- Information Technology (IT) has become an integral part of modern life. Among its most important functions are the efficient transmission of information and the storage and analysis of information. The workers described below all help individuals and organizations share and store information through computer networks and systems, the Internet, and computer databases.
- Network architects or network engineers are the designers of computer networks.
- They set up, test, and evaluate systems such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), the Internet, intranets, and other data communications systems.
- Systems are configured in many ways and can range from a connection between two offices in the same building to globally distributed networks, voice mail, and e-mail systems of a multinational organization.
- Network architects and engineers perform network modelling, analysis, and planning, which often require both hardware and software solutions. For example, setting up a network may involve the installation of several pieces of hardware, such as routers and hubs, wireless adaptors, and cables, as well as the installation and configuration of software, such as network drivers.
- These workers may also research related products and make necessary hardware and software recommendations, as well as address information security issues.
- Network and computer systems administrators design, install, and support an organization’s computer systems.
- They are responsible for LANs, WANs, network segments, and Internet and intranet systems.
- They work in a variety of environments, including large corporations, small businesses, and government organizations.
- They install and maintain network hardware and software, analyze problems, and monitor networks to ensure their availability to users.
- These workers gather data to evaluate a system’s performance, identify user needs, and determine system and network requirements.
- Systems administrators are responsible for maintaining system efficiency. They ensure that the design of an organization’s computer system allows all of the components, including computers, the network, and software, to work properly together.
- Administrators also troubleshoot problems reported by users and by automated network monitoring systems and make recommendations for future system upgrades.
- Many of these workers are also responsible for maintaining network and system security.
- Database administrators work with database management software and determine ways to store, organize, analyze, use, and present data.
- They identify user needs and set up new computer databases.
- In many cases, database administrators must integrate data from old systems into a new system.
- They also test and coordinate modifications to the system when needed, and troubleshoot problems when they occur.
- An organization’s database administrator ensures the performance of the system, understands the platform on which the database runs, and adds new users to the system.
- Because many databases are connected to the Internet, database administrators also must plan and coordinate security measures with network administrators.
- Some database administrators may also be responsible for database design, but this task is usually performed by database designers or database analysts.
- Computer security specialists plan, coordinate, and maintain an organization’s information security.
- These workers educate users about computer security, install security software, monitor networks for security breaches, respond to cyber attacks, and, in some cases, gather data and evidence to be used in prosecuting cyber crime.
- The responsibilities of computer security specialists have increased in recent years as cyber attacks have become more sophisticated.
- Telecommunications specialists focus on the interaction between computer and communications equipment.
- These workers design voice, video, and data-communication systems, supervise the installation of the systems, and provide maintenance and other services to clients after the systems are installed.
- They also test lines, oversee equipment repair, and may compile and maintain system records.
- Web developers are responsible for the technical aspects of Web site creation.
- Using software languages and tools, they create applications for the Web.
- They identify a site’s users and oversee its production and implementation.
- They determine the information that the site will contain and how it will be organized, and may use Web development software to integrate databases and other information systems.
- Some of these workers may be responsible for the visual appearance of Web sites. Using design software, they create pages that appeal to the tastes of the site’s users.
- Webmasters or Web administrators are responsible for maintaining Web sites.
- They oversee issues such as availability to users and speed of access, and are responsible for approving the content of the site.
- Webmasters also collect and analyze data on Web activity, traffic patterns, and other metrics, as well as monitor and respond to user feedback.
- Employment of network and computer systems administrators is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Computer networks are an integral part of business, and demand for these workers will increase as firms continue to invest in new technologies.
- The increasing adoption of mobile technologies means that more establishments will use the Internet to conduct business online.
- This growth translates into a need for systems administrators who can help organizations use technology to communicate with employees, clients, and consumers.
- Growth will also be driven by the increasing need for information security. As cyber attacks become more sophisticated, demand will increase for workers with security skills.
- Employment of database administrators is expected to grow much faster than the average.
- Demand for these workers is expected to increase as organizations need to store, organize, and analyze increasing amounts of data.
- In addition, as more databases are connected to the Internet, and as data security becomes increasingly important, a growing number of these workers will be needed to protect databases from attack.
- Employment of network systems and data communications analysts is expected to increase much faster than the average and among the fastest growing of all occupations.
- This occupational category includes network architects and engineers, as well as Web administrators and developers.
- Demand for network architects and engineers will increase as organizations continue to upgrade their IT capacity and incorporate the newest technologies.
- The growing reliance on wireless networks will result in a need for many more of these workers.
- Workers with knowledge of information security also will be in demand, as computer networks transmit an increasing amount of sensitive data.
- Demand for Web administrators and Web developers will also be strong.
- More of these workers will be needed to accommodate the increasing amount of data sent over the Internet, as well as the growing number of Internet users.
- In addition, as the number of services provided over the Internet expands, Web administrators and developers will continue to see employment increases.
- Growth in computer network, systems, and database administrators will be rapid in the computer systems design, data processing and hosting, software publishing, and technical consulting industries, as these types of establishments utilize or provide an increasing array of IT services.
- Growth will also be rapid in healthcare, as these organizations look to increase their efficiency and improve patient care through the use of information systems and other technology.
Other occupations that work with information technology include Computer and information systems managers, Computer scientists, Computer software engineers and computer programmers, Computer support specialists and Computer systems analysts.
- BS in Computer Science
- BS in Management Information Systems (MIS)
- BS in Computer and Communication Engineer (CCE)
- MBA with a concentration in Information Systems is a plus
This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.