Desktop Support Engineering: Definition and RequirementsBy Indeed Editorial Team May 24, 2021 Show
TwitterLinkedInFacebookEmailCopy to Clipboard If you have strong technology skills and enjoy working as part of a team, consider pursuing a career as a desktop support engineer. Understanding what the field entails can help you make a more informed decision regarding your future career. In this article, we explain what desktop support engineering is, what a desktop support engineer does, the skills they have, the requirements for working in this field and the average salary for a desktop support engineer. Related: Desktop Support Interview Questions What is desktop support engineering?Desktop support engineering is a sector of engineering that involves resolving a variety of information technology (IT) issues. As IT professionals, desktop support engineers fix issues with a company's desktop computers. They also work with laptops and mitigate security and server issues that affect business networks. Related: Learn About Being a Desktop Support Specialist What does a desktop support engineer do?The day-to-day of a desktop support engineer involves providing support to a company's staff members to ensure the functionality of computers, software and network connections. Here are some duties of a desktop support engineer:
What skills do desktop support engineers have?As a desktop support engineer, it's important to have a combination of both hard and soft skills in order to complete your tasks with ease. Here are some skills that desktop support engineers have:
Related: 12 IT Skills You Need Now and How To Improve Them Requirements for working in desktop support engineeringIn order to pursue a career as a desktop support engineer, you need to meet certain job requirements. The more you meet these requirements, the greater chance you have of getting employed in this field. Here are some of the requirements for working in desktop support engineering: EducationDesktop support engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology or a related field. This type of degree provides a solid foundation of knowledge as you continue on this career path. ExperienceHiring managers prefer to hire candidates with proven work experience in this profession or as a desktop support technician. Before applying for a desktop support engineer position, consider pursuing an entry-level position on an IT team. TrainingDesktop support engineers typically undergo on-the-job training. This training allows them to better understand their new role before they train others. Prior to employment, you can do your own training through various courses or in the pursuit of relevant certifications. CertificationsWhile not necessarily a requirement, you can pursue a variety of certifications to improve your chances of employment as a desktop support engineer. Some certifications to consider include the following:
How much do desktop support engineers make?Desktop support technicians make a national average salary of $46,405 per year. Keep in mind that desktop support engineers likely earn a higher salary. Your salary as a desktop support engineer also depends on your geographic location, your employer and your skill or experience level. What is the job outlook for desktop support engineers?While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't report data for desktop support engineers, they do have data for computer support specialists. According to the BLS, computer support specialists can expect an employment growth of 8% from 2019-2029a growth rate much faster than the average for all other professions in the workforce. Frequently asked questionsHere are some frequently asked questions about the desktop support engineering profession: Who does a desktop support engineer work with?Desktop support engineers typically work as part of a company's helpdesk team. They report to a senior systems administrator or an engineer and may supervise a junior helpdesk employee. What is a work schedule like for a desktop support engineer?Desktop support engineers may work a variety of shifts since computer or laptop issues can occur at any time. This means that while they may work a day schedule, they may also have night and weekend shifts. What is the work environment like for a desktop support engineer?While most desktop support engineers work from their home office, they may also travel to server rooms or to a work site. Keep in mind that you can find desktop support engineers in a variety of sectors. For example, they may work in retail or work in a hospital. What is the career path for a desktop support engineer?Aspiring desktop engineers typically start as trainee engineers or in help desk support. With enough experience and technical certifications, they may move to a desktop support engineering role, followed by the role of a systems administrator or system engineer. Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed. |