Computers, IT & Telecommunications

Computers, information technology, and telecommunications have revolutionized the way we live and work. Jobs in the computer and telecom industry provide opportunities to work with the latest technology, and a great career choice for individuals with a technical aptitude.

Computer operators, system administrators, help desk representatives and information technology specialists often focus on helping businesses or end users use technology more efficiently. Computer operators are responsible for running jobs and maintaining systems that are critical to business operations. Sys admins and IT specialists make sure that systems are available, optimized, and working properly, and help desk workers assist end users in configuration and operation of computer software and hardware.

Telecommunications experts and network engineers are responsible for the networks that businesses and consumers rely on. Workers in these fields often specialize in information security.

Programmers, developers, and testers create software, websites, and other applications. These can range from business productivity software to video games.

One exciting aspect of the information technology industry is that many positions in this field incorporate skills from different areas of computer science. For example, computer operators may need to know some programming; software developers may need to be familiar with network protocols; and system administrators must be well-versed in computer security.

The career profiles on this page provide more information about each position, including average salary and job-hunting resources.

Job Descriptions and Careers, Career and Job Opportunities, Career Search, and Career Choices and Profiles

Chief Information Officer Job Description, Career as a Chief Information Officer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Bachelor?s degree or higher education in information technology/business administration Salary Median: $88,000 per year Employment Outlook: Fair Chief information officers, or CIOs, are the senior executives heading an enterprise?s information technology, or IT, division. They determine the information technology required by the organization and play a key role in the formu…

3 minute read

Communications Equipment Operators Job Description, Career as a Communications Equipment Operators, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High School Diploma Salary: Median? $10.88 per hour Employment Outlook: Fair Communications equipment operators are usually deployed as switchboard operators in a wide range of businesses. They work with technologies like private branch exchange and voice over internet protocol to transfer calls to and from the office. They are also often required to perform receptionist fu…

3 minute read

Computer Consultant Job Description, Career as a Computer Consultant, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Median—$85,904 per year Employment Outlook: Excellent The widespread use of computers in businesses of all sizes has created a need for computer consultants. Companies that are large enough to computerize their operations but too small to need a computer specialist on staff usually hire computer consultants on a contract or retainer basis. Most comput…

2 minute read

Computer Database Administrator Job Description, Career as a Computer Database Administrator, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Median—$60,650 per year Employment Outlook: Excellent Computer database administrators design, write, and take care of computer database systems so that the right person can get the right information at the right time. A database is simply a collection of computer files full of information that a company may wish to track. This information may include…

4 minute read

Computer and Information Systems Manager Job Description, Career as a Computer and Information Systems Manager, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College plus training Salary: Median—$92,570 per year Employment Outlook: Very good Computer and information systems managers direct and manage various computer-related activities of a company. They construct business plans, oversee Internet and computer operations, assign projects to staff members, and direct the flow of work. Computer and information systems manage…

4 minute read

Computer Network Technician Job Description, Career as a Computer Network Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Median—$60,600 per year Employment Outlook: Excellent Computer network technicians build and maintain computer networks used by business, education, government, and health-care institutions. Networks linking desktop computers allow users to send electronic mail (e-mail) and to share data, computer applications, and Internet connections. As more instit…

5 minute read

Computer Operator Job Description, Career as a Computer Operator, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: High school plus training Salary: Median—$31,070 per year Employment Outlook: Poor Computer operators manage the operation of computer hardware systems. They are often required to work with most types of computers, including minicomputers, mainframes, and networks of personal computers. Computer operators must maintain the computer hardware as well as solve any probl…

3 minute read

Computer Programmer Job Description, Career as a Computer Programmer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Median—$62,890 per year Employment Outlook: Fair 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. Pro…

5 minute read

Computer Security Specialist Job Description, Career as a Computer Security Specialist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Varies—see profile Employment Outlook: Very good As computer networks grow and more sensitive data is stored on computer files, the need for trained, skilled computer security specialists will also grow. Computer security specialists help businesses, educational institutions, and government organizations to control access to their computer networks an…

3 minute read

Computer Software Documentation Writer Job Description, Career as a Computer Software Documentation Writer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Median—$53,490 per year Employment Outlook: Very good A computer software documentation writer is the most common type of technical writer. Computer software documentation writers research and write the instructional guides, online and desktop help guides, reference manuals, and job aids for computer software. Software is a term for the computer progr…

4 minute read

Computer Software Engineer Job Description, Career as a Computer Software Engineer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Median—$80,519 per year Employment Outlook: Excellent Computer software engineers develop and maintain computer software programs, which are coded instructions that tell the computer what to do in logical steps. Software engineers work on a wide range of projects. They work in manufacturing, industry, engineering, government offices, and educational i…

5 minute read

Computer Support Service Owner Job Description, Career as a Computer Support Service Owner, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Associates Degree Average Salary $45,000 a year Job Outlook Very good A computer support service owner is one that owns their own information technology business that makes service calls and/or takes calls from clients. They run a consumer-oriented business that is focused on making sure the customer is properly equipped to do their job with a computer. This is done with emp…

