WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN

COMPUTER INFORMATION

Trends 35% of recruiting activity takes place on

the web, with 10-20% of firms hiring directly as a result of these initiatives.

“Organizational fit” will be a critical factor in hiring process. More employers want to insure that new hires can socialize into their workplace quickly and effectively.

So . . . . . What does this mean to

ME?????

Work Towards becoming the “TOTAL PACKAGE” Communication Skills – verbal, written

and listening skills Computer/Technical Aptitudes –a given

core skill Leadership – take charge or be a follower Teamwork – working cooperatively &

collaboratively with different people

“Total Package” Continued Interpersonal Abilities – How do you

relate to others?Personal Traits

TOP 10 PERSONAL QUALITIES

Communication Skills

Honesty/integrity Teamwork Interpersonal Motivation/Initiative

Strong Work Ethic Analytical Skills Flexibility/adaptability Computer Skills Self Confidence

The Glue That Holds it ALL Together . . . Critical Thinking/Problem Solving –

identify problems and their solutions Intelligence and Common Sense Willingness to learn quickly and

continuously Work Related Experiences

How Do I Gain These Skills?

INTERNSHIPS An internship experience provides

students the opportunity to apply classroom instruction to work settings. The student intern receives academic credit and in some cases is also paid.

Can be from 1 semester to more than one. A student can have more than one internship experience.

Benefits of an Internship Opportunity to apply classroom

learning to actual work experience. Opportunity for new “learning” from

the work experience. Develop Self-Confidence and

Professional Skills. Begin “Networking” Process

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS Available at

sophomore level Meet minimum

credit requirements

Required GPA 2.5 Approval by

appropriate academic division

Fill out internship application, return to Career Services

Meet with Marcia Foss

Begin work on resume

Find a placement

PREVIOUS INTERNSHIP SITES Dakota Heartland Hospital, Fargo Microsoft, Fargo Youth Correctional Center, Bismarck Open Door Center, Valley City Bobcat, Gwinner Nash Finch, Edward Jones, Security

State Bank, Nodak Mutual Ins., Walt Disney World, Sea World +++++

JOB SHADOW Coordinated through Career Services

Office Job Shadow someone in a career

path that you are interested in One hour to multiple hour

experience Example: Ride along with Barnes

County Sheriff’s Dept.

Take Part in Student Campus Activities Student Government – Senate, V-

CAB, Finance Comm. Honor Societies & Special Interests –

Viking Ambassadors, FCA, Alpha Chi, PBL

Athletics & Intramurals

Campus Activities . . Continued Cultural Activities – Art, Community

School of Arts, Drama, Foreign Languages, International Opportunities, Medicine Wheel, Music, Planetarium

Others – Special Event Committees, Yearbook

Jobs – Lab. Assistants

Career Services Activities Attend Career Fairs – UND & Tri-

College in the Fall & Spring Minneapolis Field Trip On Campus Company Presentations

& Recruiting Events Senior Seminar Class Career Decision Making Class

SO . . . WHAT TYPES OF JOBS ARE THERE?

Computer professionals may be employed in a variety of jobs by almost any type of organization Types of jobs fall into several

general categories:

Categories: Computer Design

& Manufacture Computer Sales &

Services

Computer Operations

Systems Development & Software Engineering

CAREERS IN SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT:

The development of systems containing sets of instructions (software) by which the computer machinery & equipment (Hardware) is used for problem solving requires people who understand both the problem and the computer’s capabilities.

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS CAREER PATH: Manager of System Analysis Lead Systems Analyst Senior Systems Analyst Junior Systems Analyst Programmer

CAREERS IN PROGRAMMING

The work of computer programmers or software engineers involves writing detailed sets of instructions according to the problem descriptions and specifications of the systems analysts.

3 TYPES OF PROGRAMMERS 1. Operating systems programming –

highly technical – involves writing sets of instructions to make the programming of computers easier

2. Applications programming – involves developing programs that solve scientific or engineering problems – applications are mathematical in nature

Business applications programming – wide range of tasks from developing programs to handle such routine business activities as billing customers to developing programs designed to satisfy the complex informational needs of managers

3. Maintenance programming – works constantly to enhance or repair the existing major programs

SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING CAREER PATH: Manager of Operating Systems

Programming Lead Systems Programmer Senior Systems Programmer Intermediate Systems Programmer Junior Systems Programmer

APPLICATIONS PROGRAMMING CAREER PATH:

Manager of Applications Programming

Lead Applications Programmer Senior Applications Programmer Applications Programmer Junior Applications Programmer

CAREERS IN OPERATIONS & WORD PROCESSING: Vary in functions; very flexible in

regard to working hours; salaries dependent on experience

Operations Career Path Manager of

Operations Computer

Operations Mgr. Shift Supervisor Lead Computer

Operator Computer

Operator

Data Entry Supervisor

Lead Data Entry Operator

Data Entry Operator

Data Entry Operator Trainee

Continued . . . Production Control Supervisor Scheduler Lead Production Controller Production Control Clerk

Careers in Telecommunications & Network Technology

Data Security The Auditor – conduct audits to be

sure that things are being done according to design

CAREERS IN THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY: Computer design – hardware engineering

& software engineering Computer manufacturing Sales & Marketing – Sales

representatives, Marketing Support Personnel

Computer service – maintenance. Software services, educational services

Continued . . . The data services industry – The software industry -

Careers in Information Systems Management: Career Path:

Top Management Director of Information Line Management Project Leadership Systems Analysis & Senior

Programming Analysis Programming & Programming Analysis

Additional Career Paths: Consulting Independent Consulting Contracting Entrepreneurship Franchise Ownership Education

College Teaching

TOP TEN HOT CAREERS Database administrators & computer-

support specialists – expected to grow 37% up to 2016

Computer engineers – 324,000 new jobs, increase by 38% up to 2016

Systems analysts – 146,000 new jobs, grow by 29% up to 2016

Desktop – publishing specialists – little or no change

Ten Top Jobs for the Next Decade & Beyond

Computer Programmer

Day Care Provider Elder Care

Specialist Employment

Specialist Home Health Aide

Home Health Aide Management

Consultant Networking

Specialist Physician’s Assistant Social Services

Coordinator

TOP COMPUTER SCIENCE JOBS: Computer Engineering – software &

hardware design & development, systems/programming, computer programming, consulting $50,000 to 60,000

Computer Science – software design & development, computer programming, consulting, systems analysis & design, information systems $45,000 – 58,850

EMERGING CAREERS Database Integrator – building

technical bridges between old systems & state-of-the-art new ones; $80,000 to 120,000

E-Commerce Project Manager – figures out what it will take to get an internet customer to come back, order a product & make sure the product arrives $50,000-125,000

Continued . . . Multimedia Training Program

Developer – put training programs on a CD-Rom format, lets workers move at own pace - $50,000-80,000

Software Interface Designer – how to make software & hardware user friendly - $50,000 – 90,000

NEW CAREER PATHS: Web Security Specialists Programming Artists Robotic Engineers Tech Teachers Wireless Developers Tech Support Bioinformatics Specialists

THE DECISION IS NOW UP TO YOU!

Start taking the steps down your chosen Career Path Today!