As the lecturer speaks in front of the class, I am starting on the task given. Information technology is a vast and everchanging field. It never stops changing, it never stops evolving. Thus, there are many careers involved in this field.
The first career I would like to write about is the Webmaster. According to TechTerms.com, a webmaster is a person who is in charge of maintaining a Web site. Tasks included in this job is writing HTML for Web pages, organizing the Web site's structure and format, responding to e-mails regarding the Web site, and keeping the site up-to-date. However, the tasks could vary between companies. In a smaller company, a Webmaster typically does all the jobs whereas in a bigger company, a Webmaster is usually a person with either a writing and/or graphics design background who has acquired Web site creation skills or a more technical person with ideal programming skills.
The second career that I would like to touch on is the Computer Support Specialist. Based on the definition supplied by StateUniversity.com, a Computer Support Specialist is a person who helps people with computer problems. Helping people fix the problems is the base of the job. However, there are several differences. Some specialists are help-desks technicians, others are technical support which supply support services to people in the information processing department of a company, and at the same time, there are some who specialize in setting up our computer systems when delivered to our homes. All computer support positions require strong analytical thinking and problem- solving abilities. Support specialists must write technical reports about the problems they encounter. This shows just how arduous the job can be.
The third career is the Technical Writer. The Technical Writer is the person responsible for writing hardware and software documentation, online help, technical definitions and technical product descriptions on Web sites. Quite frequently, the technical writer is given the task of documenting an application at the last minute, allowing very little time for a thorough understanding of all the options, let alone time for others to read and edit the material before it is published. Although technical writing is a skill that takes years to learn, and while some companies do appreciate it, most do not. Technical writers are regularly given less attention than other professionals in the field. In many enterprises, technical writing is considered a necessary evil. Thus, almost all of the documentation we read could be better, and much of it is downright illegible. It is not a wonder that most people including other Technical Writers avoid reading manuals.
The next career is the Software Engineer. According to PCMag.com, a Software Engineer is a person who designs and programs system-level softwares, such as OS, DBMS and embedded systems. The title is often used for programmers in the software field who create commercial software packages, whether they be system level or application level. A Software Engineer is often mistaken as a programmer but in reality, the differences is irrefutably vast.
While a programmer creates the codes that make a program run, a Software Engineer creates the designs the programmer implements. According to the U.S. law, no person may use the title "engineer" (of any type) unless the person holds a professional engineering license from a state licensing board and are in good standing. A software engineer is also held accountable to a specific code of ethics.
The fifth career that I have to write about is the Programmer. A programmer is a person who writes the step-by-step instructions that direct computers to process information. These instructions, or in other words, programs, tell the computer what to do in a series of coherent steps. A majority of programmers are involved in applications programming. They work on specific tasks that have a direct application, such as designing accounting procedures among others. There are two main types of programmers which are the application programmer and the system programmer. Both have individual tasks and different roles to play in the programming community.
The following career is the Network Administrator. According to StateUniversity.com, a network administrator oversees computer networks to ensure that they function smoothly. A network consists of a combination of computers that communicate with each other or a central computer known as a server, on which computer files, programs, and other information are stored. A network may be as small as two or three computers or as large as the Internet which is the world's largest computer network. A network administrator differs from network techinician and engineer in the sense that, a network administrator usually configures and maintains an existing network. One task of a network administrator is creating a firewall which is a set of security measures created with the sole purposes of preventing others from gaining uncertified access to the system. Another task is to monitor the network to see who is using it and how are they using it. As usual, the responsibility of this job varies on the size of the organisation as a larger company includes a larger responsibility.
Next, is the Database Administrator. According to Prospects.com, a database administrator is in charge for the performance, reliability and security of a database. A database administrator's subsequent role requirements are likely to include planning, development and troubleshooting. The work of a database administrator differs according to the nature of the employing organisation and the level of responsibility related with the post. The work may be pure maintenance or it may also involve specialising in database development. Typical responsibilities are establishing the needs of users and monitoring user access and security, controlling access permissions and privileges and communicating regularly with technical, applications and operational staff to ensure database integrity and security.
And finally, is the System Analyst. According to TechTerms.com, a system analyst is the person who selects and configures computer systems for an organization or business. His or her job typically begins with determining the intended purpose of the computers. Thus, the analyst must understand the general objectives of the business, as well as what each individual user's job requires. Once the system analyst has determined the general and specific needs of the business, he can choose appropriate systems that will help accomplish the goals of the business.
