Chapter 15
Computer Careers
and Certification
Chapter 15 Objectives
Describe career opportunities available in
various segments of the computer industry
List the benefits of certification for
employers, employees, and vendors
Discuss functions of jobs available
in an IT department
Identify ways to prepare for certification
Differentiate among various college
computer-related courses of study
List the general areas of IT certification
Identify ways to stay current with changing
technology after graduation
Name some specific IT certifications
in each certification area
Next
The Computer Industry
What is the expected demand for computer professionals?


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
p. 15.02 Fig. 15-1
Next
Careers in the Computer Industry
What are the primary areas where job opportunities
are found?
General
business and
government
organizations
Computer
equipment
industry
Computer
sales
Computer
education
and training
industry
Computer
software
industry
Computer
service and
repair industry
Computer
consulting
industry
Click to view video
p. 15.03
Next
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. 15.04 Fig. 15-2
Next
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. 15.04 Fig. 15-3
Next
Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the computer software industry?
Companies
that develop,
manufacture,
and support
software
Click to view Web Link,
then click Computer Scientists
below Chapter 15
p. 15.05
Project
developer
analyzes
requirements,
designs solutions,
and oversees
software
development
process
Software
engineer
designs
and develops
software
Programmer
writes and tests
computer
programs
Computer
scientist
researches,
invents, and
develops solutions
to complex
software problems
Next
Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the computer service and repair industry?


p. 15.06 Fig. 15-4
Provides preventative
maintenance, component
installation, and repair
services
Computer technician—
installs, maintains, and
repairs hardware
Next
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. 15.06 Fig. 15-5
Next
Careers in the Computer Industry
What are career opportunities in education and training?

Schools, colleges, universities, and private companies need
educators and trainers

p. 15.07 Fig. 15-6
Corporate trainers teach employees how to use software,
design and develop systems, and program
Next
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
Click to view Web Link,
then click Computer
Consultants
below Chapter 15
p. 15.07
Next
Working in an IT Department
What jobs are available in an IT department?
Management
System
development
and training
E-commerce
administrator
Project leader
Network administrator
Project manager
Vice president of
IT/chief
information officer
Database analyst
Technical writer
Software engineer
Web developer
Application programmer
Systems analyst
Web programmer
Database administrator
Technical
services
Click to view Web
Link, then click
Computer Career
Salaries below Chapter 15
p. 15.08
Desktop publisher
Network security
specialist
Quality assurance
specialist
Graphic
designer/illustrator
Web administrator
Operations
Computer operator
Data
communications analyst
End-user
computing
Computer technician
Help desk specialist
Web graphic designer
Webmaster
Next
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?
Click to view Web Link,
then click College Programs
for Computer Majors
below Chapter 15
p. 15.10 Fig. 15-8
Next
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. 15.11 Fig. 15-9
Next
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. 15.11 Fig. 15-10
Next
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What is computer engineering (CE)?

p. 15.12 Fig. 15-11
Programs that teach students
how to design and develop
components found in
computers and peripheral
devices
Next
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
Click to view Web Link,
then click Trade Schools
below Chapter 15
p. 15.12
Next
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

p. 15.12 Fig. 15-12
Some allow job seekers to submit resumes online
Next
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. 15.13 Fig. 15-13
Next
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. 15.14 Fig. 15-14
Next
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
What is a user group?

Collection of people with common computer
equipment or software interests
p. 15.15 Fig. 15-15
Next
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
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
Click to view Web Link,
then click COMDEX
below Chapter 15
p. 15.15 Fig. 15-16
Next
Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry
How can you stay informed about the computer industry?


Computer industry publications
News Web sites
p. 15.16 Figs. 15-17–15-18
Next
Certification
What is certification?


Process of verifying
technical knowledge in a
particular area
Proficiency is
acknowledged with
certificate
p. 15.16 Fig. 15-19
Next
Certification
What are the benefits of certification?

Enhances employee’s career, provides better standing
as industry professional, and higher salaries and
bonuses
p. 15.17 Fig. 15-20
Next
Certification
What are benefits of vendor-sponsored certification?

Vendors provide access to technical information, advanced
training, and discounts on publications and tools
p. 15.18 Fig. 15-22
Next
Certification
How does certification benefit customers, employers,
and industry?
Customers made aware of certification
have more confidence in IT professional
Employers benefit from more productive
and knowledgeable workers
Certification is a form of
industry self-regulation
Click to view Web Link,
then click Institute for
Certification of Computer
Professionals below Chapter 15
p. 15.19
Institute for Certification of
Computer Professionals (ICCP)
defines standards designed to raise
competence level for computer industry
Next
Certification
What are factors to consider in choosing a certification?
p. 15.19 Fig. 15-24
Next
Certification
What options are available to prepare for certification?
Self-study
Online training classes
Instructor-led training
Web resources
Click to view Web Link,
then click Instructor-Led
Certification Classes
below Chapter 15
p. 15.20
Next
Certification
What are examinations like?


