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| Computer Programmers |
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| Employment Increase: |
30% |
| People In Field: |
723,000 |
| Average Salary: |
$37,380 |
| Qualifications: |
Bachelor's Degree |
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Nature of the Work:
Computers increasingly affect our daily lives. They
control the temperature and air quality in office buildings,
expand dramatically the capabilities of our telephones, control
manufacturing and other business processes, and even control
the scoreboards at major athletic events. Computer
programmers write, update, and maintain the detailed instructions
(called programs or software) that list in a logical order the steps
that computers must execute to perform these and other
functions. In many large organizations, programmers follow
descriptions prepared by systems analysts who have
carefully studied the task that the computer system is going to
perform. Some organizations, particularly smaller ones, do
not employ systems analysts. Instead, workers called
programmer-analysts are responsible for both systems analysis and
programming. Programmers in software development
companies often work without the contribution of systems analysts.
Instead, they may work directly with experts from various
fields to create software, either programs designed for specific
clients or packaged software for general use, ranging from
games and education software to programs for desktop
publishing, financial planning, and spreadsheets.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
There are no universal training requirements for
programmers because employers' needs vary so much that
computer applications have become so widespread and varied.
Computer programming is taught at public and private
vocational schools, community and junior colleges, and
universities. High schools in many parts of the country also offer
introductory courses in data processing. Twoyear colleges are
targeted toward producing graduates for entry level jobs and may
have strong ties to the local job market. The majority of
programmers hold a four-year degree. Of these, some hold a B.A.
or B.S. in computer science or information systems while
others have taken special courses in computer programming
to supplement their study in fields such as accounting, inventory
control, or other business areas. College graduates who
are interested in changing careers or developing an area of
expertise may return to a junior college for more training. The
level of education and quality of training that employers seek
have been rising due to the growth in the number of
qualified applicants and the increasing complexity of some
programming tasks. Bachelor's degrees are now commonly
required; in the absence of a degree, substantial specialized
experience may be needed.
Job Outlook:
Employment of programmers is expected to grow
faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005
as computer usage expands. The demand for programmers
will increase as organizations seek new applications for
computers and improvements to the software already in use. The
rising demand for information, further automation of offices
and factories, advances in health and medicine, and
continuing scientific research will stimulate the demand for skilled
programmers. Employment, however, is not expected to grow
as rapidly as in the past as improved software and
programming techniques simplify or eliminate some programming tasks.
In addition, the introduction of data base management
systems is allowing users to take over many of the tasks
previously performed by the programmer. Greater use of packaged
software such as word processing and spreadsheet packages
also may moderate the growth in demand for applications
programmers. There will be approximately 723,000
computer programmers by 2005.
Sources of Additional Information:
State employment service offices can provide information about job openings
for computer programmers. Also check with your city's chamber of commerce
for information on the area's largest employers.
For information about certification as a computer
professional, contact:
Institute for the Certification of Computer Professionals
2200 East Devon Ave., Suite 268
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Further information about computer careers is available from:
The Association for Computing Machinery
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
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