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Careers in Computing
|
| Title: |
Careers in Computing |
| Authors: |
George Milbrandt & Chris Stephenson |
| ISBN: |
0-921598-37-8 |
| Publisher: |
Holt Software Associates Inc. |
| Binding: |
Softcover |
| Pages: |
173 pgs |
| Price: |
Bookstores & Schools: $18.22 Retail: $22.80 |
| Ordering Information: |
For bookstores and schools, click here for
ordering information.
For individuals click
here for ordering information. |
This book helps students assess their potential for various careers in
computing areas such as:
- software,
- hardware,
- networking, and
- computing support services
and prepare an educational pathway to their desired profession. It also
provides information about computer use in careers such as accounting,
architecture, engineering, health care, law, library services, management
and education.
Each chapter of the book includes interviews with people working in
computing related jobs to give students a better idea of not just what
people do with computers, but what they enjoy and dislike about their
profession, and their recommendations for students interested in
pursuing similar careers. The text also contains suggested activities
and additional resources such as web sites for colleges and universities,
job searches and professional associations.
Sample Chapter (Computing Careers: Networks)
A sample chapter is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. If you have
Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, then click on the link below. If you do
not have Acrobat Reader, then you can obtain it free of charge by clicking
the Get Acrobat Reader icon.
Sample Chapter in PDF Format
"Educators, parents, employers, and guidance counselors need
to impart a more complex, realistic view of jobs that rely
heavily or centrally on computer technology. Many of these
jobs emphasize communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Additionally, all students need to learn more about how computer
technology is going to transform non-technical occupations."
Commission on Technology, Gender, and Teacher Education. (2000).
American Association of University Women Educational Foundation, Washington DC.
Careers in Computing is intended to be used in secondary schools, colleges,
and universities as a resource for students, guidance counselors, and teachers.
It may also provide parents with valuable information concerning computer career
opportunities and their educational requirements.
No previous knowledge of computing is needed.
Overview
This book covers a wide range of computer and computer-related
careers. The chapter titles indicate the arrangement of materials.
- The World of Computing
- Assessing Your Potential for the Computer Field
- Computing Careers: Software
- Computing Careers: Hardware
- Computing Careers: Networks
- Computing Careers: Support Services
- Career Paths in Computing
- Computers in Other Professions
- Teaching About Computers
- Preparing for a Career in Computing
In order to provide a more realistic, people-oriented approach to the complex issues surrounding career options and choices, each chapter (with the exception of Chapters 7 and 10) includes an interview with at least one person currently working in the computing field. These interviews have been structured to provide a better idea of both the benefits and challenges of working as a computer professional. Activities are also provided at the end of each chapter to help the reader focus on their interests and abilities, and plan their careers.
Here is a brief summary of the contents of each of the chapters.
Chapter 1 provides an overview of career opportunities in the computer field. It includes a discussion of the growing use of computers for both workplace and leisure activities, and the social impact of these technological changes. It also discusses the different kinds of computers and provides a brief history of the silicon chip.
Chapter 2 outlines the interests and abilities required for a career in the computer field. It identifies a number of workplace skills and their importance to employers.
Chapter 3 provides an overview of the opportunities in the computer field. It then focuses on key areas such as programming and systems. A number of potential software-related careers are identified along with their skill and educational requirements.
Chapter 4 examines hardware-related career areas such as hardware specialist, computer engineer, and equipment service, and discusses their skill and educational requirements.
Chapter 5 looks at the burgeoning field of communications system technology and computer networking, and careers in e-commerce, network design, analysis, and administration.
Chapter 6 introduces a wide range of career opportunities in support services. Careers discussed include: computer-assisted design, consulting, graphics and animation, operations, database administration, desktop publishing, management, sales, technical support, technical writing, webpage design and maintenance, and word processing.
Chapter 7 provides a discussion of career paths in computing. It provides direction on how to examine career goals, personal abilities and educational requirements in order to attain desired career results.
Chapter 8 looks at the ways in which computers are used in a variety of other professions, including: accounting, architecture, engineering, health care, law, and mathematics.
Chapter 9 is intended for people interested in a teaching career in the computing area. It examines career options in secondary schools, colleges, universities, and private business colleges and technical schools.
Chapter 10 examines the role of the computer professional and potential avenues to prepare for a career in the computer field. It details the present curricula in Ontario secondary schools, colleges, universities, business, and technical schools. It also examines ways in which the continuing advancement of computer technology may impact future computer career opportunities.
Appendix A summarizes the educational and experience requirements for all of the computer careers included in this book. It also provides a section and page reference for students with questions about specific careers.
Appendix B provides a list of Canadian College and University websites.
Appendix C provides a selection of on-line Canadian job search sites.
Appendix D provides a list of professional associations that may provide a wide range of information relating to careers, professional standards, resources and so on.
