IT Technician
Quincy is an IT support technician at Clarke Telecom
I look after all the laptops, phones and computer systems that people in the company use every day. If something breaks, stops working or needs setting up, I’m the person they come to. My job helps the business run smoothly, because if people’s tech doesn’t work, they can’t do their jobs properly.
My favourite part of the job is troubleshooting. That means finding out what’s gone wrong and fixing it. I genuinely enjoy solving software and hardware problems, every issue I fix helps me learn something new and I get quicker each time.
If I don’t know the answer, I search for it online because the chances are that someone else has probably had the same issue before. I’m always finding better ways to deal with problems and discovering new shortcuts that make things easier.
Problem solving is the biggest skill I use. I need to figure out what has gone wrong, and the best way to fix it.
I also use coding to make my job easier, like writing scripts – small programs that automate tasks. This saves time and means I can fix problems without interrupting people too much.
There are only two of us in the IT team, I work closely with a senior technician who has more experience, though we both started around the same time. It works well as I always know I can ask him for help if I need it. It’s good knowing someone has your back.
One of my favourite tools is the Reliability Monitor software. It shows me when a computer has crashed and what happened just before it.
For example, I can see if an update was installed and then a program started failing. That information helps me spot the cause of the problem quickly instead of guessing.
I love gaming and building computers. I also enjoy fixing up old laptops and giving them a new life. I’ll repair them, upgrade parts and install lighter operating systems so they run better. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid and it still makes me happy.
I was always interested in technology at school. At home, we only had one old laptop, so I had to make the most of it. I kept changing settings and tweaking things to improve performance. That’s where my interest in fixing and improving tech really started. I learned a lot just by experimenting.
One of the biggest moments for me was helping move offices. It’s a big job, and it’s important to get it right. I got involved in everything, from moving all the monitors to setting up a server in the new building. It was exciting to be trusted with that.
I also started a recycling project to renew damaged and broken laptops. When I first joined, there was a big pile of old devices just sitting there. I stripped, tested, and diagnosed each of them, to figure out what parts still worked.
By combining the working parts, I was able to rebuild some fully functioning laptops. Plus, I also had a new stock of spare parts to use for repairs. By doing that, I increased the number of devices available, reduced waste and saved money. It showed how even an apprentice technician can make a difference!
My job makes sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly at my company. Without working tech, the whole operation would slow down, so even small fixes can have a big impact.
Sorting out one person’s laptop might help a whole project stay on track because that person can get back to work straight away.
I’ve just finished my apprenticeship and will soon be discussing a full-time role. I feel positive about what’s coming next and I want to keep building my skills.
If you’re going to do something, do it properly. Put your full effort into it. Also, don’t assume there’s only one path. Take time to look at all your options and choose what really suits you.
Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.
