Pyramid of working in an IT

department

Management

System
development

Technical service

Operations

End-user computing

Management
- Directs the planning, research, development, evaluation, and integration of technology.
System development and programming
- Analyzes designs, develops, and implements new information technology and maintains
and improves existing systems.
Technical service
- Evaluates and integrates new technologies, administers the organization’s data resource,
and supports the centralized computer operating system or servers.
Operations
- Operates the centralized computer equipment and administers the network including both
data and voice communications.
End-user computing
- Assists end users in working with existing systems and in using software and query
languages to obtain the information necessary to perform their jobs.
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY JOBS

Management
Job Title Function Usual Education Annual Salary
Required Range
E-commerce Supervises the development and Bachelor’s degree in $ 59,000 to
administrator execution of internet or e-commerce Management Information $125,000
system; works with the company’s Technology
marketing and customer service
divisions.
Network Install configures, and maintains Bachelor’s degree in $51,000 to $70,000
administrator LANs, WANs, intranet, and Internet Computer Information
system; identifies and resolves Systems or Electrical
connectively issues Engineering Technology
Project Leader Coordinates project; performs Bachelor’s degree in $ 62,000 to $
systems analysis and programming Management Information 98,000
task Technology
Project manager Oversees all assigned projects; Bachelor’s degree in $81,000 to
allocates resources, selects team, Management Information $110,000
conducts performance appraisals Technology

System development and programming

Job Title Function Usual Education Annual Salary
Required Range
Vice president of Directs the company’s information Bachelor’s degree in $122,000 to
IT/chief information service and communications Management Information $254,000
officer(CIO) functions Technology
Application Converts the system design into the Associate’s or Bachelor’s $30,000 to $93,000
programmer appropriate computer language, degree in computer
such as Visual Basic.Net 2003, Information Systems
Java, and C++
Database analysis Uses data modeling techniques and Bachelor’s degree in $40,000 to
tools to analyze, tune, and specify computer science or $105,000
data usage within an application computer information
area systems
Software engineer Specifies, designs, implements, Bachelor’s degree in $47,000 to
tests, and documents high-quality Computer Science or $106,000
software in a variety of fields, Software Engineering
including robotics, operating
systems, animation, and application
Systems analyst Works closely with users to analyze Bachelor’s degree in $41,000 to
their requirements, designs and Computer Information $105,000
develops new information systems, System
and incorporates new technologies
Systems programmer Installs and maintains operating Bachelor’s degree in $40,000 to
system software and provides Computer Science or $106,000
technical support to the Computer Information
programming staff Systems
Technical writer Works with the analyst, Associate’s or bachelor’s $37,000 to $84,000
programmer, and user to create degree in Computer
system documentation and user Information System or in
materials English
Web developer Analyzes, designs, implements, and Bachelor’s degree in $54,000 to $82,000
supports Web applications; works Computer Information
with HTML, JavaScript, and Systems
multimedia
Web programmer Analyzes, designs, implements, and Associate’s degree in $48,000 to $84,000
supports Web-related applications Computer Information
Systems

Technical service
Job Title Function Usual Education Annual Salary
Required Range
Database Creates and maintains the data Bachelor’s degree in $61,000 to $98,000
administrator dictionary, manages security of the Computer Information
database, monitors the performance Systems
of the database, and check backup
and recovery procedures
Desktop publisher Produces documents such as Certificate $37,000 to $43,000
newsletters, brochures, and books
by combining text and graphics
Graphic Create visual impressions of Certificate $36,000 to $49,000
designer/illustrator products and advertisements in the
fields of graphics, theater, and
fashion
Network security Configures routers and firewalls; Bachelor’s degree in $55,000 to
specialist specifies Web protocols and Computer Science or $100,000
enterprise technologies Computer Information
Systems
Quality assurance Reviews programs and Bachelor’s degree in $47,000 to $73,000
specialist documentation to ensure they meet Computer Information
the organization’s standards Systems
Web administrator Oversees Web site performance; Bachelor’s degree in $83,000 to
maintains link between company’s Computer Information $143,000
Web server and internet access Systems
provider
Web graphic designer Develop graphical content using Bachelor’s degree in $48,000 to $72,000
Photoshop, Flash, and other Computer Information
multimedia tools Systems
Webmaster Maintains an organization’s Web Bachelor’s degree in $51,000 to $82,000
site; creates or helps users create Computer Information
Web pages Systems
 Operations
Job Title Function Usual Education Annual Salary
Required Range
Computer operator Performs equipment-related Associate’s degree in $26,000 to $48,000
activities such as monitoring Computer Information
performance, running jobs, backup, Systems
and restore
Data communications Evaluates, installs, and monitors Bachelor’s degree in $38,000 to $74,000
analyst data and/or voice communications Computer Information
equipment and software; maintains Systems or Electrical
connections to the Internet and Engineering Technology
other WANs

End-user computing
Job Title Function Usual Education Annual Salary
Required Range
Computer technician Install, maintains, and repair Associate’s degree in $32,000 to $63,000
hardware; installs, upgrades, and computer Information
configures software; and Systems or Engineering
troubleshoots hardware problems
Help desk specialist Solves procedural and software Associate’s degree in $35,000 to $49,000
questions in person and over the Computer Information
telephone for hardware, software, or Systems
networking

BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION

Benefit Description
Career Certification accomplishments are one of the first listings an employer notices on a
resume. Certification provides a benchmark, or a means, to measure a person’s skills. It
can set an individual apart from other potential candidates who may be vying for a
similar advancement or position. Often, a professional studies and takes training to move
into another area of the computer industry. Even for those not currently looking for a
career change, certification can serve as insurance.
Professional Certification is a personal achievement that adds credibility among peers and employers.
To identify certifies individuals, sponsors award certificates of accomplishment.
Certification also authorizes the person to use the product’s official logo or symbol on
items, such as business cards and Web pages. These emblems represent a person’s skill
and knowledge in a concise form. As an additional bonus, some certification training can
be used for college credit.
Salary Numerous salary surveys have shown that certification is one of the top factors
influencing raises. Companies often pay bonus as an incentive for certification.
 Individuals with more than one area of expertise can command even higher salaries.

BENEFICIARIES OF CERTIFICATION

Beneficiary Description
Customers Customers receive better service from employees with certification(s). They gain
confidence in a company when its IT professionals have earned a certification.
Multiple certifications show that the professional can deal with many aspects of a
problem, using several areas of expertise. As an added benefit, certification implies
motivation to expend extra effort to go beyond basic job requirements, which often
benefits the customer.
Employers An industry-sponsored study indicates that certified workers are more productive and
knowledgeable than no certified employees. Certified help desk specialists are able to
handle more support calls. Companies with certified personnel experience less
network downtime. As an added bonus, users are more satisfied with the company’s
work, and the professional employees within the company have higher morale and job
contentment. Certification is an incentive for employees to upgrade their skills
continuously.
Industry Certification is a form of industry self-regulation. It sets computer professionals’
competence standards and raises the level of expertise and knowledge in the IT
industry as a whole. This, in turn, enhances the reputation of the professionals within
the industry. As more people become certified, the industry professionals are
perceived as reliable and capable support for the computers on which society has
come to rely.