Computer User Support Specialists
Provide technical assistance to computer users.
Quick Facts
Wages: |
Data not available
Read more about wages
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Outlook: |
Data not available
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Education: |
Associate's degree
is typically required.
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On the Job: |
Typical Work Tasks
- Install computer hardware.
- Install computer software.
- Resolve computer software problems.
- Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Read more about the job
|
Job Title Examples: |
Computer Help Desk Specialist
Information Technology Technician (IT Technician)
Work Station Support Specialist
See more job title examples
|
View All Career Information
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Wages & Outlook
Typical Wages
Data not available
Employment
Where do Computer User Support Specialists most often work?
Current Demand
No data available.
Future Demand
No data available.
On the Job
Computer User Support Specialists answer questions or resolve computer problems for people on the telephone, electronically, or in person. They may help with questions about software, hardware, printing, e-mail, and other problems.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Install computer hardware.
- Install computer software.
- Resolve computer software problems.
- Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
- Read documents to gather technical information.
- Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
- Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
- Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
- Document operational activities.
- Modify software programs to improve performance.
Typical Working Conditions
- Using e-mail.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Working with a group or team.
- Sitting.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Education & Credentials
Educational Requirements
Associate's degree
Education level attained (national data)
Education Level Attained (national data)Education Level Attained | Percentage of workers in this occupation |
Less than high school diploma | 0.9 |
High school diploma or equivalent | 9.4 |
Some college, no degree | 24.3 |
Associate degree | 16.9 |
Bachelors degree | 36.6 |
Masters degree | 10.6 |
Doctoral (Ph.D) or professional degree | 1.2 |
Work Experience and Training Requirements
Nationally, this career typically requires:
- No related work experience for entry.
- Little or no on-the-job training to become competent.
Current Training Opportunities
Related Programs
Majors
Click on any of the Majors listed below to find out more about preparing for this
career.
Transfer Options
Enrolling in a community college can be a great place to start your four-year degree. While all 31 Minnesota State community colleges,
technical colleges and universities offer all or part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
(a 40-credit package of general education courses accepted for transfer to other state colleges and universities, the University of Minnesota,
and some private colleges and universities), not all two-year colleges offer degrees intended to transfer to a four-year bachelor's degree.
If you plan to transfer to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree, it is important to know which degree path is right for you:
- Associate of Arts (AA) degrees offered at community colleges are designed to transfer into liberal arts four-year majors.
- Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degrees offered at community and technical colleges transfer into specific four-year majors and will likely require completing additional general education courses at a university.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees offered at technical and community colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
- Diplomas and certificates offered at technical colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
Talk to a transfer specialist as early as possible to determine the best associate degree for your goals. Be sure to review your Degree Audit Report (DARS) each semester to best prepare for transfer. Get more help understanding transfer using the tools below.
Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:
- Algebra I and II
- Analytic Geometry
- Electronics
- Graphic Arts
- Journalism
- Keyboarding
- Multimedia
- Network Systems
- Pre-Calculus
- Technical Writing
- Trigonometry
- Web Page Design
In Minnesota, your school may have developed a Program of Study in this career area.
A Program of Study is an academic and career plan developed by your high school to help move you towards a career
and college path. A Program of Study can help you:
- Select high school classes that prepare you for college and getting a job
- Understand how the classes you're taking in high school lead to a career
- Identify extra-curricular activities that are related to your career interest
- See what classes at your school offer early college credit that will save you time and money towards your college expenses
- Graduate from high school prepared for your next step toward the career you choose
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Skills & Knowledge
Most Important Skills for Computer User Support Specialists
- Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Teaching—Teaching others how to do something.
- Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Solving Complex Problems—Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Most Important Knowledge Areas for Computer User Support Specialists
- Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Public Safety and Security—Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Telecommunications—Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
- Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:
- Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Learn more about your interests. Take the MnCareers Interest Assessment.
Describe Your Skills
People who have worked in this career typically perform the following tasks.
These statements can help a prospective employer understand what you can do, on a resume or during an interview.
- Using computers.
- Collecting information from different sources.
- Communicating with supervisors, co-workers, or people that work under you.
- Keeping up-to-date with new knowledge.
- Making decisions or solving problems.
- Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work.
- Repairing and maintaining electronic equipment.
- Compiling, calculating, tabulating, or otherwise processing information.
Careers that Use Similar Skills
The following careers use skills, knowledge, and abilities that are similar to those used for Computer User Support Specialists.
View more careers in the Information Technology cluster
View more careers in the Information Support and Services pathway
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
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Jobs
Real-time job data provided by Gartner TalentNeuron
Job Title Examples
Computer Help Desk Specialist,
Information Technology Technician (IT Technician),
Work Station Support Specialist,
Computer Technical Specialist,
Help Desk Specialist,
Microcomputer Support Specialist,
PC Installation Engineer (Personal Computer Installation Engineer),
PC Support Specialist (Personal Computer Support Specialist),
PC Support Technician (Personal Computer Support Technician),
Printer Technician,
Software Installer,
User Support Specialist
Where Do Computer User Support Specialists Work?
Computer User Support Specialists often work in the following industries.
Similar Careers
Below are careers that use skill sets that are similar to Computer User Support Specialists.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.