Monday, June 29, 2009

Computer Jobs & Careers

Career Center - by Get Degrees Staff

Because technology permeates virtually every industry, those who earn a computer degree have their choice of challenging and extremely diverse career options. From network management to software development, the technology profession holds unlimited potential. Here’s more on why this is an industry on the cutting-edge and why you should be too.

Computer Jobs & Careers

The true mark of a promising career lies in its potential for growth and development. Computer degree holders are finding not only a welcoming job market, but the opportunity for virtually unlimited professional growth within the industry. The prevalence of technology in nearly every facet of society has placed a premium on finding enough qualified computer candidates to fill the demand. That being said, high school graduates and mid-career changers who earn a computer degree are fortunate enough to enter the industry with confidence.

The computer industry is as diverse and specialized as the professionals who comprise its working population. Many candidates begin by earning a general computer degree program and then specializing in a specific technical discipline. Just a few of the available career paths open to computer degree holders include:

• Computer Control Operator
• Computer Control Programmer
• Computer Hardware Engineer
• Computer Operator
• Computer Product Manufacturer
• Computer Programmer
• Computer Scientist
• Computer Support Specialist
• Information Systems Analyst
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer
• Database Administrator
• Desktop Publisher
• Drafter
• Electrical and Electronics Engineer
• Electronic Product Manufacturer
• Engineer
• Engineering and Natural Sciences Manager
• Engineering Technician
• Graphic Designer
• Information Systems Manager
• Mathematician
• Operations Research Analyst
• Software Engineer
• Systems Administrator

Computer Career Profile: Training and Certification

Despite the numerous careers within the computer field, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a positive overall employment outlook for the industry. For example, employment of computer support specialists and system administrators is projected to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016. That’s much faster than the national average for all occupations, with 155,000 jobs expected in those fields. Recent outsourcing in computer industry may subtract from the total jobs available, but the decrease is expected to be limited to call-center type computer services.

Technology trends expected to spur demand for certified professionals in the near future include:

• A surge in the popularity of social networking and new media technologies
• The movement of business processes and medical records from paper to web-based
• The advent of cutting-edge computer modules and software applications
• The prevalence of mobile networking for business and recreational purposes
• Expected industry turnover and the retiring of first-generation computer technicians

Succeeding with Your New Computer Degree

Enough can’t be said for the importance of professional certification in the field of technology. Particularly in networking, earning certifications from such names as Cisco, Novell, Microsoft and Java can help differentiate candidates from the rest of the field in an already challenging hiring market. Certification programs run from several weeks to several months, depending upon the technology and depth of expertise. Programming languages, such as HTML, can take years of practical experience to master.

Another hot career route worth mentioning is Internet security. The prevalence of identity theft, bot and virus attacks, SPAM and other technology-based crimes has created a boon for computer degree holders specializing in network security. Employment opportunities exist with government agencies and private businesses throughout the world. With so many career options in so many places, earning a degree in a computer-driven field promises to keep life–and work–interesting and right on the cutting edge.

Kelly Richardson
Kelly C. Richardson, MEd is a freelance writer, marcom consultant and digital entrepreneur. He’s written content for Fortune 500s Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft and Wells Fargo. Find out more about him at kellyrichardsoncopywriting.com.