IT Job Titles
We sort through the word soup in common IT job titles.
Job titles in the information technology (IT) world can be confusing, even misleading. We sort through and explain a few of the common ones here.
1. CTO/CIO
At the very top of a company’s technology chain of command is most likely a chief technology officer (CTO) or a chief information officer (CIO). This high-level executive is responsible for long-range technology planning and keeping abreast of new developments in technology that can affect a company’s productivity or competitiveness in its industry.
To become a CTO or CIO, earning a bachelor’s degree in an area like information technology or computer science is recommended, coupled with a master’s in business administration (MBA).
2. Managers of Information Systems/Managers of Computer Systems
Further down the chain of management are managers of information systems or managers of computers systems.
You’ve probably heard the term “MIS,” referring to management information systems. This is a blanket term describing all the computers in a company’s technological infrastructure, how they are connected, and how they run. This includes everything from the computers on individual workers’ desks to large powerful computers called servers that may not even be located on the company’s premises.
The higher-level employees who manage these systems are valuable employees and usually considered managers. A bachelor’s degree in technology is usually required for management positions like this, and many employers prefer applicants with an MBA.
3. Systems Analysts/Systems Architects/Systems Designers
The people who design and build these computer systems are called systems analysts or sometimes systems architects or systems designers. A bachelor’s degree in programming and software engineering is not uncommon.
4. Project Managers
Project managers are employees responsible for implementing and carrying out technology-related projects at a company. When a project is approved, these employees are in charge of the budgets and schedule and making sure the project gets done. Project managers generally need a bachelor’s degree in technology, although a more general business-related degree is also common.
5. Systems Administrators/Network Administrators
All computers in a company are connected by a network. There is a special classification of employee called a system administrator or network administrator who oversees a company’s internal and external network of computers.
System or network administrators are particularly concerned with network security, ensuring that a company’s sensitive data is not accessible to outside computers or users. In fact, cyber-security has grown into its own field of expertise with growing fears over protecting valuable data from intrusions or exposure. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in information technology and systems is recommended.
6. Database Administrators
Database administrators are a particular kind of system administrator responsible for databases, the computer systems, and software that handle large amounts of data for storage and retrieval. Database technology training programs provide a great entry point into an IT career.
7. Computer Programmers/Software Engineers
Computer programmers or software engineers, as they are sometimes called, create the software that drives the hardware that makes up many of the larger systems we are talking about. Some companies might differentiate between a programmer, who actually writes the computer code, and a software engineer, who solves more abstract problems related to computer software design. However, often the two terms are used interchangeably.
Many companies develop their own software specific to their company or their industry, for example: finance, accounting, e-commerce, or scientific research. Computer programmers do the work of customizing a company’s software for its industry or, if the company is in the software business, of developing commercial software that consumers or other companies may want to use.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly eight out of 10 computer programmers held an associate’s degree or higher in an area like computer science in 2006; and nearly half held a bachelor’s degree.
8. Other IT titles
A few other professions fall under the IT umbrella. One of them is the quality assurance analyst, sometimes called simply QA. These are the people who test a piece of software or hardware in a repetitive fashion to expose any design flaws.
A customer service representative, sometimes known as a computer support specialist, is another common occupation in the IT world. These people provide technical advice to consumers and users of technical products, most often over the phone or via e-mail. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in technology support is typically required.
As you may have guessed, many of the IT professions and specialties may overlap.
For example, a database administrator may have knowledge of computer programming. Or a cyber-security expert might also have the same skills as a system architect. A project manager might have a small amount of knowledge about many different disciplines.
Another thing to remember: Different companies assign responsibilities differently and have different personnel performing different jobs. Don’t be daunted if you hear the same terms used in a different way at different companies.
The size of a company also affects how it structures its IT department. A smaller company might have one person who “wears many hats” whereas in larger companies employees would probably have more focused job responsibilities.
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