Chapter 14 Computer Careers and Certification

Careers in the Computer Industry What are the primary areas where job opportunities are found? 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?  Department in business or government agency that employs people in computer-related jobs  Responsible for keeping all computer operations and networks operating smoothly

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 What is the computer service and repair industry?  Provides preventative maintenance, component installation, and repair services  Computer technician— installs, maintains, and repairs hardware

Careers in the Computer Industry What is the computer software industry? 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 are career opportunities in computer sales?  Computer sales representatives need general understanding of computers and specific knowledge of the product they are selling 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

Careers in the Computer Industry What is a computer consultant? Individual who draws upon expertise in specialized area of computers Computer selection System design Network design and installation Web development Communications

Working in an IT Department What jobs are available in an IT department? ManagementManagement E-commerce administrator Network administrator Project leader Project manager Vice president of IT/chief information officer Software engineer Systems analyst Application programmer Technical writer Database analyst Web developer Web programmer Computer operator Data communications analyst Computer technician Help desk specialist Database administrator Desktop publisher Quality assurance specialist Web administrator Graphic designer/illustrator Web graphic designer Network security specialist Webmaster System development and training Technical services OperationsOperations End-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?

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

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry What is computer science (CS)?  Programs that stress theoretical side of programming  Also called software engineering

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

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry What is a trade school? Offers programs in programming, Web development, graphic design, hardware maintenance, networking, and security Students can complete trade school programs in shorter time than college or university programs

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 How can you search for computer- related jobs?  Many Web sites specialize in helping people find jobs

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 What is a user group?  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?  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 How can you stay informed about the computer industry?  News Web sites  Computer industry publications

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

Certification What are the benefits of certification?  Enhances employee’s career, provides better standing as industry professional, and higher salaries and bonuses What are benefits of vendor- sponsored certification?  Vendors provide access to technical information, advanced training, and discounts on publications and tools

Certification How does certification benefit customers, employers, and industry? 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? What options are available to prepare for certification?  Self-study  Online training classes  Web resources  Instructor-led training

Certification What are examinations like?  Taken using computers  Some are multiple choice, others are skill based

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

A Guide to Certification What are operating system certifications? Focus on particular skills—user, operator, system administrator, and system engineer Differing levels of certification Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) sponsored by Red Hat Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) sponsored by Microsoft Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT) sponsored by Red Hat IBM Certified Specialist sponsored by IBM Sun Certified System Administrator sponsored by Sun

A Guide to Certification What are programming certifications? Recognition of programming training Broadens knowledge and skill base IBM Certified Solution Developer sponsored by IBM Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) sponsored by IEEE Computer Society Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) sponsored by Microsoft Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) sponsored by Microsoft Sun Certified Java Developer sponsored by Sun Sun Certified Enterprise Architect sponsored by Sun Sun Certified Programmer sponsored by Sun

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

A Guide to Certification What are networking certifications? Awarded to professionals who demonstrate expertise in design, administration, and maintenance of company-specific networks Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) sponsored by Novell Certified Novell Administrator (CAN) sponsored by Novell Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) sponsored by Cisco Sun Certified Network Administrator sponsored by Sun Network+ sponsored by Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

A Guide to Certification What are Internet certifications? They cover technology often used by an Internet access provider or large company developing an intranet Demanding and require technical expertise in networking hardware Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) sponsored by Cisco Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) sponsored by Prosoft Training Certified Web Professional (CWP) sponsored by International Webmasters Association

A Guide to Certification What are database system certifications? Awarded for knowledge of a specific database management system Test the various tasks a database management staff must perform IBM Certified Solutions Expert– Informix sponsored by IBM IBM Certified Solutions Expert–DB2 sponsored by IBM Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) sponsored by Microsoft Sybase Certified Professional sponsored by Sybase Oracle Certified Professional sponsored by Oracle

29 EMPLOYMENT GROWTH  Over 10 years to November 2003 employment for ICT Professionals* has risen by 125,600 or 147% to 211,300 (9.4% pa compared with 2.1% pa for all occupations).  Between November 2002 and November 2003 employment of ICT Professionals rose by 2.3% ( 4,800).  The unemployment rate for ICT Professionals averaged 4.1% in the year to November 2003 (3.7% in November 2003). The Australian Computer Industry * Information Technology Managers & Computing Professionals. Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, Australia, DEWR trend data.

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, Australia, DEWR trend data. The Australian Computer Industry

The Australian Computer Society Remuneration Survey Report is published annually by the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia based on responses from around 2000 computer professionals.

The Australian Computer Industry The Australian Computer Society Remuneration Survey Report is published annually by the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia based on responses from around 2000 computer professionals.