Flexibility
Careers in Computing has been organized to provide a conceptually coherent introduction to the field of computing and the broad range of careers it encompasses. One of the challenges with the computing field is that job titles often vary widely from one publication to another. For that reason we have tried to provide sufficient contextual information for each designation to allow the reader to generalize.
The reader may wish to read this text sequentially or to randomly pursue information on specific careers. In order to gain a more fully-realized view of the field of computing, however, readers are encouraged to look beyond specific job titles and descriptions. This broader view of the field is especially important since a computing professional requires a high degree of career flexibility for long-term success.
Table of Contents of Careers in Computing
Preface v
Overview v
Flexibility viii
Comments viii
Acknowledgments ix
Chapter 1 - The World of Computing 1
1.1 A World of Opportunities 2
1.2 The Growing Use of Computers 3
Computer Use in Society 3
Computers in the Home 5
Computer Classification 6
The Silicon Chip 7
Computer Flexibility 8
1.3 Summary 8
1.4 Interview 9
1.5 Activities 15
Chapter 2 - Assessing Your Potential for the Computer Field 17
2.1 Career Interests, Abilities, and Planning 18
Open to Change 18
Ability to Communicate 19
Work-Time Flexibility 19
Comfort with Detail Work 20
Well Organized 20
Self-Starter 21
Education 21
2.2 What Employers Want 23
2.3 Summary 24
2.4 Interview 26
2.5 Activities 30
Chapter 3 - Computing Careers: Software 33
3.1 Career Opportunities in Computing 34
Shortage of Skilled Computer People 35
Career Areas 35
3.2 Programmers 36
Applications Programmer 37
Business Programmer vs. Scientific Programmer 40
Systems Software Programmer 41
Programming Teams 43
Maintenance Programmer 43
3.3 Systems Specialists 45
Systems Analyst 45
Programmer Analyst 49
3.4 Interview 50
3.5 Activities 52
Chapter 4 - Computing Careers: Hardware 55
4.1 Computer Hardware 56
4.2 Hardware Specialist 56
4.3 Computer Engineer 57
4.4 Equipment Service 58
4.5 Interview 60
4.6 Activities 65
Chapter 5 - Computing Careers: Networks 69
5.1 Communications System Technology 70
5.2 E-commerce and E-business Specialists 72
E-Commerce 72
E-Business 74
5.3 Network Designer 75
5.4 Network Analyst/Administrator 77
5.5 Interview 80
5.6 Activities 82
Chapter 6 - Computing Careers: Support Services 85
6.1 Computer Support Services 87
6.2 Computer-Assisted Design 88
6.3 Computer Consultant 89
6.4 Computer Graphics and Animation 89
6.5 Computer Operations 91
Computer Operator 91
Peripheral Equipment Operator 93
Data Entry Person 93
Data Control Person 94
Computer Librarian 95
6.6 Database Administration 96
Database Administrator 97
6.7 Desktop Publishing 100
6.8 Computing Management 102
6.9 Computer Sales 103
6.10 Technical Support 106
Customer Support 106
Help Desk 108
6.11 Technical Writing 109
6.12 Website Design, Programming, and Administration 111
6.13 Summary 112
6.14 Interviews 113
6.15 Activities 119
Chapter 7 - Career Paths in Computing 121
7.1 Multiple Paths to Computing Careers 122
7.2 Summary 123
7.3 Activities 124
Chapter 8 - Computers in Other Professions 125
8.1 Almost Every Job Requires Computers 127
8.2 Accounting 128
8.3 Actuary 129
8.4 Architecture 130
8.5 Auditing 131
8.6 Engineering 133
8.7 Farming 134
8.8 Geography 135
8.9 Health Care 136
8.10 Law 139
8.11 Library Services 141
8.12 Management 142
8.13 Mathematics 144
8.14 Summary 145
8.15 Interviews 146
8.16 Activities 153
Chapter 9 - Teaching About Computers 155
9.1 Computers in Schools 156
9.2 Secondary Schools 156
9.3 Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology 157
9.4 Universities 158
9.5 Business and Industry 159
9.6 Private Business Colleges and Technical Schools 160
9.7 Interviews 160
9.8 Activities 170
Chapter 10 - Preparing for a Career in Computing 171
10.1 The Computer Professional 172
10.2 Educational Preparation 173
Secondary School 173
College of Applied Arts and Technology 174
University 176
University versus Community College Education 177
Private Business College and Technical School 178
10.3 Looking to the Future 179
10.4 Summary 181
10.5 Activities 182
Appendices 185
Appendix A: Education and Experience Guide 186
Appendix B: Canadian College and University Websites 192
Appendix C: Canadian Job Search Websites 194
Appendix D: Professional Associations and Other Sources 196
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