Taken using computers
Some are multiple
choice, others are
skill based
p. 15.21 Fig. 15-26
Next
A Guide to Certification
What are application software certifications?
Focus on knowledge of
application software
Microsoft
Office
Specialist
(MOS)
sponsored by
Microsoft
Click to view Web Link,
then click Microsoft
Office Specialist below
Chapter 15
p. 15.22
Sometimes called
end-user certifications
Adobe
Certified
Expert (ACE)
sponsored by
Adobe
Systems
Certified
Lotus
Professional
(CLP)
sponsored by
IBM
Certified
Lotus
Specialist
(CLS)
sponsored by
IBM
Macromedia
Certified
Professional
(MMCP)
sponsored by
Macromedia
Next
A Guide to Certification
What are operating system certifications?
Focus on particular skills—user,
operator, system administrator,
and system engineer
Microsoft
Certified
Professional
(MCP)
sponsored by
Microsoft
Red Hat
Certified
Engineer
(RHCE)
sponsored by
Red Hat
Sun Certified
System
Administrator
sponsored by
Sun
p. 15.22
Differing levels of certification
Red Hat
Certified
Technician
(RHCT)
sponsored by
Red Hat
Tivoli
Certified
Solutions
Expert
sponsored by
IBM
Next
A Guide to Certification
What are programming certifications?
Recognition of programming training
Certified
Enterprise
Architect
sponsored by
Sun
Certified
Java
Developer
sponsored by
Sun
IBM
Certified
Specialist
sponsored by
IBM
p. 15.23
Broadens knowledge and skill base
Certified
Java
Programmer
sponsored by
Sun
Microsoft
Certified
Application
Developer
(MCAD)
sponsored by
Microsoft
IBM
Certified
Developer
sponsored by
IBM
Microsoft
Certified
Solution
Developer
(MCSD)
sponsored by
Microsoft
Next
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
A+
sponsored by
Computing
Technology
Industry
Association
(CompTIA)
Click to view Web Link,
then click A+ Certification
below Chapter 15
p. 15.24
IBM
eServer
Certified
Specialist
sponsored by
IBM
Can be narrowly or
broadly focused
NACSE
Network
Technician
(NNT)
sponsored by
National
Association of
Communication
Systems
Engineers
(NACSE)
Next
A Guide to Certification
What are networking certifications?
Awarded to professionals who demonstrate expertise in design,
administration, and maintenance of company-specific networks
Certified
Novell
Administrator
(CAN)
sponsored by
Novell
Click to view Web Link,
then click Certified
Novell Administrator
below Chapter 15
p. 15.24
Certified
Novell
Engineer
(CNE)
sponsored by
Novell
Network+
sponsored by
Computing
Technology
Industry
Association
(CompTIA)
Cisco Certified
Network
Professional
(CCNP)
sponsored by
Cisco
Sun Certified
Network
Administrator
sponsored by
Sun
Next
A Guide to Certification
What are Internet certifications?
They cover technology often used by
an Internet access provider or large
company developing an intranet
Certified
Internet
Webmaster
(CIW)
sponsored by
Prosoft
Training
Cisco
Certified
Internetwork
Expert
(CCIE)
sponsored by
Cisco
Demanding and require technical
expertise in networking hardware
Certified
Web
Professional
(CWP)
sponsored by
International
Webmasters
Association
Microsoft
Certified
Systems
Engineer +
Internet
(MCSE+I)
sponsored by
Microsoft
Click to view Web Link,
then click Cisco Certified
Internetwork Expert
below Chapter 15
p. 15.25
Next
A Guide to Certification
What are database system certifications?
Awarded for knowledge
of a specific database
management system
IBM
Certified
Solutions
Expert–DB2
sponsored by
IBM
IBM
Certified
Solutions
Expert–
Informix
sponsored by
IBM
Oracle
Certified
Professional
sponsored by
Oracle
p. 15.25
Test the various tasks
a database management
staff must perform
Microsoft
Certified
Database
Administrator
(MCDBA)
sponsored by
Microsoft
Sybase
Certified
Professional
sponsored by
Sybase
Next
Summary of Computer Careers and Certification
Variety of available
computer-related careers
Certification preparation,
examinations, and resources
Educational courses of study, trade
schools, job searches, career
development planning, professional
organizations, and professional growth
Specific certifications
Chapter 15 Complete