Computer technology is a growing field with a large spectrum of career opportunities for those with appropriate qualifications and training. A computer technician can choose to work for a computer specialist organization or with an independent entity such as a school, hospital, bank, industrial organization or businesses, or even launch a freelance business of his own. In addition to the job opportunity and growth, there are several other good things about being a computer technician.
Job Opportunities
The large scale on which computerized systems are used in all industries and businesses ensures that computer technicians have a wide range of job opportunities. Schools and colleges, supermarkets, hospitals, businesses and factories all use computer technology in some form or another. This in turn means a bigger job market for the technician who is an expert in building, configuring, operating, maintaining and troubleshooting hardware or software or both, depending on his area of expertise.
Strong Outlook
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on computer technology, the demand for expert technicians is expected to rise steadily. Besides, as computer systems grow in complexity, it means a greater requirement of technicians to provide support services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 14 percent increase in the employment of computer technicians in the period between 2008 and 2018. This figure is faster than the expected average for other occupations. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show median annual wages of computer support specialists were $47,360 in May 2009.
Freelance Opportunities
If you don't like the idea of sticking to an employer, there are numerous freelancing opportunities that allow flexibility of operation. As a computer technician, you have the option of running your own business where you provide a variety of services ranging from managing main frame systems to providing customer service for clients. As a freelancer, it is also possible to provide individuals and families with services such as installing and troubleshooting hardware and software, firewalls for security and Internet connections.
Personal Benefits
A computer technician has the necessary knowledge to set up and maintain his own home computer. This translates into savings on the expenses of hiring an expert to carry out troubleshooting or regular maintenance checks on personal use computers. Hands-on experience with different computers on the job means that a computer technician is an expert on the pros and cons of operating systems and computer features; this makes him a valuable resource for family and friends who need to make important computer purchasing decisions.
Tags: computer technician, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, computer technicians, hardware software
