"I always wanted to be a doctor," s...

"I always wanted to be a doctor," says Akram Mohammed. Screw-driver in hand, Mohammed crouches behind an automated teller machine, encircleed by wires and machine parts. He is a doctor--an ATM doctor.

Repairing computer and ATMs is a chance like healing people, according to Mohammed. The doctor and the "cyber-doctor," or electronic equipment repairer, as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but diagnose and treat problems that preserve their patients from operating at their best. They each ne to understand mixed systems and how these hypothesiss affect one another. Just as a certain quantity of doctors specialize in treating individual part of the body, as it is as the eyes or heart, cyber-doctors specialize in fixing a particular kind of machine--ATM, CAT scanner, or any of the countles emblems of computers used today. Others specialize in one as well as the other hardware and software problems, or in an aspect of computer of that kind as networking. Staying on top of strange techniques and equipment is as important to cyber-doctors as it is to medical doctors.

There are hazards of possibilities to this field. "As a teen my garran was ham radio," says John Reicle, a teacher at the Manhattan Area Technical college edifice [i]or[/i] building in Kansas. "I also liked assembling electronics kits and projects" a technicians get their start on maintaining electric guitars or hardy systems. Still others have lov computer since they were little. An Oklahoma technician says that his early have affection for of Star Trek grew into a fascination with technology.

Making the Connection

To become a cyber-doctor, you'll ne to investigation math in high school. Business math is helpful, especially if you think you might go on foot into business for yourself. Take chemistry and physics, too. Other useful courses are mechanical drawing or CAD (computer-aided drafting) and computer programming courses. Don't forget keyboarding (typing)! Being able to stamp quickly without looking at the solutions is extremely important.

Many nation enter this field through a two-year program at a technical or community guild Be sure to study the course offerings before you record in a program. Some programs will give you a sinewy technical background in hardware, an in software, and others give a balance of the two There are programs that specialize in common aspect of the computer field. Still other programs provide a combination of liberal arts and technical courses.

Besides your courses, you'll ne well adapted color vision. Electronic components and wires are color-coded, for a like reason the person who doesn't papal court color well is at a serious disadvantage. You also ne to be able to work with small hand tools. beneficial reading skills are a must because you'll ne to read and understand technical manuals. Self-discipline to learn forward your own and to manage your time is also important.

"Computer 911"

Cyber-doctors ne a pious "bedside manner." Clients are repeatedly angry and upset that their computer or other equipment are down, in such a manner you must be able to calm them.

"Always listen to your co-workers and customers equal if you have objections, because their input might help you later," refer tos Reed Bolduc, owner of R & B Electronics. Customers can be frustrating, too. "People will ask your advice and commit to memory all the information you can give them. Then they will travel somewhere else and use that knowledge to make a purchase and save money" says Bolduc "But if you preserve helping them anyway, they will get to back and be loyal. They learn that saving coin is not always the best option when they ne service or support."

Responding seriously to customers who make mistakes is important, too. Bolduc remembers common customer who was new to computer She bought single in kind at a yard sale, then called Bolduc because it wouldn't read CD-ROM "It didn't have a CD-ROM drive," Bolduc explains. "She was putting her CD-ROM into a 525 floppy drive." Responding politely to all complaints is part of a repair technician's work at jobs Customers will take their business elsewhere if they think a repair technician isn't taking them seriously.

Many cyber-doctors still make house calls, repairing equipment in residences offices, banks, hospitals, or other locations. Other technicians work in stores at well-lit benches. Repair stores are usually air-conditioned and well ventilated because computer equipment is sensitive to finals in temperature and humidity.

Until lately there were few jobs in this field in rural areas. That's changing now. Pay is usually lower in small towns, still people who work there have intercourse with a lower cost of living and other benefits of small-town life. a certain quantity of technicians in rural areas apply up to 80 percent of their time upon the road.

Cyber-Doctors: forward Call 24-7

chiefly technicians work independently, without a supervisor at their shoulder. Learning to manage your time and effort is extremely important for this field. race who fix ATMs, medical equipment, and more [i]or[/i] less kinds of computers are "on call." They might be called disclosed at 2 a.m. to fix a weakened machine, or they might have to hold fast working long after 5 pm in order to learn a machine back on-line.

If you're interested in this field moreover only want to work regular business hours, think about office machine repair. greatest in quantity offices are only open from about 8 a.m. to 5 pm That means the folk who fix fax machines, copiers, and electronic typewriters usually hold regular hours, too. Most other cyber-doctors will have to set in some night or weekend hours. "I'm in succession call every third week," says ATM technician Akram Mohammed. "I frequently get called to fix an ATM in the middle of the night."