computer tech-good job?

[blankbandit]

i'm just wonderin. will computer techs be in demand as time goes by. i mean, as operating systems become more and more user friendly, as computers become smaller and smaller, as the average user becomes more computer saavy, and as technology becomes more mainstream, will computer technicians be in demand? can one make a career outta being one? i know programmers and software engineers and the like will always be in demand but, u know, i was just wonderin.

 

[Emily]

I don't have any technical answers for you, but there will always be people who are totally new to computers, and there will always be complex programs and devices that even advanced users need help with. But I see what you're saying, and numbers of techies for Microsoft and user-friendly soft/hardware could decline logically. I think even programming jobs will start to decline as languages develop that allow people to do more with less skill. That's why I'm now shooting for a more research-based job in the government (National Security Agency, to be specific ) than a private sector job.

 

[Erik]

I went to apply for a job today, but the manager wasn't there so I left my resume with a lady at the front desk, I really hope I get the job.

I think I have a good chance, when I went in the lady said "Oh, you're Erik, Kip has been talking a lot about you"

 

[Emily]

That's awesome Erik... good luck. The Best Buy near me is hiring and I was thinking about applying, but a.) I hate Best Buy and b.) I'm going to be gone for 3 or 4 weeks this summer so I don't think I'll be able to get a job anyway.

 

[Harper]

i'm just wonderin. will computer techs be in demand as time goes by. i mean, as operating systems become more and more user friendly, as computers become smaller and smaller, as the average user becomes more computer saavy, and as technology becomes more mainstream, will computer technicians be in demand? can one make a career outta being one? i know programmers and software engineers and the like will always be in demand but, u know, i was just wonderin.

The computer techie market is rather flooded. Like I built my first computer when i was the age of 19 (1996). But now days with computer so easy to build, I have seen people as young at 9 years old (2003) build a computer and configure an OS.

So if you think you are going to try to get a career just as a PC Assemblier.... think again.

Provided that you can offer some thing that the rest can not, or aleast stand out for the rest of the crowd, then you can make a career out of it.

For me, it would be Point Of Sales (POS) Expereince. I am very skilled when i comes down to POINT OF SALES equiptment and software. This also goes down to how JOE STORE OWNER thinks as well.

One of my work colleges is a Wireless Guru. Then again, we was at one staged outsource by Netgear to help delevop the 802.11 standards.

And I have 2 people that I outsourse for any Linux and Win SBS Services.


So if you want to make some one thing out of the IT industry, you would need to specialise is some area.

 

[XT]

techies are and will always be in demand. There are so many wires the normal person would get convused like never before. Im running 950 cnd a month and im in high school work 5-10 hours a month so thats really good wage(own own tech company) and if i can do that now think about 5 years of? You will need all the certs and degreese you can to get into the biz though(for couple years down the road)

 

[Harper]

There is a some perks of the job that I do enjoy.

* Recycling computer equiptment. Provided that I take responibity of the warranty if any thing does happen, i don't need to pay full price on hardware upgrades.

* Reseller Pricing!!! Beats paying full retail.

* Reseller promos. (provided that you can get them pass the boss with out him noticing)

* Reseller kick-backs (provided that you can get them pass the boss with out him noticing)

* Reseller program (Who here remember the Microsoft Direct Program that was heavily abused a few years back???)

* Pocketing RMA claims when the customer think that there is nothing you can do for repairing their hardware. (provided that you can get them pass the boss with out him noticing)

* Getting the play around with computer gear that you would normally not be able to afford for yourself. Eg. Playing around with DVD Burners......... in 1999

 

[mikesgroovin]

* Pocketing RMA claims when the customer think that there is nothing you can do for repairing their hardware. (provided that you can get them pass the boss with out him noticing)

Excellent, excellent, glad we are shinning with such high standards. Keep this up computer technicians of the world and we may rank up there with some of the fine auto-mechanics of the world....

 

[Harper]

It a cute thoat industry out there. I need all the perks (and dumb customers) out there.

Actually, I think there has only been one time in my current job (4th year now) where I did that. And the situation was that it was going to be quicker to sell the customer a new motherboard as appose to waiting the typical 2 weeks (which at the time was getting close to a month) for an RMA to come back.

 

[mikesgroovin]

Well, thats interesting. Do you think it's a cut throat industry out there because of people being in such low demand for honest service? or do you think it's such a cut throat industry out there because it's so easy for you or your boss or even your bosses' boss to pocket some extra cash in the several ways you just described. Seems like there are more "dumb customers" out there than you think, eh?
Fact is, I had NO problem making a good single living by being honest and having honest prices. I would never standridize myself to a set price. Even if it meant I wouldn't be making as much money on the job this time around.....there would always be that return business AND BUSINESS REFERRAL! That's all that matters....you'd be suprised at all the companies I've been told NOT to go to rather than the ones that helped people out. So, hmmmmm......I think it's a "cut throat" industry out there because people are too freakin' lazy to get out from there shielded building or website and actually go make some friendly contacts. It helped my business out so much to actually drive around my town and meet people at small businesses, hotels, motels and restruants and just meet people and give them a card. And once you treat the first few right........they will eventually talk and spread your name....