Military Personnel

FYI: Computer Information Systems Careers

Are you thinking about a career in Computers and Information Systems? According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor's listing of Tomorrow's Jobs, computer careers rank prominently among the fastest growing occupations. Read through our background info on some of the exciting computer information systems careers that you can pursue with a degree or certificate from an on-line computer school. Pick one of our featured schools and get started on your high-paying computer information systems career!

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Information Systems:
A career in Information Systems involves design, installation and maintenance of computer-based business information systems. Information systems managers direct the work of systems analysts, computer programmers, support specialists, and other computer-related workers. These managers plan and coordinate activities such as the installation and upgrading of hardware and software, programming and systems design, the development of computer networks, and the implementation of Internet and intranet sites. For example, working with their staff, they may develop the overall concepts of a new product or identify computer-related problems standing in the way of project completion. Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dept of Labor



Information Technology (IT):
Processing information by computer. The term usually embraces the computer hardware, computer software, and storage technology used by a company's processing systems. Communications technology (hardware and software) and networks link the pieces together, and allow the company to share information. The combination of all these technology resources is frequently called an information technology infrastructure, or platform. A successful company must build and maintain an information technology infrastructure in order to develop effective information systems.

Alternate definition for IT:
The latest title for the information processing industry. There have been several before it. IT as an umbrella term for information processing became popular in the 1990s. The term may embrace or exclude the telecom industry, depending on whom you talk to. Source: Techweb.com



Management Information Systems
Management of information systems (MIS) involves information systems and computing resources for entire organizations. MIS directors work under the chief information officer and manage a staff of information technology employees. Management of information systems directors plan, coordinate, and direct research and design the computer-related activities of firms. They determine technical goals in consultation with top management, and make detailed plans for the accomplishment of these goals. MIS directors may also make hardware and software upgrade recommendations based on their experience with an organization's technology.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dept of Labor

The study of management information systems focuses on how information systems are used by a business, and how management can integrate systems across departments. An MIS program combines theoretical areas like management science and computer science with practical coursework in applications software and information system design.



Software Engineering
Computer software engineers apply the principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that enable computers to perform their many applications. Software engineers can be involved in the design and development of many types of software:

• Computer applications software engineers analyze users' needs and design, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Different programming languages are used, depending on the purpose of the program.
• Computer systems software engineers coordinate the construction and maintenance of a company's computer systems, and plan their future growth. Working with a company, they coordinate each department's computer needs and make suggestions about its technical direction.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dept of Labor



Computer Programming:
Computer programmers write, test, and maintain the detailed instructions, called programs, which computers must follow to perform their functions. They also conceive, design, and test logical structures for solving problems by computer.

Programmers write programs according to the specifications determined primarily by computer software engineers and system analysts. After the design process is complete, it is the job of the programmer to convert that design into a logical series of instructions that the computer can follow. They then code these instructions in programming language, such as COBOL, Prolog, Java, C++, or Smalltalk. Different programming languages are used depending on the purpose of the program.

Many programmers update, repair, modify, and expand existing programs. When making changes to a section of code, called a routine, programmers need to make other users aware of the task the routine is to perform.

Programmers test a program by running it, to ensure the instructions are correct and it produces the desired information. If errors do occur, the programmer must make the appropriate change and recheck the program until it produces the correct results. This process is called debugging.

Programmers often are grouped into two broad types-applications programmers and systems programmers. Applications programmers write programs to handle a specific job, such as a program to track inventory, within an organization. They may also revise existing packaged software. Systems programmers, on the other hand, write programs to maintain and control computer systems software, such as operating systems, networked systems, and database systems.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dept of Labor



Computer Science
Computer scientists work as theorists, researchers, or inventors. Their jobs are distinguished by the higher level of theoretical expertise and innovation they apply to complex problems and the creation or application of new technology. Those employed by academic institutions work in areas ranging from complexity theory, to hardware, to programming language design. Some work on multidisciplinary projects, such as developing and advancing uses of virtual reality, in human-computer interaction, or in robotics. Their counterparts in private industry work in areas such as applying theory, developing specialized languages or information technologies, or designing programming tools, knowledge-based systems, or even computer games.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dept of Labor

Systems analysts
Systems analysts solve computer problems and enable computer technology to meet individual needs of an organization. They plan and develop new computer systems or devise ways to apply existing systems' resources to additional operations. Most systems analysts work with a specific type of system that varies with the type of organization they work for-for example, business, accounting, or financial systems, or scientific and engineering systems.

Analysts begin an assignment by discussing the systems problem with managers and users to determine its exact nature. They define the goals of the system and divide the solutions into individual steps and separate procedures. Analysts use techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, information engineering, mathematical model building, sampling, and cost accounting to plan the system.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dept of Labor

Ebusiness and Ecommerce:
Electronic business ("ebusiness or e-business") is any process that a business organization conducts over a computer-mediated network. Electronic commerce ("ecommerce or e-commerce") is that part of e-business that involves the buying and selling of goods and services. With the growth of the Internet and the expansion of electronic commerce, some service firms specialize in developing and maintaining websites for client companies.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dept of Labor