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Becoming a computer/laptop repair technician??

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  • 10-08-2015 11:14am
    #1
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭


    Hi, I was previously looking into software development as a career path, but am also interested in computer repairs as, I think there's a lot of work to be had there also. Something like a computer technician.

    But I'm totally unaware of the route to go to become trained in something like this.

    Does anyone have any pointers here?

    I have a degree in Civil engineering which, is of course unrelated but, perhaps an indication of competency on some level at least.

    Am I asking in the correct forum and/or, which forum would be most suitable?


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    #2
    horgan_p
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,604 Mod ✭✭✭✭horgan_p


    Wow , thats a wide open question. These days you'll need to specialise a bit more than that.
    Decide if you want to be a hardware engineer , software engineer or network engineer.
    Each of these branch into a multitude of specialties. Network engineer for example straight off branches into security , voice over ip, cloud , wireless. You may need to just dive in and get an entry level help desk job and see what suits you best.

    Give us a bit more info on what you like about IT , what you like to do and where you yourself would like to do.


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    #3
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Generally the best training is experience and proof of it - not what you wanted to hear, I suspect. The money is unbelievably crap too; unless you're actually going far beyond hardware.

    The Comptia A+ is the standard, entry level, qualification for this. I would suggest looking at the material on it to see if you actually need training or whether you could pass it with self-study (or just by doing the test).


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    #4
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    Ummm, basically just to work in a pc repair shop I guess - that would be the aim.

    Would that Comptia A+ be sufficient to attain that type of position?

    In terms of making a start here, entry level help desk job being mention - are there any other routes I could go?
    If I want to walk into a computer repair store and tell them I want to work for them, what qualifications would I need to present to be able to do this?


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    #5
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    Ummm, basically just to work in a pc repair shop I guess - that would be the aim.

    Would that Comptia A+ be sufficient to attain that type of position?

    Pretty much, yes. Its a minimum wage job basically though.


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    #6
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    Can I get that qualification under FAS or...?

    I'm guessing google is my friend here.


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    #7
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    Can I get that qualification under FAS or...?

    I'm guessing google is my friend here.

    Occasionally and region-specific, yes.

    However, if you're actually going to be any good at the job you are unlikely to need training at all. It is an entry-level qualification, its been done by millions of people worldwide and there are vast amounts of self-study material online. Take a look at those. Its likely to be quicker, easier and cheaper (in terms of opportunity cost) to just do it yourself.


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    #8
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    http://www.pitman-training.ie/search

    I see here for Comptia, there's a few different options.

    In terms of highly regarded qualification, which would be the best one?
    It mentions the A+ as being an entry level qualification...


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    #9
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    The other thing that jumped out at me was, it mentions the learning being done mainly online.

    PC repair, I know there are hardware elements to take into account with that.

    Do the Comptia qualifications cover that area as well?
    In terms of actually dis-assembling a computer and making hardware updates, or whatever else is necessary?


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    #10
    thomas anderson.
    Registered Users Posts: 1,107 ✭✭✭thomas anderson.


    I did the Comptia A+, Network+ and MCSE Win7 3 years ago.

    I am now doing site support for a Mulitnational company and am far from minimum wage. Worked on a number of helpdesks and just went on from there. CCNA next cause they ALL love that exam


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    #11
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    http://www.pitman-training.ie/search

    I see here for Comptia, there's a few different options.

    In terms of highly regarded qualification, which would be the best one?
    It mentions the A+ as being an entry level qualification...

    The A+ is about the only certification for hardware. As horgan_p explains, its specialisation beyond that point and you need to know what you're good at and what you want to do.
    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    The other thing that jumped out at me was, it mentions the learning being done mainly online.

    PC repair, I know there are hardware elements to take into account with that.

    Do the Comptia qualifications cover that area as well?
    In terms of actually dis-assembling a computer and making hardware updates, or whatever else is necessary?

    They ask questions on that, extensively - but its entirely multiple choice.


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    #12
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    thomas anderson. wrote: »
    I did the Comptia A+, Network+ and MCSE Win7 3 years ago.

    I am now doing site support for a Mulitnational company and am far from minimum wage. Worked on a number of helpdesks and just went on from there. CCNA next cause they ALL love that exam

    That's the specialisation the OP's been told about repeatedly... hardware-only is a dead end.


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    #13
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    Not to say I'm ambivalent about which area I'd like to go into, but whatever pays the best, basically.
    The previous poster seems to be recommending the CCNA?

    I'm just seeing a bunch of courses available on this site pitman-training.ie and wondering which would be the best to sign up for with respect to employment leverage.

    I'm basically a blank slate on these courses - it mentions they take about 10 weeks of 30 to 40 hour a week study.
    Does that sound about right?
    For the Comptia A+ course?

    Also - I see one of the sticky threads in this forum mentions that FAS used to do these courses for free.
    Where did you guys do these qualifications?
    And what kind of cost am I looking at?


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    #14
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    The CCNA is not an entry level course...

    What are your existing IT skills, certified or not?


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    #15
    horgan_p
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,604 Mod ✭✭✭✭horgan_p


    If I was you (and thank god I'm not - I'd hate to be starting in IT again) :

    A+ (for the grounding) , then either N+ or CCNA (I'd go CCNA myself)
    Follow this up with the Microsoft selection box of exams - desktop , server, messaging , cloud etc.
    Then a smattering of cloud and virtualisation services - Vmware perhaps , maybe Citrix.
    Follow this with a Cisco specialization exam (security or voice - but I think voice is gone now?)
    By this stage your CCNA should be due for renewal.
    Oh and there'll be new Microsoft exams to study for as well.

    My point is you cant just generalise, sit tight and count your millions. There's always a next exam.


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    #16
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    L1011 wrote: »
    The CCNA is not an entry level course...

    What are your existing IT skills, certified or not?

    Pfff - in terms of programming, I've done university modules in C++ and Fortran - and that's about it.

    From that point of view, you seem to be saying CCNA would not be immediately suitable?

    So to get started, would you be recommending the approach the above poster has laid out?


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    #17
    Musicman2000
    Registered Users Posts: 1,461 ✭✭✭Musicman2000


    If i were yo get onto the Comptia A+ course. Once you have that completed it will give you the basics. The best experience you can get is on the job, You should be able to get into a Helpdesk level 1 position and work your way up. Try and get into a multi national company not some back street pc repair shop. Once you are happy in a new position look into the MCNA courses.

    The CCNA is aimed at the networking side of things and can be tough enough to pass as you need to get 85%. Hardware is not dead end as someone mentioned, the money is not fantastic starting off but will improve after a few years experience.

    If you want to get into Software programming it would mean going back to college again. Money is good but it has to be the most mind numbing job going. Constant pressure and dead lines, looking at a screen all day. Huge drop out rates in Uni's and colleges. My advice stick with the hardware.


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    #18
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    Musicman2000 wrote: »
    If i were yo get onto the Comptia A+ course. Once you have that completed it will give you the basics. The best experience you can get is on the job, You should be able to get into a Helpdesk level 1 position and work your way up. Try and get into a multi national company not some back street pc repair shop. Once you are happy in a new position look into the MCNA courses.

    The CCNA is aimed at the networking side of things and can be tough enough to pass as you need to get 85%. Hardware is not dead end as someone mentioned, the money is not fantastic starting off but will improve after a few years experience.

    If you want to get into Software programming it would mean going back to college again. Money is good but it has to be the most mind numbing job going. Constant pressure and dead lines, looking at a screen all day. Huge drop out rates in Uni's and colleges. My advice stick with the hardware.

    That's good insight thanks.

    I suppose just to give some perspective to my situation, like I said, I came from Civil Engineering initially, which was well and good in college, but when it came to the actual work, the pressure and responsibility did not really go great with me.

    In fact, I pretty much hung it up after one year and worked part time jobs to get by, and it was obviously such an easier life.
    But, the money sucked.
    Like, you guys say hardware money isn't great.
    I'm talking, breadline status.

    Anyways, the main reason I'm hesitant to go back to college to do a Software development course is cause, I'm coming off a long term illness, and, I honestly don't know if I can deal with the pressure/responsibility of an intense conversion course, in conjunction with that type of work experience.

    So my question is, this Comptia A+ course - how would that compare to say, doing a final year course in Engineering - responsibility wise?
    Is the work load similar, much greater?

    How long does the Comptia course take to complete?

    And finally, I did come across some private fields that are offering that course, but they're fairly pricey.

    Do you guys know are FAS or some such initiative offering them courses currently?
    Preferably hands on, not online. I just feel I'd find it difficult to maintain motivation studying online every day.


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    #19
    SpaceSasqwatch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 768 ✭✭✭SpaceSasqwatch


    I done the A+ years ago and that was a vtos course.All that got me was a job in eircom tech support:o I'll never work in a call centre again :pac: Also have a look at FIT/momentum for courses as well.

    The A+ and N+ are entry level courses but they can help you get your foot in the door of some places were you can progress further.

    Also keep in mind there's a lot of work out there for linux guys too.Once you go command line you'll never look back :cool::pac:


    tbh if i already had a degree I'd do a conversion course for computer science


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    #20
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    SpaceSasqwatch wrote: »


    tbh if i already had a degree I'd do a conversion course for computer science

    But what about that being mind numbing and boring with pressure and deadlines and shiz....?


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    #21
    Musicman2000
    Registered Users Posts: 1,461 ✭✭✭Musicman2000


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    But what about that being mind numbing and boring with pressure and deadlines and shiz....?

    To be honest the majority of degree course are not aimed at the Hardware side of the things. Thats why you have the Microsoft and Cisco Industry courses. These can be completed online with Fas. From someone that works in the area at the moment . I completed a BSC in IT and it was a complete shambles of a degree. and a waste of 3 years they were just interested in pushing the programming side of things as a lot of companies are crying out for programmers. But the problem is a lot of students are not cut out to be programmers.

    If you don't like working under pressure stay well clear of programming . Not saying that things don't get stressful in a Help desk role but it wont be half as bad as programming.


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    #22
    Eire Go Brach
    Registered Users Posts: 1,369 ✭✭✭Eire Go Brach


    Musicman2000 wrote: »
    I completed a BSC in IT and it was a complete shambles of a degree. and a waste of 3 years they were just interested in pushing the programming side of things as a lot of companies are crying out for programmers.
    If you don't like working under pressure stay well clear of programming . Not saying that things don't get stressful in a Help desk role but it wont be half as bad as programming.
    I am curious to Where and what degree you done. I got accepted into college. I am a mature student. But I am having 2nd doubts. I am doing a MCSA now. I would have to drop out of that to go to college.


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    #23
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    Musicman2000 wrote: »
    To be honest the majority of degree course are not aimed at the Hardware side of the things. Thats why you have the Microsoft and Cisco Industry courses. These can be completed online with Fas. From someone that works in the area at the moment . I completed a BSC in IT and it was a complete shambles of a degree. and a waste of 3 years they were just interested in pushing the programming side of things as a lot of companies are crying out for programmers. But the problem is a lot of students are not cut out to be programmers.

    If you don't like working under pressure stay well clear of programming . Not saying that things don't get stressful in a Help desk role but it wont be half as bad as programming.

    Are they all done online?

    I would have thought there would be a hands on practical side of learning to a hardware course?


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    #24
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    Are they all done online?

    I would have thought there would be a hands on practical side of learning to a hardware course?

    Its assumed you have access to hardware to work on

    There is very, very little to learn and be tested about with hardware as it is.


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    #25
    horgan_p
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,604 Mod ✭✭✭✭horgan_p


    Hardware is where I started off , swapping boards and some minor board level repair. That day is over ,now with everything being mass produced in china most hardware is almost disposable.
    What you'll really become is more a deskside engineer , troubleshooting (mostly) Windows client issues.


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    #26
    Musicman2000
    Registered Users Posts: 1,461 ✭✭✭Musicman2000


    Eire Go Brach wrote: »
    I am curious to Where and what degree you done. I got accepted into college. I am a mature student. But I am having 2nd doubts. I am doing a MCSA now. I would have to drop out of that to go to college.

    It was in Waterford IT. If i were you finish off the MSCA and get a year or so experience . You should have enough to get into a Help Desk Level 1/2 Position.


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    #27
    ACRDark
    Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭ACRDark


    If the guy wants to fix computers, let him! It aint dead end and there is money to be made. And as branson says, the alphabet goes from a to z not a to c, you dont need qualifications to set up shop doing what you want to do if you know how to do it! There's always a computer needs fixing/rebuilding. Why does anyone wanna earn over 50k when gov will tax you 40% anyway, wake up! Earn 35k, pay less tax and be happy running your own show making folks happy. And as for that dude who was complaing about always having to learning something new, well that's tech my friend! Dont like it go be a brick layer, the best thing about tech hard n soft is the fact that its always changing, always improving thats the point of it, that's what we live for.


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    #28
    moc moc a moc
    Registered Users Posts: 1,299 ✭✭✭moc moc a moc


    ACRDark wrote: »
    Why does anyone wanna earn over 50k when gov will tax you 40% anyway, wake up! Earn 35k, pay less tax and be happy running your own show making folks happy

    Some people have different priorities and more realistic viewpoints. You don't want to be trying to raise a family on 35k.


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    #29
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,851 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    You aren't going to get 35k just fixing hardware either.


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    #30
    horgan_p
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,604 Mod ✭✭✭✭horgan_p


    L1011 wrote: »
    You aren't going to get 35k just fixing hardware either.


    From my experience , and I've been both the fixer and the person employing the fixer , I'd see a purely hardware engineer earning 25K. 28 - 30 if he were exceptional. and s/he would have to be very exceptional to get 30K.


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    #31
    Cuddlesworth
    Registered Users Posts: 13,981 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    horgan_p wrote: »
    From my experience , and I've been both the fixer and the person employing the fixer , I'd see a purely hardware engineer earning 25K. 28 - 30 if he were exceptional. and s/he would have to be very exceptional to get 30K.

    Yep, no real skill set in it. Most people get bored and look to progress within a year anyway.


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