Online Education Options for Technical Support and Repair
Listed below are the online education options you may find available:
- Online Certification in Technical Support and Repair and related fields
- Online Associates Degree in Technical Support and Repair and related fields
With the certification you will understand the fundamentals of computer technology, which includes identifying hardware, peripheral, networking, and security components. You will need to spend at least 40 hours studying and preparing for the final testing. The most common certification is the COMPTIA A+ ISO 17024 Accreditation. However, many online technical colleges offer certifications that cover a range of technical knowledge sought-after by employers.
With an associates degree you also need some general education requirements and electives and spend 4 semesters or 2 years (15 semester credit hours) of full time school. You can complete an online associate degree at your own pace, full-time or part-time. Accelerated online associate degree programs are available which are as full-bodied as the customary 2 years of study and honored the same as a traditional (on campus) educational degree.
Degrees in Technical Support and Repair Career and Salary Information
In 1965, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore predicted technology would double about every 18 months. The ongoing expansion of the computer system designs and software includes all areas of industry. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) has projected technology to remain one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. economy. At least 23 percent of the jobs are in professional, scientific, and technical services industries, principally computer systems design and related services. Technical support and repair employees are also found in administrative and support services companies, insurance companies, telecommunications organizations, government agencies, financial institutions, educational institutions, health care organizations, software publishers, and management of companies and enterprises.
Employment of technical support and repair employees is expected to increase by 27 percent from 2006 to 2016. The BLS reports that the median annual earnings of wage-and-salary computer support specialists were $41,470 in May 2006. That number has risen over the year, but it shows that positions in this field, even at entry level, can be rather profitable in comparison to other jobs.