This document discusses careers in the computer industry, including certifications, benefits of certification, professional organizations, and various job opportunities. It describes the major fields within the computer industry as general business/government IT departments, computer equipment, computer software, and computer services/repair. Each field offers jobs requiring degrees in computer science and vendor certifications. Certifications provide benefits like higher salaries, credibility, and being noticed on resumes. Professional organizations allow networking and sharing knowledge.

1. Careers in the
Computer Industry
Chloe Foster
NET 101
November 6, 2013

2. THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY
With billions of dollars in annual revenue, the
computer industry is one of the larger
worldwide industries. This industry has
created thousands of high-tech jobs, even in
companies whose primary business is not
computer related. Job opportunities in the
computer industry generally are available in
one or more of these areas:
• General business and government
organizations and their IT departments
• Computer equipment field
• Computer software field
• Computer service and repair field
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 786)

3. CERTIFICATIONS
Certification is the process of verifying the technical
knowledge of an individual who has demonstrated
competence in a particular area. Companies often
require certification to ensure quality and workmanship
standards and to confirm their workforce remains up to
date with
respect to computers and technology.
Computing professionals typically obtain a certification
by taking and passing an examination. Preparation for a
certification exam requires experience or special classes,
many of which are offered by trade schools, community
colleges, and adult education centers. After certification
requirements are met, proficiency in an area is
acknowledged with a certificate.
Many vendors, such as Microsoft and Cisco, offer
technical certification programs for their Products in
areas such as network administration, hardware repair,
security.
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 800-801)

4. CERTIFICATION BENEFITS
Career: A certification is one of the first
accomplishments an employer notices on a
resume. It provides a benchmark, or a means, to
measure a person’s skills. It can set an individual
apart from other potential candidates who may
be vying for a similar advancement or position.
Professional: Certification is a personal
achievement that adds credibility among peers
and employers. Certification also authorizes
the certificate holder to use the product’s
official logo or symbol on personal items,
such as business cards and Web pages. As an
additional bonus, some certification training
can be used for college credit. Although
nothing guarantees job security, certification
helps give the IT professional an edge over
employees without certification.
Salary: Numerous salary surveys show that
certification helps influence pay increases.
Individuals with more than one area of certification
can command even higher salaries.
Companies often pay
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 800-801)

5. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Professional Organizations and Personal
Networks Computer professionals with common
interests and a desire to extend their proficiency
form computer-related professional organizations to
share their knowledge. Two organizations that are
influential in the computer industry
are the Association for Computing Machinery
and the Association of Information Technology
Professionals.
Attending professional meetings as a guest or
student member provides an excellent opportunity
for students to learn about the IT industry and to
meet and talk with professionals in the field. Often,
student chapters of professional organizations exist
on college campuses. The student chapters provide
students with the opportunity to develop leadership
skills and to become acquainted with professionals
who speak at their chapter meetings.
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 797)

6. General Business & Government IT Departments
Businesses and government
organizations of all sizes use
computers. Without computers, very
few organizations could operate in
today’s economy. Employees of all
types, from office workers to shop
foremen, use business software such
as word processing to prepare basic
documents.
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 786)

7. SELECTED IT DEPARTMENT JOBS
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 787)
Management
directs the planning, research,
development, evaluation, and
integration of technology.
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or
Master’s in Computer Science
or Similar Degree Field and
Vendor Certifications
Technical Services
evaluates/integrates new
technologies, administers
organization’s data resources,
and supports the centralized
computer operating system
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or
Master’s in Computer Science or
Similar Degree Field and Vendor
Certifications
Training
teaches employees how to use
components of the information
system or answers user questions.
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or Master’s
in Computer Science or Similar
Degree Field and Vendor
Certifications
Security
develops and enforces policies that
are designed to safeguard an
organization’s data and information
from unauthorized users.
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or
Master’s in Computer Science or
Similar Degree Field and Vendor
Certifications

8. Computer Equipment Field
The computer equipment field consists of
manufacturers and distributors of
computers and computer-related hardware
such as magnetic and optical drives,
monitors, printers, and communications
and networking devices. In addition to the
companies that make end-user equipment,
thousands of companies manufacture
components used inside a computer such
as chips, motherboards, cables, and power
supplies.
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 790)

9. SELECTED COMPUTER EQUIPMENT JOBS
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 787)
Assembly
Creates items for computers
such as motherboards and
other hardware.
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or
Master’s in Computer Science
or Similar Degree Field and
Vendor Certifications
Packaging
Gathers assembled materials for
shipping to customers and stores
Required Credentials
High School, Associates,
Bachelors, or Master’s in
Computer Science or Similar
Degree Field and Vendor
Certifications
Distribution
Ensures that ordered products are
delivered to the desired location.
Required Credentials
High School, licenses, other
pertinent experiences, and
Vendor Certifications
IT Department
Oversees any technical issues with
the computers used to manufacture
and distribute equipment.
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or Master’s in
Computer Science or Similar
Degree Field and Vendor
Certifications

10. Computer Software Field
The computer software field consists
of companies that develop,
manufacture, and support a wide
range of software. Some software
companies specialize in a particular
type of software such as business
software or utility programs. Other
software companies, especially
larger firms such as Microsoft,
produce and sell many types of
software.
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, pp. 790)

11. SELECTED COMPUTER SOFTWARE JOBS
(Shelly & Vermaat, 2005, pp. 790)
Project Manager
directs and oversees the
planning, research, and
development of new software
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or
Master’s in Computer Science
or Similar Degree Field and
Vendor Certifications
Programmer
writes and tests computer
Programs by themselves or with
a team of programmers.
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or
Master’s in Computer Science or
Similar Degree Field and Vendor
Certifications
Technical Lead
guides the design, development,
and maintenance tasks
and serve as interface between
programmer/ developer and
management.
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or Master’s
in Computer Science or Similar
Degree Field and Vendor
Certifications
Computer Scientist
Invents and develops
innovative solutions to complex
software requirements or problems.
Required Credentials
Associates, Bachelors, or Master’s in
Computer Science or Similar
Degree Field and Vendor
Certifications

12. REFERENCES
Shelly, G. & Vermaat, E. (2011). Discovering Computers 2011: Living in a Digital World.
Boston, Massachusetts: Course Technology