Business & Information Technology Division

Computers: Computer Support Specialist

Nora Dusseault
(315) 866-0300 or toll free 1-888-GO-4-HCCC, ext. 8234

Program Summary

Computer Support Specialists provide technical assistance to users as well as maintain, upgrade, and repair computer systems and networks.

The Computer Support Specialist curriculum focuses on a variety of areas, both hardware and software. Hardware skills developed in this program will include PCs and related hardware repair, upgrade and installations. Students in this program will have the skills to perform the day-to-day tasks of network administration. The program emphasizes both Microsoft Office products and Dreamweaver to develop web pages. Students will learn Visual Basic.NET to create on-line business forms.

Emphasis is placed on developing the student's ability to research information and problems along with being prepared to use written communication skills to develop training manuals.

Program of Study at Herkimer

Click Computer Support Specialist for the current program of study page.

Skill Requirements

Students interested in this field should have an interest in working with people. They enjoy learning about new technology and be willing to work on both hardware and software office-type products. Good writing and communication skills are required.

Nature of the Work

Technical support work takes you to all areas in the corporation. Answering telephone calls, running diagnostics programs to resolve problems, and writing training manuals to help computer users use hardware and software. Students will work on all types of computer equipment--PCs, printers, and networks; answer questions pertaining to word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; install software and obtain experience with different software packages; and train users.

Job Outlook

"Computer support specialists and systems administrators are projected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the 2002-12 periods."

from: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook