Career Snapshot: Computer Support Specialist
- Entry-Level Salary: ~$44,000/year (Indeed, 2025)
- Median Salary: ~$62,000/year (Indeed, 2025)
- Experienced Salary: $84,000+/year (Indeed, 2025)
- Job Openings: 190,591 available (Coursera, 2025).
- Education: Many roles require only certifications or an associate degree; skills often matter more than formal education.
- Job Outlook: Employment of computer support specialists is projected to grow 5% (2022–2032) — about as fast as average (U.S. BLS).
Skills You’ll Gain
Students completing the Computer Support Specialist Career Pathway develop skills such as:
- Hardware & Software Troubleshooting – Diagnosing and fixing common problems
- Operating Systems – Supporting Windows, Linux, and Mac environments
- Networking Fundamentals – Ensuring connectivity and security
- Customer Service & Communication – Helping users resolve issues with patience and clarity
- Cybersecurity Awareness – Protecting systems from everyday threats
- IT Operations – Ticketing, updates, and system monitoring
Pathway Details & Certifications (powered by Coursera)
Featured Certifications:
Google IT Support Professional Certificate — 5–6 courses
Core foundations in tech support, OS, networking, system administration, and security.
Microsoft IT Support Specialist Professional Certificate — 6 courses
Intro to computers, secure networking, software/hardware/backup, cyber/privacy, Microsoft 365 ecosystem, and troubleshooting labs (6-course sequence listed on the role page).
IBM IT Support Professional Certificate — 9 courses
Beginner-friendly program covering tech support fundamentals, hardware/OS, software & databases, networking, cloud, cybersecurity, ticketing systems, and a capstone; shown as a 9-course series on Coursera.
These stackable, industry-recognized certificates equip students with core IT support skills employers value, while giving them capstone projects to showcase in portfolios.
Real-World Impact
For Students: If you enjoy solving problems and helping others, this pathway is a practical launchpad into IT. Many Computer Support Specialists grow into system administration, cybersecurity, or network engineering.
For CTE Directors & Teachers: The Computer Support Specialist Career Pathway supports Perkins V alignment, integrates easily into IT tracks, and helps students earn recognized credentials that employers trust.
Related Pathways
Computer support skills also prepare learners for roles such as:
- IT Project Manager
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Network Administrator
- Systems Administrator
Why SchoolDay Academy Recommends the Computer Support Specialist Career Pathway
At SchoolDay Academy, we curate pathways that combine affordability, accessibility, and relevance. The Computer Support Specialist Career Pathway, powered by Coursera, stands out because it is:
- Beginner-Friendly – Ideal first step for students with no prior IT experience.
- Industry-Aligned – Developed with Google, Microsoft, and IBM content learners recognize.
- Future-Ready – Builds problem-solving and technical skills used in every workplace.
- Certificate-Driven – Includes Google (5–6 courses), Microsoft (6), and IBM (9) multi-course certificates—stackable, industry-recognized credentials.
By adopting this pathway, schools give students a chance to earn career-ready certifications while practicing hands-on IT support skills.
How to Begin
Students
- Ask your teacher/CTE lead about enrolling in the Computer Support Specialist Career Pathway through SchoolDay Academy.
- Plan 3–5 hours weekly to complete course modules and hands-on labs.
- Apply new skills by troubleshooting devices in class, clubs, or at home.
- Complete one or more certificates and add them to your resume and LinkedIn.
Teachers & CTE Directors
- Request SDA seats for your class or program cohort.
- Map certificates to Perkins V IT pathways.
- Use SDA dashboards to track completions and showcase student career readiness.
The Computer Support Specialist Career Pathway prepares students to step directly into IT support roles while opening doors to advanced pathways in cybersecurity, systems administration, and beyond. For students, it’s a career entry point with real salaries and growth potential. For educators, it’s a Perkins-aligned solution with measurable outcomes.
Explore the Computer Support Specialist Career Pathway offered by SchoolDay Academy (powered by Coursera) today.