Computer Network Support Specialists

• Configure computer networks.
• Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information.
• Implement security measures for computer or information systems.
• Install computer hardware.
• Install computer software.
• Resolve computer network problems.
• Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
• Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
• Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
• Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.

• Having telephone conversations.
• Using e-mail.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• Working with a group or team.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Sitting.

• Computer Support Specialist
• Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
• Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
• Network and System Administration/Administrator

• Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
• Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

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.

• Visit Transferology to see if your courses will transfer.
• Search Articulation Agreements to find formal transfer agreements between schools.

• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• 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.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Understanding a System or Organization—Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Evaluating a System or Organization—Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Telecommunications—Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Communications and Media—Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• 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.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• 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.
• Enterprising—Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
• Educational Services
• Management of Companies and Enterprises
• Credit Intermediation and Related Activities