Computers Are Your Future Tenth Edition Chapter 10: Careers & Certification Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall1

2 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

What You Will Learn Describe traditional information technology (IT) career paths and how these paths are changing. Compare and contrast computer science (CS) and management information systems (MIS) curricula in colleges and universities. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall3

What You Will Learn Describe two settings in which most IT workers find employment and list at least three typical job titles. Identify the business skills that information system (IS) managers want in new IT workers. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall4

What You Will Learn List the technical skills currently in high demand. Discuss both the positive and negative aspects of certification. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall5

Careers & Certification Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall6

Careers & Certification Information technology industry Focuses on development and implementation of technology and applications Includes Microsoft, Intel, and telecommunications companies, resellers, and vendors Popular job search sites General job search sites: CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com, and USAJOBS.com IT job search sites: ComputerJobs.com, ComputerWork.com, and Tech-centric.net Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall7

Careers & Certification Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall8

Careers & Certification Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall9

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Information technology (IT) professional An individual who works with information technology Demand for skilled IT professionals will continue to grow Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall10

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Computer support System administration System analysis Database administration Security support Network systems analysis Data communication Software engineering Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall11 Future information technology positions:

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall12 Corporate IS Department Job Titles and Responsibilities

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall13 Software Development Firm Job Titles and Responsibilities

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Offshoring Transfer of labor from workers in one country to workers in another Job categories affected Call center Computer programming Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall14

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Education for traditional IT computer careers reflects the historical division into science and business disciplines. Education for these careers is divided into two distinct departments: Computer science Management information systems Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall15

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Computer science Focus on science and engineering Important knowledge areas: Programming Math Requires theoretical and analytical skills Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall16

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Management information systems Focus on practical applications of information systems and technology Important knowledge areas: Finance Marketing Requires good communication and interpersonal skills Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall17

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths System engineers Focus on People Organization Technologies Must develop strong project management skills Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall18

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Software engineers Focus on Programming Keeping applications up to date Must develop Strong interpersonal skills Programming skills Business skills Analysis skills Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall19

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Electrical engineering (EE) Focus on technologies relating to cutting- edge communication and digital circuit design Key areas of interest—hardware design Robotics Solid-state components Integrated circuits Computer chips Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall20

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Continuing education for people choosing traditional IT careers includes: Training seminars Computer magazines, newspapers, and journals Conferences and trade shows Professional organizations Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall21

Alternative Information Technology Career Paths IT careers constantly change because of: Changes in technology Changes in business Employers want employees with: Business skills Technical knowledge Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall22

Alternative Information Technology Career Paths Business skills desired in IT professionals: Communication skills Ability to work as a team player Project management skills Business expertise Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall23

Alternative Information Technology Career Paths Networking Knowledge of Microsoft products Linux TCP/IP Oracle AJAX ERP systems Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall24 Technical skills desired in IT professionals:

Web Technologies, New Jobs New positions in the Web technologies area require artistic skills in addition to the traditional technical and business skills. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall25

Web Technologies, New Jobs Certifications Assure employers of skills Used to assess competency Often required by employers Benefit prospective IT employees and employers Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall26

Web Technologies, New Jobs Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall27

Web Technologies, New Jobs Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall28

Web Technologies, New Jobs Certification risks for employees: Narrow scope of information may be emphasized in the certification assessment Much time and work dedicated to vendor- specific technology that May change May be less valuable in the future Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall29

Web Technologies, New Jobs Certification risks for employers: Employee may have narrow training Knowledge in one area is not enough Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall30

What You’ve Learned Careers in the traditional information technology (IT) area are divided into computer science (CS) and management information systems (MIS), which require four-year degrees. Training in the CS area requires theoretical studies, whereas training in the MIS area requires practical business knowledge. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall31

What You’ve Learned IT employees normally are employed in information systems (IS) departments of corporations or with vendors. Skills desired by IS managers include the ability to work as a team member, project management skills, communication skills, and knowledge of business. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall32

What You’ve Learned Technical skills desired by employers include networking skills and knowledge of Microsoft products, Linux, ERP systems, AJAX, and Internet technologies. Certifications are used as employee assessment tools and have advantages and disadvantages for employees and employers. Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall33