Computer Science
Rapidly changing technology and the ever faster spread of that technology fuel the need for computer scientists, programmers, analysts, wizards, and gurus. Hardware and software development, the incorportaion of innovations into existing systems, training needs, and general maintenance will keep this field at the top of the growth charts for the foreseeable future.
Representative Job Titles and Areas of Specialization
| Applications Programmer | Microprogrammer/Analyst | | Artificial Intelligence | Networking | | CAD/CAM | Operations Research Specialist | | Commercial Programmer Analyst | Professor/Lecturer/Instructor | | Computer Graphics Specialist | Scientific Programmer | | Computer Sales Or Marketing Person | Software Engineer | | Data Base Manager | Systems Analyst | | Data Processing Consultant | Systems Development | | Multi-Media Specialist | Systems Engineer | | Equipment Analyst | Systems Manager | | Hardware Research And Development | Systems Programmer | | Management Information Systems | Technical Services | | Marketing Support Specialist | Telecommunications Programmer/Analyst | | PC Support Specialist | Games Developer | | Information Technology | Network Administrator | | Internet Consultant | Web Designer/Developer | | Webmaster | Animation Specialist | | Customer/Technical Support | Computational Linguist | | Quality Assurance | Software Test Engineer | | Technology Analyst | Systems Architect |
Nature of the Work
The work of computer professionals varies dramatically across the broad spectrum of job categories. Programmers perform detailed program design, coding, testing, debugging, documentation and implementation of commercial, scientific or engineering computer applications.
Systems programmers create and/or maintain operating systems, monitors, data base packages, compilers, assemblers and utility programs.
Data base specialists design and control the use of an organization's data resources. They analyze the relationships of data usage and define data structures and data sets. They may use data base management systems and data dictionary software packages.
Telecommunications programmers and analysts develop data communications software. They evaluate hardware and software, modify vendor software and act as technical advisors to applications programmers.
Technical services managers and information systems directors supervise the technical staff responsible for operating software, telecommunications and data base systems and devote their energies to overall management of information systems and data processing efforts.
Jobs involving marketing, training and consulting combine people and communications skills with technical knowledge of computers.
Places of Employment
| Manufacturing firms | Aerospace industry | | Software houses | Health care facilities | | Banks | Large retail establishments | | Insurance companies | Non-profit research institutes and | | Colleges, universities | independent laboratories | | Government agencies | Consulting firms | | Engineering firms | School districts | | Libraries | Communications firms | | Accounting firms | Utilities | | Computer systems design companies | Computer manufacturers | | Internet service providers | Entertainment industry | | Game developers | eCommerce firms | | Dot coms | Broadcasting industry | | Telecommunications |
Training
There are no universal training requirements for computing specialists because employer's needs vary. Many, for example, are college graduates; others have taken computer courses to supplement their experience in fields such as accounting, inventory control, or other business areas. For scientific or engineering applications a degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or the physical sciences is necessary.
In hiring computer specialists, employers look for people who can think logically and are capable of exacting analytical work. The ability to work with abstract concepts and do technical analysis is especially important for systems programmers because they work with the software that controls the computer's operation. The job calls for patience, persistence and the ability to work with extreme accuracy. Ingenuity and imagination are particularly important when computing specialists must find new ways to solve a problem.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the Career Center, Veitch Student Center, Northwest Wing, University of California, Riverside, 951.827.3631.
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