What Do Computer Network Support Specialists Do?

If you’ve ever had a problem using your computer or connecting to a network, you may have directly or indirectly experienced the work of network support personnel.

Sharing many of their duties with network and computer systems administrators, these IT professionals often collaborate with database administrators, computer network architects and computer and information systems managers.

On a typical day, computer network support specialists maintain a company’s network systems in various ways. They perform tasks associated with hardware configuration, but they also help people resolve network issues and contribute to end-user training. Their work makes a substantial contribution to the efficiency, safety and reliability of these networks. If you have an interest in devices and computer networking and consider yourself a problem-solver who enjoys helping people, a career in computer network support may be a good fit for you.

If you’re preparing to pursue this career path, it’s important to know that the entry and education requirements for network support jobs vary. According to occupational outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers may look for computer support specialists with an associate degree, but some may prefer applicants who’ve earned a bachelor’s degree. At a minimum, applicants should have studied networking, server administration and information security. Additional education may also be required or expected as you continue through your career.

Here at DeVry, we offer several online degree and certificate programs designed to help motivated learners prepare to pursue their first job or career advancement in information technology. 

For example, our Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking program can help you prepare to pursue this career path by providing in-depth learning into how enterprises manage and secure data. Key focus areas include voice over internet protocol (VOIP), infrastructure security, wireless and mobile technologies, and converged networks. 

And to help you better align your education with your professional goals, this bachelor’s degree program allows you to choose 1 of 3 degree specializations:

The BLS also notes the importance of certifications in this field. Elements of the curricula for both our Associate and Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking programs can help you prepare to pursue certification exams such as CCNA, CompTIA Security+, and Cloud Essentials+.

Qualified students may receive up to $300 in reimbursement for the cost of one exam attempt for any of the certifications listed above. Other certifications may also be eligible for reimbursement. Speak to your Student Support Advisor for additional information.

CompTIA’s Network+ certification is particularly applicable to this occupation, as it verifies skills in networking concepts, implementations, security, operations and troubleshooting.

From configuring security settings so that only authorized personnel can access networks to disaster recovery, the responsibilities of network support specialists are wide-ranging. Often operating as troubleshooters, analysts and administrators, their regular duties may include the following tasks:

In addition to the technical skills needed for network systems administration, workplace or soft skills help professionals in this critical role collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders and provide top-level customer service. Some of these soft skills may include:

The BLS notes overall employment in computer and information technology occupations in general is projected to grow faster on a national level than the average for all occupations between 2022 and 2032.² 

Employment of computer network support specialists specifically is expected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032. While that number sounds small, it’s considerably faster than the average for all occupations, meaning about 66,500 openings for various types of computer support specialists are projected each year, on average, over that period.³ This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers, not just entry-level.

If you’re thinking about putting your interest in IT and passion for problem solving to work as a network support specialist, DeVry can help you get started.

When you study information technology and networking at DeVry, you immerse yourself in today’s interconnected world and cultivate skills in IoT, cloud, software and security technologies. Our online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking can help prepare you to pursue network support career roles by introducing you to concepts in complex problem solving, data analysis, digital literacy, and system, component and process design, among other topics.

Align your degree to your goals by choosing to specialize in Cyber Security, Mobile and Networked devices or Cloud Based Networking and Visualization.

Earn your Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking in as little as 2 years and 8 months on a minimum schedule, or 4 years on a normal one.⁴