IT and Computer Science School Questions

What are the most important skills for IT majors and professionals?

Majoring in information technology and related subjects provides essential technical knowledge that graduates need for career success. Achievement in the IT field depends on a very hands-on skill set. Graduates who utilize the analytical knowledge they’ve acquired through reading and lectures, as well as the practical side to their IT education will find themselves most able to make a smooth transition from graduate to professional.

Problem Detection and Problem-Solving

IT majors and professionals must be able to think logically and analytically. Rational reasoning is key in this often complex field. If a graduate is not able to detect a problem in a computer network, software application, or database before it affects the entire system, there could be dire consequences for the entire company. People in this field need to be able to deal with high pressure situations.

Decision Making

Being able to make decisions quickly is often an important skill for certified IT professionals. For instance, in a situation where the network is experiencing problems, an IT professional is responsible for quickly coming up with a solution that results in the shortest downtime, affects the least number of fellow employees and fixes the issue with no side effects.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are important for IT majors and professionals because they will often have to interact with fellow employees that do not possess the same knowledge of the technical world. Explaining complicated technological jargon to people who have no training in the field can be both frustrating and difficult. Therefore, IT professionals must be patient and creative in how they use their words.

Interpersonal Skills

Many IT professionals work either with customers and clients, or with employees at specific company. They might, for example, be involved in helping clients troubleshoot their computer network, or in training employees to use new computer systems. Being able to work effectively with all types of people is an important skill for many IT professionals.

What are the top five information technology school programs?

The most recent figures from the National Center for Education Statistics show that training in information technology, computer science, and related areas, are still highly popular four year degrees in America. Of the 1,439,264 Bachelor degrees awarded in 2004-2005, 54,111 were awarded to candidates who majored in computer science and information technology subjects. Around 3.8% of four year degrees are awarded to candidates in these subjects, with the five most popular in the following majors:

Computer Science (11,281): A bachelor degree in computer science is a good general training that prepares graduates for careers in a range of fields, including systems analysis, database administration, and software and hardware development and programming. However, as technology becomes more specialized, it is possible that accredited computer science training may wane in popularity in favor of more specialized degrees.

Information Science (6,900): Accredited information science training focuses on studying computer based information systems and computer oriented troubleshooting and problem solving techniques, including studying specific programming languages, database design, and different types of information systems. Certified information science graduates can apply their knowledge and skills in a wide range of commercial and industrial settings.

Information Technology (6,051): Accredited information technology training focuses on the design and development of information systems, including computer databases, computer systems and networks, and communications networks. Most information technologists focus on the needs of businesses and organizations that require increasingly specialized technology to store, organize and manipulate data and information.

Computer Systems Networking/Telecommunications (3,234): Computer systems networking/telecommunications training prepares graduates for careers that involve designing, installing, and maintaining computer and telecommunications network devices.

Computer Systems Analysis (2,273): Students of accredited computer systems analysis programs learn about the structure of computer systems and how computer systems can be customized to meet the needs of different types of users. This computer systems certification program involves not only technological aspects of computer systems, but also learning about the needs of user groups.

Can computer certifications help me advance my career?

Whether or not computer certification can advance your career depends on what your career objectives are and what kind of experience you already have with computer technology. If, for instance, you have twenty years of C++ programming experience under your belt, it is probably not worth getting a C++ certification. Your experience clearly speaks for itself. If, on the other hand, you feel that your lack of computer skills are holding you back from a possible promotion, developing a greater skill set through online classes may be an excellent career move. In the end, earning a computer certification teaches you useful technical skills and demonstrates to potential employers that you are capable enough to meet the certificate standards. It will not hurt your chances.

There are many different types of computer certificates. Some of the most basic certificates include typing and Microsoft Office. This type of computer training is good for workers without knowledge of these systems, but it is probably not necessary to obtain certification if you are already a quick typist or know how to use basic Microsoft products. Rarely do employees ask for proof of your proficiency on these programs in this day and age.

C++ and Java certification can be very useful for obtaining programming jobs if you do not have a computer science degree or years of programming experience. Many companies offer recognized certifications in the software they develop. Sun Microsystems, the makers of Java, offer an online Java training course and Java certification program. Oracle and Cisco Systems both offer widely recognized training programs for their products. If you want a job as a server administrator, database administrator certifications are certainly worth taking a look into.

I like computers, but how do I know which computer degree I should pursue?

One of the best ways to decide what type of degree to pursue is to take classes in a variety of computer-related subjects and pick the one you like the most. Even if it takes a little longer to graduate, it is much more important that you graduate with a degree you want than it is to finish quickly.

If, on the other hand, you simply do not have the money for extra classes (completely understandable), think about what it is you enjoy. Do you get excited making your own website? Perhaps you should pursue an accredited web development training program. Are you up all night disassembling and reassembling your old computer? You might want to consider an accredited computer engineering program. Do you stay in Friday night to debug your practice C++ program? Computer science training programs will give you the opportunity to debug as much as you like. Have you always liked Microsoft Paint? You might want to check out an accredited graphic design school. Discovering exactly where your passions lie will help you to decide what type of computer degree to pursue.

Another thing you can do is talk with friends and acquaintances who work with computers every day. Ask them about their degree and educational experience. What do they actually do on a day-to-day basis? What skills do they find useful for the job? These kinds of questions can help separate fact from fantasy when it comes to envisioning what one does after computer school. For example, computer game programmers do not just sit around playing computer games all day. They program. No matter how much you like playing games, you need to enjoy programming in general to enjoy programming games.

How can I keep my full-time job and pursue further IT training?

If you have pursued a career in IT without an extensive college education, you may feel that not having a bachelor or graduate degree is holding you back when it comes to staying competitive in your chosen career path. Senior-level positions often require an advanced IT qualification and salaries for well-qualified individuals tend to be much higher.

