© Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 15-1 Chapter 15 Information Technology Careers Chapter 15 Information Technology Careers

© Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 15-1

Chapter 15 Information Technology Careers

Chapter 15Information Technology Careers


Presentation Overview

• Career Opportunities in Information Technology

• Preparation for an IT Career• Work Environments


Career Opportunities in Information Technology

What career opportunities are there in IT?The following jobs are among the top 15 fastest-growing positions from 2004 through 2014:

• Computer software developers• Computer support specialists• Network and computer systems administrators• Network systems and data communications analysts• Database administrators



There are four main categories of IT jobs, grouped by the main focus of the job:

– Sales and support– Software development– Application development– Hardware design



Sales and Support Careers– Technical servicing is the installation and

maintenance of hardware and software.A technician hooks up network wires, installs basic system software, and administers repairs.

– Technical support involves responding to phone and e-mail requests for assistance from customers.

Technical support specialists sometimes have to go to customer sites to troubleshoot systems.



Sales and Support Careers– Technical sales involves educating potential

customers about the company’s products so that they want to buy them.

Technical salespeople are often the highest paid of all those working in the technical area of IT.

– Technical training involves teaching individuals how to use systems.

Technical trainers are always in demand.



Sales and Support Careers– Technical writing turns the technical skills and

knowledge in the engineers’ heads into written documentation.

A degree in English or technical writing is the foundation for becoming a technical writer.



Software Development Careers– Software development is the creation of new

software products for commercial sale.– Systems programming is highly specialized

and involves writing instructions in C++, JavaScript, or other languages to accomplish a succession of tasks.

A systems programmer specializes in the development of system software.



Software Development Careers– The skills needed for application

programming are similar to those required for systems programming.

An application programmer works with application software rather than systems software.

– The use of computers to create images, sounds, and movies is called multimedia development.

Multimedia developers include graphic artists, digital sound editors, and animation specialists.



Software Development CareersQuality assurance (QA) is the testing of new products before they are released to the public.

QA testers often double as technical trainers, technical writers, or customer support specialists.



Average Annual Salaries for Jobs in Software Development, 2008



Application Development Careers– Application development uses commercial

software to develop a system for a specific organization.

– Systems analysis involves gathering the requirements and developing a design for systems.

An individual who performs these tasks is called a systems analyst.



Application Development Careers– Database administration is particularly

important because the database is at the core of a company’s information systems.

A database administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the database.

– Network administration involves the operations and maintenance of a company network.

A network administrator performs these tasks.



Application Development Careers– Web administration includes keeping a Web

site working and up-to-date.A Web administrator, or Web master, has the job of developing and maintaining a Web site with multiple pages.



Average Annual Salaries for Jobs in Application Development, 2008



Hardware Design Careers– Hardware design is the specification of

computer hardware such as CPUs, video cards, and memory chips.

– Many hardware designers are electrical engineers, and many are computer engineers.

Computer engineering is a hybrid training that includes both electrical engineering and computer science.



Average Annual Salaries for Jobs in Hardware Design, 2008


Preparation for an IT Career

What training is needed to succeed in an IT career?

Three main types of bachelor’s degree programs are most commonly followed to launch a career in IT.

• Computer science• Computer engineering• Computer information systems



College Degree ProgramsComputer Science Degree

• Involves the study of the computer and its many applications.

• It often takes five years to complete.• It typically requires advanced mathematics, basic

chemistry, and basic physics as prerequisites.• Graduates typically become programmers for

software companies or applications developers for IT consulting firms.



College Degree ProgramsComputer Engineering Degree

• A hybrid of computer science and electrical engineering and focuses on hardware design.

• It almost always takes at least five years to complete.

• Graduates often work for factory automation, computer hardware design, or system-level software design companies.



College Degree ProgramsComputer Information Systems (CIS) Degree

• Focuses on applications rather than the underlying science and principles of computers.

• Most programs require a mix of business and computer science courses.

• Graduates often become application developers or Web or database administrators.



Comparison of Entry-Level Salaries for Various Degree Programs



Certificate Programs– Consists of a series of intensive education

courses offered primarily by large IT companies such as Microsoft and Cisco.

– Most programs consist of two parts:• A course of study that lasts a few weeks• A test that grants the participant a certificate of

achievement



Major Types of Certification



Major Types of Certification (continued)



Major Types of Certification (continued)



Certificate ProgramsCompTIA certifications are sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association.

• They are not specific to a particular vendor’s hardware or software.

• They are best known for the A+ certification.• They can be obtained by taking a test at a local

testing center.



Certificate ProgramsConvergence Technologies Professional (CTP) certifications are offered by the Telecommunications Industry Association.

• They are offered in response to the growing importance of jobs involving the convergence of voice, data, and video over the Internet.

• Certificate holders have good grasp of telephony, infrastructure, signaling, and Voice over IP.

• They are entry-level and vendor-neutral.



Certificate ProgramsMicrosoft Certificates

• The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is a starting point for people who wish to learn the Office suite in greater detail.

• The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification states that an individual is qualified to develop applications using Microsoft software.




• The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) certification certifies that an individual is qualified to use Microsoft Visual Studio and related products to write software.

• The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification is targeted at network administrators who manage large LANs or WANs.




• The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification is common for technicians who manage Windows-based systems.

• The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certification is held by database administrators who specialize in using Microsoft Access.



Certificate ProgramsCisco Certificates

• The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificate certifies the holder to install and manage small networks.

• The Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certificate certifies the holder to design small home or office networks.

• The Cisco Certified Internetworking Professional (CCIP) certifies that the holder has detailed knowledge of the Cisco networking system.



Certificate Programs– Cisco Certificates

• Additional Cisco Qualified Specialist certifications are available in specific networking technologies such as cable and communications.

– Oracle offers certificates focusing on Oracle application development and database administration, including• Oracle Certified Application Developer (OCAD)• Oracle Certified Database Administrator (OCDBA)


Work Environments

In choosing a career, what are some factors to consider regarding work environment?

– Think about what kind of corporate culture is the best fit for you.• Do you want to work in a large IT department, or do

you prefer a small business?

– What type of business model are you most interested in: product developer, IT department, or consultant?


Work Environments

In choosing a career, what are some factors to consider regarding work environment?

– Most IT positions above the technician level are salaried.• Salaries are fairly high, but extra work hours are

often required.

– The majority of the IT work force is young and male, especially at the entry level.

– The IT job market is cyclical in nature—it swings up and down dramatically.


Work Environments

Ergonomics– The science of designing equipment so that it is

comfortable to operate and does not cause the user physical injury.

– A repetitive motion injury occurs when a joint or nerve is overused.• Most injuries in the IT field fall into this category.• Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of this type

of injury.


On the Horizon

Based on the information presented in this chapter and your own experience, what do you think is on the horizon?

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© Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 15-1 Chapter 15 Information Technology Careers Chapter 15 Information Technology Careers