What Is A Computer Consultant
The term ‘Computer Consultant’ is passed around like any old common phrase these days. People talk about their local computer consultant just like they would their doctor or lawyer. Computer consultant has quickly become a term that represents a kind of technology hero. When your latest digital gadget is giving you grief, who are you going to call? Your computer consultant, of course!
OK, so maybe I’m going a little too far with this whole super hero analogy, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been referred to as someones hero when I swooped in and saved the digital day. As a computer consultant I’ve had the privileged to be the one to fix the problems that cause offices to come to a screeching halt. As a computer consultant I’ve been able to help home users recover valuable family photos from crashed hard drives. Computer consulting may just be a term describing a computer technician, but as I’ll soon explain, it means so much more.
What defines a Computer Consultant?
A computer consultant plays a unique role in the technology service industry. Acting as both a digital technician AND a mediator for computer users and their geeky gadgets, a successful computer consultant has to not only maintain the skill-set of a 21st century computer tech, but obtain a healthy set of people skills. A computer programmer can sit in a back room typing away at their keyboard, never interacting with their clients. Like many technology related careers, this requires very little people skills. Computer consulting, on the other hand, not only requires it, but demands some of the best around. As computer consultant, you are required to maintain the greatest level of patients as many of your client interactions can be quite stressful to say the least. Try reviving a dead computer with it’s owner breathing down your neck. When you’re asked, “What’s wrong with it? Do you think you’ll be able to recover the files?” Depending on the prognosis, you may find yourself having to bare the bad news, while tactfully charging for your services. Just like a doctor, you can’t always guarantee a positive prognosis, but you have to receive payment, none the less.
Let’s not forget experience!
People often speak of a computer consultant’s level of training, but much more important than this is their time on the job. You could have a brand new computer consultant who is fresh out of a four year technical college and one who never went to college, but has been on the job for the same four years. I’ll bet you there’s a good chance the more seasoned consultant will not only do a better job, but do it much more efficiently that the green geek who just got out of college.
Like any trade, the more you’re on the job, the more real world knowledge you obtain. As a computer consultant for the last five years I can’t deny the fact that no text book could have taught me what I learned while hashing it out in the technological trenches. I have nothing against conventional training, but if it’s not combined with on the job experience, you’ll need to be extra cautious when working with a new to the real world computer consultant. BUT HEY, you’ve got to start somewhere, right? Be sure to give the new techs a chance too. Just keep them on a short leash while they grow in their experience. Some come out of the gate like pros, while other computer consultants need a little more time on the burner, so to speak.
