Computer Careers

Careers in the Computer Industry

Chloe FosterNET 101November 6, 2013

THE COMPUTER INDUSTRYWith billions of dollars in annual revenue, the computer industry is one of the larger worldwide industries. This industry has created thousands of high-tech jobs, even in companies whose primary business is not computer related. Job opportunities in the computer industry generally are available in one or more of these areas:• General business and government

organizations and their IT departments• Computer equipment field• Computer software field• Computer service and repair field

(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 786)

CERTIFICATIONSCertification is the process of verifying the technical knowledge of an individual who has demonstrated competence in a particular area. Companies often require certification to ensure quality and workmanship standards and to confirm their workforce remains up to date withrespect to computers and technology.

Computing professionals typically obtain a certification by taking and passing an examination. Preparation for a certification exam requires experience or special classes, many of which are offered by trade schools, communitycolleges, and adult education centers. After certificationrequirements are met, proficiency in an area is acknowledged with a certificate.

Many vendors, such as Microsoft and Cisco, offer technical certification programs for their Products in areas such as network administration, hardware repair, security.

(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 800-801)

CERTIFICATION BENEFITSCareer: A certification is one of the firstaccomplishments an employer notices on aresume. It provides a benchmark, or a means, tomeasure a person’s skills. It can set an individualapart from other potential candidates who maybe vying for a similar advancement or position.

Professional: Certification is a personalachievement that adds credibility among peersand employers. Certification also authorizesthe certificate holder to use the product’sofficial logo or symbol on personal items,such as business cards and Web pages. As anadditional bonus, some certification trainingcan be used for college credit. Althoughnothing guarantees job security, certificationhelps give the IT professional an edge overemployees without certification.

Salary: Numerous salary surveys show thatcertification helps influence pay increases.Individuals with more than one area of certificationcan command even higher salaries.Companies often pay

(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 800-801)

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONSProfessional Organizations and PersonalNetworks Computer professionals with common interests and a desire to extend their proficiency form computer-related professional organizations to share their knowledge. Two organizations that are influential in the computer industryare the Association for Computing Machineryand the Association of Information TechnologyProfessionals.

Attending professional meetings as a guest or student member provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the IT industry and to meet and talk with professionals in the field. Often, student chapters of professional organizations exist on college campuses. The student chapters provide students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and to become acquainted with professionalswho speak at their chapter meetings.


General Business & Government IT Departments

Businesses and government organizations of all sizes use computers. Without computers, very few organizations could operate in today’s economy. Employees of all types, from office workers to shop foremen, use business software such as word processing to prepare basic documents.


SELECTED IT DEPARTMENT JOBS(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 787)

Management directs the planning, research, development, evaluation, and

integration of technology.

Required CredentialsAssociates, Bachelors, or

Master’s in Computer Science or Similar Degree Field and

Vendor Certifications

Technical Services evaluates/integrates new technologies, administers

organization’s data resources, and supports the centralized computer operating system


Master’s in Computer Science or Similar Degree Field and Vendor

Certifications

Trainingteaches employees how to use components of the information

system or answers user questions.

Required CredentialsAssociates, Bachelors, or Master’s

in Computer Science or Similar Degree Field and Vendor

Certifications

Securitydevelops and enforces policies that

are designed to safeguard an organization’s data and information

from unauthorized users.



Certifications

Computer Equipment Field

The computer equipment field consists of manufacturers and distributors of computers and computer-related hardware such as magnetic and optical drives, monitors, printers, and communications and networking devices. In addition to thecompanies that make end-user equipment, thousands of companies manufacture components used inside a computer such as chips, motherboards, cables, and power supplies.


SELECTED COMPUTER EQUIPMENT JOBS(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 787)

AssemblyCreates items for computers such as motherboards and

other hardware.




PackagingGathers assembled materials for shipping to customers and stores

Required CredentialsHigh School, Associates, Bachelors, or Master’s in

Computer Science or Similar Degree Field and Vendor

Certifications

DistributionEnsures that ordered products are delivered to the desired location.

Required CredentialsHigh School, licenses, other pertinent experiences, and


IT DepartmentOversees any technical issues with

the computers used to manufacture and distribute equipment.

Required CredentialsAssociates, Bachelors, or Master’s in


Certifications

Computer Software Field

The computer software field consists of companies that develop, manufacture, and support a wide range of software. Some softwarecompanies specialize in a particular type of software such as business software or utility programs. Other software companies, especiallylarger firms such as Microsoft, produce and sell many types of software.


SELECTED COMPUTER SOFTWARE JOBS(Shelly & Vermaat, 2005, pp. 790)

Project Managerdirects and oversees the planning, research, and

development of new software




Programmer writes and tests computer

Programs by themselves or with a team of programmers.



Certifications

Technical Leadguides the design, development,

and maintenance tasksand serve as interface between

programmer/ developer and management.

Required CredentialsAssociates, Bachelors, or Master’s

in Computer Science or Similar Degree Field and Vendor

Certifications

Computer ScientistInvents and develops

innovative solutions to complex software requirements or problems.

Required CredentialsAssociates, Bachelors, or Master’s in


Certifications

REFERENCESShelly, G. & Vermaat, E. (2011). Discovering Computers 2011: Living in a Digital World. Boston, Massachusetts: Course Technology