Chapter 15 Computer Careers and Certification

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

The Computer Industry What is the expected demand for computer professionals? Currently 10 million computer workers with expected increase of 86,000 jobs annually < 10% of college students are graduating with computer-related degrees Click to view video p. 766 Fig. 15-1 Careers in the Computer Industry What are the primary areas where job opportunities are found? General business and government organizations Computer equipment industry Computer software industry Computer service and repair industry Computer sales Computer education and training industry Computer consulting industry Click to view video p. 767

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 p. 768 Fig. 15-2 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 p. 768 Fig. 15-3

Careers in the Computer Industry What is the computer software industry? Companies that develop, manufacture, and support software then click Computer Scientists below Chapter 15 p. 769 Software engineer designs and develops software Project developer analyzes requirements, designs solutions, and oversees software development process Computer scientist researches, invents, and develops solutions to complex software problems Programmer writes and tests computer programs Careers in the Computer Industry What is the computer service and repair industry? Provides preventative maintenance, component installation, and repair services Computer technician installs, maintains, and repairs hardware p. 770 Fig. 15-4

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 p. 770 Fig. 15-5 Careers in the Computer Industry 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 p. 771 Fig. 15-6

Careers in the Computer Industry What is a computer consultant? Individual who draws upon expertise in specialized area of computers Computer selection System design Communications Network design and installation Web development then click Computer Consultants below Chapter 15 p. 771 Working in an IT Department What jobs are available in an IT department? Management E-commerce administrator Network administrator Project leader Project manager System development and training Vice president of IT/chief information officer Application programmer Database analyst Software engineer Systems analyst Technical writer Web developer Web programmer Click to view Web Link, click Chapter 15, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Computer Career Salaries below Chapter 15 Technical services Operations End-user computing Database administrator Desktop publisher Graphic designer/illustrator Computer operator Computer technician Network security specialist Quality assurance specialist Web administrator Data communications analyst Help desk specialist Web graphic designer Webmaster p. 772

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? then click College Programs for Computer Majors below Chapter 15 p. 774 Fig. 15-8 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 p. 775 Fig. 15-9

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry What is computer science (CS)? Programs that stress theoretical side of programming Also called software engineering p. 775 Fig. 15-10 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 p. 776 Fig. 15-11

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 then click Trade Schools below Chapter 15 p. 776 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 p. 776 Fig. 15-12

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry How can you search for computer-related jobs? Many Web sites specialize in helping people find jobs p. 777 Fig. 15-13 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 p. 778 Fig. 15-14

Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry What is a user group? Collection of people with common computer equipment or software interests p. 779 Fig. 15-15 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, Web Link from left navigation, then click COMDEX below Chapter 15 p. 779 Fig. 15-16 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? Computer industry publications News Web sites p. 780 Figs. 15-17 15-18 Certification What is certification? Process of verifying technical knowledge in a particular area Proficiency is acknowledged with certificate p. 780 Fig. 15-19

Certification What are the benefits of certification? Enhances employee s career, provides better standing as industry professional, and higher salaries and bonuses p. 781 Fig. 15-20 Certification What are benefits of vendor-sponsored certification? Vendors provide access to technical information, advanced training, and discounts on publications and tools p. 782 Fig. 15-22

Certification How does certification benefit customers, employers, and industry? Customers receive better service from employees with certification(s) Employers benefit from more productive and knowledgeable workers Certification is a form of industry self-regulation then click Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals below Chapter 15 p. 783 Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP) defines standards designed to raise competence level for computer industry Certification What are factors to consider in choosing a certification? p. 783 Fig. 15-24

Certification What options are available to prepare for certification? Self-study Online training classes Instructor-led training Web resources then click Instructor-Led Certification Classes below Chapter 15 p. 784 Certification What are examinations like? Taken using computers Some are multiple choice, others are skill based p. 785 Fig. 15-26

A Guide to Certification What are application software certifications? Focus on knowledge of application software Sometimes called end-user certifications Office Specialist (MOS) Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) Adobe Expert Adobe Systems then click Office Specialist below Chapter 15 p. 786 IBM Professional for Lotus Software IBM Macromedia Professional (MMCP) Macromedia A Guide to Certification What are operating system certifications? Focus on particular skills user, operator, system administrator, and system engineer Differing levels of certification Professional (MCP) Red Hat Engineer (RHCE) Red Hat Red Hat Technician (RHCT) Red Hat Sun System Administrator Sun IBM Specialist IBM p. 786

A Guide to Certification What are programming certifications? Recognition of programming training Broadens knowledge and skill base Software Development Professional (CSDP) IEEE IBM Solution Developer IBM Application Developer (MCAD) Solution Developer (MCSD) Computer Society Sun Enterprise Architect Sun Sun Java Developer Sun Sun Programmer Sun p. 787 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 then click A+ Certification below Chapter 15 p. 788 A+ Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) IBM eserver Specialist IBM NACSE Network Technician (NNT) 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 Novell Administrator (CAN) Novell Novell Engineer (CNE) Novell Cisco Network Professional (CCNP) Cisco then click Novell Administrator below Chapter 15 p. 788 Network+ Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Sun Network Administrator Sun A Guide to Certification What are Internet certifications? They cover technology often used by Demanding and require technical an Internet access provider or large expertise in networking hardware company developing an intranet Internet Webmaster (CIW) Prosoft Training Cisco Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Cisco Web Professional (CWP) International Webmasters Association then click Cisco Internetwork Expert below Chapter 15 p. 789

A Guide to Certification What are database system certifications? Awarded for knowledge Test the various tasks of a specific database a database management management system staff must perform IBM Solutions Expert DB2 IBM IBM Solutions Expert Informix IBM Database Administrator (MCDBA) Oracle Professional Oracle Sybase Professional Sybase p. 789 Summary of Computer Careers and Certification Variety of of available computer-related careers Educational courses of of study, trade schools, job job searches, career development planning, professional organizations, and professional growth Certification preparation, examinations, and resources Specific certifications Chapter 15 Complete