Computers Are Your Future

© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.Information Systems and Decision Sciences

Computers Are Your Future

Chapter 1

Careers and Certification

Slide 1


Traditional Information Technology (IT) Career Paths

Learn about computers.– Stay abreast of job trends.

• http://www.stats.bls.gov

Slide 2

A Bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for the best jobs.


Information technology (IT) professionals

Slide 3

– Work with IT in all its various forms

– Are needed by both small and large companies

– Keep up with fast-changing technology



Typical Job Titles and Responsibilities in a Corporate IS Department

Slide 4

Job Title Responsibilities

Chief Information Officer (CIO)Senior-level management Defines the IS department’s mission, objectives, and budgets

Director of Computer Operations Middle-management positionEmphasizes overall system reliability

Director of Network Services Middle-management positionEmphasizes overall network reliability

Network Engineer Installs, maintains, and supports computer networks


Slide 5

Job Title Responsibilities

Systems Programmer/Administrator

Installs, maintains, and supports the operating system

Client/Server Manager Installs, maintains, and supports client/server applications

Systems Analyst Interacts with others to design information systems

Programmer/Analyst Designs, codes, and tests software

Programmer Writes code according to specifications

Typical Job Titles and Responsibilities in a Corporate IS Department


Typical Job Titles and Responsibilities in a Software Development Firm

Slide 6

Job Title ResponsibilitiesDirector of Research and Development

Senior-level management position in charge of all product development activities

Software Architect Computer scientists who are challenged to create new, cutting-edge technologies

Software Engineer Manages the details of software development projects

Systems Engineer Gives technical presentations and supports Products on-site

Software Developer Develops new programs under the direction of the software architect

Customer SupportTechnician

Provides assistance to customers who need help with products



U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics– Fastest growing industries in

US economy:• Network systems and data

communications analysts (#1)• Computer software engineers (#4)• Computer systems analyst• Database administrators

Slide 7


Offshoring– Transfer of jobs from workers in one

country to workers in other countriesOutsourcing

– Transfer of labor from the firm to outside entities

Slide 8



Education for Traditional IT Careers

Computer Science (CS)Information Systems (IS)Systems and Software EngineeringElectrical Engineering

Slide 9


Computer Science (CS)

Computer science uses the principles of science and engineering to improve computing.

Theory rather than the practical applications of computing is emphasized.

Training is technical and involves higher mathematics (calculus).

Slide 10


Training also involves– Programming languages– Programming language structure– Advanced computer graphics– Artificial intelligence– Relational database design

Graduates find jobs in software development firms and information systems departments.

Slide 11

Computer Science (CS)


Information Systems (IS)

IS focuses on the practical applications of computing.

The skills needed by businesses are emphasized.

Slide 12

Information system departments are usually located within business schools. (ISDS)


Graduates find jobs in corporate information systems departments as well as software development companies.

Slide 13

Information Systems (IS)

•Programming•Systems analysis•Finance and marketing•Communications skills•Interpersonal skills

Training involves


Systems Engineering

Systems engineering emphasizes looking at the whole picture.

Students learn project management skills. Graduates are in high demand in the areas of

software development, systems analysis, and program development.

Slide 14

Systems engineering uses the scientific method to create and maintain systems in business and industry.


Electrical Engineering

Slide 15

Jobs are in hardware development.

Electrical engineering focuses on digital circuit design and communication technologies


Traditional Methods of Continuing Education

Slide 16

Training Seminars– Computer-related– Last from one day to one week– Presented by hardware or software

developers or companies specializing in training for new technology


Slide 17

Computer Magazines, Newspapers, and Journals– Indispensable resources for IT professionals– Either cover the entire world of computer

issues or are aimed at a specific partProfessional Organizations

– Provide a way to keep up with a particular area of interest



Slide 18

Conferences and Shows– Are a way of keeping in touch with the

profession– Trade shows – Annual meetings in which

manufacturers, designers, and dealers showcase their products



Professional Organizations

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Association for Women in Computing (AWC) Association of Information Technology

Professionals (AITP)Network Professional Association (NPA) Information Systems Audit and Control

Association (ISACA)

Slide 19


New Career Paths forInformation Technology (IT)

New technologies and the nature of businesses are changing IT careers.

A four-year college degree is insufficient for some employers.

Employees need skills in communication, business, and technology.

Slide 20


New Career Paths forInformation Technology (IT)

Corporate downsizing or mergers may affect IT careers.

IT workers must manage their own careers.

Slide 21


Sought-After Business Skills

Teamwork – Ability of an individual to work effectively in a team environment

Project management – Ability to plan and manage a project

Communication –Writing and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to give presentations

Business acumen – Some knowledge of business

Slide 22


UNIX – Strong demand for UNIX system configuration, maintenance, networking, and programming

TCP/IP – Knowledge of Internet protocols

Slide 23

Networking – Skills related to Ethernet, TCP/IP, and LAN administration

Microsoft Windows XP – Integration of .NET Passport with Windows XP

Sought-After Technology Skills


Sought-After Technology Skills

C++ – Language of choice for software development

Microsoft Visual Basic – Rapid application development and code reusability

Slide 24

Oracle – Experience in working with Oracle database and client/server applications


New Jobs in Information Technology

Slide 25

Job Title ResponsibilitiesInteractive Digital Media Specialist

Creates engaging presentations, including animation and video

Webmaster Designs and maintains a Web server and related database servers

Web Application Engineer

Designs, develops, tests, and documents new Web-based services for Web sites

Web Specialist Creates high-quality content pages for Web sites

Network/Internet Security Specialist

Installs and maintains firewalls, antivirus software, and other security software - ISDS4123


Certification

Certification is a skills and knowledge assessment organized by computer industry vendors.

Certifications need to be renewed periodically.

• Selected certification programs

Slide 26


To obtain a certificate you:• Take courses at a college, training

center, or study on your own• Take a comprehensive examination• Certificate is issued when the exam is

passed

Slide 27

Certification


Selected Certification Programs

Slide 28

Certification Programs Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) + InternetMicrosoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)Certified NetWare Engineer (CNE) Certified Java Programmer / Certified Java Developer

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - ISDS4244Cisco Certified Network Associate/Professional (CCNA/CCNP)


Certification benefits– Enable employers to assess skills from

a pool of applicants– Employer may increase salary offers

Slide 29

Certification


Certification risks– Students focus on a specific vendor’s

technology– Vendor’s technology may become obsolete– Having one skill isn’t enough– Hiring people with narrow training may be

risky for employers

Slide 30

Certification

Computers Are Your Future

Documents

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