COMPUTER HARDWARE
Scope:
Imagining life without computers has become almost impossible for
a large chunk of population today. But understanding its nitty-gritty is not a
child's game and people often feel the need of expert professionals for smooth
operation of their computers. Therefore, a career in Hardware and Networking
has become a very good career option for those who have an interest in the
field.
Computer hardware includes various physical parts of computer.
A computer hardware
engineer researches, designs, develops, tests and oversees the manufacture and
installation of computer chips, circuit boards and computer systems. A computer
hardware engineer also works with related equipment including keyboards, modems
and printers.
There were 75,000
computer hardware engineers employed in 2008.
Skills:
To work as a computer
hardware engineer one must have at least a bachelor's degree.
Computer hardware
engineers who offer their services directly to the public must be licensed by
the state in which they work. To be successful in this field, one should be
creative, inquisitive, analytical and detail oriented. Good communication
skills, both in writing and orally, are important.
He must be able
to do following Tasks:
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up
with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- Provide technical support to designers,
marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team
members throughout the product development and implementation process.
- Test and verify hardware and support
peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by
recording and analyzing test data.
- Monitor functioning of equipment and make
necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with
specifications.
- Analyze information to determine,
recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral
equipment modifications.
- Build, test, and modify product prototypes
using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer
simulation.
- Analyze user needs and recommend
appropriate hardware.
- Direct technicians, engineering designers
or other technical support personnel as needed.
- Confer with engineering staff and consult
specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and
operational and performance requirements of overall system.
- Select hardware and material, assuring
compliance with specifications and product requirements.
References:
Certification:
There is only one major certification available in field of
Computer Hardware:
The CompTIA A+
certification is the industry standard for computer support technicians.
The international, vendor-neutral
certification proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative
maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ certified
technicians also have excellent customer service and communication skills to
work with clients.
CompTIA A+ is part of
the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard,
Cisco and Novell. Other technology companies, including CompuCom and Ricoh,
have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians.
More than 700,000 people worldwide have become CompTIA A+ certified since the
program’s inception in 1993.
Two exams are necessary
to be certified: CompTIA A+ Essentials, exam code 220-701; and CompTIA A+
Practical Application, exam code 220-702.
CompTIA A+
Essentials measures the necessary
competencies of an entry-level IT professional with a recommended 500 hours of
hands-on experience in the lab or field. It tests
for technical understanding of computer technology, networking
and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism now
required of all entry-level IT professionals.
CompTIA A+ Practical
Application is an extension
of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials, with more of a
"hands-on" orientation focused on scenarios in which troubleshooting
and tools must be applied to resolve problems.
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