Electronics Technician

Electronics Technicians repair and maintain electronic equipment. You work your magic on everything from common appliances like televisions and refrigerators, to more technically demanding equipment like computers and sophisticated electronic tracking systems. Typical duties include diagnosing problems, troubleshooting, and conducting safety checks.

Most Electronics Technicians work in electronic repair businesses, or with Electrical Engineers. Whichever path you choose, though, you use roughly the same knowledge, albeit in different ways.

When you choose a position in the repair business, you deal with products that are already broken, usually for customers who call you to their homes or businesses. You need to be patient in these situations because there are times when people have trouble describing a problem accurately. Using your arsenal of technical know-how (your brain is really like a living encyclopedia of everything gadget-related), you examine the piece of equipment, and run through a set of steps to fix it. Sometimes, you also reorder broken parts, and help customers understand warranties on electronic components. This position requires a lot of diligent problem solving and excellent communication skills.

If you decide to work with Electrical Engineers, you still fix electronics but you attack your job from a different angle. At times, you will be required to interpret schematics and look for design flaws. Once your check is complete, your Electrical Engineer colleague might also ask you to recommend more convenient ways to lay out parts and circuits to make it easier for other Electronics Technicians to maintain the product in the future.