Job Information

Computer Related Career & Job Information

1. Job titles can be misleading – Look at actual job descriptions and duties rather than just job titles. When using job search engines, enter keywords to match against the full content of the job postings. National-level job categories and titles may not match well with local-level definitions. However, an exception to this is the definition of some IT support job titles. The definition of duties for "System Administrator," "Network Administrator," and "Database Administrator" are generally consistent across the country and across employers.
    
2. A good place to get experience in cybersecurity may be a "system administrator" or "network administrator" job that includes a significant percentage of time devoted to security tasks. Look carefully at the individual duties in these types of job postings. Jobs that have the word "security" in the job title usually require several years of experience with specific security technologies and may also require a professional certification.
    
3. Computer jobs that use the term "architect" in the job title require a significantly higher level of experience and responsibility. These employees must have the experience to understand the "big picture" as well as all of the small technical details.
    
4. Many software-related positions may not make a distinction between Web and non-Web development. For example, a job listed simply as "Java Programmer" may actually require the use of just as many Web technologies as a job with the title "Web Programmer."
    
5. It is important to understand "client-server" computing when looking at Web software job information. Some Web jobs focus on presentation content, formatting, and various aspects of the human-computer interface. Other jobs focus on the development of software that will execute on either the client device (e.g., phone, tablet, and laptop) or on a server (i.e., a computer shared by many users connected to it via communication networks). The term "back-end" development is sometimes used to refer to software that executes on a server and processes incoming requests from client devices. The term "front-end" may refer to content presentation and formatting, programming that executes only on the client device, or both. Jobs that use the term "full-stack" refer to content and programming tasks on the client as well as programming on server devices. In any case, jobs that require programming for request processing (not just presentation and formatting) will generally require more skills but pay higher salaries.
    
6. There is a difference between "programmer" and "software engineer." According to the common definition, a programmer is usually considered to be someone who simply writes and tests code when given a set of designs and test criteria. A software engineer should be well versed in all stages of the life cycle of software and in the formal engineering methods and standards associated with those stages. However, many employers blur the lines between these two titles and may expect a "programmer" to have all of the formal engineering skills as well.
    
7. A good systems analyst is a true "hybrid" employee who can bridge the gap between the business world and the technology world. Any systems analyst must have knowledge of how business works in a particular industry (e.g., financial, health care, manufacturing, retail, etc.) as well as knowledge of information technology. However, the analyst only needs to know "what" technology is available and "how" it could be used effectively to support business processes. They do not need to know how to build the tools - just how to use them. To prepare for careers as analysts, students should devote equal time and effort to both business and computer technology education.
    
8. Contact your OCC CIS professor if you need help navigating through computer career and job information. Matching skills with employer needs and expectations in the IT industry can be a difficult task. Please feel free to ask your professor for assistance.