Any suggestions for a guy looking to get into the business

[tonytheleg]

I know this is strange to ask on a well established forum, and I'm sorry if I am wasting anyone's time. I have been working in a copy center for 6 years, and I am interested in making a career for myself as a copier technician. My question is in regard to what form or education background do most employers look for (other then the obvious 10+ years experience). The few technicians I deal with quite often suggested that most companies are looking for A+ and Network+, the internet seems to push the PDI+ and a few other things. Of course both of these guys have been with xerox for over 20 years and neither of them had to take any of those when they were starting. I'm just trying to point myself in the best direction. I could pass an A+ easy, and with a little time I feel confident about the PDI+ but I would rather go towards what is going to help more, or if there is a different direction that is better all together. Any advice you could all share would be really helpful!Thanks!

[ZOOTECH]

I know this is strange to ask on a well established forum, and I'm sorry if I am wasting anyone's time. I have been working in a copy center for 6 years, and I am interested in making a career for myself as a copier technician. My question is in regard to what form or education background do most employers look for (other then the obvious 10+ years experience). The few technicians I deal with quite often suggested that most companies are looking for A+ and Network+, the internet seems to push the PDI+ and a few other things. Of course both of these guys have been with xerox for over 20 years and neither of them had to take any of those when they were starting. I'm just trying to point myself in the best direction. I could pass an A+ easy, and with a little time I feel confident about the PDI+ but I would rather go towards what is going to help more, or if there is a different direction that is better all together. Any advice you could all share would be really helpful!Thanks!

Go with Net+ and Security+, you'll be well on your way to a better career.

[ADSTech]

I know this is strange to ask on a well established forum, and I'm sorry if I am wasting anyone's time. I have been working in a copy center for 6 years, and I am interested in making a career for myself as a copier technician. My question is in regard to what form or education background do most employers look for (other then the obvious 10+ years experience). The few technicians I deal with quite often suggested that most companies are looking for A+ and Network+, the internet seems to push the PDI+ and a few other things. Of course both of these guys have been with xerox for over 20 years and neither of them had to take any of those when they were starting. I'm just trying to point myself in the best direction. I could pass an A+ easy, and with a little time I feel confident about the PDI+ but I would rather go towards what is going to help more, or if there is a different direction that is better all together. Any advice you could all share would be really helpful!Thanks!

Hi , I would say just go and try to get some work experience in the industry first. see if it is something you are really interested in doing. Experience is good , but the copier game is/has changed dramatically from 10 years ago. so many of the techs now struggle when it comes to the newer machines and setup. These days copier techs are needed to know alot more IT based knowledge because of the setup involved when installing a machine or determining if the fault is network or machine related. Firmware updates via network / Usb is a whole other language to many older technicians - so if you have basic IT knowledge , you are already leaps and bounds ahead. Obviously you need a keen mechanical and electronics sense to diagnose faults and fault find , but these days the copiers are quite good at telling you what the problem is, and process of elimination works a treat ! There a several different Levels of copier tech these days and some companies even provide areas which may be more technical / mechanical or can focus more on a software / install role. The best way for this Profession, is to learn on the job in my opinion - but it is a great idea to go and learn the basic networking knowledge for printing , email and sharing folders + folder security. These will be the main tools needed in the networking environment unless you want to become the IT specialist when it comes to networking and installing MFP's. From there you can Hone your skills and get involved more in the scanning software solutions for accounting and file management. All in all , the job is a very technical one and has alot of different aspects which is great. Its up to you which direction you would prefer in regards to more hands on repairs or installation / software. Both come with perks and downfalls but they can be overcome when you are more confident with what you are doing. The one thing you "MUST" be good at, is listening to customers and smiling / laughing at their comments - Even if you hear the same thing 10 times a day - ie you should be on the payroll. you should have your own office . or my favorite - "can i make a copy/print" ( when the machine is in pieces all over their office floor ) hahaha Good luck !

[tonytheleg]

Hi , I would say just go and try to get some work experience in the industry first. see if it is something you are really interested in doing. Experience is good , but the copier game is/has changed dramatically from 10 years ago. so many of the techs now struggle when it comes to the newer machines and setup. These days copier techs are needed to know alot more IT based knowledge because of the setup involved when installing a machine or determining if the fault is network or machine related. Firmware updates via network / Usb is a whole other language to many older technicians - so if you have basic IT knowledge , you are already leaps and bounds ahead. Obviously you need a keen mechanical and electronics sense to diagnose faults and fault find , but these days the copiers are quite good at telling you what the problem is, and process of elimination works a treat ! There a several different Levels of copier tech these days and some companies even provide areas which may be more technical / mechanical or can focus more on a software / install role. The best way for this Profession, is to learn on the job in my opinion - but it is a great idea to go and learn the basic networking knowledge for printing , email and sharing folders + folder security. These will be the main tools needed in the networking environment unless you want to become the IT specialist when it comes to networking and installing MFP's. From there you can Hone your skills and get involved more in the scanning software solutions for accounting and file management. All in all , the job is a very technical one and has alot of different aspects which is great. Its up to you which direction you would prefer in regards to more hands on repairs or installation / software. Both come with perks and downfalls but they can be overcome when you are more confident with what you are doing. The one thing you "MUST" be good at, is listening to customers and smiling / laughing at their comments - Even if you hear the same thing 10 times a day - ie you should be on the payroll. you should have your own office . or my favorite - "can i make a copy/print" ( when the machine is in pieces all over their office floor ) hahaha Good luck !

WOw...thank you! Do some smaller companies do any kind of internship or apprenticeship programs? I would love to get right into it, even if its a part time free internship because frankly in this economy the certification doesn't necessarily mean crap without experience. I figure that combined with the certification should hopefully better my chances. And let me tell you...I don't know how many times ive had a customer walk up and for some reason ask the xerox tech to make a copy for them while the machine is in pieces everywhere. Hahaha

[TonerMunkeh]

A good place to start would be to look for a job as a delivery driver or workshop technician for a dealer. I know it sounds menial but even drivers get to put machines together at customer sites. A shop tech would also get involved with refurbishing machines to be sold on or recycled.

[doug94550]

One question to ask yourself is "Are you good with repairing mechanical / electro-mechanical devices?".I can teach you networks but I cannot teach mechanical expertise. It is an innate skill.It is sort of like art. My daughter is a great artist. Me, not a chance.

[Tonerbomb]

Go with Net+ and Security+, you'll be well on your way to a better career.

follow zootech's advice and run Forest run from this trade before you get sucked in and stuck in it.. It happened to me nearly 30 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lorenzo]

WOw...thank you! Do some smaller companies do any kind of internship or apprenticeship programs? I would love to get right into it, even if its a part time free internship because frankly in this economy the certification doesn't necessarily mean crap without experience. I figure that combined with the certification should hopefully better my chances. And let me tell you...I don't know how many times ive had a customer walk up and for some reason ask the xerox tech to make a copy for them while the machine is in pieces everywhere. Hahaha

I agree with you.. bro!..

[nmfaxman]

Take a old working printer or copier and take it apart, then put it back together using the service manual. If it runs, go into the business. If it is trashed, find another line of work.After 30 years I still can't learn it all.

[StrippedScrew]

What is it about the biz that interests you?