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To become a technical support engineer, you need higher-level courses, certifications, and on-the-job training. Specialize in hardware or software, and keep up with technology through certificate programs or continuing education. Employers may require a bachelor’s degree in an IT field.
To become a technical support engineer, you’ll typically need at least a few higher-level courses, although certifications and on-the-job training may be acceptable for some employers. For larger organizations, a bachelor’s degree is typically required. Completion of a degree in an information technology (IT) field, such as Computer Science, may give you an advantage. Other skills that can help you become a technical support engineer include hands-on experience and a concentration in one or more of the field’s specialties.
Generally, a person who wants to become a technical support engineer will need to decide whether they want to focus on hardware or software. Hardware is any physical component of a computer system, such as the Central Processing Unit (CPU), monitor, keyboard, or server. Hardware also includes the inner workings of a CPU or laptop, such as the microchips that make up the computer’s brain.
If you choose to specialize in hardware, you’ll need to know how to build computers, maintain them, and replace or repair broken components. While your focus is on the physical elements of the machine, you should generally be comfortable using the computer’s software to run the diagnostics. Most modern computers are equipped with programs that can identify malfunctioning or poorly performing hardware elements; therefore, it is often crucial to be able to use these tools.
This type of knowledge can come from courses, certifications, or college experience. It is not uncommon for someone who becomes a technical support engineer to learn a lot of knowledge just by tinkering with the computer itself. As technology advances, however, most employers expect their help desk engineers to keep up with technology. Certificate programs are often shorter than a traditional university course and can demonstrate to potential employers that you are willing and able to keep up.
If you’re more concerned with what’s on your computer screen than the screen itself, you’ll probably choose to specialize in software. Software is any program designed to run on a computer. This includes operating systems (OS), word processing programs, databases, spreadsheets and games. If you want to become a technical support engineer who focuses on software, you will most likely specialize in one type of software. A tech support engineer who works on databases rarely also works on games and vice versa.
To become a software-focused technical support engineer, you might expect potential employers to want proof that you’ve kept the technology up to date. Certification programs can be an excellent way to get up to speed with new software and keep your skills sharp. Once you become a technical support engineer, you may find that your company offers continuing education programs to keep your employees current on the software. Until you land your first job, it’s typically your responsibility to look for educational opportunities to prove you’re ready to step in and make an immediate impact as a technical software engineer.
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