List of Computer Oriented Careers

The job outlook for computer-related professions is positive.man finger on the enter key. image by mashe from Fotolia.com

The outlook for computer-oriented professions is positive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in computer fields will grow at a faster rate than in other occupations through 2018. Most technical jobs in the computer industry require a college education at the undergraduate, graduate or doctoral level.

Computer Software Engineer

Computer software engineers develop and create design specifications for software for clients in all sorts of industries, government agencies and educational settings. They are experts in math and in computing systems, software structure and computer hardware limitations. Within corporations, software engineers are responsible for overseeing proprietary computer programs as the needs of the organizations change. Specialties in the field include applications software engineers and systems software engineers. Applications specialists focus on translating user needs into technical documents that are the basis of coding a program. Systems specialists focus more on the security issues and technical implementation of software. In 2008, the median annual salary was $85,430 for computer applications software engineers and $92,430 for computer systems software engineers.

Computer programmers are experts at programming languages. They use their knowledge to write programs using the technical design specifications from software engineers, which may include complex flow charts and diagrams. Programmers code instructions in logical steps in languages like Java, Python and C++. Computers then compile these steps. Programmers also write upgrades and repairs to existing programs. Professionals in the field can earn national certification in different programming languages to increase their marketability. In 2008, the median annual salary for a computer programmer was $69,620.

Web developers design and program applications specifically for use on the World Wide Web. The applications might be for the public or for a company's internal use. Web developers are proficient in languages and tools specific to Web usage such as HTML, XML, JavaScript, AJAX, PHP and Ruby. Some developers specialize in one or two languages. They may also specialize in designing for mobile applications. Web developers work with database administrators to provide a connection between data on a Web server and the end user interface. In 2008, the median annual salary for a Web developer was $71,100.

Database administrators are experts at data management. They create methods to organize, store and present data in a way end users can understand. They integrate information from different platforms and time periods into new systems. They also test, modify and troubleshoot database applications. They work with Web developers and network security specialists to provide user-friendly yet secure ways of making data accessible. In 2008, the median annual salary for a database administrator was $69,740.