Computer Programming:
A Career Worth Pursuing
When one thinks of computer programming, one might think of complicated
problems and challenges. People may think that computer programming is hard, well it’s
really rather easy if you have the right training and education. Someone may think that it
requires a lot of work and years in college, when it really does not require much. There
are many job oppurtunities opening every day for computer programmers. Computer
programmers have several job opportunities these days. A career as a computer
programmer would be very interesting and rewarding.
Definition Of Occupation
Computer programmers write software for computers. The software for
computers are the detailed instructions computers follow while they run. Work of
a computer programmer involves updating, repairing, and modifying codes for
programs that have already been written. Computer programmers follow guidelines
prepared by systems analysts.
Programmers code instructions using programming languages such as “C” and
“FORTAN”. Programmers usually specialize in one or two languages. Programmers
The Coursework on Exploring The Career Of A Computer Programmer
... on the organization. In this paper, "computer programmer" refers to individuals whose main job function is programming; this group has a wide range ... a computer programmer is an excellent job if one likes computers, solving complex problems, and being on the edge of technology. Works Cited Computer Programming ...
keep records of their programming so that others can work on the software. Most
programmers test their work by running the program to see if it works correctly.
Programmers usually do one of two broad types of programming: applications or system.
System programmers maintain the software that controls the operation of an entire
computer system. Applications programmers write software that handle specific jobs
(OCIS).
Worker Characteristics
To be a computer programmer one must have many characteristics. One must
have the desire to be a leader and influence others. The peron must have a good ability
to work with numbers. Must have the ability to follow set procedures and make few
errors. Ability to solve problems and make decisions. Also, one must have a good ability
to look at written information,such as computer code, and find errors. The soon to be
programmer must have a good ability to understand or use words when talking or writing.
A computer programmer having all these characteristics will do great in the programming
world (OCIS).
Requirements
There are really very little requirements for the career of computer programming.
Most computer programming jobs do not require a certificate or license, but it does vary
from job to job ( Cosgrove).
Computer programmers must usually complete either a
bachelors degree in computer science or in another course with a significant programming
component (Computer Programmers, Febuary 1999).
All in all, the basic job for a
computer programmer requires very little.
Training On The Job
As a computer programmer you also get training on the job even after you get out
of college. Many skills are gained on the job because you work everyday with new and
improved things. Programmers also attend a wide range of courses to update their
knowledge and their techniques. Even after you get out of college you learn more things
every day in the computer programming business ( Programmer ).
The Essay on School To Work System
There is a new system called S.T.W (school-to-work) introduced by Marc Tucker, the president of the National Center of Education and the economy. This scheme however, is not totally valid or at least this is the case for Phyllis Schlafly, the president of the eagle forum and the publisher of the monthly Education Reporter since 1986. The two ideas will be introduced clearly later. Tucker wants to ...
Wages
The pay for computer programmers varies by experience and education of the
worker. Systems programmers tend to earn more than applications programmers. The
average wage for a computer programmer is $28.83 per hour. Half of all programmers
earn between $18.51 and $35.23 an hour. The average salary for computer programmer
aides is $15.30 an hour. All in all computer programmers don’t make that bad of money
(OCIS).
Outlook
In the future as the demand for computer programmers goes up so will the wages
for computer programmers. Nationally, employment of computer programmers is
expected to grow faster than average through 2006 ( The Complete Guide For
Occupational Exploration ).
The fastest growing area of the computer industry is
expected to be computer and data processing services such as computer programming.
There are really few factors that will limit the growth in demand for programmers.
Competition for programming jobs will also come from other contries. People who only
have a few years of experience or education will face strong competition for programming
jobs (OCIS).
Current Employment
Right now computer programmers hold about 647,780 jobs nationally. In Ohio
there are about 19,020 computer programmers that work in the state. Systems
programmers are more limited than applications programmers in where they work.
Systems programmers are mainly found in large computer centers or software
development firms. Computer programming jobs are available in all areas of the country.
Programmers work in nearly all industries. All in all computer programmers do not really
hold many jobs in the U.S. (OCIS).
Advantages
There are many advantages for computer programmers starting out. The money
that programmers get starting out is rather good. Computer programmers coming
right out of high school can earn as much as some programmers that have experience
depending on the company and job situation. For must programmers starting out though
the salaries are lower in smaller companies. Also the entry-level wages are the lowest in
government jobs (OCIS).
Another advantage to computer programmers is working in
The Business plan on Computer Programmer 2
... computer programmers are employed on a temporary, a contract basis, or work as independent workers because allot of companies demand expertise with newer programming ... types: Applications programmers and systems programmers. Applications programmers usually are oriented toward business, engineering, or science. They write software to handle specific jobs within an ...
offices in comfortable surroundings (Computer Programmers April 1999).
Disadvantages
There are also disadvantages though with computer programming. Some
programmers starting out don’t make as much as others (OCIS).
Programmers may have
to work overtime to finish writing software for the computers. In programming jobs,
some may work long hours and even on weekends to meet or fix critical errors that occur
during off hours. The main disadvantage of computer programming is that it is very time
consuming and can be a real pain (Computer Programmers April 1999).
Day To Day Activities
As a computer programmer you don’t do a wide variety of things everyday, mainly
you do the same things over and over again. Almost everyday you will be on a
computer. There will be some days that you won’t be on the computer though. You will
write lots and lots of software. One thing that will change from day to day is the software
that you will write for computers. Altogether computer programmers don’t really do a
lot of different things everyday (OCIS).
A career as a computer programmer would be very interesting and rewarding.
Computer programmers do a lot of things for us that we don’t even really notice. They
are very important to people that use computers. Without computer programmers there
would be no software that could be used on computers. There would also not be any
operating systems for software to run in. So without computer programmers there would
not be any software or operating systems and without those there would be no such things
as computers.
Bibliography
Works Cited
“Computer Programmers” April 19, 2000. On-line. Internet. December 6, 2000.
Available www: http.//stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos110.htm
“Computer Programmers.” Febuary 1999. On-line. Internet. December 6, 2000.
Available www: http://www.schoolfinder.com/career/2163cpp/2163cpp.htm
Cosgrove, Hollie, ed. Exploring Tech Careers 165-172. Vol. 1. Chicago: J.G. Furguson
Publishing, 1995. 2 Vols.
Ohio Career Information System. Computer Software. Ohio Dept Of Education, 2000
IBM. PC/Win 3.0
“Programmer.” October 18, 2000. On-line. Internet. December 6, 2000.
The Essay on Computer Programmer
Computer Programmer I want to be a Computer Programmer because I want the flexibility to work in a non-office environment, with no supervision. It gives me the ability to work the hours that are necessary to accomplish my current project. This means that if I wake up at noon with an idea on how to accomplish a stubborn problem, I can go to my computer, in my shorts, and start my job. Being a ...
Available www: http://www.careers.co.nz
“The Complete Guide for Occupational Exploration.” Pg.430. Indianapolis: Jist
Works,1993.
