Computers Are Your Future Eleventh Edition Chapter 10: Careers & Certification Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall1

Careers & Certification Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall2

Objectives 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 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall3

Objectives Describe two settings in which most IT workers find employment and list at least three typical job titles. Identify the business skills that information systems (IS) managers want in new IT workers. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall4

Objectives List the technical skills currently in high demand. Discuss both the positive and negative aspects of certification. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall5

Careers & Certification The IT industry: Focuses on development and implementation of technology and applications Includes Microsoft, Intel, and telecommunications companies, resellers, and vendors Popular IT job search sites Dice.com ComputerJobs.com ComputerWork.com Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall6

Careers & Certification Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall7

Careers & Certification Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall8

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths The IT professional An individual who works with all forms of IT and functions Demand for skilled IT professionals will continue to grow Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall9

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Computer support System administration System analysis Database administration Security support Network systems analysis Data communication Software engineering Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall10 Future IT positions

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall11 Corporate IS department job titles and responsibilities

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall12 Software development firm job titles and responsibilities

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Offshoring is the transfer of labor from workers in one country to workers in another. Job categories affected are call center work and computer programming. Some U.S. companies question cost saving because of communication and cultural inconsistency and are returning jobs to the United States. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall13

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Education for traditional IT computer careers is divided into four majors: Computer science Management information systems Systems and software engineering Electrical engineering Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall14

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Computer science The study of storage, change, and transfer of information Programs focus on programming languages and mathematics Requires theoretical and analytical skills Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall15

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Management information systems Focuses on practical applications of information systems and technology Important knowledge areas Finance Marketing Requires good communication and interpersonal skills Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall16

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths System engineering Uses interdisciplinary approach People Organization Technologies Requires strong project management skills Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall17

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Software engineering Involves upgrading, managing, and modifying computer programs Requires strong: Interpersonal skills Programming skills Business skills System analysis skills Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall18

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Electrical engineering Focuses on cutting-edge communication and digital circuit design Key areas of interest—hardware design Robotics Solid-state, mobile, and embedded technology Integrated circuits Computer chips Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall19

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 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall20

Traditional Information Technology Career Paths Copyright © 2011 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, both hard and soft Technical knowledge Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall22

Alternative Information Technology Career Paths Soft business skills (people related) Communication Teamwork Project management Business expertise Hard business skills (process related) Networking Web development Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall23

Alternative Information Technology Career Paths Networking Microsoft products Linux TCP/IP Oracle AJAX ERP systems Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall24 Technical skills desired in IT professionals

Web Technologies, New Jobs New positions in Web technologies require artistic skills in addition to technical and business skills. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall25

Web Technologies, New Jobs Telemedicine combines computers and medical expertise to simulate a long- distance house call. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall26

Web Technologies, New Jobs Benefits of certification Provides benchmark to assess skills May lead to higher salary offers Helps match applicant’s skill set with employer job requirements Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall27

Web Technologies, New Jobs Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall28

Web Technologies, New Jobs Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall29

Web Technologies, New Jobs Employee certification risks Narrow scope of information may be emphasized in the certification assessment. Much time and work dedicated to vendor- specific technology that may change or may be less valuable in the future. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall30

Web Technologies, New Jobs Certification risks for employers Employee may have narrow training. Knowledge in only one area may not be enough. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall31

Chapter Summary Careers in the traditional IT field that require 4-year degrees include computer science, management information systems, systems/ software engineering, and electrical engineering. Training in CS requires theoretical studies, whereas training in MIS requires practical business knowledge. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall32

Chapter Summary IT employees normally are employed in 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 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall33

Chapter Summary Technical skills desired by employers include networking skills and knowledge of Microsoft products, Linux, ERP systems, AJAX, and Internet technologies. Certification is used as an employee assessment tool and has advantages and disadvantages for employees and employers. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall34