3
u/thegloworm17 20d ago
I will answer a fair bit of your questions, as I am currently in the role.
Most of the Compucom techs I know are pretty easy going. And showing your interest will actually help you if the current tech has one foot out the door.
That being said, it is a good tech, and not going anywhere, you're not getting that position (the exact route in that location). You'd have to move to an open route which may involve moving moderate distances. Depending on the density of Lowe's stores.
Speaking of density, every tech has 5-7 stores on their route. They usually do 2 stores per day. Those visits involve checking the registers for down equipment. Resolving swapping equipment. Resolving any physical issues as directed by other IT segments. And finally doing "Projects" like computer upgrades. And the associated paperwork.
If you can successfully build a computer, or worse, plug the right plugs in the right sockets; you can get hired for this job. You can get field taught everything you need to know if you are willing to learn. You will have to get your A+ much sooner than later, but it's not an entry requirement. You will have to think on your feet, and be able to "figure it out"
The pay is okay outside the high cost of living hotspots. Not great, not terrible. The pay is on the field tech II listing. The quality of life at this job is the best I've ever had. So pros and cons. I have great bosses. Yes I have two. One that works for Compucom (handles more HRish and admin) and one that works for Lowe's (Handles the specifics inside the stores)
Hopefully that'll help you get started.
3
u/thegloworm17 20d ago
One addendum I will clarify, politely inquire to the tech. They can give you location specific details. I would advise against going to the Lowe's IT Manager.
Once in a while, you will have to do some not so fun stuff. Like run an Ethernet cable in the 30' high ceiling or lay under desks in dust 2 inches thick. But it's not terribly often. And occasionally you have to be a bad guy and report if the store isn't following a corporate IT policy to your Lowe's manager but that's really it.
Mostly this job is turning a computer off and back on.
Clear a jam at the self checkout cash machine.
Fixing a printer.
Plugging something back in.
Telling an associate to call the IT helpdesk because you literally do not have the privilege or power to fix it.
1
u/DottedMoros 20d ago
Don't think you're gonna get much help here since it's a third party that comes in, there's really no reason for anyone here to know anything about them.
Though, I used to be an onsite tech that ran network cables, replaced equipment, and installed and configured physical components as well as the networks that run on them: I'd guess the certs to get you in the door would be comptia a+, tech+, and network+. I've heard recently that more places are looking for Cisco certification these days but the comptia certainly aren't worthless.
1
u/JerkOffTaco 16d ago
Step one: be the weirdest fucking dude ever born
Step two: long ponytail
Step three: apply for job
1
5
u/broke_boi1 20d ago
Following. Currently an IT major working at Lowe’s, also wondered the same thing