| Computer science and IT programs can prepare you | | | | employers require relevant job experience. Certification |
| for a career in an exciting and ever-evolving field. | | | | in several software applications will make an applicant |
| After a lull in the IT field, employers are again seeking | | | | or employee more valuable. |
| qualified applicants for all computer science specialties. | | | | Training programs for software engineering are |
| Having a background in information technology will | | | | offered at vocational schools, community and technical |
| prepare you for further training in the specialized | | | | colleges and institutes, and online colleges and |
| occupations below. If you have the computer savvy | | | | universities. Extensive job experience is often |
| and experience to navigate computer science and IT | | | | substituted for a bachelor's degree. |
| programs, you may want to build on what you know | | | | Computer programming- |
| and put yourself in a position for a better paying job | | | | The California Occupational Guide provides this |
| and higher job satisfaction. | | | | description of a computer programmer's job: |
| The nature of technology is change. Many U.S. | | | | "Computer programmers write, test and maintain |
| companies are recruiting workers from a global pool, | | | | programs or software that tell the computer what to |
| due to the shortage of highly trained workers in our | | | | do. They convert project specifications and |
| own country. This is a good time to gain the skills and | | | | statements of problems and procedures to detailed |
| knowledge that will put you in the position you desire. | | | | logical flow charts for coding into a computer language. |
| Network engineers- | | | | They develop and write computer programs to store, |
| Network engineers, or network administrators, design, | | | | locate, and retrieve specific documents, data and |
| install, maintain and computer communication systems | | | | information. They may program Websites." This |
| within a building or office (LAN) or in a larger system | | | | concise description covers a lot of ground in a few |
| such as traffic control devices in a city (MAN). | | | | words. |
| Network engineers also link across national boundaries | | | | Programmers must be able to deal with people, and |
| (WAN) or combining networks over global areas | | | | are often called upon to problem-solve, train and |
| (GAN). Network administrators make it possible for | | | | supervise others. A natural bent for logical thinking, |
| communication to happen within and between groups, | | | | language acquisition and mathematical application is |
| sharing files and resources. Network engineers | | | | useful. The ability to communicate with others verbally |
| connect offices with T1 lines, hook them up to the | | | | and in writing is important. Programmers need to be |
| Internet, and configure all internal systems including | | | | able to adapt to change and update skills as new |
| firewalls and routers. The software engineer needs to | | | | technology is introduced. |
| be able to convert technical information into lay terms | | | | Programmers need a bachelor's degree at the |
| to instruct users. | | | | minimum. Many employers are asking for master's |
| Network engineers require a broad knowledge of | | | | degrees with specialized concentrations. Programmers |
| networking, servers and security. Courses in IT are | | | | need to be trained in various programming languages. |
| available online and in 2-year and technical institutes. | | | | Training is offered at colleges, universities, technical |
| Employers value those who have been through an | | | | institutes and online. Professional certification is |
| apprenticeship or have on the job experience. | | | | available after a program of study and testing from |
| Obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree will enhance | | | | such private corporations as CISCO and Microsoft. |
| chances of moving up into a higher paying position. | | | | IT Network Security- |
| Information systems management- | | | | Network security specialists are called by many |
| Information systems management is a hybrid career- | | | | names but the job is basically the same. They plan, |
| part productions/operations management and part | | | | design, implement, monitor and upgrade information |
| information systems. The information systems | | | | security measures for networks. The security |
| manager problem-solves tech problems in all areas | | | | specialist designs measures that allow, limit or restrict |
| and phases of business operations and production that | | | | access to network users. Some specialists are |
| use technology. | | | | responsible for a whole company's or group's security, |
| Information systems managers need to stay current | | | | or may be responsible for a portion of the security |
| with new developments in technology, have top-notch | | | | measures. The security specialist must have excellent |
| technical skills, and be very familiar with information | | | | communication skills and keep up to date with skills and |
| architecture, network configurations, databases, | | | | knowledge since new security threats and measures |
| systems developmental tools and systems integration. | | | | are continually presenting new challenges. |
| The minimum education is a 4-year degree in an ISM | | | | Network security specialists need a college degree |
| program, or a master's degree in a computer science | | | | plus several years of relevant experience. Training is |
| specialty along with certification in various software | | | | available at colleges, technical institutes, and online. |
| applications. Because this occupation combines | | | | Continuing education is a must. Certification for various |
| business principles with advanced technology, | | | | software applications by private firms is helpful. |
| coursework must include both. ISM programs are | | | | Outlook for Computer and IT Careers- |
| offered at 4-year colleges and technical institutes, and | | | | According to the U.S. Department of Labor projections, |
| online. | | | | future prospects for all computer science and IT |
| Software engineering- | | | | careers are categorized as "excellent". As lower and |
| Software engineers research, design, develop and test | | | | mid-level specialists move up into managerial positions, |
| operating systems-level software, network distribution | | | | positions will open up. Coupled with the continual |
| software and compilers. They work with a variety of | | | | growth and innovation in the IT field, training for one of |
| scientific, military, communications, industrial, business, | | | | these careers is probably a wise choice. Finding the |
| and medical software applications. Software engineers | | | | position that suits your skills and temperament will help |
| also set operational specifications as well as analyze | | | | you choose the right one. There are many online |
| and formulate software requirements. | | | | degree programs for careers in computer science and |
| This occupation is currently in high demand. It requires a | | | | IT from accredited online colleges across the country. |
| 4-year degree in a computer science discipline. Most | | | | |