Hello, my name is Nicholas Tam and I am currently a freshman at New York City College of Technology. At the moment I am in the computer system major but I’m still not completely sure if that is what I really want to do because there are other careers that interest me as well. The career field I would like to enter is computer technician. I feel like this is the best career for me because I am very familiar with computers, I use one everyday myself. In today’s society, everything is run by technology, which means there will be a high demand for jobs in this field. Back when I was in middle school, I didn’t know how to properly take care of my computer. Viruses just kept pouring into my computer and I had no idea what to do. As I grew up I asked for a lot of opinion and help on how to fix my computer and eventually I learned how to solve these issues myself. I have also received a job from Blizzard Entertainment before. With my experience, I believe that I will be a big help in this career field in the future. In this essay, I will be talking about pros and cons of being a computer technician and my reasons for choosing this career. I will also talk about how City Tech will prepare me for my future career.

A computer technician is a person who is responsible for repairing and maintaining computers and servers. Sometimes they may have to build and configure new hardware, install and update new software if it is required for the computer to run smoothly. To have better understanding in my decision to be in the computer system major pursing a job in the computer technician field it is useful to learn the following facts. The 2014-2015 New York City College of Technology Catalog tells us that “The computer system major will provide students with excellent communications, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, allowing students to anticipate the direction of technology, not just follow it.” (City tech, 285). In this degree program there are many different courses you can choose from like database system, network and security, IT operation, and software development. After I graduate with a degree in this major there are many career options that I can choose from. For example, computer technician, computer programmer, web designer, etc. With the education that I will be receiving at City Tech, I hope that I will able to make use of it in my future career or in another school. I am still debating if I should transfer to another college either way I will stay in the computer system major. I really hope that once I get out there into the field, I can help people troubleshoot their problems because when I had those problems on my computer I was really lost and hope someone can help me.

I remember back then there were advertisements everywhere over the web. Some of them actually had pretty persuasive things to say and as a kid I wouldn’t know better. It would tell me to install this, install that and my computer would end up with a ton of different viruses. It was so bad to the point that I would see the advertisements as I turn on my computer, not even opening my browser yet. There was really no one around me at that time who knew how to fix a computer so I went to my middle school’s computer teacher and he gave me a disk to reformat the whole computer. I never really talked to him before that happened but he really helped me out a lot. Every time I would have a problem he wouldn’t mind coming to my house to help me and teach me why certain things are happening to my computer. After graduating out of middle school, I started helping my friends fix their computer problems. After helping out my friends, I gained a lot of experience and knowledge on how the computer works. As I was fixing their computers there were many issues that I didn’t know how to solve but I found out myself. Like Margolis said, “In order to be able to fix and maintain a computer, you must know how it works.” (Margolis, 8). Even with so much experience there are much other issues that I have not seen or tried to solve yet so I hope I will learn more in City Tech. The picture above is my monitor and keyboard while I was editing my paper.

In our world, we are trying to improve technology steadily as time goes on so technology can make our daily lives much easier. Like Watkins said in his book, Computer Technology for technicians and technician engineers, “In less than seventy-five years we have seen progress from horse transport to space travel and from the cat’s whisker to the communication satellite.” (Watkins, 1). Who knows, in the next seventy-five years there might be an even bigger progression in technology. About a week ago, I went to eat dinner with family at this fancy hotel. I went to use the bathroom and with a click of a button the toilet seat cleans your buttocks. I remember my grandparents use to tell me that back then they didn’t even have toilets in China. This is how far technology have gotten. As you can see in the picture above, my professor is teaching the class using technology which is very clever of him. Most of my professors are also educating us through technology like posting lectures online and showing us slideshows through the projector. After graduating from college, everyone stresses about finding a job in the field they want to because it’s just so competitive out there. While you are looking for the job other people are too so I am trying to find a job where it might be a little easier. Like I said in the beginning, that in today’s society everything is run by technology which means there will be a high demand for jobs in this field. In Margolis’s Computer Technician’s Handbook he states that “If you want to become a computer technician, the time to develop those skills couldn’t be better.” (Margolis, 2).

If I enter the computer technician field, it would be an easier field for me than other career choices because I have all these knowledge and connections already. Not to mention that I already got a job offer in this field. I submitted my resume to Blizzard Entertainment and very surprisingly, they hired me to do server checks. Sadly, I can’t take the job offer because the hours are too long and I wouldn’t have time to go to school. I was told that if I was hired, I would have to do server maintenance for one of their newer games, Hearthstone. The game is relatively new so there is still many bugs and error in the game so if I do decide to take the job it would be long hours. I really wanted this job because I play games from Blizzard Entertainment and I love it. It would really be a pleasure for me to work for them. No matter how much I like the job, I don’t think it’s worth dropping out of school. If I were to ever get laid off or fired, finding a new job would be very difficult. I would be looking for a job in the computer technician field without a bachelor or any type of degree which is very difficult because like I said before, it’s really competitive in the work field. Everyone is trying to get the same job and they all have these other degrees and nice things on their resume. While mine doesn’t even have a bachelor’s degree on it? Not worth it.

In City Tech’s computer system degree program, they give you a lot of flexible courses so you can choose what you specifically want to learn about. In the computer system degree program they have over 50 courses to choose from. They have classes from foundations of computing to installing and maintaining web servers. One of the goals for the program is to “Prepare marketable candidates for position in the information technology field.” (City Tech, 287). I have also interviewed a professor that is working in City Tech’s computer system department. I wanted to know what would be some internship opportunities  so I interviewed Professor Milonas and she said “There are many opportunities for CST students to intern. Many positions are specific to the students’ interests such as networking, databases and technicians. The CST department has many partnerships with companies such as MTA, JP Morgan Chase, Department of Education and many more.” (Milonas, 4). I think it’s really great how the computer system department has connections to so many big companies all over New York. It may start as an internship but in the end it might end up as a career at that place. Overall, City Tech provides enough courses for you to take so you can be ready when you enter the field. They also provide you with many internship opportunities in big companies which is great for your career to get to know all these people and gain these experience.

If anyone is interested in entering this field, I would really recommend it to you because the main reason is that technology will keep improving. As long as new technology is being invented then people will be needed to create this technology. In my opinion, I think it’s the same concept with doctors. As long as we are alive, they are needed. As humans we look to be more innovated as days pass by, we need technology in our lives. Professor Milonas also said that “Most companies hire computer technician’s especially large companies such as the MTA or the Port Authority. Also universities, hospitals and retail stores are in need of computer technicians.” (Milonas, 3). My point is that this field is very big and many people are needed to maintain and repair these new technologies. If anyone is thinking about finding a job in the computer system field, City Tech is a safe way to start your journey.

WORKS CITES

Maguire, Byron. Handbook of Computer Maintenance and troubleshooting. Virginia. RESTON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC. 1973. Print.

Margolis, Art. Computer Technician’s Handbook. USA. TAB BOOKS Inc. 1985. Print.

Milonas, Elizabeth. Email Interview. 6 December 2014.

New York City College of Technology (City Tech). College Catalog 2014-2015. 2014. PDF. 17       November 2014.

Tam Nicholas “This is all technology that revolves around us today” 7 December 2014. 7 December 2014.

Tam, Nicholas “This is my computer set up” Flickr. 6 December 2014. 7 December 2014.

Tam Nicholas “This is my professor teaching in an innovative way” 24 November 2014. 7 December 2014.

Watkin, R.V. Computer technology for technicians and technician engineers. USA. Longman Group Limited. 1976. Print