4 minute read

Computer Support Specialist Job Description, Career as a Computer Support Specialist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Varies—see profile Salary: Median—$40,430 per year Employment Outlook: Very good Computer support specialists help people with computer problems. Some computer support specialists called help-desk technicians field phone calls or e- mails or make house calls for people who are having difficulty with a particular piece of computer hardware or software. Most of …

5 minute read

Computer Systems Analyst Job Description, Career as a Computer Systems Analyst, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: College Salary: Median—$66,480 per year Employment Outlook: Excellent 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 …

4 minute read

Cryptographic Technician Job Description, Career as a Cryptographic Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training:? Advanced degree in cryptography, mathematics, or computer science. Salary: Median? $90,000 annually Employment Outlook:? Good Cryptography is the study and practice of encryption and decryption. Encryption refers to the conversion of ordinary information, or plaintext, into unintelligible jargon, or ciphertext. Decryption is the reverse process whereby ciphertext is conver…

3 minute read

Data Processing Technician Job Description, Career as a Data Processing Technician, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Associates Degree Average Salary: $26,000 Annually Job Outlook: Good A data processing technician often works in a combination of an administrative and managerial position. Though there are many different types of data entry jobs that focus on that as their main responsibility, this job takes it much further. They are often responsible for the planning of the data that is t…

4 minute read

Graphics Programmer Job Description, Career as a Graphics Programmer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Bachelor?s degree in computer programming. Salary: Median? $65,510 annually Employment Outlook: Very good Graphics programmers are technical experts who concentrate on developing specialized computer programs exclusively applicable to complicated 2D and 3D graphics. A graphics programmer has in-depth knowledge in advanced mathematics and linear algebra. Computer-aided desig…

4 minute read

Internet Developer Job Description, Career as a Internet Developer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Bachelor?s degree Average Salary $74,000 per year Job Outlook Very good Internet developers work with companies to create web programs that allow for better company communication. They assess a company?s needs and practices to create a program that provides an intranet database that all employees have access to for easy communication with one another. They also perform maint…

5 minute read

Internet Quality Assurance Specialist Job Description, Career as a Internet Quality Assurance Specialist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training Bachelor?s degree Average Salary $42,000 per year Job Outlook Excellent Internet quality assurance specialists work a variety of positions for various companies to make sure users of their internet tools and software are having a pleasant experience with no technical issues or difficulties. Specialists are often available 24 hours a day as a customer service type of person t…

4 minute read

Radio and Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers Job Description, Career as a Radio and Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Gett

Education and Training: College Salary Median: $21.66 per hour Employment Outlook: Fair Radio and telecommunications equipment installers and repairers are involved in: installing, adjusting and testing circuits; wiring; stationary and mobile radio equipment; and communication systems. They also have to identify and repair any problems that might occur in telecommunications equipment and systems. …

4 minute read

Software Quality Assurance Technician and Analyst Job Description, Career as a Software Quality Assurance Technician and Analyst, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Varies—see profile Salary: Varies—see profile Employment Outlook: Good Software quality assurance technicians and software quality assurance analysts conduct tests on computer software programs to make sure the programs perform properly and are fairly easy to use. The testing may be done on both new programs and updated or modified versions of existing program…

5 minute read

Usability Researcher Job Description, Career as an Usability Researcher, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Varies—see profile Salary: Varies—see profile Employment Outlook: Very good Usability researchers study the interaction between people and electronic media products such as computer programs to determine ways to make those products easier to use and more helpful for the user. This involves evaluating the product's interface—the way a user communi…

3 minute read

Video Game Art Director Job Description, Career as a Video Game Art Director, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training:? Bachelor?s degree in fine arts. Salary: Median? $82,004 annually Employment Outlook:? Good Video game art directors are responsible for the quality of art incorporated in the video games produced under their supervision. They need to have a background in fine arts, so that they are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of drawing, texturing, and coloring. They need to …

3 minute read

Video Game Producer Job Description, Career as a Video Game Producer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training:? College degree and specialized training. Salary: Median? $78,716 annually Employment Outlook:? Good Video game producers are basically responsible for supervising the entire process of development of a video game. However, the roles vary greatly depending on the kind of company and team one is working with. Internal video game producers are a hands-on unit and work with a …

3 minute read

Video Game Programmer Job Description, Career as a Video Game Programmer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training:? Bachelor?s degree in computer science or computer game development Salary: Median? $83,383 annually Employment Outlook:? Good A video game programmer is essentially a software programmer who writes codes for video games. They are responsible for making the game work properly. Video game designers may design a road and a bunch of cars to race on it, but it is the programmer…

3 minute read

Video Game Tester Job Description, Career as a Video Game Tester, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training:? No specific academic qualification required. Salary: Median? $49,000 annually Employment Outlook:? Good Video game testers are responsible for finding and reporting bugs in games during the different stages of development of a video game. They need to have keen observational abilities, along with good logical and analytical reasoning abilities. Experienced video game teste…

2 minute read

Webmaster Job Description, Career as a Webmaster, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

Education and Training: Varies—see profile Salary Range: Median—$66,105 per year Employment Outlook: Excellent A webmaster is in charge of maintaining Web sites for companies and individuals on the World Wide Web. This is a job that requires a wide range of skills and abilities, since many webmasters must do much more than simply write computer codes or update links to other Web site…

6 minute read

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