Monday, August 3, 2009

Careers in I.T.

Webmaster
Basically, a webmaster is the person responsible for creating, managing and maintaining websites for companies and individuals on the World Wide Web. A webmaster do not just write computer codes or checking and updating web pages, they can be the ones designing the website pages or layouts as well. The webmasters is ultimately responsible for ensuring that a website is easy to navigate and that it addresses the needs of the clients and its customers. All in all, the webmaster must perform a variety of technical tasks to make sure that a website works properly and can be accessed quickly by as many people as possible.

Computer Support Specialist
Computer support specialists help people with computer problems. They provide technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and other users. Some computer support specialists are called help-desk technicians. To make or answer phone calls and e-mails for people who are having difficulty with a particular piece of computer hardware or software. In other words, computer support specialist are the "troubleshooters".
Technical Writer
A technical writer is often tasked with writing documentation that explains technical issues in ways that non-technical people can understand. A technical writer might be responsible for writing the how-to manual for a software application. Technical writers are often copy writers and vice-versa. A good technical writer can write about a complicated technical subject or task in ways that almost anyone can clearly understand. At the same time, precision in technical writing tends to be critical because if anything is described incorrectly, readers may act improperly on what is said, causing mistakes and problems at work.

Software Engineer
Software Engineering is intended to mean the best-practice processes used to create and/or maintain software, whether for groups or individuals, in attempt to rid ourselves of the usual haphazard methods that have plagued the software industry. This would include subjects like Configuration Management, Project Planning, Project Tracking, Software Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Formal Inspections, etc.

Network Administrator
A network administrator oversees computer networks to ensure that they function smoothly where he or she usually configures and manages an existing network. A network administrator installs the necessary hardware and software to set up a computer network, and customizes it to meet the needs of the company using it.

Database Administrator
A database administrator (DBA) is similar to a database developer or designer except that the DBA's key responsibilities is ensuring that a database is available at all to the users and programs that need it. This includes making backups and archiving data. It also includes on-going monitoring to ensure that the database is responding to requests quickly. Sometimes the DBA has some hardware knowledge so that the appropriate servers can be purchased so that the database's performance is not impacted by hardware bottlenecks.

System Analyst
Computer systems analysts analyze business or scientific tasks and plan and develop the hardware systems and software that allow a computer to complete these tasks. These analysts, sometimes called systems analysts, may also work on improving computer systems already in use. They are employed by a wide variety of organizations, including businesses, universities, hospitals, and government agencies. Consulting firms that contract to develop new computer systems also employ systems analysts.

Programmer
Computer programmers write the step-by-step instructions that direct computers to process information. These instructions, or programs, tell the computer what to do in a series of logical steps. Programmers work on a wide range of projects. The kind of work a programmer does depends on the employer. Programmers work in manufacturing, industry, engineering, government offices, hospitals, and educational institutions. Programmers receive detailed job descriptions that identify the goal of the program. Programmers then may prepare systems flow charts that show diagrammatically how information will flow through the computer and its peripheral, or related, equipment. If much creativity and expertise are demanded at this step, systems analysts or computer software engineers may prepare the systems flow charts. In most medium to large computer installations, programmers receive their instructions from systems analysts or computer software engineers.