Systems Setup Specialists

There are several ways to obtain a better understanding of what it is like to be a setup specialist. One way is to try to organize a career day through school or friends and relatives. This is a good way to spend a day on the job with setup specialists and experience firsthand what the work entails.

Another option is to work part time for a computer repair shop. Repair shops usually do many upgrades that involve the installation of new hardware, like faster modems and microprocessors and more memory. Working in such a shop after school or on weekends will give the opportunity to observe or practice the precision work of a setup specialist.

Depending on your level of computer knowledge, you may want to volunteer to set up new personal computers for friends or charitable organizations in your neighborhood. Try installing software or customizing some features of the operating system to better meet the needs of the user. To keep up to date on technology developments and get ideas for customizing, read computer magazines, such as Computerworld (https://www.computerworld.com) and PC Magazine (https://www.pcmag.com).

Middle school and high school students can join the Technology Student Association, which provides members with the opportunity to explore career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, enter academic competitions, and participate in summer exploration programs. Visit http://www.tsaweb.org for more information. Other youth organization organizations that offer career resources and tech-related competitions include SkillsUSA (http://www.skillsusa.org) and Skills Compétences Canada (http://skillscompetencescanada.com).