There is a myriad of different types of jobs within the broader tech support employment category. If you are considering pursuing a position somewhere in the realm of tech support, you likely find yourself contemplating several different questions. You may wonder whether you can obtain a job in tech support if you currently lack a post-high school degree in the area.
The short answer is that you can get certain types of jobs in tech support without a post-high school degree. Once you put your foot in the proverbial door with a position in tech support, you may ultimately decide you want to pursue some type of degree that enhances your employment prospects in the field of tech support. Thus, when seeking a position of tech support employment that doesn’t necessitate a degree, you may also want to consider whether a particular employer encourages team members to advance their educations. Examples of tech support positions that may not require a degree include:
- Technical customer support specialist
- Customer experience agent
- Software applications tester
Technical Customer Support Specialist
One type of tech support position you can pursue without a degree is that of a technical customer support specialist. One of the most significant realities of life in the 21st century is that virtually everyone utilizes some type of technology in the personal or professional lives. There are truly very few exceptions to this hard and fast fact. As a consequence, the demand for skillful technical customer support specialists consistently is strong.
A typical company that produces some sort of tech, tech-based, or tech-related product has its processes and protocols for technical customer support. Consequently, these enterprises provide direct training to their tech customer support personnel. Some sort of post-high school degree ends up not being a requirement due to the necessity for this type of focused on-the-job training.
Customer Experience Agent
Unlike technical customer support specialists who assist consumers with issues or problems, a customer experience agent provides what fairly can be described as proactive services. Rather than consumers seeking out this type of tech support specialist with a problem, a customer service agent seeks out a consumer to enhance that individual’s overall experience with a particular product or service.
As is the case with a technical customer support specialist, a particular enterprise invests time, energy, and effort in specifically training a customer experience agent. For this reason, a degree in the realm of computer science is not necessary in many instances. Indeed, companies that might prefer some sort of post-high school education or training might desire a focus on such an endeavor outside of the computer science realm. The theory is apt to be the technical training to be obtained in-house. These basics might be enhanced by some other type of training or education, including programs that don’t necessitate the pursuit of some sort of degree program.
Software Applications Tester
Yet another example of a type of position in tech support that doesn’t necessitate a degree is that of a software application tester. Before a software application is placed on the market, in-house software application testing typically is undertaken. This testing oftentimes takes place before a beta release of a software application, an endeavor which itself is a form of testing.
Beyond pre-release testing, a software application tester can have an ongoing role within a company. For example, a software application tester can be involved in reviewing and practically examining app upgrades or updates before a beta or general release.
Tech Support Jobs without a Degree: Geography Matters
While there are some types of tech support jobs without degree requirements that can be performed remotely, a person enhances his or her opportunity to obtain such a position by residing in a community where STEM employment of all types is burgeoning. With this in mind, the Bay Area in the United States remains what fairly can be called the mecca of STEM and technology employment, according to Forbes.
There is no doubt that other communities are advancing regarding STEM employment opportunities, and sometimes significantly so. With that said, the Bay Area established a lead that renders it a juggernaut when it comes to STEM and technology employment, including tech support employment opportunities that do not require a degree.
Another city that is increasingly becoming a technology and STEM employment hub in the United States is Charlotte, North Carolina. Also, several other cities are experiencing a notable uptick in STEM and technology employment, including tech support opportunities that don’t require a degree. These include:
- Indianapolis
- Austin
- Raleigh-Durham
- Seattle
- Denver
- Detroit
- Pittsburgh
On a conclusory note, a considerable number of tech support positions that don’t have a college degree requirement can be undertaken remotely. Thus, focusing on one of the cities mentioned a moment ago when seeking tech support employment without a degree can be wise even if a person doesn’t reside in one of these particular communities.
Related Resources:
Is There a Difference Between Tech Support and Customer Support?
Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?
What Degree Do I Need to Be an Information Technology Specialist?