Chapter 15 Computer Careers and Certification

Chapter 15 Objectives Describe career opportunities available in various segments of the computer industry Discuss functions of jobs available in an IT department Differentiate among various college computer-related courses of study Identify ways to stay current with changing technology after graduation List the benefits of certification for employers, employees, and vendors Identify ways to prepare for certification List the general areas of IT certification Name some specific IT certifications in each certification area Next

The Computer Industry What is the expected demand for computer professionals? Next p Fig  Currently 10 million computer workers with expected increase of 100,000 jobs annually  < 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 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 Click to view video

Careers in the Computer Industry What is an information technology (IT) department? p Fig Next  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? p Fig Next  Manufacturers and distributors of computers and computer-related hardware  Careers involve design, manufacture, and production of computer equipment

Careers in the Computer Industry What is the computer software industry? p Click to view Web Link, 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 Fig Next  Provides preventative maintenance, component installation, and repair services  Computer technician— installs, maintains, and repairs hardware

Careers in the Computer Industry What are career opportunities in computer sales? p Fig Next  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? p Fig Next  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 Click to view Web Link, then click Computer Consultants below Chapter 15 Next 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? p Click to view Web Link, then click Computer Career Salaries below Chapter 15 Next 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? p Fig Click to view Web Link, 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)? p Fig Next  Programs that emphasize practical aspects of computing  Sometimes called computer technology

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

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry What is computer engineering (CE)? p Fig Next  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 Click to view Web Link, then click Trade Schools below Chapter 15 Next 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? p Fig Next  Many companies list job openings on their Web sites  Some allow job seekers to submit resumes online

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry How can you search for computer-related jobs? p Fig Next  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 Fig Next  Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)— science-oriented  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 Fig Next  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? p Fig Click to view Web Link, then click COMDEX below Chapter 15 Next  Events such as workshops, seminars, conferences, conventions, and trade shows  COMDEX—trade show that brings together thousands of vendors and more than 100,000 attendees  Training in form of books, video-based training, computer-based training (CBT), Web-based training (WBT), and instructor-led training

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry How can you stay informed about the computer industry? p Figs –15-18 Next  Computer industry publications  News Web sites

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

Certification What are the benefits of certification? p Fig Next  Enhances employee’s career, provides better standing as industry professional, and higher salaries and bonuses

Certification What are benefits of vendor-sponsored certification? p Fig Next  Vendors provide access to technical information, advanced training, and discounts on publications and tools

Certification How does certification benefit customers, employers, and industry? p Click to view Web Link, 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 made aware of certification have more confidence in IT professional

Certification What are factors to consider in choosing a certification? p Fig Next

Certification What options are available to prepare for certification? p Click to view Web Link, then click Instructor-Led Certification Classes below Chapter 15 Next Self-study Online training classes Instructor-led training Web resources

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

A Guide to Certification What are application software certifications? p Click to view Web Link, then click Microsoft Office Specialist below Chapter 15 Next Focus on knowledge of application software Sometimes called end-user certifications Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) sponsored by Adobe Systems Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) sponsored by Microsoft Certified Lotus Specialist (CLS) sponsored by IBM Macromedia Certified Professional (MMCP) sponsored by Macromedia Certified Lotus Professional (CLP) sponsored by IBM

A Guide to Certification What are operating system certifications? p Next 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 Tivoli Certified Solutions Expert sponsored by IBM Sun Certified System Administrator sponsored by Sun

A Guide to Certification What are programming certifications? p Next Recognition of programming training Broadens knowledge and skill base Certified Java Developer sponsored by Sun Certified Enterprise Architect sponsored by Sun IBM Certified Developer sponsored by IBM Certified Java Programmer sponsored by Sun Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) sponsored by Microsoft IBM Certified Specialist sponsored by IBM Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) sponsored by Microsoft

A Guide to Certification What are hardware certifications? p Click to view Web Link, then click A+ Certification below Chapter 15 Next 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? p Click to view Web Link, then click Certified Novell Administrator below Chapter 15 Next 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? p Click to view Web Link, then click Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert below Chapter 15 Next 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 Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet (MCSE+I) sponsored by Microsoft Certified Web Professional (CWP) sponsored by International Webmasters Association

A Guide to Certification What are database system certifications? p Next 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

Summary of Computer Careers and Certification Variety of available computer-related careers Educational courses of study, trade schools, job searches, career development planning, professional organizations, and professional growth Certification preparation, examinations, and resources Specific certifications Chapter 15 Complete