Chapter 15
Computer Careers
and Certification
Chapter 15 Objectives
Describe career opportunities available in
various segments of the computer industry
Describe career opportunities available in
various segments of the computer industry
Discuss functions of jobs available
in an IT department
Discuss functions of jobs available
in an IT department
Differentiate among various college
Differentiate among various college
List the benefits of certification for
employers, employees, and vendors
List the benefits of certification for
employers, employees, and vendors
Identify ways to prepare for certification
The Computer Industry
What is the expected demand for computer professionals?
Next p. 766 Fig. 15-1
Ø
Currently 10 million computer workers with expected
increase of 86,000 jobs annually
Ø
< 10% of college students are graduating with
computer-related degrees
Click to view video
Careers in the Computer Industry
What are the primary areas where job opportunities
are found?
p. 767 Next
Computer
sales
Computer
education
and training
industry
General
business and
government
organizations
Computer
equipment
industry
Computer
software
industry
Computer
consulting
industry
Computer
service and
repair industry
Careers in the Computer Industry
What is an
information technology (IT) department
?
p. 768 Fig. 15-2 Next
Ø
Department in
business or
government agency
that employs people
in computer-related
jobs
Ø
Responsible for
keeping all computer
operations and
networks operating
smoothly
Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the
computer equipment industry
?
Ø
Manufacturers and distributors of computers and
computer-related hardware
Ø
Careers involve design, manufacture, and production
Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the
computer software industry
?
p. 769 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Computer Scientists below Chapter 15
Next
Computer
scientist
researches,
invents, and
develops solutions
to complex
software problems
Project
developer
analyzes
requirements,
designs solutions,
and oversees
software
development
process
Companies
that develop,
manufacture,
and support
software
Programmer
writes and tests
computer
programs
Software
engineer
designs
and develops
software
Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the
computer service and repair industry
?
p. 770 Fig. 15-4 Next
Ø
Provides preventative
maintenance, component
installation, and repair
services
Ø
Computer technician
—
installs, maintains, and
repairs hardware
Careers in the Computer Industry
What are career opportunities in computer sales?
p. 770 Fig. 15-5 Next
Ø
Computer sales
representatives
need
general understanding of
computers and specific
knowledge of the product
they are selling
Careers in the Computer Industry
What are career opportunities in education and training?
Ø
Schools, colleges, universities, and private companies need
educators and trainers
§
Corporate trainers
teach employees how to use software,
design and develop systems, and program
Careers in the Computer Industry
What is a
computer consultant
?
p. 771 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Computer Consultants below Chapter 15
Next
Individual who draws upon expertise in specialized area of computers
Computer
Computer
selection
selection
System
System
design
design
Network design
Network design
and installation
and installation
Web
Web
development
development
Communications
Communications
Working in an IT Department
What jobs are available in an IT department?
p. 772 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Computer Career Salaries below Chapter 15
Next
Management
Management
Management
E
E--commerce commerce administrator administrator Network administrator Network administrator Project leader Project leader Project manager Project manager Vice president of
Vice president of IT/chief IT/chief information officer
information officer Software engineerSoftware engineer Systems analyst Systems analyst Application programmer Application programmer Technical writer Technical writer Database analyst Database analyst Web developer Web developer Web programmer Web programmer Computer operator
Computer operator Data Data communications analyst communications analyst Computer technician
Computer technician Help desk specialistHelp desk specialist Database administrator
Database administrator Desktop publisher
Desktop publisher Quality assurance Quality assurance specialist specialist Web administrator Web administrator Graphic Graphic designer/illustrator designer/illustrator
Web graphic designer Web graphic designer Network security Network security specialist specialist Webmaster Webmaster
System
development
and training
System
System
development
development
and training
and training
Technical
services
Technical
Technical
services
services
Operations
Operations
Operations
End-user
computing
End
End
-
-
user
user
computing
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What are the three broad disciplines in higher
education that produce the majority of entry-level
employees in the computer industry?
p. 774 Fig. 15-8 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click College Programs for Computer Majors below Chapter 15
Next
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What is
computer information systems (CIS)
?
Ø
Programs that
emphasize practical
aspects of computing
Ø
Sometimes called
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What is
computer science (CS)
?
p. 775 Fig. 15-10 Next
Ø
Programs that stress
theoretical side of
programming
Ø
Also called
software
engineering
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What is
computer engineering (CE)
?
p. 776 Fig. 15-11 Next
Ø
Programs that teach students
how to design and develop
components found in
computers and peripheral
devices
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What is a
trade school
?
p. 776 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Trade Schools below Chapter 15
Next
Offers programs in
Offers programs in
programming, Web
programming, Web
development, graphic
development, graphic
design, hardware
design, hardware
maintenance,
maintenance,
networking,
networking,
and security
and security
Students can complete
Students can complete
trade school programs
trade school programs
in shorter time
in shorter time
than college
than college
or university
or university
programs
programs
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
How do companies advertise computer-related job openings?
Ø
Many companies list job openings on their Web sites
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
How can you search for computer-related jobs?
p. 777 Fig. 15-13 Next
Ø
Many Web sites
specialize in
helping people
find jobs
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What are some organizations for computer professionals?
p. 778 Fig. 15-14 Next
Ø
Association for
Computing
Machinery (ACM)
—
science-oriented
Ø
Association of
Information
Technology
Professionals (AITP)
—
programmers,
systems analysts,
and information
processing managers
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What is a user group?
p. 779 Fig. 15-15 Next
Ø
Collection of people with common computer
equipment or software interests
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What is professional growth and continuing education?
Ø
Events such as workshops, seminars, conferences,
conventions, and trade shows
§
COMDEX
— trade
show
that brings together
hundreds of vendors
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
How can you stay informed about the computer industry?
p. 780 Figs. 15-17–15-18 Next
Ø
Computer industry publications
Ø
News Web sites
Certification
What is
certification
?
p. 780 Fig. 15-19 Next
Ø
Process of verifying
technical knowledge in a
particular area
Ø
Proficiency is
acknowledged with
certificate
Certification
What are the benefits of certification?
p. 781 Fig. 15-20 Next
Ø
Enhances employee’s career, provides better standing
as industry professional, and higher salaries and
bonuses
Certification
What are benefits of vendor-sponsored certification?
Ø
Vendors provide access to technical information, advanced
Certification
How does certification benefit customers, employers,
and industry?
p. 783 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals below Chapter 15
Next
Institute for Certification of
Computer Professionals (ICCP)
defines standards designed to raise
competence level for computer industry
Employers benefit from more productive
and knowledgeable workers
Certification is a form of
industry self-regulation
Customers receive better service from
employees with certification(s)
Certification
What are factors to consider in choosing a certification?
Certification
What options are available to prepare for certification?
p. 784 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Instructor-Led Certification Classes below Chapter 15
Next
Self
Self
-
-
study
study
Online training classes
Online training classes
Instructor
Instructor
-
-
led training
led training
Web resources
Web resources
Certification
What are examinations like?
Ø
Taken using computers
Ø
Some are multiple
choice, others are
skill based
A Guide to Certification
What are application software certifications?
p. 786 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Microsoft Office Specialist below Chapter 15
Next
Focus on knowledge of
Focus on knowledge of
application software
application software
Sometimes called
Sometimes called
end
end
-
-
user certifications
user certifications
Microsoft Microsoft Certified Certified Desktop Desktop Support Support Technician Technician (MCDST) (MCDST) sponsored by sponsored by Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Office Office Specialist Specialist (MOS) (MOS) sponsored by sponsored by Microsoft Microsoft Adobe Adobe Certified Certified Expert Expert sponsored by sponsored by Adobe Systems Adobe Systems Macromedia Macromedia Certified Certified Professional Professional (MMCP) (MMCP) sponsored by sponsored by Macromedia Macromedia IBM Certified IBM Certified Professional Professional for Lotus for Lotus Software Software sponsored by sponsored by IBM IBMA Guide to Certification
What are operating system certifications?
