Chapter 15 Lecture 26: pp 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 Distinguish between trade schools and colleges Differentiate among various computer- related majors for college students 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

The Computer Industry The expected demand for computer professionals is… p. 776 Fig  Currently 10.5 million computer workers with expected increase of 2 to 3% annually  The number of students majoring in computer-related fields is declining

Careers in the Computer Industry The primary areas where job opportunities are found… p. 778 Computer sales Computer education and training field General business and government organisations Computer equipment field Computer software field IT consulting field Computer service and repair field

Careers in the Computer Industry An information technology (IT) department is… p. 778 Fig  Department in business or government agency that employs people in computer-related jobs  Responsible for keeping all computer operations and networks operating smoothly

Working in an IT Department Jobs available in an IT department include… p ManagementManagement Chief Information Officer / VP of IT Chief Security Officer E-commerce administrator Network administrator Application programmer Software engineer Systems analyst Computer scientist Systems programmer Database analyst Technical writer Web page author Computer operator Data communications analyst Corporate trainer Help desk specialist Computer forensics specialist Computer technician Graphic designer / illustrator Network security specialist Database administrator Quality assurance specialist Desktop publisher Security administrator System development and programming Technical services OperationsOperations TrainingTraining Project leader / manager Web administrator / Webmaster

Careers in the Computer Industry The computer equipment field includes… p. 782 Fig  The manufacturers and distributors of computers and computer-related hardware  Careers involve design, manufacture, and production of computer equipment

Careers in the Computer Industry The computer software field includes… p Computer scientist researches, invents, and develops solutions to complex software problems Project leader 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 The computer service and repair field… p. 783 Fig  Provides preventative maintenance, component installation, and repair services  Computer technician— installs, maintains, and repairs hardware

Careers in the Computer Industry Career opportunities in computer sales require… p Fig  A general understanding of computers and specific knowledge of the product they are selling

Careers in the Computer Industry Career opportunities in education and training… p. 784 Fig  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 An IT consultant is an… p. 784 Individual who draws upon expertise in specialized area of computers Computer selection System design Hardware and software configuration Network design and installation Communications Web development

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry A trade school… p. 785 Offers programs in programming, Web development, graphic design, hardware maintenance, networking, PC support, and security Students can complete trade school programs in shorter time than college or university programs

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry The three broad disciplines in higher education that produce the majority of entry-level employees in the computer industry are… p. 786 Fig. 15-8

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry Computer Information Systems (CIS) include… p. 786  Programs that emphasize technical knowledge and skills  Sometimes called management information systems (MIS) or management information technology

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry Computer Science (CS) includes… p. 786  Programs that stress theoretical side of programming and operating systems  Also called software engineering

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry How do companies advertise computer-related job openings? p. 788 Fig  Some Web sites specialized in helping people find jobs  Some allow job seekers to submit resumes online

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry Organisations for computer professionals include… p. 789 Fig  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 A user group is… p. 790 Fig  A collection of people with common computer equipment or software interests

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry Professional growth and continuing education includes… p. 790 Fig  Events such as workshops, seminars, conferences, conventions, and trade shows  CES—trade show that brings together hundreds of vendors and more than 130,000 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 Stay informed about the computer industry by… p. 791 Figs –15-15  Reading computer industry publications  Checking out news, blogs, and technical Web sites

Certification Certification is… p. 792  The process of verifying technical knowledge in a particular area  Proficiency is acknowledged with a certificate

Certification The benefits of certification include… p. 792 Fig  Enhances employee’s career, provides better standing as industry professional, and higher salaries and bonuses

Certification The benefits of vendor-sponsored certification are… p. 793 Fig  Vendors provide access to technical information, advanced training, and discounts on publications and tools

Certification How does certification benefit customers, employers, and industry? p. 793 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 Factors to consider in choosing a certification include… p. 794 Fig

Certification Options available to prepare for certification are… p. 794 Self-study Online training classes Instructor-led training Web resources

Certification What are the examinations like? p. 795 Fig  Taken using computers  Some are multiple choice, others are skill based  With computerised adaptive testing, the tests analyze a person’s responses while taking the test

A Guide to Certification Application software certification is… p. 796 Focused on knowledge of application software Sometimes called end-user certifications Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) sponsored by Microsoft Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) sponsored by Microsoft Adobe Certified Expert Adobe Certified Expert sponsored by Adobe Systems Macromedia Certified Professional Macromedia Certified Professional sponsored by Macromedia IBM Certified Professional for Lotus Software IBM Certified Professional for Lotus Software sponsored by IBM

A Guide to Certification Operating system certification include… p. 797 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 Administrato r sponsored by Sun

A Guide to Certification Programming certifications are a… p. 797 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 Hardware certifications are a… p. 798 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 Networking certifications are… p. 798 Awarded to professionals who demonstrate expertise in planning, installing, managing, and troubleshooting a network Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) sponsored by Novell Certified Novell Administrato r (CNA) sponsored by Novell Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) sponsored by Cisco Sun Certified Network Administrato r sponsored by Sun Network+ sponsored by Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

A Guide to Certification Computer forensics certification include… p. 799 Discovery, collection, and analysis of evidence found on computers and networks Certificate holds are considered highly credible during computer crimes cases Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) sponsored by International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) Certified Electronic Evidence Collection Specialist (CEECS) sponsored by International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) sponsored by International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners (ISFCE)

A Guide to Certification Security certifications… p. 799 Measure a candidate’s ability to identify and control security risks to computer resources Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) sponsored by (ISC) 2 Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP) sponsored by (ISC) 2 Security Certified Network Professional (SCNP) sponsored by The Security Certified Program Security Certified Network Architect (SCNA) sponsored by The Security Certified Program

A Guide to Certification Internet certifications… p. 800 Require technical expertise in networking hardware and configuration Include Web management, Web programming, and Web development certifications 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 Database system certifications are… p. 800 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 Administrato r (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 Computer education at trade schools, computer-related majors at colleges and universities, job searches, career development planning, professional organizations, and professional growth Certification preparation, examinations, and resources Specific certifications Chapter 15 Complete