Chapter 15

Computer Careers
and Certification
Chapter 15 Objectives

Identify ways to stay current with changing

technology after graduation
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
Distinguish between trade schools
and colleges
List the general areas of IT certification
Differentiate among various computer-
related majors for college students
Name some specific IT certifications in each
certification area

Next
 The Computer Industry
What is the expected demand for computer professionals?
 Currently 10.5 million computer workers with expected
increase of 2 to 3% annually
 The number of students majoring in computer-related
fields is declining

p. 776 Fig. 15-1 Next

 Careers in the Computer Industry
What are the primary areas where job opportunities
are found?

General
Computer Computer Computer
business and
equipment software service and
government
field field repair field
organizations

Computer
IT consulting
Computer education
field
sales and training field

p. 778 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. 778 Fig. 15-2 Next

 Working in an IT Department
What jobs are available in an IT department?
Chief Information E-commerce Project leader / manager
Officer / VP of IT administrator
Management
Chief Security Officer Network administrator

System Application programmer Software engineer Technical writer

development
Computer scientist Systems analyst Technical lead
and
programming Database analyst Systems programmer Web page author
Computer forensics Quality assurance
Desktop publisher
specialist specialist
Technical Computer technician
Graphic designer /
Security administrator
services illustrator
Network security Web administrator /
Database administrator Webmaster
specialist
Data
Operations Computer operator
communications analyst
Click to view Web
Link, click Chapter 15, Training Corporate trainer Help desk specialist
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click Computer Career Salaries
below Chapter 15
p. 780 - 781 Next
 Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the computer equipment field?
 Manufacturers and distributors of computers and
computer-related hardware
 Careers involve design, manufacture, and production
of computer equipment

p. 782 Fig. 15-4 Next

 Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the computer software field?
Project
leader
Companies analyzes
Programmer
that develop, requirements,
writes and tests
manufacture, designs solutions,
computer
and support and oversees
programs
software software
development
process
Computer
Software scientist
engineer researches,
designs invents, and
and develops develops solutions
software to complex
software problems
p. 782 - 783 Next
 Careers in the Computer Industry
What is the computer service and repair field?
 Provides preventative
maintenance, component
installation, and repair
services
 Computer technician—
installs, maintains, and
repairs hardware

p. 783 Fig. 15-5 Next

 Careers in the Computer Industry
What are career opportunities in computer sales?
 Computer salespeople
need general
understanding of
computers and specific
knowledge of the
product they are selling

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 15,
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click Computer Salespeople
below Chapter 15
p. 783 - 784 Fig. 15-6 Next
 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. 784 Fig. 15-7 Next

 Careers in the Computer Industry
What is an IT consultant?

Individual who draws upon expertise in specialized area of computers

Hardware and
Computer System
Communications software
selection design
configuration

Network design Web

and installation development

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 15,
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click Help Desk Specialist below
Chapter 15
p. 784 Next
 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

What is a trade school?

Offers programs in Students can complete

programming, Web trade school programs
development, graphic in shorter time
design, hardware than college
maintenance, or university
networking, programs
PC support,
and
security

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 15,
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click Trade Schools
below Chapter 15
p. 785 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, click Chapter 15,
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click College Computer Majors
below Chapter 15
p. 786 Fig. 15-8 Next
 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

What is computer information systems (CIS)?

 Programs that
emphasize technical
knowledge and skills
 Sometimes called
management
information systems
(MIS) or management
information
technology

p. 786 Next
 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

What is computer science (CS)?

 Programs that stress
theoretical side of
programming and
operating systems
 Also called software
engineering

p. 786 - 787 Next

 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

What is computer engineering (CE)?

 Teaches students how to design and
develop the electrical components found in
computers and peripheral devices
 Required courses include application and
systems programming, data and file structures,
networks, and operating systems

p. 787 Next
 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

How do companies advertise computer-related job openings?

 Some Web sites specialized in helping people find jobs
 Some allow job seekers to submit resumes online

p. 788 Fig. 15-9 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. 789 Fig. 15-11 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. 790 Fig. 15-12 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
 CES—trade show
that brings together
hundreds of vendors
and more than
130,000 attendees
 Training in form of books,
video-based training,
computer-based training (CBT), Web-based
Click to view Web
Link, click Chapter 15,
training (WBT), and instructor-led training
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click International Consumer
Electronics Show below
Chapter 15
p. 790 Fig. 15-13 Next
 Preparing for a Career in the Computer Industry

How can you stay informed about the computer industry?

 Computer industry publications
 News, blogs, and technical Web sites

p. 791 Figs. 15-14–15-15 Next

 Certification
What is certification?
 Process of verifying
technical knowledge in a
particular area
 Proficiency is
acknowledged with
certificate

p. 792 Next
 Certification
What are the benefits of certification?
 Enhances employee’s career, provides better standing
as industry professional, and higher salaries and
bonuses

p. 792 Fig. 15-16 Next

 Certification
What are benefits of vendor-sponsored certification?
 Vendors provide access to technical information, advanced
training, and discounts on publications and tools

p. 793 Fig. 15-17 Next

 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
Institute for Certification of
Click to view Web Computer Professionals (ICCP)
Link, click Chapter 15,
Click Web Link from defines standards designed to raise
left navigation, then competence level for computer industry
click Institute for the Certification
of Computing Professionals
below Chapter 15
p. 793 Next
 Certification
What are factors to consider in choosing a certification?

