Computer Careers

About half the jobs in the United States today involve processing data–gathering, analyzing, and storing information. It is not surprising, then, that working with computers is an important part of many careers, including some you might not think would be related to computers.

Computer programmers design software for homes, schools, and businesses. Programmers also “debug,” or fix, faulty programs and create new ones tailored to a company’s needs. There are exciting possibilities for creating programs that recognize handwriting and human speech and that sense nearby objects. Programming computers that are built into electronic devices such as telephones, televisions, and appliances provide still other challenges.

Graphic artists design magazines, Web sites, product packaging, and advertising. Artists and animators also create computer games and multimedia software, television animations, and special effects in films.

Nearly every company, school, and organization that uses computers relies on technicians and system administrators to fix hardware and software problems. Some computer experts specialize in helping people use their home-based systems. These systems can become complicated, especially if they network multiple computers. These systems can control entertainment centers, security and telephone systems, and household appliances.

As the Web becomes more important, many organizations are hiring employees to maintain their Web sites. Webmasters operate many types of software, write programs, and experiment with new technologies.

Many non-computer jobs require employees to use a computer to get their work done. Secretaries, journalists, nurses, air traffic controllers, travel agents, mechanics, bank tellers, and stock brokers, to name just a few, all use computers.