Computer Hardware Career
A computer hardware career can encompass one or more specialty areas, such as hardware design, development, testing or research. In addition, management positions are available for men and women who have sufficient education and experience in any or all of these computer hardware related areas.
General Tasks
The term “computer hardware” refers to all of the non-software elements that comprise a computer system, such as hard drives, keyboards, circuit boards, computer chips, computer mice and more. Therefore, a computer hardware career involves all aspects of the production and maintenance of these items. Computer hardware engineers may be tasked with installing computer equipment, in addition to developing new and innovative computer equipment via research and experimentation.
Functions
The basic function that a computer hardware career serves is to research, produce and maintain all computer equipment that falls outside the arena of software. The computer industry is evolving at a rapid pace and computer hardware divisions are hard at work in companies around the world, creating the next big computer hardware to hit the market.
Average Salary
As of 2002, the lowest percentile of earners in computer hardware careers earned approximately $46,000. The highest percentile of earners brought in approximately $115,000. The median earnings ranged between approximately $56,000 and $92,000.
Responsibilities
Many different responsibilities exist within the purview of a career in computer hardware. If you are involved with the research aspect of computer hardware, you will be required to analyze data in order to categorize it and discover underlying principles that may help your company to invent a cutting-edge piece of hardware. If you are involved with the development aspect of computer hardware, you will be responsible for creating long-range goals for your company and creating practical means by which to achieve them.
If you are involved in the design aspect of computer hardware, you will be responsible for thinking creatively as well as practically executing your ideas in the form of computer hardware prototypes. Testing careers require you to test thoroughly all computer hardware with which your company works, in order to ensure its quality. You will also be responsible for meticulously recording this information for use in other departments. The management aspects of computer hardware careers require that you be responsible for keeping your team motivated and productive. You will also be responsible for maintaining a healthy work culture and training employees.
Knowledge and Skills Needed
Entry-level computer hardware careers require a BA degree in engineering, with the exception of research roles that may not require a degree for entry-level positions. In addition, since the computer industry is constantly changing and improving, computer hardware careers require a commitment to continuing education throughout the entirety of your tenure.
Why This Career is So Popular
The computer hardware industry offers an exciting new frontier of technological innovation that will challenge and reward individuals who choose to make it their career. In addition, since computer technology is improving and expanding exponentially in our modern society, computer hardware careers offer promising opportunities in the areas of wealth and job security.