Computing and IT in the Workplace

CT006-1

Computer Careers
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this section, YOU should be able to:

• Explain some of the different career options in Computing

and IT

• Describe some career development options in Computing

and IT

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 Topics we will cover

Computer Careers

• Careers in computer industry

• Preparing a career
• Guide to certification

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 The Computer Industry
• What is the expected demand for computer
professionals?
 Currently there are 10 million computer workers
with an expected increase of 86,000 jobs
annually
 Two of the five fastest growing occupations are
for students holding a Bachelor’s degree in the
computer-related fields – Data Communications
Analysts & Software Engineers
(Based on US Dept of Labour)
 While the demand grows students
majoring in computer science fields
continue to decline
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 Careers in the Computer Industry

What are the primary areas where job opportunities

are found?

General
Computer Computer Computer
business and
equipment software service and
government
industry industry repair industry
organizations

Computer
Computer
Computer education
consulting
sales and training
industry
industry

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 Careers in the Computer Industry

• What is an Information Technology (IT) department?

 Department in business
or government agency
that employs people in
computer-related jobs
 Responsible for keeping
all computer operations
and networks operating
smoothly

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 Careers in the Computer Industry

• What is the Computer Equipment industry?

 Manufacturers and distributors of computers and
computer-related hardware
 Careers involve design, manufacture, and
production of computer equipment eg
magnetic/optical drives, monitors, printers,
communications/networking
devices, chips, motherboards
• Examples: DELL, Apple, IBM, Intel

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 Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the Computer software industry?
Project
developer
Companies Programmer
analyzes
that develop, writes and tests
requirements,
manufacture, computer
designs solutions,
and support programs
and oversees
software
software
development
process Computer scientist
Software researches, invents,
engineer and develops
designs solutions to complex
and develops software problems
software
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 Software Industry

• Who are the leaders in the Software

Industry?

• Microsoft, Adobe Systems, Apple, Novell,

Oracle, McAfee, Computer Associates,
Symantec

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 Careers in the Computer Industry

• What is the Computer service and repair industry?

 Provides preventative
maintenance, component
installation, and repair
services
 Computer technician—
installs, maintains, and
repairs, upgrades hardware
 Examples: DELL, HP
 How does a technician
diagnose a problem?
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 Careers in the Computer Industry

• What are career opportunities in Computer sales?

 Computer sales representatives
need general understanding of
computers and specific
knowledge of the product they
are selling
 Key skills required: People
skills ie keen listening & oral
communications ability

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 Careers in the Computer Industry

• What are career opportunities in education and

training?
 Schools, colleges, universities, and private
companies need educators and trainers
 Corporate trainers teach employees how to
use software, design and develop systems,
and program

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 Careers in the Computer Industry

• What is a Computer consultant?

Individual who draws upon expertise in specialized areas of computers

Network
Computer System Web
Communications design and
selection design development
installation

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 Working in IT Department
• What jobs are available in an IT department?
E-commerce
Project leader
administrator
Management
Network administrator Project manager

Vice president of Database analyst Technical writer

System IT/chief
development information officer Software engineer Web developer
and training
Application programmer Systems analyst Web programmer
Network security
Database administrator Web graphic designer
specialist
Technical Desktop publisher
Quality assurance
Webmaster
services specialist
Graphic
Web administrator
designer/illustrator
Data
Operations Computer operator
communications analyst
End-user Computer technician Help desk specialist
computing
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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

Three broad disciplines in higher education that produce the

majority of entry-level employees in the computer industry

Computer Info Systems – Desktop/Mobile application developer, Computer

Operator, Computer Technician
Computer Science – Software Engineer, Systems Programmer, IT Consultant
Computer Engineering – Software Engineer, Network Security Administrator
A.S/A.S
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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• What is Computer Information Systems (CIS)?

 Programs that
emphasize practical
aspects of
computing
 Sometimes called
Computer
Technology

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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• What is Computer Science (CS)?

 Programs that stress
theoretical side of
programming i.e.
focus on systems
programming
(Operating System)
instead of
applications
programming
 Also called software
engineering
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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• What is Computer Engineering (CE)?

 Programs that
teach students
how to design
and develop
components
found in
computers and
peripheral
devices

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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• What is a Trade school? Offers certificates

• Also called technical/vocational school offering
programming, Web design & development, graphics design,
hardware maintenance, networking
Offers programs in Students can complete
programming, Web trade school programs
development, graphic in shorter time
design, hardware than college
maintenance, or university
networking, programs
and security

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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• How do companies advertise computer-related

job openings?
 Many companies list job openings on their Web
sites
 Some allow job seekers to submit resumes
online

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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• How can you search for computer-related jobs?

 Many Web sites
specialize in
helping people
find jobs

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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• What are some organizations for computer

professionals?
 Association for Computing
Machinery (ACM)—
science-oriented
 Association of Information
Technology Professionals
(AITP)—programmers,
systems analysts,
and information
processing managers
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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• What is a user group?

 Collection of people with common computer
equipment or software interests

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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

What is professional growth and continuing

education?
 Events such as workshops, seminars, conferences,
conventions,and trade shows
 COMDEX - trade show
that brings together hundreds
of vendors and more than 50,000
attendees
 Training in form of books,
video-based training,computer-based training
(CBT), Web-based training (WBT), and instructor-
led training
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 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

• How can you stay informed about the computer

industry?
 Computer industry publications
 News Web sites

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 Certification

• What is certification?
 Process of verifying
technical knowledge
in a particular area
 Proficiency is
acknowledged with
certificate

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 Certification

• What are the benefits of certification?

 Enhances employee’s career, provides better
standing as industry professional, and higher
salaries and bonuses

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 Certification

• What are benefits of vendor-sponsored

certification?
 Vendors provide access to technical information,
advanced training, and discounts on publications
and tools

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 Certification
How does certification benefit customers,
Employers and industry?
Customers receive better service
from
employees with certification(s)

Employers benefit from more

productive and knowledgeable
workers
Certification is a form of
industry self-regulation
Institute for Certification of
Computer Professionals (ICCP)
defines standards designed to raise
competence level for computer industry
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 Certification
• What are factors to consider in choosing a
certification?

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 Certification

• What options are available to prepare for

certification?

Self-study

Online training classes Instructor-led training

Instructor-led training

Web resources

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 Certification

• What are examinations like?

 Some are
multiple choice,
others are skill
based

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 A Guide to Certification

• What are application software certifications?

Focus on knowledge of Sometimes called
application software end-user certifications
Microsoft Microsoft Adobe
Office Certified Certified
Specialist Desktop Expert
Support
(MOS) Technician
sponsored by
sponsored by (MCDST) Adobe
Microsoft sponsored by Systems
Microsoft
IBM Macromedia
Certified Certified
Professional Professional
for Lotus (MMCP)
Software sponsored by
sponsored by Macromedia
IBM
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 A Guide to Certification

• What are operating system certifications?

Focus on particular skills—user,
operator, system administrator, Differing levels of certification
and system engineer
Microsoft Red Hat Red Hat
Certified Certified Certified
Professional Engineer Technician
(MCP) (RHCE) (RHCT)
sponsored by sponsored by sponsored by
Microsoft Red Hat Red Hat

Sun IBM
Certified Certified
System Specialist
Administrat sponsored by
or IBM
sponsored by
Sun
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 A Guide to Certification
• What are programming certifications?

Recognition of programming training Broadens knowledge and skill base

Certified IBM Certified Microsoft Microsoft

Software Solution Certified Certified
Development Developer Application Solution
Professional sponsored by Developer Developer
(CSDP) IBM (MCAD) (MCSD)
sponsored by sponsored by sponsored by
IEEE Microsoft Microsoft
Computer
Society
Sun Certified Sun Certified Sun Certified
Enterprise Java Programmer
Architect Developer sponsored by
sponsored by sponsored by Sun
Sun Sun

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 A Guide to Certification
• What are hardware certifications?
Recognition of general
knowledge
of hardware and controlling Can be narrowly or
software needed to set up, broadly focused
maintain, and repair a
computer NACSE
A+ IBM Network
sponsored by eServer Technician
Computing Certified (NNT)
Technology Specialist sponsored by
Industry sponsored by National
Association IBM Association of
(CompTIA) Communication
Systems Engineers
(NACSE)

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 A Guide to Certification

• What are networking certifications?

Awarded to professionals who demonstrate expertise in design,
administration, and maintenance of company-specific networks

Certified Certified Cisco Certified

Novell Novell Network
Administrator Engineer Professional
(CAN) (CNE) (CCNP)
sponsored by sponsored by sponsored by
Novell Novell Cisco

Network+ Sun Certified

sponsored by Network
Computing Administrator
Technology sponsored by
Industry Sun
Association
(CompTIA)
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 A Guide to Certification

• What are Internet certifications?

They cover technology often used by
Demanding and require technical
an Internet access provider or large
expertise in networking hardware
company developing an intranet

Certified Cisco
Certified
Internet Certified
Web
Webmaster Internetwork
Professional
(CIW) Expert
(CWP)
sponsored by (CCIE)
sponsored by
Prosoft sponsored by
International
Training Cisco
Webmasters
Association

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 A Guide to Certification

• What are database system certifications?

Awarded for knowledge Test the various tasks
of a specific database a database management
management system staff must perform
IBM IBM Microsoft
Certified Certified Certified
Solutions Solutions Database
Expert–DB2 Expert– Administrator
sponsored by Informix (MCDBA)
IBM sponsored by sponsored by
IBM Microsoft

Oracle Sybase
Certified Certified
Professional Professional
sponsored by sponsored by
Oracle Sybase

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 Review Questions

Discuss the jobs available in Computer Industry

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 Question and Answer Session

Q&A

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