Computer Support Specialist
What Computer Support Specialist Majors Need to Know
In an O*NET survey, computer support specialist majors were asked to rate what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important in their occupations. These answers were weighted on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most important.
Knowledge Areas for Computer Support Specialist Majors
According to O*NET survey takers, a major in computer support specialist should prepare you for careers in which you will need to be knowledgeable in the following areas:
- 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.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- 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.
Skills for Computer Support Specialist Majors
computer support specialist majors are found most commonly in careers in which the following skills are important:
- Active 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.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Abilities for Computer Support Specialist Majors
Computer Support Specialist majors often go into careers where the following abilities are vital:
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Find Computer Support Specialist Programs
AS in Information Technologies
Gain the specialized knowledge and critical-thinking skills required to begin a career in tech with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
BA in Information Technologies
Gain a well-rounded education while preparing for a career in IT with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
BS in Information Technologies
Build the digital know-how required to become a leader in technology with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
What Can You Do With a Computer Support Specialist Major?
People with a computer support specialist degree often go into the following careers:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Network Support Specialists | 8.2% | $62,770 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | 11.3% | $50,980 |
Related Programs
Learn about other programs related to Computer Support Specialist that might interest you.
AS in Information Technologies
Gain the specialized knowledge and critical-thinking skills required to begin a career in tech with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
BA in Information Technologies
Gain a well-rounded education while preparing for a career in IT with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
BS in Information Technologies
Build the digital know-how required to become a leader in technology with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Computer Support Specialist
Some careers associated with computer support specialist require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.
How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to computer support specialist have obtained the following education levels.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 14.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 11.2% |
| Some College Courses | 16.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 17.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 39.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 0.8% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 0.7% |
Online Computer Support Specialist Programs
The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 0 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 105 | 17 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 13 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 139 | 37 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 0 | 0 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 0 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 0 | 0 |
| Post-Master’s | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
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Majors Related to Computer Support Specialist
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to computer support specialist.
| Major | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Computer & IS Security | 29,908 |
| Network & System Administration/Administrator | 4,702 |
| Information Technology Management | 3,201 |
| Information Technology Project Management | 2,608 |
| System, Networking, & LAN/WAN Management/Manager | 1,818 |
| Web/Multimedia Management & Webmaster | 682 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By Craig Dennis under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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