There are so many jobs that classify one as a “computer professional” that it’s impossible to adequately cover them all in a single chapter.
Here we’ll consider only those that involve, either directly or indirectly, supplying end users with computer-generated information. These jobs require substantial training in a specific computer field.
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Included are equipment operators, programmers, systems analysts, and computer managers, as well as a number of specialized jobs such as database administrator, EDP auditor, telecommunications specialist, and knowledge engineer.
Excluded are computer salespeople, personnel engaged in manufacturing computer hardware, and service engineers.
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Computer Operations Personnel :
Computer operations personnel include data-entry operators, computer equipment operators, system librarians, and mangers who supervise the day-to-day running of computing centers.
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All these people perform a service for others working with large computer systems. Their responsibility lies primarily in making the operating environment for companywide information processing as efficient as possible.
Data-entry operators transcribe data files, programs, and other documents into machine-readable form. At one time, this process involved keypunching onto cards.
With the decline in punched-card usage, data entry n key-to- tape and key-to-disk devices became the norm. At some point in the future, voice input technology will completely revolutionize the data-entry function and make typing skills superfluous.
A high-school diploma and good typing skills are today the major requirements for entry-level data-entry jobs. Increasingly, with advances in source data automation equipment, many data-entry chores that were once performed by centralized data-entry departments are being shifted to the end-user level.
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Computer operators are responsible for selling up equipment for various jobs, mounting and dismounting tapes and disks, and monitoring computer operations.
If a program is in an “endless loop”, a terminal breaks down, a user is performing an unauthorized activity, or the computer “crashes”, the operator is the one who initiates a solution to the problem.
Since many commercial computers run nearly 24 hours a day, an operator’s responsibilities extend over a single 8-hour shift. Entry-level personnel in this area should have at least an associate’s degree from a community college or a certificate from a technical institute.
Some companies train operators on the job, while others require experience with a particular system.
System librarians are responsible for managing data files and programs stored offline on tapes, disks, microfilm, and all other types of storage media.
These media may contain backup copies of important programs and data files, items that are stored offline because they are not needed on a day-to-day basis, and archival data kept for legal purposes.
The librarian catalogs all the library items, purges materials no longer needed, and prevents unauthorized access to restricted material. A high-school education and some knowledge of information processing concepts generally are enough to qualify for an entry-level position as a system librarian.
Computer operations managers oversee the entire operation of the computer system. Their duties include scheduling jobs to be run, hiring and assigning operations personnel, supervising machine maintenance, and monitoring operations to ensure that the system runs efficiently.
This is not an entry-level position. Computer operations managers often must have at least three to five years of experience in the operations field.
Programmers :
Programmers generally fall into one of two categories: systems programmer and applications programmers.
Systems programmers write and maintain systems software. Since this class of programs is very technical, systems programmers must have a good technical knowledge of computers.
Often they have had rigorous training in subjects such as assembly languages, compiler design, operating systems, and computer system architecture. An entry-level job usually requires a college degree in a technically oriented field such as computer science.
Applications programmers write and maintain the programs that serve end users. Because there’s still a shortage of people in this area in many parts of the country, entry-level requirements vary widely.
Many applications programmers have computer-related degrees from four-year or community colleges. Others are certified by technical institutes.
In some cases, companies hungry for applications programmers have hired people with degrees in other areas virtually “off the street”, trained them, and pressed them into service.
In general, however, a person seeking an entry-level job as an applications programmer should have a college degree in a computer- related field or in an applied field such as business or science. A knowledge of accounting and COBOL is also useful.
Some people make programming career, advancing from trainee to senior- level or chief programmer. In some cases, advancement involves specializing ^ in a certain area, such as banking or database applications.
Many organizations allow employees to move from programming to positions in systems analysis. This is not always the best career path, however.
Programmers must spend a lot of time working alone on technical problems, and many have chosen this profession because they enjoy solitude and independence.
Systems analysts, in contrast, spend most of their time dealing with other people and must have excellent communications skills.
Systems Analysts :
Systems analysts plan and implement computer systems. They form the critical interface between management and end users and, later, between end users and programmers. Management dictates the priority of the problems to be solved.
Handed a problem, the analyst must work with users to find the best solutions. The analyst then translates these solutions into a system design and sets the technical specifications for applications programs to be written by programmers.
Good systems analysts must literally be jacks of all trades. They must have a high level of technical knowledge about computers, computer systems, and the computer industry in order to design state-of-the-art systems.
They also must be personable and possess excellent communications skills, because they have to interact with many different kinds of people, including managers, end users, and programmers.
They must be as comfortable speaking “computerese” with experts as they are speaking English with people who have no technical knowledge.
Systems analysts should also have some background in business, since most information processing systems are business oriented. They certainly should be familiar with business terms such as accounts receivable, pro forma cash flow, direct costs, gross margin, and inventory turnover.
Some knowledge of accounting is a particularly helpful asset. Many systems analysts have college degrees in computer-related fields.
Some positions, such as the programmer/analyst a lot in small companies (which combines the programmers and systems analyst functions), are entry level. Most companies require systems analysts to have a few years of computer-related experience.
Information Center Personnel :
The information center- the in-house “computer store” established to help end users meet informal computing needs, thereby making them more productive in their jobs- is staffed primarily by consultants and trainers.
Most of the applications the information center services are microcomputer related. The information center consultant is an analyst skilled in microcomputers and their applications who assists current and potential end users with their micro computing needs.
Although the users themselves often are responsible for developing their own systems, the consultant makes suggestions and helps them in nay way possible.
The educational requirements for the information center consultant are similar to those for the systems analyst. A special interest in microcomputer applications is a must.
Trainers provide classes on some aspects of micro computing. For instance, a class on using Lotus 1-2-3 may be given to a particular department within the company, or a course on micro computing fundamentals may be offered on a sigh-up basis to any interested company employee.
Trainers often have a college degree in a computer-related field, but many do not. Important qualifications other than a specific type of college degree are knowledge of microcomputers and an ability to teach.
Office Automation (OA) Personnel :
Many firms have an OA group, consisting of about two to eight people, charged with strategy and implementation of OA technologies such as document processing and electronic mail.
These people often perform many of the same systems analyst and trainer roles as data processing and information center personnel- advising end users and end-user departments on technologies, building systems with these technologies, and bringing users “up to speed.”
Educational requirements are similar to those for personnel holding comparable positions within the data processing department and the information center.