How to become a Computer User Support Specialists

Discussion in 'Training & Development' started by Villain, Mar 26, 2014.

  1. Villain

    Villain New Member

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    What are the certficates that i need to become this? and/or schools that i need to go for?
     
  2. Apexes

    Apexes Gigabyte Poster

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    That's a rather vague question in all honesty :)

    User support for what? Deskside support, web user support, remote helpdesk support, specialist systems?

    I'll assume you mean a 1st line / entry level helpdesk role.

    In which case: start studying for something like the CompTIA A+ as a start. Get a solid foundation with that and be competent with what it teaches and involves. There are schools and courses, but the best bet is just to get a book on the exam and self study as much as you can.

    Get yourself a lab environment out of old computer kit, something that you can break and won't affect anything if you accidently delete a whole folder. Use this and work on the text experiments and modules.
     
    Certifications: 70-243 MCTS: ConfigMgr 2012 | MCSE: Private Cloud
  3. Villain

    Villain New Member

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    Thank you for the reply, thats what i meant lol. Theres this course that will voucher my comptia a+ and n+ exams, but since i know i can do it myself i was wondering how beneficial is that course's certificate alone for IT first entry jobs. It's the "Computer Technical Networking Specialist" certificate by hunterbusiness school. So can this certificate alone help me get those first entry level jobs without the CompTIA A+ certificate?

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    course info

    COMPUTER TECHNICIAN NETWORKING SPECIALIST
    900 hours • Diploma program • Day and evening classes




    The Computer Technician Networking Specialist program is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in the field of electronics, computers, and networking. It covers the following: electrical and electronic theory and their practical applications; installation, maintenance and repair of computer systems; and planning, installing and maintaining local area networks.

    Students spend fifty percent of their time in a lab environment, which emphasizes the material covered in lecture and homework. They learn to use tools, assemble electronic circuits, and read schematic diagrams. Use of the test equipment such as voltmeters, multimeters, audio generators, oscilloscopes, and digital trainers assist students in circuit analysis. Students will be prepared to pass the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification exams. Graduates who are successful in passing these two internationally certified tests will be well prepared to continue their quest toward Microsoft, Novell, and Cisco certifications.

    Courses Offered • Consumer Data

    Job Titles for Graduates of Computer Technician Networking Specialist
    The following list includes, but is not limited to, many of the most common job titles for which this program prepares students and requires the use of the skills learned as a predominant component of the job.

    Assembler Electronics Technician Network Technician
    Audiovisual Service Technician Field Service Rep Networking Assistant
    Cable Installer Field Technician Operating System Specialist
    Cellphone Technician Games Advisor and Specialist PC Repair Tech
    Computer Repair Technician Hardware Tech Repair Tech
    Computer Technician, Hardware Help Desk Specialist Sales Tech
    Computer Technician, Software Help Desk Support Service Desk Tech
    Computer/Printer Support Tech Help Desk Technician Technical Customer Service Rep
    Copier Technician HP Service Center Specialist Technical Support Specialist
    Customer Service Rep Information Technology Specialist Technician
    Desktop Specialist IT Sales Rep Telecommunications Specialist
    Desktop Support Technician IT Specialist Telephone Tech
    Electronic Security Systems Installer Network Support Rep User Support Specialist
    Courses Offered
    Electronics Principles
    CTNS100 (150 hours)

    Understanding modern electronic devices today requires an understanding of basic electronics principles. During this course, students will be taught the foundations of those principles which are rooted in electronics theory and practices and will be able to prove these theories through experimentation in circuit construction, test equipment, structured labs, and data analysis. Students will also develop technical skills through classroom and laboratory work throughout the course including soldering techniques, reading of schematic diagrams, and circuit troubleshooting which are all integral to the learning of these principles. Prerequisite: None (The CTNS100 sequence can be given before or after the 200 sequence.)

    Digital and Binary Electronics/Computers
    CTNS110 (90 hours)

    The very basis for information technology itself lies within the foundation of digital logic and binary circuits. This course is designed to teach students the principles of binary number systems, logic gates, shift registers, memory, logic counters, and clock and timing circuits. During this course students will also learn the construction of digital logic circuits from very simple counters to complex microprocessors and discover how simple logic gates can be used to produce complex digital systems. Prerequisite: CTNS100

    Introduction to Computers, Service, and Support
    CTNS200 (90 hours)

    Modern computer systems today are complex electronic devices that accomplish their tasks by connecting smaller systems together, called subsystems. During this course students will learn how each subsystem accomplishes its tasks and is connected to form a complete computer system. This course introduces students to hardware components, such as motherboards, processors, storage systems, power supplies, expansion cards, and more. How hardware and software interface with each other is also explored to give a complete understanding of the various ways they interact. Prerequisite: None

