| Computer support specialists are responsible for | | | | will work about 40 hours a week although they may |
| providing assistance to customers and users who are | | | | have to work extra hours in order to provide customer |
| having technical difficulties with their computers, such | | | | support, especially if they are self-employed. It is |
| as a crashed hard drive or a forgotten password. | | | | becoming increasingly common for computer support |
| Technical support specialists may also provide | | | | specialists to work from remote locations. |
| services in running a network on a day to day basis | | | | Network systems certification is usually sufficient in |
| for a corporation. | | | | order to become a support specialist, however, most |
| Technical support specialists may run diagnostic | | | | individuals had at least a bachelor's degree in computer |
| programs in order to solve computer problems, and | | | | systems. Skills that these professionals should have |
| they will repair hardware and reinstall software. Other | | | | include an ability to solve problems and to |
| support specialists may write training manuals and train | | | | communicate effectively in order to solve any |
| individuals how to use hardware and software. | | | | computing and network problems that their clients may |
| Network systems administrators are responsible for | | | | have. |
| installing systems over a local area network, frequently | | | | Computer support employment should grow steadily |
| working for small businesses, large companies, and | | | | over the next 10 years, with employment growth |
| governmental organizations. These professionals will | | | | estimates being twice the rate of growth of the |
| also evaluate the network requirements of a company | | | | average for American professions. Over the next |
| and analyze this information in order to set up a | | | | decade, these jobs are expected to grow in number |
| secure broadband network that will operate efficiently. | | | | by 155,000, with most of this expansion occurring in |
| Network systems administrators will also take into | | | | computer systems administration. |
| account the future needs of a company and plan to | | | | In 2006, the median 50th percentile of systems |
| add capacity to a computer network. | | | | administrators made between $48,500 and $79,000, |
| Computer security specialists are responsible for | | | | while computer support specialists made between |
| managing the information security and protecting a | | | | $32,000 and $53,600 annually. |
| network from cyber attacks. Most systems specialists | | | | |