Computer Repair Shop Owner
Career review from a person working in the job
How I Got The Job
My Education: High school diploma
My Prior Experience: I started my own repair shop, which services computers and helps to plan and deploy networks.
My Job Profile
My Company: We service computers and networks.
Job/Career Overview: I take care of personal computers by making repairs, by getting rid of viruses and malware infections, and by replacing blown capacitors on motherboards.
I also give advice to clients on hardware configuration and network topography for small (local area) networks. I also install and deploy said networks with a couple of assistants depending on the size of the network intended, be it wireless or wired solutions; although I do recommend a wired configuration to avoid security related troubles from war-driving (no wireless encryption is 100% secure).
I also service pre-built computer models in configurations that I offer in my shop, trying always to keep at least three models in the low end price range ($250-$350), mid price range ($400-$550), and gamer price range ($600-$1200).
Love It? Hate It?
I rate this career 10 out of 10.
What I Love or Hate
The best thing about my job is that I am my own boss, and I can set my own ours. However, I also give 24/7 service plans which do restrict what I call "my own hours." But I do what I enjoy and I get paid to do it, so I think it's win-win.
The worst thing about my job is dealing with customers who think that they know more about the problem than I do because they once "read it somewhere in a forum" and are always looking over your shoulder at what I'm are doing.
My Career Tips
About the best advice I could give is to never stop learning. This is a field where you can never stop reading up on the latest tech or threats or you'll be left in the dust.
My second best piece of advice is to keep a schedule and stick to it. Never stand a customer up! One of the best ways to get more business is via recommendations and word of mouth, and a satisfied customer is one that will always recommend you to their friends.
And my third piece of advice: arm yourself with patience and be courteous, no matter what! It doesn't matter if the customer is rude and nosy, you must always take into account that you are in the business to make money. you can always drop a difficult client, but always finish the job first and collect your fees. It is smart to avoid burning bridges; you never know when you might come across someone again.