    Motherboards, Form Factors, Processors, and Memory
    CTNS210 (120 hours)

    During this course, the components of the personal computer will be examined and explored in detail. Students will learn what it takes to assemble, disassemble, and reassemble a computer. The relationship between motherboard and microprocessor, RAM (random access memory), peripherals, form factors, firmware, installation techniques, and optimization methods will also be explored and performed. In addition, support for motherboards, processors, RAM, improving system performance, upgrading, and configuration options will be defined and practiced along with standardized methods of troubleshooting. Prerequisite: CTNS200

    I/O Device Support, Hard Drives, Multimedia, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
    CTNS220 (120 hours)

    This course covers how a computer gets the information it processes and how it outputs that data through the ports of a computer. Ports are where external devices connect for I/O (input/output) operations. During this course, students will study these port technologies which include video (VGA, S-Video, DVI, HDMI), audio, network (wired and wireless), PS/2, FireWire, serial, parallel, eSATA, SCSI, and more. Secondary storage devices such as hard disk drives, optical drives, floppy drives, RAID systems, and disk subsystem installation, maintenance, repair and upgrading will also be covered. Prerequisite: CTNS210

    Installing, Maintaining, Troubleshooting, and Optimizing Windows
    CTNS230 (150 hours)

    All components of a modern computer system must be under the control of an operating system (OS) which allows the various subsystems in today’s computers to communicate with each other. During this course students will learn how to install an OS and how to set up their computer to run more than one OS. Students will also learn system maintenance, backups, disaster recovery, data restoration, disk cleanups, system and application updates, antivirus and antimalware methodologies, user account management, and more. Prerequisite: CTNS220

    Networking/Security Essentials and Practices
    CTNS240 (132 hours)

    Using the Internet today means being connected to and sharing resources of a network. During this course students will learn how hardware is used for networking, the various types of networks, how to network computers, and how to troubleshoot network connections. In addition, managing networks and their various interconnections, such as Wi-Fi and SOHO (small office home office) using TCP/IP and other networking protocols will be taught. Students will also study the fundamentals of network troubleshooting in workgroups, client/server setups, hubs, switches, routers, and more. Prerequisite: CTNS230

    Supporting Notebooks and Printers
    CTNS250 (48 hours)

    Portable devices, such as laptops, notebooks, and netbooks, give users mobility and flexibility in our IT based world. During this course their maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, networking, and more will be taught and practiced. Printers will also be covered, including their ability to support a variety of devices such as desktops and laptops, as well as the various technologies in use, management of consumables, networking, troubleshooting, and selection criteria to choose the right printer for the right job. Prerequisite: CTNS240

    Career Development
    All sections of this 900-hour Computer Technician Networking Specialist (CTNS) program were developed to provide students with the practical, hands-on experience necessary for working in this field and to prepare students for industry certification. Career development knowledge, skills, and abilities are part of the foundation of this program and have been integrated throughout so that students are properly prepared for the employment process. During the CTNS program, students will prepare for their job search, which includes the following: preparation of résumés, job applications, cover letters, and thank you letters; interview techniques; professional use of the telephone and fax; employment testing; and office behavior and etiquette.
     
  4. Apexes

    Apexes Gigabyte Poster

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    How much are they charging for it?

    I'd always say self study rather than do that. that is also a long time, 900 hours? if you divide that into 6 hour lessons (even that's alot) then that equals around 150 days. so 5 months.

    If you're confident and know basics, self study with your own lab environment,

    The money you spend on a course could probably by you your own kit to setup as a lab and books for it and pay for the exams that they "include" !

    Also, I've never heard of a CTNS before!
     
    Certifications: 70-243 MCTS: ConfigMgr 2012 | MCSE: Private Cloud
  5. Villain

    Villain New Member

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    got a scholarship for it, so why not...? i heard that the comptia a+ certification is only valid for 3 years? i don't know about the n+

    and the only thing that sticks out is the CTNS certificate... the school is well known around here so i dont know....

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    and whats next after a a+ and n+ certificates?
     
  6. shadowwebs

    shadowwebs Megabyte Poster

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    once you get the a+ and n+, you should then be able to secure a job and would then start looking at doing certs in the area that your job is based on, so if you end up doing a networking support role you may want to look at cisco courses, or if you become an IT Technician working in a Microsoft environment, you may want to look at Microsoft certs. all compTIA certs are only valid for 3 years, but by taking the next compTIA level up cert it auto renews the lower cert.
     
    Certifications: compTIA A+, Apple Certified Technical Coordinator 10.10 (OS X Yosemite, Server and Support)
  7. Villain

    Villain New Member

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    between the areas you mentioned or have not, what is the area that promise most income and job availability from your experience.
     
  8. jero25

    jero25 New Member

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    You should start from a basic position job and then grow with experience .
     

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