p. 786 Next
Focus on particular skills
Focus on particular skills
—
—
user,
user,
operator, system administrator,
operator, system administrator,
and system engineer
and system engineer
Differing levels of certification
Differing levels of certification
Red Hat Red Hat Certified Certified Engineer Engineer (RHCE) (RHCE) sponsored by sponsored by Red Hat Red Hat Microsoft Microsoft Certified Certified Professional Professional (MCP) (MCP) sponsored by sponsored by Microsoft Microsoft Red Hat Red Hat Certified Certified Technician Technician (RHCT) (RHCT) sponsored by sponsored by Red Hat Red Hat IBM Certified IBM Certified Specialist Specialist sponsored by sponsored by IBM IBM Sun Certified Sun Certified System System Administrator Administrator sponsored by sponsored by Sun Sun
A Guide to Certification
What are programming certifications?
p. 787 Next
Recognition of programming training
Recognition of programming training
Broadens knowledge and skill base
Broadens knowledge and skill base
IBM Certified IBM Certified Solution Solution Developer Developer sponsored by sponsored by IBM IBM Certified Certified Software Software Development Development Professional Professional (CSDP) (CSDP) sponsored by sponsored by IEEE IEEE Computer Computer Society Society Microsoft Microsoft Certified Certified Solution Solution Developer Developer (MCSD) (MCSD) sponsored by sponsored by Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Certified Certified Application Application Developer Developer (MCAD) (MCAD) sponsored by sponsored by Microsoft Microsoft Sun Certified Sun Certified Java Developer Java Developer sponsored by sponsored by Sun Sun Sun Certified Sun Certified Enterprise Enterprise Architect Architect sponsored by sponsored by Sun Sun Sun Certified Sun Certified Programmer Programmer sponsored by sponsored by Sun Sun
A Guide to Certification
What are hardware certifications?
Recognition of general knowledge
Recognition of general knowledge
of hardware and controlling
of hardware and controlling
software needed to set up, maintain,
software needed to set up, maintain,
and repair a computer
and repair a computer
Can be narrowly or
Can be narrowly or
broadly focused
broadly focused
IBM IBM A+
A Guide to Certification
What are networking certifications?
p. 788 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Certified Novell Administrator below Chapter 15
Next
Awarded to professionals who demonstrate expertise in design,
Awarded to professionals who demonstrate expertise in design,
administration, and maintenance of company
administration, and maintenance of company
-
-
specific networks
specific networks
Certified Certified Novell Novell Engineer Engineer (CNE) (CNE) sponsored by sponsored by Novell Novell Certified Certified Novell Novell Administrator Administrator (CAN) (CAN) sponsored by sponsored by Novell Novell Cisco Certified Cisco Certified Network Network Professional Professional (CCNP) (CCNP) sponsored by sponsored by Cisco Cisco Sun Certified Sun Certified Network Network Administrator Administrator sponsored by sponsored by Sun Sun Network+ Network+ sponsored by sponsored by Computing Computing Technology Technology Industry Industry Association Association (
(CompTIACompTIA))
A Guide to Certification
What are Internet certifications?
p. 789 Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert below Chapter 15
Next
They cover technology often used by
They cover technology often used by
an Internet access provider or large
an Internet access provider or large
company developing an intranet
company developing an intranet
Demanding and require technical
Demanding and require technical
expertise in networking hardware
expertise in networking hardware
Cisco Cisco Certified Certified Internetwork Internetwork Expert Expert (CCIE) (CCIE) sponsored by sponsored by Cisco Cisco Certified Certified Internet Internet Webmaster Webmaster (CIW) (CIW) sponsored by sponsored by Prosoft Prosoft Training Training Certified Certified Web Web Professional Professional (CWP) (CWP) sponsored by sponsored by International International Webmasters Webmasters Association Association
A Guide to Certification
What are database system certifications?
p. 789 Next
Awarded for knowledge
Awarded for knowledge
of a specific database
of a specific database
management system
management system
Test the various tasks
Test the various tasks
a database management
a database management
staff must perform
staff must perform
IBM IBM Certified Certified Solutions Solutions Expert Expert–– Informix Informix sponsored by sponsored by IBM IBM IBM IBM Certified Certified Solutions Solutions Expert Expert––DB2DB2 sponsored by sponsored by IBM IBM Microsoft Microsoft Certified Certified Database Database Administrator Administrator (MCDBA) (MCDBA) sponsored by sponsored by Microsoft Microsoft Sybase Sybase Certified Certified Professional Professional sponsored by sponsored by Sybase Sybase Oracle Oracle Certified Certified Professional Professional sponsored by sponsored by Oracle Oracle
