Sure, you could call the Geek Squad when something goes wrong with your laptop or desktop, but what about learning how to fix it yourself? By enrolling in a program at a computer repair school, not only will you know how to troubleshoot your own equipment, but you can make good money helping others to maintain their own.

Nearly every business or organization needs to use some form of computer technology to complete daily tasks. For many industries, it can be nothing short of a nightmare when something goes wrong with technology. That is why computer repair technicians will always receive a warm welcome when they arrive to troubleshoot and fix the problem so that everyone can return to business as usual.  

There are different types of computer repair technicians, but they all have in common the ability to work with the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of parts and systems. If you become a field technician, you will be called out to various job sites, such as households or businesses, to complete hands-on repair to a computer system. Bench technicians, on the other hand, are employed by a repair shop, usually conveniently located at a mall or the main part of town, where computer users can bring their equipment to be serviced. Still others work at call centers, receiving harried calls on a regular basis from customers befuddled by what has happened to their trusty computer systems.    

Prepare to Repair by Attending a Computer Repair School   
There are many computer repair schools, both online and campus-based, to choose from. Most programs are offered at technical institutes, though some colleges and universities offer computer degree programs with a component of repair work.  

A computer repair technician must be knowledgeable of the different computer operating systems available, such as Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and Unix, to name a few. Though many computer repair technicians specialize in a particular system, some work in multiple platforms so as to gain an edge on the competition. From hardware and software to peripherals like scanners, modems, and printers, an education at a computer repair school will teach you how to install, maintain, and troubleshoot all the components necessary to keeping computer technology up and running for an organization.    

Computer technicians don't always deal with laptops and desktops, however. Have you ever gone to the ATM and been greeted with the message, "Sorry, this machine is out of order?" Rest assured, a computer repair technician is on the way. Any number of industries that use automated equipment similar to that of ATMs have relied on the knowledge of computer technicians to help bail them out of a jam.   

In addition to knowing the ins and outs of computer systems, computer repair technicians must have good interpersonal skills. Sometimes they will work on a repair team, particularly if the technology involved is complex and requires more manpower to restore. Other times, one repair technician will work on a job, but he or she will need to share information with the management or business owner, such as what happened to cause the problem and what can be done to prevent the problem from happening in the future.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly salary of a computer repair technician is around $17. Some make as much as $27 per hour, but this is dependent on the level of expertise one has, as well as the demand for that expertise. If you want a career in which you save the day without having superhero powers, consider enrolling in a computer repair school.