p. 794 Fig. 15-18 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, click Chapter 15,
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click Instructor-Led Certification
Classes below Chapter 15
p. 794 Next
 Certification
What are examinations like?
 Taken using computers
 Some are multiple
choice, others are
skill based
 With
computerized
adaptive testing,
the tests analyze a
person’s responses
while taking the
test
p. 795 Fig. 15-19 Next
 A Guide to Certification
What are application software certifications?
Focus on knowledge of Sometimes called
application software end-user certifications

Microsoft Microsoft Adobe

Office Certified Certified
Specialist Desktop Expert
(MOS) Support sponsored by
sponsored by Technician Adobe
(MCDST)
Microsoft Systems
sponsored by
Microsoft

IBM Certified Macromedia

Professional Certified
for Lotus Professional
Click to view Web Software sponsored by
Link, click Chapter 15, sponsored by Macromedia
Click Web Link from IBM
left navigation, then
click Microsoft Office Specialist
below Chapter 15
p. 796 Next
 A Guide to Certification
What are operating system certifications?
Focus on particular skills—user,
operator, system administrator, Differing levels of certification
and system engineer

Microsoft Certified Red Hat

Certified Linux Certified
Systems Professional Engineer
Administrator (CNP) (RHCE)
(MCSA) sponsored by sponsored by
sponsored by Novell Red Hat
Microsoft

Red Hat Sun Certified IBM Certified

Certified System Specialist
Technician Administrator sponsored by
(RHCT) sponsored by IBM
sponsored by Sun
Red Hat

p. 797 Next
 A Guide to Certification
What are programming certifications?
Recognition of programming training Broadens knowledge and skill base

Certified IBM Certified Microsoft

Software Solution Certified
Development Developer Professional
Professional sponsored by Developer
(CSDP) IBM (MCPD)
sponsored by sponsored by
IEEE Microsoft
Computer
Society
Sun Certified Sun Certified Sun Certified
Enterprise Developer Programmer
Architect sponsored by sponsored by
sponsored by Sun Sun
Sun

p. 797 Next
 A Guide to Certification
What are hardware certifications?
Recognition of general knowledge
of hardware and controlling Can be narrowly or
software needed to set up, maintain, broadly focused
and repair a computer

A+ IBM NACSE
sponsored by eServer Network
Computing Certified Technician
Technology Specialist (NNT)
Industry sponsored by sponsored by
Association IBM National
(CompTIA) Association of
Communication
Systems
Click to view Web Engineers
Link, click Chapter 15, (NACSE)
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click A+ Certification
below Chapter 15
p. 798 Next
 A Guide to Certification
What are networking certifications?
Awarded to professionals who demonstrate expertise in planning,
installing, managing, and troubleshooting a network

Certified Certified Cisco Certified

Novell Novell Network
Administrator Engineer Professional
(CNA) (CNE) (CCNP)
sponsored by sponsored by sponsored by
Novell Novell Cisco

Network+ Sun Certified

sponsored by Network
Computing Administrator
Click to view Web Technology sponsored by
Link, click Chapter 15, Industry Sun
Click Web Link from Association
left navigation, then
click Certified Novell (CompTIA)
Administrator below Chapter 15
p. 798 Next
 A Guide to Certification
What are computer forensics certifications?
Discovery, collection, and analysis of Certificate holds are considered
evidence found on computers and highly credible during computer
networks crimes cases

Certified Certified Certified

Electronic Forensic Computer
Evidence Computer Examiner
Collection Examiner (CCE)
Specialist (CFCE) sponsored by
(CEECS) sponsored by International
sponsored by International Society of
International Association of Forensic
Association of Computer Computer
Computer Investigative Examiners
Investigative Specialists (ISFCE)
Specialists (IACIS)
(IACIS)

p. 799 Next
 A Guide to Certification
What are security certifications?
Measure a candidate’s ability to identify and control security risks
to computer resources

Certified Systems
Information Security
Security Certified
Professional Practitioner
(CISSP) (SSCP)
sponsored by sponsored by
(ISC)2 (ISC)2
Security Security
Certified Certified
Network Network
Professional Architect
(SCNP) (SCNA)
sponsored by sponsored by
The Security The Security
Certified Certified
Program Program
p. 799 Next
 A Guide to Certification
What are Internet certifications?
Require technical expertise in Include Web management, Web
networking hardware and programming, and Web
configuration development certifications

Certified Cisco Certified

Internet Certified Web
Webmaster Internetwork Professional
(CIW) Expert (CWP)
sponsored by (CCIE) sponsored by
Prosoft sponsored by International
Training Cisco Webmasters
Association

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 15,
Click Web Link from
left navigation, then
click Cisco Certified Web
Professional below Chapter 15

p. 800 Next
 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 IBM Microsoft

Certified Certified Certified IT
Solutions Solutions Professional
Expert–DB2 Expert– (MCITP)
sponsored by Informix sponsored by
IBM sponsored by Microsoft
IBM

Oracle Sybase
Certified Certified
Professional Professional
(OCP) sponsored by
sponsored by Sybase
Oracle

p. 800 Next
Summary of Computer Careers and Certification

Variety of available
computer-related careers

Certification preparation,
examinations, and resources

Computer education at trade schools,

computer-related majors at colleges and
universities, job searches, career development
planning, professional organizations, and
professional growth
Specific certifications

Chapter 15 Complete