CAREERS in IT

The U.S. Department of Labor has projected the following IT careers to have the highest-percentage job growth in this decade. The Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, offers degree programs that can equip you with the skills and knowledge to be part of this exciting and growing information technology field.

Career Percent Change
Computer Software Engineers, Applications 100%
Computer Support Specialists 97%
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software 90%
Network and Computer Systems Administrators 82%
Database Administrators 66%
Desktop Publishers 66%
Systems Analysts 60%
Computer and Information Systems Managers 48%


The following list represents careers in information technology. One or more of our four information technology related degree programs provide the education and training for these careers. In addition, summer internships will provide the extra advantage of work experience. Combine an education from the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, and additional work experience and you'll be prepared for a management position.

Chief Information Technology Officer
Description: Responsible for establishing and communicating the direction and long term goals and objectives for information technology within a business. Advises management on the role of technology in operations. Major budgetary responsibilities
Requirements Undergraduate degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer and Information Technology, along with advanced degree in a related discipline. (MBA, or MCS)

Computer and Information Systems Manager
Description: Analyze the computer and information needs of their organization and determine personnel and equipment requirements. Plan and coordinate activities such as the installation and upgrading of hardware and software; programming and systems design; the development of computer networks; and the implementation of Internet and Intranet sites.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer and Information Technology and 2 to 4 years experience.

Computer Operator
Description: Controls, operates, and monitors companies mainframe computer systems. Loads and monitors peripherals such as printers, tapes and magnetic drives.
Requirements Requires an associates degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and 0 to 3 years experience. Reports to supervisor

Computer Support Specialists
Description: Responds to telephone calls of end-users to resolve variety of issues. If unable to identify problem, forwards issue to appropriate team for resolution. Tracks problems to assure timely resolution. Follow-up with end-user. Good telephone and customer service skills.
Requirements Requires an associate degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology with 0 to 2 years experience. Reports to supervisor.

Data Security Analyst
Description: Protects systems from unauthorized use. Identifies and monitors security issues with users. Implements security policy. Resolves security breaches. Can identify approaches commonly used to breach security.
Requirements Bachelor's Degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering and 0 to 3 years experience.

Database Administrator
Description: Creates and implements policy and procedures to assure security and integrity of the company database. Resolves database capacity and performance issues. Familiarity with standard database costs and practices.
Requirements Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology and 2 to 4 years related experience. Reports to Manager

Database Analyst
Description: Collect, analyze and determine data structure. Maintains data systems for integrity. Constructs dataflow diagrams. Interfaces with users for data structure modifications. Has knowledge of commonly used data structure concepts.
Requirements Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology or related discipline and 3 to 5 years experience.

Desktop Publisher
Description: Write and edit text, create graphics to accompany text, convert photographs and drawings into digital images and then manipulate those images, design page layouts, create proposals, develop presentations and advertising campaigns, and translate electronic information onto film or other traditional forms.
Requirements: Associate's degree in Computer Graphics Technology and Technical Communications Certificate.

Documentation Specialist
Description: Assist in the preparation of user documentation. Uses business specifications to analyze and create content. Assists in user support efforts online.
Requirements Technical Communications Certificate desired with 0 to 2 years experience. Reports to a supervisor.

Graphical User Interface Designer
Description: Designs and develops graphic components for programs and web pages using variety of software tools. Works independently or as a part of a team. May do some testing of program components.
Requirements Degree in Computer Graphics Technology and/or Computer and Information Technology with 0 to 3 years of experience.

Hardware Engineer
Description: Designs and develops the next generation of computing products. Develops test schedules and analysis of devices down to the circuit level. Some leadership and communication skills required.
Requirements Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering, and 6 to 8 years experience. Reports to unit or department head.

Information Technology Director
Description: Oversees and manages the Information Technology department. Plans both long term and short term goals. Creates and implements IT policy.
Requirements Requires Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology, Computer Graphics Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and 8 or more years of experience. Reports to CIO or management.

Network and Computer Systems Administrator
Description: Install, administer and maintain systems and networking software and hardware. Monitor network security. Assures computing capacity for intra and internet presence.
Requirements Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology and 0 to 2 years related experience. Reports to manager or director.