Many people start IT careers after only going to school for an information technology associate in a field like database administration or tech support, but find that opportunities for advancement are limited once they hit a certain level along their chosen career path. If you are in this situation, you have a couple of options for further tech education that you can complete while working in a full-time position.

The first option is, of course, to complete a bachelor degree part-time while you remain in full-time work. This is the solution that most people think of first. However, many people find that apart from obtaining a degree certificate to prove their level of knowledge, they do not get much out of a bachelor degree once they have several years worth of work experience. Another problem with even a part-time Bachelor degree is the necessity of finding time to study while working, often a seemingly impossible task.

An excellent alternative to a bachelor degree that provides solutions to both of these problems is certification with one or more professional certification agencies, such as Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft, or Oracle. These provide specialized qualifications in database administration, network administration, and other fields. Another advantage of these technical certifications is that they tend to offer a candidate a much more flexible schedule, and are therefore easier to complete while continuing your full-time employment. For example, a candidate in these types of certification programs does not need to complete his tests and assignments on a certain time line. He has the freedom of choosing when he feels he is prepared enough to take the test. This results in a significant decrease in stress.

Do I need different training for hardware development, software development, and IT department work?

As technology becomes increasingly more specialized, it becomes more important for people to choose the right degree for the career path they are interested in. The academic program you choose for a career in hardware development is different from the one you would choose for software development, and different again from the training you need to work in a company IT department.

If you are interested in hardware development, you should consider obtaining a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. This degree structure will teach you everything you need to know about the development and design of electrical and electronic products, including computer hardware systems and other electronic items. A master’s degree is necessary if you are interested in getting into the research and development side of hardware.

On the other hand, if you’re more interested in software development, going to school for computer science is a good start. Currently, most software developers have this degree, although an increasing number of people are entering the field with a degree in software engineering, a relatively new and more highly specialized training program.

Working in an IT department requires a very different knowledge base and skill set from the above two career paths. IT professionals often start by going to school for information technology, information systems, or database administration, depending on the individual’s intended career path. IT workers can also choose to enter the field with an associate degree rather than a bachelor, and gain work experience and further education and credentials via certification programs such as those offered by Cisco, CompTIA, and Oracle.

Do I need different training for software development, start-up, and IT department work?

If you are interested in software development you should consider obtaining a Bachelor or Master of Science in Software Engineering. This degree will teach you everything you need to know about the development and design of software. A Master’s degree is not an absolute requirement, but may be useful if you are interested in managerial or supervisory careers. Alternatively, a more general accredited computer science degree could also be very useful. Currently most software developers have computer science degrees, but an increasing number of people are entering the field with software engineering degrees.

Working in an IT department, on the other hand, involves a very different knowledge base and skill set. IT professionals, for instance, might start by attending an accredited information systems, information technology, or database administration training program. As an IT professional you can also choose to enter the field with an associate degree and gain work experience and credentials by completing IT certification programs such as those offered by CompTIA, Cisco, and Oracle.

If you plan on getting involved in a start-up company focusing on new technology an entirely new path of education may be necessary. In this situation, your training might focus on either technology or business, depending on the role you plan for yourself in the new company. If you are planning on being involved in developing new hardware and technology, for example, your best option is a degree in electrical engineering. Conversely, if you are involved in the business side of the venture rather than product development, a bachelor degree in entrepreneurship or business administration might serve you better. In general, choose the school program that best suits the role you will have in your new start-up venture.

Are computer security careers predicted to increase in the future?

Yes - according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Bureau estimates that employment for computer support specialists and systems administrators, the people who are in charge of computer security, will increase by 18 percent between 2006 and 2016.

As businesses and governments rely more and more on computers and the Internet to conduct daily dealings they become vulnerable to hackers and other computer criminals. Even run of the mill businesses and government offices keep sensitive information on their computers, such as credit card information and social security numbers. As a result, groups are investing more and more in cyber security to shield their computer networks and electronic infrastructures from potentially crippling attacks. Certified systems administrators who specialize in security will easily find employment as well as plenty of opportunity for freelance work with companies that cannot afford to hire someone full-time.

Is getting a Microsoft certification a path to an IT Career?

Although certification is not necessarily required for most computer and information systems manager positions, there is a wide variety of certifications available that may be helpful in getting a job. These certifications are often product-specific and are generally administered by software or hardware companies rather than independent organizations.

The way Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) stand apart from other IT personnel is their expertise with Microsoft products and platforms in general. The MCP program offers multiple certifications, based on different areas of technical expertise. To attain these certifications, a candidate must pass a series of exams within the program.

Some employers require or prefer certain MCP certifications for specific jobs that involve Microsoft products and technologies. However, other vendors have their own certification programs such as the Sun Certified Professional program, the Red Hat Certification program and the Apple Certification Program. Therefore, while a Microsoft certification is the most common and the most popular, it is important to ensure that it would be the best suitable program for your industry and company.

I am interested in an IT management position. What degree should I consider?

Computer and information system managers are generally experienced workers who have both technical expertise and an understanding of business and management principles. A strong educational background and experience in a variety of technical fields is needed.

A bachelor degree is usually required for management positions. However, most of the time employers prefer a graduate degree, especially an MBA with technology as a core component. This degree differs from a traditional MBA in that there is a heavy emphasis on information technology in addition to the standard business curriculum.

Some universities offer management information system training programs. These IT management training programs blend technical subjects with business, accounting, and communications courses. A few computer and information system managers attain their positions with only an associate or trade school degree, but they must have sufficient experience and must have acquired additional skills on the job. To aid their professional advancement, many managers with an associate degree eventually earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree while working.