Let’s get you a job! Yes, you, the reader of this post. Keep reading to learn how to get a Data Center Technician job. This guide works for individuals already working in Information Technology, or switching to this industry. By following these steps (along with putting in the work) you can land an entry-level role.
How To Get A Data Center Technician Job: Learn Computer Hardware Installation & Troubleshooting
The first part of this step to get a Data Center Technician job is to learn computer hardware installation and troubleshooting. The reason this step is important because one of the role’s daily tasks is to install hardware inside servers like hard drives or memory. Or technicians may have to upgrade a server’s hardware. Thus you need to know how to safely install and remove all types of hardware components.
A great way to learn this is to build a computer from scratch. Now I know this requires individuals to spend money, but learning isn’t free. To save some money I suggest buying a refurbished desktop computer and buying refurbished computer parts. Going this route can save a considerable amount.
The second part of this step is to learn computer hardware troubleshooting skills. Depending on the location individuals may have to troubleshoot server troubles and determine the faulty part. Or a senior technician may do the initial troubleshooting and leave the rest up to a technician. YouTube videos cover this in detail, or people can read troubleshooting documentation from computer part manufacturers. I do consider hardware troubleshooting an art, and it takes a good amount of time to become good at.
How To Get A Data Center Technician Job: Consider Certification
A good way to get a Data Center Technician job is to consider getting an IT certification. I highly suggest an entry-level tech have the CompTIA A+ Certification. This entry-level certification is good for all types of jobs, including those in the data center. To get the certification one has to study and pass two exams. Each exam is currently $253 USD. Yes, I know that can be expensive for some, but there is good return on that investment.
Final Step: Apply For Jobs At Colocation Data Centers
My final step on how to get a Data Center Technician job is to apply for jobs at colocation data centers. These are properties not tied to a particular company like Google or Apple. The reason I suggest this because these jobs are plentiful and offer more entry-level roles.
Also, colocation data centers offer broad experience. Technicians will do everything from swapping faulty hardware to running cabling under elevated flooring. Finally, these roles also and teach individuals how to monitor the health of the servers and the facility’s cooling and generators.
So who are some colocation data centers you can consider? Here’s a short list: