Careers
Today you can ride on the information super-highway to success as the world
marches to the punching rhythm of the computer keyboard. Within the last twenty
years computers have transformed the very outlook of our world, and those
not keyed in stand to lose in the race to the future.Computers have become such
an integral part of the present milieu, their usage ranging from space exploration
to banking, and from communication to entertainment, that they are an
indispensable feature of offices and homes.
In India, the computer industry has been growing at a phenomenal rate of 45% per
annum, making it amongst the fastest growing sectors of the economy. It is
estimated that by the start of the new millennium, the requirement for computer
professionals in India alone, will be close to 4,00,000 computer
professionals, and including others with computer handling skills, at
well over 1,60,000. With a manpower shortage, and a continuing demand
for trained professionals, this expanding field of information technology
provides a large gap to be filled by those with the appropriate skills and
with ambition and aptitude.
WORK
There are two main sectors in the computer industry. While hardware covers the
physical elements of a computer system, and is concerned with the design,
development, assembly, manufacture and maintenance ; software is the set of
programmed instructions that enable a computer to perform specified functions.
The work therefore encompasses a range of specialist jobs that are changing
constantly as machines become ever more sophisticated, demanding new skills
or different combinations of existing ones.
At the lowest rung of the ladder are Data Entry Operators who feed data into the
computer system, through a keyboard. Programmers are responsible for
writing and testing programs and assisting users during the implementation
phase. Programmers can be Applications Programmers who write user-friendly
programs to comply with the consumer needs, whether for a general or specific
purpose, or Systems Programmers who work with computer manufacturers,
software houses or R&D institutes for developing software for different
computer systems.
Other jobs in the area of software include those of Analysts, who perform a range
of differing specialist functions including analysing user requirements,
programming, testing, and installation of software. Analysts may also provide
advice to clients on purchase and installation of appropriate computer
systems and guidance on program development. There are also Systems
Designers who take care of the design aspect of software development.
All these functions require people with advanced computer skills.
At the highest professional level are the Computer Engineers who develop
programmes for computers.Their work covers the design, development and
maintenance of software. Software Engineers also design software packages
for client companies.
In the area of Hardware - the major responsibilities are those of Hardware
Engineers, which encompass the physical elements of the computer
system and involve the manufacture and maintenance of computers, the
development of new designs and the modification of existing systems to suit
the growing needs of the computer industry.Design Engineers are engaged
in the creation and improvement of products and processes that can be
manufactured and maintained economically, perform satisfactorily, look good
and satisfy proven demand. Service Engineers diagnose and rectify problems
that may arise in computer systems while Hardware Technicians assist the
engineers in servicing and maintaining computers.
The non-technical areas also require some knowledge of computers. Sales
and marketing jobs require a thorough knowledge of the products, the
competition and current trends in the market.
Every day new jobs are being created in this fast growing field. Already Internet
and its widening horizons in the area of electronic business has opened
up a host of employment opportunities. As more and more companies wake
up to the prospect of doing business through the Internet and with increasing
business being transacted electronically, there is a huge demand for web
technology professionals. E-commerce specialists create and develop and
maintain sites for companies through which business can be transacted.This
area of work requires computer professionals with skills in setting up, managing
and developing Web-sites and for web page designers, programmers and
application developers. There are several institutes which offer specialised
courses in various aspects of e-commerce.
ENTRY
The best option for entering the world of computers is a degree course in
engineering or computer science. Software jobs including that of
Systems Analyst require an engineering degree with a post-graduate
diploma in computer applications, or a post-graduate degree in Computer
Applications (MCA).
Programming jobs require a minimum diploma in programming, while at the
data entry level, it is sufficient to have passed 10+2 with some knowledge of various
software packages.
Eligibility:
The eligibility varies with the course and level of study.
Computer Engineering :
1. 10+2, with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and preferably, Computer Science.
2 Undergraduate Course / B Sc in Computer Science : 10+2 in Science, Arts, and
Commerce.
3. "B" level or graduate level DOE scheme : "O" level certificate of diploma in
computers.
4. Postgraduate Course/ MCA : Graduation in computer science or any other
degree related to science, mathematics, statistics, or operational research.
5. E-commerce & web-page designing courses : Graduate with computer skills.
Institutions:
Besides engineering colleges which offer Computer engineering, several
universities offer Bachelors and Masters courses in Computer Science and
Computer Applications.
There are also hundreds of organisations in practically every town and city
in India, providing some form of computer training, diploma and certificate
courses in areas other than computer engineering.
To guide prospective software students, the Government Department of
Electronics Accreditation of Computer Courses (DOEACC) has set up a
system of accrediting specific courses at specific branches of training
institutes to bring about quality and Standardisation at all levels of
computer education.
DOEACC takes the responsibility of ensuring that the training institutes
maintain the minimum level of standard, equipment, and staff for the course
they are accredited for at that branch. It is therefore advisable to look for the
DOEACC certification when selecting the computer course and institute.
Most institutions offer a wide range of short-term and long-term specialised
courses to suit various requirements. Those looking for a career in computers
should enrol in the regular programmes. There is the basic foundation course
at the "O" level for school or college level students who have never worked
with computers before, which can be followed by the "A" or Advanced level;
the "B" level equivalent to an undergraduate degree and "C" level to a
postgraduate degree.
JOB PROSPECTS
The size and reach of the information industry has also generated innumerable
spin-offs. Job prospects in this industry are expanding in leaps and bounds.
Systems analysts and designers are employed by almost every organisation, and
can ultimately become independent consultants.
Computer professionals can form a group and open their own consultancy
organisations for providing services like software development, data processing
and computer-linked services.
Computer experts in specialist areas or knowledge engineers, as they are
also called, can design specific computer systems in areas such as medical
diagnosis or industrial safety systems.
Network specialists are much in demand to design, install, configure, administer
and maintain networks for integration of computers in offices, buildings and
organisation across cities and countries.
Special e-commerce functions and web designing is another growing area of
work in industry or on a free-lance basis.
Multimedia and video animation is also a major field that employs computer
professionals with creative skills.
