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What kind of jobs are there if I have interest in building computers.
#computer #technology #computer-engineering
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7 answers
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Ryan’s Answer
Hi Jimmy,
I think a lot of it depends on what it is about building computers that you like. If you enjoy physically assembling the parts, as Greg and Nicole said there isn't a lot of that. If you what you enjoy is more around understanding how computer parts interact with each other, how they are assembled/configured, or how that could be improved I think there are more doors open. You could work for IT helping people troubleshoot issues with their computers. You could go the engineering route and work for a company like HP or Dell that manufactures computers and be a part of the teams that determine what the next generation of computers looks like and what features to add and how to make that happen.
I think a lot of it depends on what it is about building computers that you like. If you enjoy physically assembling the parts, as Greg and Nicole said there isn't a lot of that. If you what you enjoy is more around understanding how computer parts interact with each other, how they are assembled/configured, or how that could be improved I think there are more doors open. You could work for IT helping people troubleshoot issues with their computers. You could go the engineering route and work for a company like HP or Dell that manufactures computers and be a part of the teams that determine what the next generation of computers looks like and what features to add and how to make that happen.
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Jimmy,
The Information Technology industry is what you are looking for.
For me, you have two types of jobs when it comes to building computer:
- the assembly line for general consumers: you assemble component for companies like Dell so that a consumer can enjoy a computer without having to assemble it themselves. Some electronic shops also assemble Personal Computers and sell them to consumers.
- the architecture and assembly for industrial hardware: there are industrial computers that require different assembly lines and skills that the general consumer's PC because the architecture is proprietary to the company. For example, Dell also sells storage and servers whose architecture is different and requires specific assembly. Like Bob DeCrescenzo said, these assemblers, if they have the skills, might also write the drivers and firmware to make the hardware work.
I hope it helps
The Information Technology industry is what you are looking for.
For me, you have two types of jobs when it comes to building computer:
- the assembly line for general consumers: you assemble component for companies like Dell so that a consumer can enjoy a computer without having to assemble it themselves. Some electronic shops also assemble Personal Computers and sell them to consumers.
- the architecture and assembly for industrial hardware: there are industrial computers that require different assembly lines and skills that the general consumer's PC because the architecture is proprietary to the company. For example, Dell also sells storage and servers whose architecture is different and requires specific assembly. Like Bob DeCrescenzo said, these assemblers, if they have the skills, might also write the drivers and firmware to make the hardware work.
I hope it helps
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Sine no one really uses desktops much anymore. Much work has transformed into remote work. Though not for the hardware people we still need to go to a physical location and do work. I would suggest acquiring a laptop from ebay or someplace and just start taking it apart. Something that works would be nice so that when you put it back together you can know you didn't break anything. Non-working ones are good also just to get used to taking something like that apart. While laptops really do not have internal upgrades like a desktop it is still a good skill to acquire if you wan tot go into repair.
You can also just buy parts from microcenter and/or newegg and just build a desktop. Also get familiar with various software how to install it. How to look for issues with software configuration. Repair is so much more then just fixing a non-working system. People mess up software configurations all the time and that falls under the IT repair guys role. So not everything under repair/build is just the hardware.
Good Luck!
You can also just buy parts from microcenter and/or newegg and just build a desktop. Also get familiar with various software how to install it. How to look for issues with software configuration. Repair is so much more then just fixing a non-working system. People mess up software configurations all the time and that falls under the IT repair guys role. So not everything under repair/build is just the hardware.
Good Luck!
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Jimmy Y. Thanks so much for this interesting question!
Umm, how do you feel about robotics? I ask because in many ways the robotics field institutes logic around building "parts" around a computer. So it's not building computers but it IS using computers as the center to control how parts of a robot perform. You may or may not be aware that robotics is a huge part of what is used in what is known in many spaces as "supply chain"..think Amazon...and robotics are used in many spaces where parts assembly (where being very precise is key!) is performed..think building cars or putting buttons on pants ;)
The traditional computer that sits on a person's desk...I agree that the market for building these types of computers is pretty low given cloud computing as mentioned in a previous answer. No need to build a computer that is a big 'ole box that sits on a person's desk when that person can carry a sleek handheld device and use internet connectivity to get more storage and memory...which is pretty much what we do with our phones, sleek laptops and flat screen TVs....
I hope my answer here demonstrates that you can still participate in building and computers...It may be though that you reconsider the space in which you do them and how to set yourself up for a sustainable career. Either way, I think you will do great!
Best of luck to you!
Umm, how do you feel about robotics? I ask because in many ways the robotics field institutes logic around building "parts" around a computer. So it's not building computers but it IS using computers as the center to control how parts of a robot perform. You may or may not be aware that robotics is a huge part of what is used in what is known in many spaces as "supply chain"..think Amazon...and robotics are used in many spaces where parts assembly (where being very precise is key!) is performed..think building cars or putting buttons on pants ;)
The traditional computer that sits on a person's desk...I agree that the market for building these types of computers is pretty low given cloud computing as mentioned in a previous answer. No need to build a computer that is a big 'ole box that sits on a person's desk when that person can carry a sleek handheld device and use internet connectivity to get more storage and memory...which is pretty much what we do with our phones, sleek laptops and flat screen TVs....
I hope my answer here demonstrates that you can still participate in building and computers...It may be though that you reconsider the space in which you do them and how to set yourself up for a sustainable career. Either way, I think you will do great!
Best of luck to you!
Updated
Tiffany’s Answer
That’s an interesting question and would depend on what aspect of computers you’re looking to get into. I would say anything within IT or computer engineering will both help with the inside and outside dealing with computers. Hope this helps!!!
Tiff
Tiff
Updated
Greg’s Answer
Hmmm, that's a good one as I don't think any company builds computers anymore. Everyone is moving to the cloud and/or have a data center that manages their servers. If you mean laptops for users than a Help Desk kind of role may be what you are looking for.
Updated
Bob’s Answer
Hi Jimmy,
As others mentioned, there are a lot of different aspects of building computers. If you want to physically design and build computers, then there are companies, like Dell that give you opportunities to design and build laptops, servers, storage, etc.. There are also software development jobs, like firmware, driver and operating system developers, that will allow you to help build the critical software needed for computers.
Good Luck and I hope you choose a career in computers.
As others mentioned, there are a lot of different aspects of building computers. If you want to physically design and build computers, then there are companies, like Dell that give you opportunities to design and build laptops, servers, storage, etc.. There are also software development jobs, like firmware, driver and operating system developers, that will allow you to help build the critical software needed for computers.
Good Luck and I hope you choose a career in computers.