| Although only a few decades old, the information | | | | computers and software that connect to the |
| technology or IT field is as broad and deep as | | | | networks and, 4) Ensuring the network is able to |
| industries that have been around for centuries. IT job | | | | grow and function as needed. |
| categories, titles and specialties abound - so many | | | | Network Support Analyst - A Network Support |
| that anyone investigating IT as a career is likely to | | | | Analyst is much like a Network Administrator in that |
| be very, very confused. What's the difference | | | | he/she is responsible for keeping an existing network |
| between a Network Engineer and a Network Support | | | | operating as needed, but has fewer managerial |
| Analyst? Between a Web Developer, a Web | | | | responsibilities. The Network Support Analyst may |
| Designer and a Web Technology Specialist? Just | | | | also be responsible for monitoring how people actually |
| what does a Database Administrator do? | | | | use the network, identifying problem areas and then |
| Although labels and responsibilities tend to vary from | | | | recommending and implementing solutions. |
| employer to employer, here are some common IT | | | | Software Developer/Engineer - "Software" is the set |
| job titles and their descriptions. Consider these when | | | | of instructions that make a computer do what you |
| looking for an IT career that best suits your | | | | want it to do. The Software Developer/Engineer is |
| interests, talents and temperament: | | | | the person who writes the instructions, also known |
| Database Administrator - A database is any collection | | | | as "code," for these computer programs/applications. |
| of information that a company or organization keeps | | | | Software Developer/Engineers may work "in-house" |
| on file (e.g. customer names, addresses, inventory, | | | | developing customized programs for a specific |
| etc.) The Database Administrator (DBA) is in charge | | | | employer or client, or may work on programs that |
| of organizing, maintaining and updating this database | | | | are then sold commercially. |
| and creating systems so that people authorized to | | | | Technical Support Specialist - Computers and |
| view, add or remove information are able to do so | | | | networks invariably have problems, and it's the |
| as quickly and as easily as possible. | | | | Technical Support Specialist's job to identify these |
| Internet Solutions Developer - This is a "catch-all" | | | | problems and find a way to correct them. Technical |
| description for a person responsible for devising and | | | | Support Specialists often work at "help desks" where |
| executing Internet-based projects. The job usually | | | | they communicate with company employees or |
| involves working with programs that allow the public | | | | customers by phone, IM or email. |
| to view and interact with a company, organization or | | | | Web Developer - Web Developers create, maintain |
| agency's Website. | | | | and update the functional aspects of Websites, be |
| IT Project Program Manager - This is a managerial | | | | they on the Internet or on a company's internal |
| position requiring some years of experience in the IT | | | | Intranet. When designing a new site, they're usually |
| field. The IT Project Program Manager is responsible | | | | responsible for creating its architecture, navigation |
| for finding solutions to IT-related problems and then | | | | and interactive functions. They may also be |
| implementing those solutions, often with the help of a | | | | responsible for creating programs or applications |
| team. | | | | designed specifically for the Web. |
| Network Administrator - A "network" is any collection | | | | Web Designer - While the Web Developer is |
| of computers that are linked either to each other or | | | | concerned with the technical aspects of a Website or |
| to a central server so that information can be | | | | Web-based application, the Web Designer is |
| created, shared and updated. The Network | | | | responsible for how such a site or application actually |
| Administrator is generally responsible for making sure | | | | looks. This is an artistic position that requires training |
| than an existing network runs smoothly and for | | | | and experience in graphic design and layout - and |
| adding or removing hardware (computers, printers, | | | | perhaps even animation -- as well as the technical |
| etc.) and software (programs, applications) from the | | | | aspects of Web operations. |
| system. | | | | Web Technology Specialist - This position combines |
| Network and Security Specialist - The Network and | | | | the responsibilities of the Web Developer and Web |
| Internet Security Specialist is the person responsible | | | | Designer. The Web Technology Specialist needs to |
| for making sure people who use a computer | | | | not only the technical aspects of Websites and |
| network only get access to that information they are | | | | applications, but also needs to frequently handle the |
| allowed to see, that information in the network | | | | design and graphic aspects as well. |
| database's is protected and properly preserved, and | | | | If you are considering career training in Information |
| that the network cannot be accessed (or "hacked") | | | | Technology, you need to understand these (and |
| by unauthorized individuals, wherever they may be. | | | | other) job descriptions so you can pursue the |
| Network Engineer - The network engineer is usually | | | | education and training that will qualify you for the |
| responsible for 1) Designing new computer networks, | | | | kind of IT job that fits your talent and personality. |
| 2) Actually creating these networks, 3) Installing the | | | | |