Summary

2 IT Essentials: PC Harware and Software Companion GuideIn your career as a technician, you might have to determine whether a component for a customer’scomputer should be upgraded or replaced. It is important that you develop advancedskills in installation procedures, troubleshooting techniques, and diagnostic methods forcomputers. This chapter discusses the importance of component compatibility across hardwareand software. It also covers the need for adequate system resources to efficiently runthe customer’s hardware and software.Give an Overview of Field, Remote, and BenchTechnician JobsYour experience working with computers and earning a technical certification can help youbecome qualified for employment as any of the following:■■■Field technicianRemote technicianBench technicianTechnicians in different computer careers work in different environments. The skillsrequired by each career can be very similar. The degree to which different skills are neededvary from one job to the next. When you train to become a computer technician, you areexpected to develop the following skills:■■■■■■■Building and upgrading computersPerforming installationsInstalling, configuring, and optimizing softwarePerforming preventive maintenanceTroubleshooting and repairing computersCommunicating clearly with the customerDocumenting customer feedback and the steps involved in finding the solution to aproblemField technicians work in various conditions and businesses. You might work for one companyand only repair that company’s assets. Alternatively, you might work for a companythat provides on-site computer equipment repair for a variety of companies and customers.In either of these situations, you need both excellent troubleshooting skills and customerservice skills, because you are in regular contact with customers and work on a wide varietyof hardware and software.