NT Systems Administrator
Description: Responsible for the installation, configuration, and performance testing of NT/windows 2000 software applications. Responsible for the maintenance and testing of systems performance. Performs system back-ups and data disaster recovery.
Requirements Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology and 3 to 5 years experience. MCSE desirable. Reports to a project lead or manager.

PC Maintenance Technician
Description: Resolves problems with users pc's. Troubleshoots and analyzes user complaints. Instructs users in the proper use of pc's and peripherals. Relies on established procedures.
Requirements May require an associate's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology in related discipline and 0 to 3 years experience.

PC Support Manager
Description: Manages internal client support of desktop PC's. Oversees the upgrade of PC's and client servers and peripherals, both hardware and software. Control of standards and methods. Implements IT policy.
Requirements Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, management experience, and 3 to 7 years experience in the field. Manages employee teams.

Product Development Manager
Description: Manages a team of product developers. Analyzes production procedures. Analyzes capital expenses against revenue potential. Knowledge of variety of field concepts, practices and procedures.
Requirements Requires a bachelor's degree ind Computer and Information Technology or Electrical Computer Engineering and at least 5 years experience. Reports to management.

Programmer
Description: Analyzes and develops programming solutions for clients. Oversees the maintenance of user accounts and permissions. Does procedural documentation. Handles and executes client's programming requests.
Requirements Requires Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering and 2 to 5 or more years of experience.

Software Engineer
Description: Writes, modifies, designs and develops software applications. Participates in the software testing process through certification. Supports and installs software applications. May lead or direct a team.
Requirements Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering and at least 1 to 5 years experience. Reports to project lead or manager.

Software Quality Assurance
Description: Develops, publishes and implements test plans to ensure delivery of an error-free product to the end user. Develops quality assurance standards. Tracks Q&A metrics in testing and development. Encoding in various computer languages required. May lead the work of others.
Requirements Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and 2 to 4 years experience in coding. Reports to a manager.

Systems Administrator
Description: Responsible for the installation, configuration, and performance testing of new software applications. Responsible for the maintenance and testing of systems performance. Performs system back-ups and data disaster recovery.
Requirements Requires bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology or related area and 2 to 4 years of experience.

Systems Analyst
Description: Analyzes and modifies installed applications to ensure seamless operations. Will test and debug problems down to the code level. May do documentation to support installation efforts. Must have good knowledge of database structures including relational databases.
Requirements Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology and 5 or more years experience. Reports to a project lead or manager.

Technical Support Analyst
Description: Reviews, analyzes, and troubleshoots systems operating problems. Uses knowledge of common concepts and practices to problem solve. Has pre-established guidelines to follow.
Requirements Requires an Associate's degree in Computer Graphics Technology, Computer and Information Technology, or Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and 0 to 3 years experience. Reports to supervisor or manager.

Technical Writer
Description: Work with staff and computer professionals to document requirements, design specifications and assist in the creation of user manuals for a variety of products.
Requirements May require a Technical Communications Certificate and 0 to 3 years experience. Reports to supervisor or manager.

Telecommunications Network Administrator
Description: Need description
Requirements: May require a bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology or Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and 0 to 3 years experience.

Telecommunications Network Engineer
Description: Need description
Requirements. A bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology or Computer and Information Technology and 2 to 5 years experience.

Test Engineer
Description: Evaluates and tests computer processes for errors. Develops test scripts for computer processes. Maintains error reporting logs and analyzes reports to make progress reports.
Requirements May require a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and 0 to 2 years experience. Reports to manager.

Web Designer
Description: Designs and develops clients website using a variety of software tools and codes. Manages continuing website development. Relies on sound judgment and is familiar with legal standards and practices. Creativity required.
Requirements Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology and/or Computer Graphics Technnology and 2 or more years experience in web page development. Reports to a manager

Webmaster
Description: Develops and maintains company website. Monitor's site traffic and obtains capacity to meet demand. Continuously updates webpage content.
Requirements Requires bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology and/or Computer Graphics Technology and 2 to 4 years of experience. Reports to manager or director.