Interview with a Computer Technician

As a computer technician I have worked for two large employers and for a small computer store. I am now self-employed, performing computer repairs and upgrades for individual customers on a part-time basis. I found my experiences to be rewarding, whether working for myself or for a national corporation.

How I Became a Computer Technician
In the late 1990s, personal computers were not yet very common. The Internet was new and exciting. After seeing the computers of some friends, I bought one and enjoyed using it very much. The more I learned about using the computer, the more I wanted to know. I soon became interested in how computers worked. I wanted to learn how they were built, what all of the individual parts were, and how to replace them. I also enjoyed working with software. Learning about the operating system and installing software such as programs for sound and video cards was fascinating to me.

Going From Hobbyist to Professional
As I learned more about working with computers, I began to consider the possibility of computer repair and maintenance becoming an occupation instead of just a hobby. I researched available certifications, job requirements and training programs. I soon came to the conclusion that with some formal training and the right certifications, I might be able to get a job as a computer technician.

The first thing I did toward my goal was sign up for a series of courses at a community college. These courses covered all aspects of computer repair, upgrading and maintenance. They offered both classroom learning and hands-on training. When I completed these courses, I was ready to take the certification test that I thought would be most likely to help me get hired as a computer technician.

The certification I chose was the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ certification. This certification tells employers that the holder has passed vendor-neutral examinations in computer operations and in hardware and software maintenance and repair. According to CompTIA, passing these exams is equivalent to having 300 hours of field experience in the subject areas. I took the exams and passed. I was now officially a Computer Technician!

My First Job
My first job as a computer technician was with Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation. I had no experience in the field, and I feel that it was my having an A+ certification that was the deciding factor in my getting the job.

My duties and responsibilities were numerous. I was responsible for all aspects of desktop computer maintenance for over 200 employees, from vice presidents to mechanics. My duties included installing company software and helping employees with issues such as problems with email and printer software. I also maintained the computers themselves. I replaced parts, added extra memory and installed new equipment like monitors, keyboards and mice.

One thing that I soon learned was that one of the biggest parts of being a computer technician is working with people. This is also the part that can’t be taught in school. It was probably the most important thing I learned on the job. In many jobs today, almost all of the work is done on a computer. If someone’s computer isn’t working, they too can’t work. People become very upset and anxious when they have computer problems. A big part of my job was to calm them down and reassure them that I could fix their problem.

Another aspect of working with the users of computers was communication. Most users are not computer experts. They would try to explain what was wrong, and it was my job to translate their descriptions of the problem into what was actually wrong. I then had to be able to explain what was wrong and how I would fix it in a way that they could understand. All this had to be accomplished while not sounding like I was “talking down” to them and while reassuring them that their problem would be solved.

When I did get the problem fixed and got the user back to work, it was very rewarding. This was the part of the job that made it worthwhile. Maybe a person needed to send an important email to their boss, and the boss was expecting it that morning. They would open their email program and find that they can’t send any emails out. They would call me in a panic, and I would fix their problem. Maybe a user needed to print out an important report, only to find that their printer would not print. I would troubleshoot and fix the problem, and the report would get printed and delivered. These are the kinds of issues that may seem small to the outsider, but are big stress-inducers to the people involved. When your employees feel that you can fix whatever problems that may come up, they are less worried when they do have a problem. By being there for them, you are making their work days easier and less stressful. Working on computers is fun, but helping people make it through their day is what makes the profession really rewarding.

This is a true story as told to LatPro.com, the worldwide leader in providing online employment resources for Hispanic and bilingual professionals. LatPro is the largest diversity employment site in the U.S. and the most complete personal career advancement service for Latino and bilingual professionals.