilities of a Network Architect: 

1. Consultation with clients to discuss their system and networking needs. 

2. Evaluating the quality and flexibility of their existing systems. 

6. Computer Programmer:

Computer programmers are responsible for designing and developing software programs, integrating systems and software, training end-users, analyzing algorithms, modifying source code, writing system instructions, debugging, and maintaining operating systems.  

Computer Programmer Qualifications:  

1. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or programming. 

2. User-centered.  

Responsibilities of a Computer Programmer: 

1. Programming and debugging. 

2. Computer structure design and testing. 

7. Computer System Analyst:

Computer systems analysts look for ways to improve the use of information technology in a company or organization. 

Computer System Analyst Qualifications: 

1. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field is required. 

2. Understanding and practical experience with distributed networking concepts.  

Responsibilities of a Computer System Analyst: 

1. Discuss IT requirements with coworkers. 

2. Investigating hardware and software technologies to see if they can be improved. 

8. Customer Service Representative:

Customer service representatives assist customers with complaints and questions, provide product and service information, take orders, and process returns. 

Customer Service Representative Qualifications:  

1. A high school diploma, a general education degree, or an equivalent qualification. 

2. The ability to remain calm in the face of stressed or upset customers. 

Responsibilities of a Customer Service Representative: 

1. Always maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers. 

2. Respond to customer inquiries as soon as possible. 

9. Database Administrator:

Database administrators are in charge of managing and maintaining company databases. 

Requirements for a Database Administrator: 

1. The candidate requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. 

2. Data manipulation language proficiency, such as MS SQL, Oracle Database, Hadoop, or PostgreSQL. 

Responsibilities of a Database Administrator: 

1. Monitoring system performance and identifying potential problems. 

2. Respond to user-reported errors in a timely manner. 

10. Information Security Analyst:

Information security analysts create and implement security systems to protect a company’s or organization’s computer networks from cyber-attacks, as well as assist in the establishment and maintenance of security standards. 

Requirements for an Information Security Analyst:  

1. The candidate requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. 

2. Master of Business Administration in Information Systems.  

Responsibilities of an Information Security Analyst:  

1. Check computer networks for security flaws. 

2. Conduct an investigation into security breaches and other cyber-security incidents. 

11. Network and Computer System Administrator:

Network and computer systems administrators oversee and maintain an organization’s computer networks on a daily basis. They determine hardware and software requirements, perform upgrades, and ensure network security.  

Requirements for a Network and Computer System Administrator:  

1. A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field of study. 

2. In-depth knowledge of computer network infrastructure.  

Responsibilities of Network and Computer System Administrator: 

1. Keeping IT operations like applications, email systems, hardware, software, and network security tools running. 

2. Ensuring data security by optimizing and maintaining network security protocols such as secure socket layer (SSL), secure file transfer protocol (SFTP), and virtual private networks (VPNs). 

12. Web Developer:

Websites are created and maintained by web developers. 

Requirements for a Web Developer:  

1. A bachelor’s degree in web development or a related field, or relevant experience, is required. 

2. Solid understanding and experience with programming applications.  

Responsibilities of a Web Developer:  

1. Designing, developing, or maintaining websites and software applications. 

2. Scripting or authoring languages, management tools, content creation tools, applications, and digital media are all used. 

The above job profiles and their salaries per annum in India are summarized in the table given below: 

Job Profile	Average Salary Per Annum
Tech Support Specialist	₹4,36,371
Help Desk Technician	₹2,69,076
Network Specialist	₹10,24,259
Information System Manager	₹24,04,304
Computer Network Architect	₹20,11,346
Computer Programmers	₹2,93,904
Computer System Analyst	₹2,52,252
Customer Service Representative	₹2,76,000
Database Administrator	₹7,67,637
Information Security Analyst	₹6,10,366
Network and Computer System Administrator	₹2,59,944
Web Developer	₹2,72,004

Note: Please keep in mind that the salaries listed for the above job profiles may vary depending on where you live. 

Conclusion 

In the above article, we have learned about 12 job profiles where we can work as Computer Support Specialists. We also learned about their average annual salaries in India. A career as Computer Support Specialist is very much rewarding. 

FAQs regarding Computer Support Specialists: