I.Bachelor of Science in Graphics and Multimedia
Bachelor of Science in Graphics and Multimedia is a professional degree course that offers great career prospects in various creative fields. On successful completion of this degree program, students will have the necessary skills and knowledge to be employed as a member of a Web development team. The key work areas of a professional who have done their Bachelor of Science in Graphics and Multimedia include vector graphics animation, vector graphics and image processing. Several colleges abroad now offer online Bachelor degree in Graphics and Multimedia.
About Online BS in Graphics and Multimedia Program
Graphics and Multimedia is an expanding field, which has opened up vast career opportunities for students with a creative bent of mind. Online Bachelor of Science in Graphics and Multimedia is an degree program that offers the requisite skills and knowledge for professionals to achieve success in this ever expanding field.
Coursework in Bachelor of Science in Graphics and Multimedia program includes Principles of design, computerized design, Commercial graphics production, Web site design and Studio art.
In Online Bachelor of Science in Graphics and Multimedia specialization students build the necessary expertise to develop graphic-intensive content that adds to the demand and navigability of websites.
Scope of Studying Online BS in Graphics and Multimedia Program Abroad
Since a good number of colleges abroad offer online Bachelor of Science in Graphics and Multimedia, it is a great opportunity for students to earn a foreign degree. Further studying in a college abroad enhances one’s career prospects. In case professionals want to continue with their jobs and simultaneously pursue a course in Graphics and Multimedia, they can apply to colleges that offer this program online.
Colleges offering Online BS in Graphics and Multimedia Program
A number of colleges, universities as well as private design schools offer Online bachelors in graphics and multimedia courses. These include Westwood Online and Capella University among others.
II. Teach in China - New Vacancies Every Week
Description: EF English First is the largest recruiter for EFL teachers to China with year-round recruitment needs and has a position for anyone wanting to be part of China's unique experience. EF English First is part of EF Education, the world's largest privately owned educational organization with offices and schools in over 60 countries. EF English First has 200 language schools in 16 different countries - 70 of them being in China. Each of our schools is modern and well equipped and has: Multimedia labs and Internet access, a teacher library, support from the Director of Studies and EF English First's Academic Support office.
Teachers are encouraged to make lessons as student-centred and proactive as possible. The positions require dynamic, enthusiastic individuals, who are excited by the prospect of teaching EFL in a variety of learning environments - EF schools offer children's programs, teenage programs, general English programs, academic English and Business English.
EF English First offers truly global career development, whether you want to carry on teaching at another EF school in a different country, or become a Director of Studies and apply to enroll on EF's Diploma program or pursue another career path at one of our many offices worldwide, we can help you achieve your goal.
Teach in China - New Vacancies Every Week
Highlights: All positions offer competitive local salaries, reimbursed flights, free accommodation, visa costs and free medical insurance.
Qualifications: Candidates must have recognized teaching English as a foreign language certification, like the EF Certificate in TEFL, which contains a minimum of 6 hours observed teaching practice (equivalent qualifications like Trinity Cert. TESOL or CELTA are also acceptable). EFL classroom experience is also desirable, but not essential. In some cases, extensive relevant TEFL experience can be considered in lieu of formal TEFL qualifications. Candidates should be motivated, enthusiastic and open to new experiences. EF English First offers TEFL training in several locations in the UK, Spain, the Czech Republic and South Africa for candidates not meeting the above requirements. Please contact us for more details, stating your preferred study centre in the body of your email.
Job Types :
# Education
# English as a Second Language
Languages :
# English
Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching:
# English
Salary / Pay: All positions offer competitive local salaries, free flights, free accommodation, visa costs and free medical insurance.
Experience Required: no
This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants.
Participants Travel to China Independently
Typically Participants Work Independently
Application Process Involves:
* In-Person Interview when Feasible
* Letters of Reference
* Resume
* Written Application
Post Services Include:
* Alumni Network
* Job and Internship Network
EF English First's Mission Statement: EF English First is part of EF Education, the world's largest privately owned educational organisation. Since 1965 our mission has remained the same: to bridge cultural gaps and tear down language barriers by providing quality language instruction and educational travel. Today, EF Education is a multi-national company with over 100 offices in 51 countries. Today 3,000 staff and 23,000 teachers help people of all ages and nationalities explore the world in which they live. Every year we encourage about two million people to expand their own personal horizons and learn a language with EF.
Custom Search
Thursday, January 15, 2009
JOBS IN MULTIMEDIA -7
I.Animation Jobs in India
Web Development Jobs | Media Jobs | Product Design Jobs
Graphical designs are used for making pictorial representations of data and information. Graphical designs, animations and illustrations generated by computers help in successful communication of specific information and message to the target audience. Computer animation and graphics are used in various spheres of our everyday life; in education, publishing, advertising, and entertainment, wherever creation of such a visual message is deemed necessary. Graphics jobs in India are booming.
Eligibility
If you’re gifted with the inborn talent to draw, paint and visualize, make sure to follow it up with proper academic training. Without the requisite technical knowledge and practice, you’ll only end
up wasting your talent. If you want to make it big in the profession, a bachelor’s degree in art or design would certainly come in handy. Instances of people earning their living without any formal training are rare.
Skills
A graphic designer should be creative, talented, detail-oriented, dedicated and original in his ideas. He/she should also have the knowledge of:
* The fundamentals of visual communication
* Iconography
* Image processing tools
* The nature of electronic media
* Computer painting
* Storyboarding techniques
Ability to create artwork that conforms to the style and content specifications provided by the project's art director or producer.
Scope
A career in graphics has huge scopes in the fields of:
* Advertising
* Animation
* Education
* Direction
* Cartography
* Photography
* Fashion
* Television
* Films
* Interface designing
* Web designing
* Gaming
Where to Study
Various colleges and universities offer programs on advanced multimedia technologies. Degrees and diplomas on multimedia and graphic designing are offered by institutes like:
* Arena
* Delhi College of Art
* Aptech
* Pune Film Institute
* Zee
* Xavier's Institute of Communication, Mumbai
* EDIT
Careers
One can choose careers like:
* Animator
* Account executive
* Creative director
* Graphic designer
* Visual artist
* Webmaster
Web Development Jobs | Media Jobs | Product Design Jobs
Graphical designs are used for making pictorial representations of data and information. Graphical designs, animations and illustrations generated by computers help in successful communication of specific information and message to the target audience. Computer animation and graphics are used in various spheres of our everyday life; in education, publishing, advertising, and entertainment, wherever creation of such a visual message is deemed necessary. Graphics jobs in India are booming.
Eligibility
If you’re gifted with the inborn talent to draw, paint and visualize, make sure to follow it up with proper academic training. Without the requisite technical knowledge and practice, you’ll only end
up wasting your talent. If you want to make it big in the profession, a bachelor’s degree in art or design would certainly come in handy. Instances of people earning their living without any formal training are rare.
Skills
A graphic designer should be creative, talented, detail-oriented, dedicated and original in his ideas. He/she should also have the knowledge of:
* The fundamentals of visual communication
* Iconography
* Image processing tools
* The nature of electronic media
* Computer painting
* Storyboarding techniques
Ability to create artwork that conforms to the style and content specifications provided by the project's art director or producer.
Scope
A career in graphics has huge scopes in the fields of:
* Advertising
* Animation
* Education
* Direction
* Cartography
* Photography
* Fashion
* Television
* Films
* Interface designing
* Web designing
* Gaming
Where to Study
Various colleges and universities offer programs on advanced multimedia technologies. Degrees and diplomas on multimedia and graphic designing are offered by institutes like:
* Arena
* Delhi College of Art
* Aptech
* Pune Film Institute
* Zee
* Xavier's Institute of Communication, Mumbai
* EDIT
Careers
One can choose careers like:
* Animator
* Account executive
* Creative director
* Graphic designer
* Visual artist
* Webmaster
JOBS IN HARDWARE -6
I.Country Profile
Finland, a country of lush forests and vast woodlands, is finding itself on an upswing after an unexpected recession in 1990-1992. Membership in the European Union (Finland was the first Nordic nation to join the Euro monetary system), a booming timber industry, and success in the information technology industry have helped the nation's economy grow faster than the European average for the past five years.
But Finland is taking its success cautiously. The recession, coupled with a faster-than-average rate of inflation, has left Finns feeling a little hesitant about getting too comfortable with prosperity.
Finland's 800-mile border with Russia, the European Union's only such border, gives it a unique position as a gateway to the east. The country's excellent infrastructure and transportation system (the Finnish rail gauge is the same as Russia's), its geographical location, and its understanding of how to do business in Russia and the Baltic states mean that many foreign companies, including those based in the U.S., use Finland as a base for opening transportation and marketing activities to the former Soviet Union.
Led by Nokia, Finland's telecommunications industry is also looking toward a bright future. The country is at the forefront of the movement to liberalize telecommunications in Europe and around the world.
Professional Resources
There are many business organizations, unions, and trade councils in Finland that could prove to be useful resources to the foreign job seeker. Many Finnish cities have their own chambers of commerce; the Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland is an umbrella organization comprised of 21 local chamber groups.
Several global online telephone directories like CallNow.com serve Finland. Useful books include Talouseláma 500, a free annual publication covering Finland's largest companies. Foreigners should also check out many other resources when searching for a career, including networking organizations geared toward expatriates living and working in Finland.
The Invest in Finland Bureau (IFB) is a national development organization promoting direct investment in Finland. In addition to providing assistance with contacting Finnish companies, the IFB website provides general information on various issues impacting the business climate of the country.
Job Resources
An international job seeker has an advantage in Finland's job market: knowledge of a culture other than the Finnish one. Finnish companies expanding abroad need cultural ambassadors. Another possibility is a job as a teacher of your native language. Business associations offer international trainee programs, which could be useful entrees into the Finnish job market.
There are nine major career websites in Finland, and many large Finnish companies have their own recruiting web pages. Finland's national network of government-sponsored employment offices is another important job-search resource. The network, maintained by the Finnish Ministry of Labor, can be found at mol.fl. Be patient - the
pages in English are currently under construction. In addition, career fairs, staffing agencies, executive recruiters, and newspaper job listings are all useful tools in the career search.
Finns take long summer holidays--four weeks or more--and Finnish companies often fill summer vacancies with students and up-and-coming young professionals. Applying for a summer job, which should be done as early as January or February, is a good way to get your foot in the door in Finland.
Financial Considerations
Finland is not a particularly expensive country in which to live, although big cities in the Nordic nations tend to be on the pricey side. Housing availability varies greatly from one part of the country to another, with the larger cities seeing a tighter housing market. Your employer or the local housing authority can help you find a place to live, or you can use newspaper listings or a housing agent.
Citizens of the EU and some other European countries are eligible for the Finnish national medical insurance while they're working in the country. They can also earn childcare allowances, unemployment, pension, and other benefits.
Finland's regular work week is 40 hours long; the work day averages 8 hours. Workers in Finland cannot be required to work overtime without their consent, and they make double their usual rate of pay for working on a Sunday. Finns earn four to five weeks of vacation each year.
Income taxes for foreigners working in Finland can get complicated and differ according to the length of the job; for more information visit www.vero.fi. Foreigners who intend to live in the nation permanently and who hold residence permits for at least a year are eligible for social security benefits, which can include childcare allowances, housing allowances, and financial aid benefits, among other benefits. Foreign workers are eligible for a pension in Finland after residing in the country for at least five years immediately prior to earning the pension.
Employment Trends
Finland is facing its seventh straight year of economic growth after recovering from the worst recession in its history in the early 1990s. Unemployment is now 10 percent (much better than 20 percent, its high during the recession) and steadily decreasing. According to forecasts, industries expecting high rates of growth in the near future include private services, electronics, telecommunications, real estate management, and the electro-technical industry, among others. A survey by the Finnish Ministry of Labor found that well-trained people with skills useful to the information society are in particularly high demand.
Finland is experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in the electronics and building industries and particularly needs engineers and ADP workers. In fact, a severe labor shortage is expected to be one of Finland's most serious problems in the near future. Some commentators have suggested hiring foreign workers as a solution to the problem, and in September 2000, Finland's leading newspaper estimated that 2.1million foreign workers would be needed by the year 2020. The Finnish government is crafting a more active immigration policy to help address this issue.
Resume/CV's
Language can be a major obstacle to getting a job in Finland. Unless you speak Finnish fluently, your choices are limited to international companies, and special areas such as engineering, IT, or independent work. If your resume is in Finnish, have a native-speaker check it for correctness.
Begin with your name, address, contact information, date of birth, nationality, and civil status, and the position for which you are applying. Then, in reverse-chronological order, list the schools you attended (including secondary or high school). For each, give the focus of your studies, dates of attendance, and diplomas or degrees you received. Add special courses, internships, study abroad, and any other relevant information.
Under "Work Experience," list your jobs in reverse-chronological order. If you are a recent graduate, list temporary and/or part-time jobs. If you are a seasoned professional, include a complete listing of all of your fulltime jobs. In both cases, state: job title, name of the employer, your dates of employment, and your responsibilities.
Finally, mention relevant awards, and special skills, such as expertise with various languages and computer programs. Include information on your military service (obligatory for males in Finland), and your duties. Add your personal interests and a few references (preferably supervisors), who are familiar with your work.
Information Technology
Finland may not be a large country, but its citizens are surprisingly sophisticated when it comes to technology. In fact, around 60 percent of Finns use the Internet. One reason for this wired society may be the Finnish government's active role in investing in information-technology training and education.
The IT industry in Finland is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, despite the hundreds of foreign computer engineers already employed in the country. IT workers do not need any special licenses to work in Finland, but they are usually expected to have four to five years of full-time study under their belts.
Information technology organizations and trade associations include the Finnish Information Processing Association, which has around 28,000 members, and the Finnish Information Security Association, whose website offers job listings. There are several Finnish periodicals that may be useful to the hopeful IT worker, such as Tietoviikko.
Interviewing Advice
In preparation for your interview, dress neatly and appropriately. In the business world, Finns dress conservatively, usually dark business suits in the winter and light suits in the summer for both men and women. You should also familiarize yourself with the place of the meeting so that you will be on time. Organization and punctuality are expected.
Usually an interview starts with introductions, handshakes with everyone present, and the exchange of business cards. You should address executives and professionals by their titles and surnames, and those without titles as Mr., Mrs., or Ms., with the surname.
The meeting moves quickly to the business discussion, with little preliminary conversation. During the discussion, let the interviewer set the direction, and do not interrupt or attempt to fill long silences. When questioned, it is to your benefit to explain you achievements thoroughly, but not to boast or appear over-confident; the Finns are a hard-working and modest people and prefer straightforward and honest communication. You should feel free during the conversation to ask questions about the job, the lines of authority, your colleagues, and your responsibilities, but avoid raising the issue of salary or benefits early in the process.
Engineering
Young engineers in Finland are having no problem finding jobs; almost all of them are employed immediately after graduating, and many have contracts even before they get out of school. Mechanical, telecommunications, and data engineers are in particularly high demand, and many of the companies in these fields are facing severe labor shortages. While the unemployment rate for the country as a whole is 10 percent, engineers enjoy a mere 3.7 percent unemployment rate.
Engineers do not need special licenses to practice in Finland, but almost all of them hold either a bachelor's or a master's degree in engineering. Engineers with at least an MSc, the equivalent to five to six years of full-time study, are considered graduate engineers. While private-sector employers may hire based on their own criteria, and are even permitted to hire engineers who have not yet graduated, stricter rules apply to public-sector vacancies.
If you're interested in working as an engineer in Finland, you may enjoy one of the countries leading industry newspapers Teknika & Talous. Engineers can also benefit from reading books published by Rakennustieto Oy, producers of literature about buildings, construction, and architecture.
Work Permits
Everyone coming to work in Finland, other than citizens of the EU and Norway and the spouses and children of Finnish citizens, is required to hold a work permit. The future employer begins the process of obtaining a permit for the foreign worker who is residing abroad when hired. The first step is for the employer to contract a local employment agency and apply for a statement of need to use foreign labor. The employer sends this statement to the applicant, who then applies for the actual permit.
If the foreigner doesn't find a job until after arrival, he or she must apply for a permit at the local police station, but permits applied for in this way are granted only in exceptional circumstances. A permit costs about $120 U.S., and is usually granted for one year at a time.
Accounting & Finance
A January 2001 study by Finland's Central Chamber of Commerce found that accountants are enjoying a good employment situation. Both statutory audits and consulting have increased. In the finance business, international MBAs and master's degrees in economics are particularly valued qualifications. In order to work in these industries, you must speak either Finnish or Swedish. Depending on your particular field, you may also be required to hold special certificates and pass professional examinations.
Organizations and trade associations in the accounting and finance fields include the Registered Association of Certified HTM-Auditors, an interest group of more than 1,000 recognized auditors that promotes its members' professional development and business opportunities. There are also major finance and accounting labor unions.There are several publications that will be useful to a job seeker wishing to work in accounting or finance in Finland, such as Ekonomi-lehti.
Cultural Advice
The Finns are generally quite patient with and tolerant of newcomers to their country. They are private people who tend to avoid public displays of emotion. When talking to a Finn, remember not to group Finns together with citizens of other Nordic countries or refer to Finland as a Scandinavian nation--it isn't. Many foreigners find the Finns' tolerance of silence strange. Remember that the Finns avoid small talk, try not to interrupt each other, and tend to distrust those who talk too much.
If you're invited to a Finnish home, dress conservatively and take a gift for your host. Gifts are generally not exchanged by business associates, but ornamental objects or items featuring your organization's logo are acceptable. Punctuality is very important in Finland, and smoking is not allowed in public buildings.
Most young people in Finland speak fluent English or Swedish; some also know German, French, or Russian. Finns use titles and last names when not among close friends or family members.
Women and men in Finland enjoy very near to equal standing; women have served as President of the Republic and Chairman of the Parliament, and most work outside the home.
Finland's winter can last as many as six months in some areas, and in the far north, the sun barely even rises from November to February. In the summer, of course, daytime lasts 24 hours in many parts of the country.
Sales & Marketing
Finland's economy and productivity are on an upswing, which means excellent opportunities for sales and marketing professionals, and real talent is always valuable on the job market. Franchising, electronic components, computer hardware and software, and telecommunications services are particularly strong areas.
To obtain a managerial position in sales or marketing, you'll need an MSc, MBA, or equivalent degree. For non-managerial positions, degrees may not be as important, depending on the employer.
The Finnish Association of Marketing Communication Agencies is a network for agencies that design and produce advertising. SML ry, which has 5,000 individual members, is another professional association for the sales and marketing fields. There is also a labor union for the sales, marketing, purchasing, and representation trades. The SMKJ labor union maintains a web site which features a recruiting service
General Business
The best areas for management consultants in Finland are strategy and information technology. The Finnish Management Consultants' Association estimates that the field has grown by 20% each year since 1994, which the fastest growth occurring in IT. Consultants themselves say that demand is high for workers with abilities in teamwork, personal communication, language, and analysis, among other skills.
While there are no official education requirements for management consultants in Finland, a master's degree is usually necessary. Many consultants even hold doctorates.
The Association of the Finnish Management Consultants' membership rolls boast 180 full-time, independent consultants and 60 companies. Its website includes an online database of its members.
Business-related publications in Finland include Kauppalehti, the country's largest daily business and financial newspaper. Kauppalehti's website offers free online business and financial services to registered members, including news, share prices, and currency exchange rates.
This is only a small part what's available in the 75+ information packed pages of the Going Global Career Guide for Finland:
About Going Global Career Guides:
All you need to know to grab a global career in the country of your choice and work abroad. 75+ pages packed with detailed information from job sites to intensive interview advice, 500+ resources per guide researched and prepared by local experts. Each Country Career Guide is in PDF format that can be purchased, downloaded and printed for your personal use. An exceptional value for only $14.95
For more information and to order, click here: http://www.goinglobal.com/
Country Career Guides Table of Contents
I. COUNTRY PROFILE
II. JOB-SEARCH RESOURCES
1.Online Job Sites
2.Government-Sponsored Employment Offices
3.Job Fairs/Career Events
4.Staffing Agencies/Temporary Help Firms
5.Newspapers that Publish Job Advertisements
6.Other Resources
III. EMPLOYMENT TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES
General Trends
Information Technology
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Engineering
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Accounting and Finance
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Sales and Marketing
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
General Business
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
IV. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
1.Business Organizations/Trade Councils
2.Chambers of Commerce
3.Telephone Directories
4.Publications
5.Other Resources
VI. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ( Cost of living, salaries, health insurance, taxes, vacation/leave, benefits, etc)
VII. WORK PERMITS/VISAS
VIII. JOB APPLICATION GUIDELINES
1.Cover Letter Guidelines and Sample
2.Resume/CV Guidelines and Samples
IX. INTERVIEWING ADVICE
X. CULTURAL ADVICE
XI. COUNTRY RESOURCE BOOKS
Finland, a country of lush forests and vast woodlands, is finding itself on an upswing after an unexpected recession in 1990-1992. Membership in the European Union (Finland was the first Nordic nation to join the Euro monetary system), a booming timber industry, and success in the information technology industry have helped the nation's economy grow faster than the European average for the past five years.
But Finland is taking its success cautiously. The recession, coupled with a faster-than-average rate of inflation, has left Finns feeling a little hesitant about getting too comfortable with prosperity.
Finland's 800-mile border with Russia, the European Union's only such border, gives it a unique position as a gateway to the east. The country's excellent infrastructure and transportation system (the Finnish rail gauge is the same as Russia's), its geographical location, and its understanding of how to do business in Russia and the Baltic states mean that many foreign companies, including those based in the U.S., use Finland as a base for opening transportation and marketing activities to the former Soviet Union.
Led by Nokia, Finland's telecommunications industry is also looking toward a bright future. The country is at the forefront of the movement to liberalize telecommunications in Europe and around the world.
Professional Resources
There are many business organizations, unions, and trade councils in Finland that could prove to be useful resources to the foreign job seeker. Many Finnish cities have their own chambers of commerce; the Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland is an umbrella organization comprised of 21 local chamber groups.
Several global online telephone directories like CallNow.com serve Finland. Useful books include Talouseláma 500, a free annual publication covering Finland's largest companies. Foreigners should also check out many other resources when searching for a career, including networking organizations geared toward expatriates living and working in Finland.
The Invest in Finland Bureau (IFB) is a national development organization promoting direct investment in Finland. In addition to providing assistance with contacting Finnish companies, the IFB website provides general information on various issues impacting the business climate of the country.
Job Resources
An international job seeker has an advantage in Finland's job market: knowledge of a culture other than the Finnish one. Finnish companies expanding abroad need cultural ambassadors. Another possibility is a job as a teacher of your native language. Business associations offer international trainee programs, which could be useful entrees into the Finnish job market.
There are nine major career websites in Finland, and many large Finnish companies have their own recruiting web pages. Finland's national network of government-sponsored employment offices is another important job-search resource. The network, maintained by the Finnish Ministry of Labor, can be found at mol.fl. Be patient - the
pages in English are currently under construction. In addition, career fairs, staffing agencies, executive recruiters, and newspaper job listings are all useful tools in the career search.
Finns take long summer holidays--four weeks or more--and Finnish companies often fill summer vacancies with students and up-and-coming young professionals. Applying for a summer job, which should be done as early as January or February, is a good way to get your foot in the door in Finland.
Financial Considerations
Finland is not a particularly expensive country in which to live, although big cities in the Nordic nations tend to be on the pricey side. Housing availability varies greatly from one part of the country to another, with the larger cities seeing a tighter housing market. Your employer or the local housing authority can help you find a place to live, or you can use newspaper listings or a housing agent.
Citizens of the EU and some other European countries are eligible for the Finnish national medical insurance while they're working in the country. They can also earn childcare allowances, unemployment, pension, and other benefits.
Finland's regular work week is 40 hours long; the work day averages 8 hours. Workers in Finland cannot be required to work overtime without their consent, and they make double their usual rate of pay for working on a Sunday. Finns earn four to five weeks of vacation each year.
Income taxes for foreigners working in Finland can get complicated and differ according to the length of the job; for more information visit www.vero.fi. Foreigners who intend to live in the nation permanently and who hold residence permits for at least a year are eligible for social security benefits, which can include childcare allowances, housing allowances, and financial aid benefits, among other benefits. Foreign workers are eligible for a pension in Finland after residing in the country for at least five years immediately prior to earning the pension.
Employment Trends
Finland is facing its seventh straight year of economic growth after recovering from the worst recession in its history in the early 1990s. Unemployment is now 10 percent (much better than 20 percent, its high during the recession) and steadily decreasing. According to forecasts, industries expecting high rates of growth in the near future include private services, electronics, telecommunications, real estate management, and the electro-technical industry, among others. A survey by the Finnish Ministry of Labor found that well-trained people with skills useful to the information society are in particularly high demand.
Finland is experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in the electronics and building industries and particularly needs engineers and ADP workers. In fact, a severe labor shortage is expected to be one of Finland's most serious problems in the near future. Some commentators have suggested hiring foreign workers as a solution to the problem, and in September 2000, Finland's leading newspaper estimated that 2.1million foreign workers would be needed by the year 2020. The Finnish government is crafting a more active immigration policy to help address this issue.
Resume/CV's
Language can be a major obstacle to getting a job in Finland. Unless you speak Finnish fluently, your choices are limited to international companies, and special areas such as engineering, IT, or independent work. If your resume is in Finnish, have a native-speaker check it for correctness.
Begin with your name, address, contact information, date of birth, nationality, and civil status, and the position for which you are applying. Then, in reverse-chronological order, list the schools you attended (including secondary or high school). For each, give the focus of your studies, dates of attendance, and diplomas or degrees you received. Add special courses, internships, study abroad, and any other relevant information.
Under "Work Experience," list your jobs in reverse-chronological order. If you are a recent graduate, list temporary and/or part-time jobs. If you are a seasoned professional, include a complete listing of all of your fulltime jobs. In both cases, state: job title, name of the employer, your dates of employment, and your responsibilities.
Finally, mention relevant awards, and special skills, such as expertise with various languages and computer programs. Include information on your military service (obligatory for males in Finland), and your duties. Add your personal interests and a few references (preferably supervisors), who are familiar with your work.
Information Technology
Finland may not be a large country, but its citizens are surprisingly sophisticated when it comes to technology. In fact, around 60 percent of Finns use the Internet. One reason for this wired society may be the Finnish government's active role in investing in information-technology training and education.
The IT industry in Finland is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, despite the hundreds of foreign computer engineers already employed in the country. IT workers do not need any special licenses to work in Finland, but they are usually expected to have four to five years of full-time study under their belts.
Information technology organizations and trade associations include the Finnish Information Processing Association, which has around 28,000 members, and the Finnish Information Security Association, whose website offers job listings. There are several Finnish periodicals that may be useful to the hopeful IT worker, such as Tietoviikko.
Interviewing Advice
In preparation for your interview, dress neatly and appropriately. In the business world, Finns dress conservatively, usually dark business suits in the winter and light suits in the summer for both men and women. You should also familiarize yourself with the place of the meeting so that you will be on time. Organization and punctuality are expected.
Usually an interview starts with introductions, handshakes with everyone present, and the exchange of business cards. You should address executives and professionals by their titles and surnames, and those without titles as Mr., Mrs., or Ms., with the surname.
The meeting moves quickly to the business discussion, with little preliminary conversation. During the discussion, let the interviewer set the direction, and do not interrupt or attempt to fill long silences. When questioned, it is to your benefit to explain you achievements thoroughly, but not to boast or appear over-confident; the Finns are a hard-working and modest people and prefer straightforward and honest communication. You should feel free during the conversation to ask questions about the job, the lines of authority, your colleagues, and your responsibilities, but avoid raising the issue of salary or benefits early in the process.
Engineering
Young engineers in Finland are having no problem finding jobs; almost all of them are employed immediately after graduating, and many have contracts even before they get out of school. Mechanical, telecommunications, and data engineers are in particularly high demand, and many of the companies in these fields are facing severe labor shortages. While the unemployment rate for the country as a whole is 10 percent, engineers enjoy a mere 3.7 percent unemployment rate.
Engineers do not need special licenses to practice in Finland, but almost all of them hold either a bachelor's or a master's degree in engineering. Engineers with at least an MSc, the equivalent to five to six years of full-time study, are considered graduate engineers. While private-sector employers may hire based on their own criteria, and are even permitted to hire engineers who have not yet graduated, stricter rules apply to public-sector vacancies.
If you're interested in working as an engineer in Finland, you may enjoy one of the countries leading industry newspapers Teknika & Talous. Engineers can also benefit from reading books published by Rakennustieto Oy, producers of literature about buildings, construction, and architecture.
Work Permits
Everyone coming to work in Finland, other than citizens of the EU and Norway and the spouses and children of Finnish citizens, is required to hold a work permit. The future employer begins the process of obtaining a permit for the foreign worker who is residing abroad when hired. The first step is for the employer to contract a local employment agency and apply for a statement of need to use foreign labor. The employer sends this statement to the applicant, who then applies for the actual permit.
If the foreigner doesn't find a job until after arrival, he or she must apply for a permit at the local police station, but permits applied for in this way are granted only in exceptional circumstances. A permit costs about $120 U.S., and is usually granted for one year at a time.
Accounting & Finance
A January 2001 study by Finland's Central Chamber of Commerce found that accountants are enjoying a good employment situation. Both statutory audits and consulting have increased. In the finance business, international MBAs and master's degrees in economics are particularly valued qualifications. In order to work in these industries, you must speak either Finnish or Swedish. Depending on your particular field, you may also be required to hold special certificates and pass professional examinations.
Organizations and trade associations in the accounting and finance fields include the Registered Association of Certified HTM-Auditors, an interest group of more than 1,000 recognized auditors that promotes its members' professional development and business opportunities. There are also major finance and accounting labor unions.There are several publications that will be useful to a job seeker wishing to work in accounting or finance in Finland, such as Ekonomi-lehti.
Cultural Advice
The Finns are generally quite patient with and tolerant of newcomers to their country. They are private people who tend to avoid public displays of emotion. When talking to a Finn, remember not to group Finns together with citizens of other Nordic countries or refer to Finland as a Scandinavian nation--it isn't. Many foreigners find the Finns' tolerance of silence strange. Remember that the Finns avoid small talk, try not to interrupt each other, and tend to distrust those who talk too much.
If you're invited to a Finnish home, dress conservatively and take a gift for your host. Gifts are generally not exchanged by business associates, but ornamental objects or items featuring your organization's logo are acceptable. Punctuality is very important in Finland, and smoking is not allowed in public buildings.
Most young people in Finland speak fluent English or Swedish; some also know German, French, or Russian. Finns use titles and last names when not among close friends or family members.
Women and men in Finland enjoy very near to equal standing; women have served as President of the Republic and Chairman of the Parliament, and most work outside the home.
Finland's winter can last as many as six months in some areas, and in the far north, the sun barely even rises from November to February. In the summer, of course, daytime lasts 24 hours in many parts of the country.
Sales & Marketing
Finland's economy and productivity are on an upswing, which means excellent opportunities for sales and marketing professionals, and real talent is always valuable on the job market. Franchising, electronic components, computer hardware and software, and telecommunications services are particularly strong areas.
To obtain a managerial position in sales or marketing, you'll need an MSc, MBA, or equivalent degree. For non-managerial positions, degrees may not be as important, depending on the employer.
The Finnish Association of Marketing Communication Agencies is a network for agencies that design and produce advertising. SML ry, which has 5,000 individual members, is another professional association for the sales and marketing fields. There is also a labor union for the sales, marketing, purchasing, and representation trades. The SMKJ labor union maintains a web site which features a recruiting service
General Business
The best areas for management consultants in Finland are strategy and information technology. The Finnish Management Consultants' Association estimates that the field has grown by 20% each year since 1994, which the fastest growth occurring in IT. Consultants themselves say that demand is high for workers with abilities in teamwork, personal communication, language, and analysis, among other skills.
While there are no official education requirements for management consultants in Finland, a master's degree is usually necessary. Many consultants even hold doctorates.
The Association of the Finnish Management Consultants' membership rolls boast 180 full-time, independent consultants and 60 companies. Its website includes an online database of its members.
Business-related publications in Finland include Kauppalehti, the country's largest daily business and financial newspaper. Kauppalehti's website offers free online business and financial services to registered members, including news, share prices, and currency exchange rates.
This is only a small part what's available in the 75+ information packed pages of the Going Global Career Guide for Finland:
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Country Career Guides Table of Contents
I. COUNTRY PROFILE
II. JOB-SEARCH RESOURCES
1.Online Job Sites
2.Government-Sponsored Employment Offices
3.Job Fairs/Career Events
4.Staffing Agencies/Temporary Help Firms
5.Newspapers that Publish Job Advertisements
6.Other Resources
III. EMPLOYMENT TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES
General Trends
Information Technology
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Engineering
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Accounting and Finance
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Sales and Marketing
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
General Business
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
IV. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
1.Business Organizations/Trade Councils
2.Chambers of Commerce
3.Telephone Directories
4.Publications
5.Other Resources
VI. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ( Cost of living, salaries, health insurance, taxes, vacation/leave, benefits, etc)
VII. WORK PERMITS/VISAS
VIII. JOB APPLICATION GUIDELINES
1.Cover Letter Guidelines and Sample
2.Resume/CV Guidelines and Samples
IX. INTERVIEWING ADVICE
X. CULTURAL ADVICE
XI. COUNTRY RESOURCE BOOKS
JOBS IN HARDWARE -5
I. Love-Hate
What's Great
A Worldwide Market
With technology reaching most of the way across the world, products are sold and talent is recruited from around the globe. As a result, a job in the software or hardware industry could include travel, either for months or for a day. And even if you don't go, you'll probably meet people who do and might invite you, if you're nice, for a visit.
Diversity
The culture of the hardware industry tends to be more socially liberal than those of more traditional industries. That plus the above-mentioned worldwide market adds up to a workforce that is not only a good mix of male and female but is also composed of a wide variety of nationalities and colors.
Flex, Not Face, Time
The important thing is that the job gets done and done on time. When it gets worked on is not always management's top concern, so most high-tech companies offer options such as flex time, telecommuting, and the like.
What's to Hate
Lost in the Shuffle
For many people, this will be their first serious job out of college or graduate school, and the switch from being a student to being just another worker in a corporation of hundreds of thousands may come as a shock. It's true that there may be more opportunities for both advancement and important work at a larger company, but along with that often comes the loss of a sense of place or perspective.
Taking Out a Contract
One way corporations are cutting their expenses is to move what used to be in-house jobs to contract positions—this means, on the one hand, that it might be easier to get into a desirable company as a contractor, but these positions often lack benefits and any sense of security. Also, the general trend means that companies are looking to get rid of people rather than hire.
Learning to Love CPU Cycles
Although we're going through an exciting time in terms of the way we use computers, the computer hardware industry is (and has always been) a highly quantitative field primarily concerned with an endless array of specifications. If you aren't fascinated with how these machines work, the work can seem rather dry—not just for technical staff, but also for marketing professionals, whose work partly involves translating specs and other technical data into more accessible language.
II. Major Players
Top 20 Computer Hardware Companies, by 2005 Revenue
Rank Company Revenue ($M) 1-Year Change (%) Employees
1 IBM Corp. 91,134 –5.4 319,926
2 Hewlett-Packard Co. 86,696 8.5 150,000
3 Hitachi, Ltd. 84,365 3.6 323,072
4 Sony Corp. 66,912 –7.2 151,400
5 Toshiba Corp. 54,264 2.7 165,000
6 Dell Inc. 49,205 18.7 55,200
7 NEC Corp. 45,298 –3.7 147,800
8 Fujitsu Ltd. 44,284 –1.9 150,970
9 Canon Inc. 31,836 –4.5 109,434
10 Cisco Systems, Inc. 24,801 12.5 38,413
11 Ricoh Co., Ltd. 16,868 0.1 75,097
12
Xerox Corp.
14,826 0.3 58,100
13 Apple Computer Inc. 13,931 68.3 16,820
14 Seiko Epson Corp. 13,759 2.8 85,647
15 Sun Microsystems, Inc. 11,071 –1.0 31,000
16 EMC Corp. 9,664 17.4 26,500
17 Seagate Technology 7,553 21.4 43,000
18 Acer, Inc. 7,036* 52.2* 6,560*
19 NCR Corp. 6,028 0.7 28,200
20 Western Digital Corp. 3,638 19.4 23,161
*2004 numbers.
Sources: Hoover's; WetFeet analysis.
Job descriptions and tips
Back to top
Key Jobs
Junior Engineer
This entry-level position is the foot soldier of engineering. You're not so much coming up with ideas as implementing solutions developed by your superiors. Still, this is an important first rung to a more specialized, higher-paying engineering position. This job category can also include software programming, which involves writing the code built into the hardware system. Salary range: $40,000 to $55,000.
Engineer
The middle ground between junior engineer and system architect, this position encompasses about 95 percent of the engineering workforce. Salary range: $55,000 to $85,000.
Systems Engineer
This position typically is filled by an engineer who combines technical expertise and strong people skills. A systems engineer, who must know the technology inside out, assists the sales staff in managing the relationship with the potential buyer. An SE is sometimes paired with an individual salesperson, sometimes with a team of salespeople. Salary range: $75,000 to $105,000.
Technical Support
The technical support staff fields the never-ending barrage of questions from businesses or consumers who recently purchased a product. With computer companies trying to use top-flight customer service to set themselves apart from the pack, tech-support positions are becoming increasingly important. A technical background helps in this position but is not a prerequisite for employment. Patience, and the ability to soothe the confused and frustrated, matter far more. Salary range: $25,000 to $65,000.
Technical Writer
This is an excellent way for those of you with non-tech backgrounds to break into the computer industry. A technical writer is responsible for translating technical concepts into readable prose for user manuals and other types of documentation. Salary range: $35,000 to $85,000.
Marketing Communications Associate
This position is suitable for those with strong writing, communication, and people skills. You'll help with events, public relations tasks, and press conferences and coordinate the publicity materials in various media including online and print. After gaining a few years' experience, you might move on to a sales or marketing associate position. Salary range: $30,000 to $65,000.
Product Manager
As a product manager, you're a key player in coming up with product ideas and working with engineers to make them a reality. This position requires some grasp of technical matters, the ability to build consensus and teamwork, and a knack for spotting-and anticipating-market trends. Most of these jobs require an MBA or comparable experience. Salary range: $80,000 to $130,000.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysis in computer hardware companies can take many forms: numerical analysis for production planning, industrial operations management, or general finance and accounting. In some cases, an analyst evaluates other companies as potential merger or acquisition targets. Depending on how the analyst position is defined, an MBA may be necessary. Salary range: $35,000 to $90,000.
Sales
The demands of this job vary widely depending on whether you sell PCs, large servers, or mainframes, and on which markets you're selling to. In some instances, significant travel is required; in others, comparatively little. You'll always have to learn, quickly and completely, your product's technical specifications, but training and support are usually provided. Salary range: $25,000 to $80,000 or more, depending on commissions.
Getting Hired
Your job search in the computer hardware industry will vary widely depending on the type of technical expertise you have. There are basically two types of job seekers in high tech-technical people and everybody else (or, depending on whom you ask, marketing people and everybody else).
* If you want to be a marketer, you'll have to present yourself as a quick thinker, a good communicator, and someone who has a true affinity for or interest in the technology world. An ability to translate technospeak into English may also be a real plus, depending on the position.
* For technical people, employers want to see tangible related experience (or, for recent grads, a degree or relevant coursework in computer science or electrical engineering), strong analytical skills, and some affinity for the rigid structure of most computer companies.
* Whatever avenue you take into the world of computer hardware, you'll do well to come across as someone who is excited and energized by change. Employers also look for self-starters with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Despite the rigidity of computer hardware companies' management structures, you're not going to get a lot of handholding on the job. You'll need to impress upon your potential employer that you can take a project and run with it.
What's Great
A Worldwide Market
With technology reaching most of the way across the world, products are sold and talent is recruited from around the globe. As a result, a job in the software or hardware industry could include travel, either for months or for a day. And even if you don't go, you'll probably meet people who do and might invite you, if you're nice, for a visit.
Diversity
The culture of the hardware industry tends to be more socially liberal than those of more traditional industries. That plus the above-mentioned worldwide market adds up to a workforce that is not only a good mix of male and female but is also composed of a wide variety of nationalities and colors.
Flex, Not Face, Time
The important thing is that the job gets done and done on time. When it gets worked on is not always management's top concern, so most high-tech companies offer options such as flex time, telecommuting, and the like.
What's to Hate
Lost in the Shuffle
For many people, this will be their first serious job out of college or graduate school, and the switch from being a student to being just another worker in a corporation of hundreds of thousands may come as a shock. It's true that there may be more opportunities for both advancement and important work at a larger company, but along with that often comes the loss of a sense of place or perspective.
Taking Out a Contract
One way corporations are cutting their expenses is to move what used to be in-house jobs to contract positions—this means, on the one hand, that it might be easier to get into a desirable company as a contractor, but these positions often lack benefits and any sense of security. Also, the general trend means that companies are looking to get rid of people rather than hire.
Learning to Love CPU Cycles
Although we're going through an exciting time in terms of the way we use computers, the computer hardware industry is (and has always been) a highly quantitative field primarily concerned with an endless array of specifications. If you aren't fascinated with how these machines work, the work can seem rather dry—not just for technical staff, but also for marketing professionals, whose work partly involves translating specs and other technical data into more accessible language.
II. Major Players
Top 20 Computer Hardware Companies, by 2005 Revenue
Rank Company Revenue ($M) 1-Year Change (%) Employees
1 IBM Corp. 91,134 –5.4 319,926
2 Hewlett-Packard Co. 86,696 8.5 150,000
3 Hitachi, Ltd. 84,365 3.6 323,072
4 Sony Corp. 66,912 –7.2 151,400
5 Toshiba Corp. 54,264 2.7 165,000
6 Dell Inc. 49,205 18.7 55,200
7 NEC Corp. 45,298 –3.7 147,800
8 Fujitsu Ltd. 44,284 –1.9 150,970
9 Canon Inc. 31,836 –4.5 109,434
10 Cisco Systems, Inc. 24,801 12.5 38,413
11 Ricoh Co., Ltd. 16,868 0.1 75,097
12
Xerox Corp.
14,826 0.3 58,100
13 Apple Computer Inc. 13,931 68.3 16,820
14 Seiko Epson Corp. 13,759 2.8 85,647
15 Sun Microsystems, Inc. 11,071 –1.0 31,000
16 EMC Corp. 9,664 17.4 26,500
17 Seagate Technology 7,553 21.4 43,000
18 Acer, Inc. 7,036* 52.2* 6,560*
19 NCR Corp. 6,028 0.7 28,200
20 Western Digital Corp. 3,638 19.4 23,161
*2004 numbers.
Sources: Hoover's; WetFeet analysis.
Job descriptions and tips
Back to top
Key Jobs
Junior Engineer
This entry-level position is the foot soldier of engineering. You're not so much coming up with ideas as implementing solutions developed by your superiors. Still, this is an important first rung to a more specialized, higher-paying engineering position. This job category can also include software programming, which involves writing the code built into the hardware system. Salary range: $40,000 to $55,000.
Engineer
The middle ground between junior engineer and system architect, this position encompasses about 95 percent of the engineering workforce. Salary range: $55,000 to $85,000.
Systems Engineer
This position typically is filled by an engineer who combines technical expertise and strong people skills. A systems engineer, who must know the technology inside out, assists the sales staff in managing the relationship with the potential buyer. An SE is sometimes paired with an individual salesperson, sometimes with a team of salespeople. Salary range: $75,000 to $105,000.
Technical Support
The technical support staff fields the never-ending barrage of questions from businesses or consumers who recently purchased a product. With computer companies trying to use top-flight customer service to set themselves apart from the pack, tech-support positions are becoming increasingly important. A technical background helps in this position but is not a prerequisite for employment. Patience, and the ability to soothe the confused and frustrated, matter far more. Salary range: $25,000 to $65,000.
Technical Writer
This is an excellent way for those of you with non-tech backgrounds to break into the computer industry. A technical writer is responsible for translating technical concepts into readable prose for user manuals and other types of documentation. Salary range: $35,000 to $85,000.
Marketing Communications Associate
This position is suitable for those with strong writing, communication, and people skills. You'll help with events, public relations tasks, and press conferences and coordinate the publicity materials in various media including online and print. After gaining a few years' experience, you might move on to a sales or marketing associate position. Salary range: $30,000 to $65,000.
Product Manager
As a product manager, you're a key player in coming up with product ideas and working with engineers to make them a reality. This position requires some grasp of technical matters, the ability to build consensus and teamwork, and a knack for spotting-and anticipating-market trends. Most of these jobs require an MBA or comparable experience. Salary range: $80,000 to $130,000.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysis in computer hardware companies can take many forms: numerical analysis for production planning, industrial operations management, or general finance and accounting. In some cases, an analyst evaluates other companies as potential merger or acquisition targets. Depending on how the analyst position is defined, an MBA may be necessary. Salary range: $35,000 to $90,000.
Sales
The demands of this job vary widely depending on whether you sell PCs, large servers, or mainframes, and on which markets you're selling to. In some instances, significant travel is required; in others, comparatively little. You'll always have to learn, quickly and completely, your product's technical specifications, but training and support are usually provided. Salary range: $25,000 to $80,000 or more, depending on commissions.
Getting Hired
Your job search in the computer hardware industry will vary widely depending on the type of technical expertise you have. There are basically two types of job seekers in high tech-technical people and everybody else (or, depending on whom you ask, marketing people and everybody else).
* If you want to be a marketer, you'll have to present yourself as a quick thinker, a good communicator, and someone who has a true affinity for or interest in the technology world. An ability to translate technospeak into English may also be a real plus, depending on the position.
* For technical people, employers want to see tangible related experience (or, for recent grads, a degree or relevant coursework in computer science or electrical engineering), strong analytical skills, and some affinity for the rigid structure of most computer companies.
* Whatever avenue you take into the world of computer hardware, you'll do well to come across as someone who is excited and energized by change. Employers also look for self-starters with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Despite the rigidity of computer hardware companies' management structures, you're not going to get a lot of handholding on the job. You'll need to impress upon your potential employer that you can take a project and run with it.
JOBS IN HAREWARE -4
Computer Hardware
Overview
Computer hardware, as we use the term, means central processing units (CPUs), including memory and storage—in other words, the machine on which you run an operating system and application software and to which you attach peripherals (keyboards, mice, printers, etc.). Also included in our definition are the servers, electronic security, and storage devices used in the data centers of many corporations.
Computer hardware and software are useless without each other. But working together they store, modify, and exchange data: words, pictures, and numbers—everything from correspondence to news photos, from drawings of jet aircraft to shipping manifests, from news releases to financial reports, from census statistics to stock quotes, from maps to email.
The competition among computer hardware companies is particularly intense. On the one hand, in the traditional PC market, companies' products have largely become commodified, with constant downward price pressure (and narrowing profit margins) being the result. On the other hand, there are markets for innovative new products, like tablet PCs and ultra-minimal desktops, that are not yet fully commodified. Here, the race is on to develop products at breakneck speed so you can be first to market. And if a company falters, it instantly becomes a target for larger companies looking to acquire new businesses. No doubt about it: Computer hardware is a cutthroat business.
There are definite geographic concentrations in the hardware industry despite its worldwide reach. It's often noted that high-tech companies are usually located near colleges and universities, and there's a good deal of truth to that, as many companies come out of research done at such institutions. Silicon Valley is near San Jose State, the University of California at Berkeley, and Stanford University. Route 128 is near the educational mecca of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Research Triangle in North Carolina and the area around Austin, Texas, are also good examples. Still, there are other places within North America where you'll find major hardware companies; for example, Gateway is in North Dakota.
Most major corporations in computer hardware reach across national borders. International sales normally account for a large percentage of most hardware companies' bottom lines, and India, Japan, China, and other Asian locations are hotbeds of hardware manufacture and design.
Trends
Smaller and Smaller
As advancing technology makes it cost-effective to make more complex chips in increasingly compact sizes, computer hardware makers can bring smaller and smaller devices to market. Think flat computer display screens. Think ever-thinner, ever-lighter laptop computers. And so on.
New Gaming Platforms
The big three in gaming hardware—Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo—all either have recently launched their latest-generation gaming consoles or are planning their imminent release. This situation comes around every five years or so. The new consoles feature high-def graphics, speedy performance, and enhanced audio. Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was launched late in 2005, is at press time the most advanced console on the market. Sony's PS3 console, due out later in 2006 or early in 2007, is projected to be technically more advanced than the Xbox 360, but will cost significantly more. Nintendo's Wii console, also due out later in 2006, is so far taking a back seat to the Sony and Microsoft console offerings in terms of marketplace buzz.
Convergence
Is it a DVD player? A stereo system? A photo scrapbook? A film editing station? A telephone? No, it's today's PC or laptop. These days, personal computers are able to do more and more different things. This means plenty of work for computer hardware professionals, as they make and market hardware products with new and varied capabilities. On the other hand, it also means new sources of competition—such as telecom companies making newfangled cell phones that allow users to watch videos and surf the Internet, and consumer electronics companies making personal entertainment systems and the likes.
Outsourcing
In the hardware world as elsewhere in business, an increasing number of manufacturers are outsourcing product and component development and manufacturing overseas. Some companies are only doing top-level design in the United States, leaving production and more basic design tasks to cheaper labor in the Philippines, China, and elsewhere. What this means is that product managers and project heads may have to travel a lot more than in previous generations; it also means that many North America-based jobs are being lost. Increasingly, the task of American PC companies is to be expert in marketing and distribution while simply outsourcing manufacturing and portions of the design work. Still, observers point out that there should continue to be plenty of jobs in this sector in the U.S. for techies with top-notch skills.
Consolidation
Related to outsourcing and commodification, consolidation of the industry makes sense as computers become familiar products that require fewer very different design and manufacturing approaches. Let a few giant companies manufacture more units at lower cost while sharing marketing and distribution costs across a larger organization. Hewlett-Packard came home with Compaq for billions, and rumor has it that Gateway is a prime takeover target.
Linux
This cheap, open-source operating system software (read: Linux code is available for free on the Web) is moving into the mainstream. Pushed by the desire to lower costs, companies of many stripes have taken a new interest in Linux instead of more expensive operating systems such as Windows or Unix. At the same time, Intel has begun optimizing its chips for Linux in addition to Windows. The result: Hardware manufacturers such as IBM, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard have begun optimizing their PC and server products for Linux.
How It Breaks Down
For job seekers, one way to segment the industry is by the type of computer hardware the company makes. Other differentiating factors include industry and application focus and sales-and-distribution methodology: mail order, Internet, or retail.
PCs (Desktop and Laptop)
The PC market is perhaps the most visible segment of the high-tech hardware market, with computers becoming more and more common at work, home, labs, and school. Established players here include Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Apple, which make desktop and portable computers, many of which are powerful enough to replace high-end specialized workstations and to use for 3-D rendering, molecular modeling, computer-aided design (CAD), and video editing. Portable computers represent a growing overall share of the personal computer market.
Peripherals
A peripheral is usually understood to be an external product added to a computer, such as a new mouse, speakers, or memory stick (think manufacturers like Kensington, Logitech, and KeyTronic), all the way up to monitors, scanners, and printers. However, a peripheral can also be something added into a computer, such as a 3-D video card or an internal modem.
Servers
There are many types of servers—those big boxes that, among other things, are the glue that holds the Internet together. In addition to Web servers, which pass back and forth all of the HTML and image files that end up on your screen, there are local area network (LAN) servers, wide area network (WAN) servers, file servers, mail servers, database servers, and more. Every time two computers (termed "clients" in this context) connect over a network, a server is involved.
Job Prospects
Opportunities in the computer hardware industry exist not only for engineers, computer scientists, and others with technical skills, but also for people with financial, marketing, sales, and product management backgrounds. Job seekers with technical expertise and a computer science degree attract the most opportunities and the sweetest compensation packages, whether they work as engineers, product managers, or in marketing. Opportunities in fields such as sales, customer support, and technical writing go to individuals with good people skills, a strong customer-service bias, and the ability to communicate complex ideas in plain English, respectively. If any of these sounds like you, give computer hardware a close look—but be prepared to get up to speed on the technical side.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the growth in the United States in jobs in this sector will drop between 2004 and 2014, compared to an increase in jobs overall of about 14 percent. You can thank the increasing automation of manufacturing processes, as well as the trend toward moving computer hardware-production jobs overseas, for the bleak outlook. Still, this is a big, growing industry, and there will always be business and techie jobs available in this sector for people at the top of their game.
Overview
Computer hardware, as we use the term, means central processing units (CPUs), including memory and storage—in other words, the machine on which you run an operating system and application software and to which you attach peripherals (keyboards, mice, printers, etc.). Also included in our definition are the servers, electronic security, and storage devices used in the data centers of many corporations.
Computer hardware and software are useless without each other. But working together they store, modify, and exchange data: words, pictures, and numbers—everything from correspondence to news photos, from drawings of jet aircraft to shipping manifests, from news releases to financial reports, from census statistics to stock quotes, from maps to email.
The competition among computer hardware companies is particularly intense. On the one hand, in the traditional PC market, companies' products have largely become commodified, with constant downward price pressure (and narrowing profit margins) being the result. On the other hand, there are markets for innovative new products, like tablet PCs and ultra-minimal desktops, that are not yet fully commodified. Here, the race is on to develop products at breakneck speed so you can be first to market. And if a company falters, it instantly becomes a target for larger companies looking to acquire new businesses. No doubt about it: Computer hardware is a cutthroat business.
There are definite geographic concentrations in the hardware industry despite its worldwide reach. It's often noted that high-tech companies are usually located near colleges and universities, and there's a good deal of truth to that, as many companies come out of research done at such institutions. Silicon Valley is near San Jose State, the University of California at Berkeley, and Stanford University. Route 128 is near the educational mecca of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Research Triangle in North Carolina and the area around Austin, Texas, are also good examples. Still, there are other places within North America where you'll find major hardware companies; for example, Gateway is in North Dakota.
Most major corporations in computer hardware reach across national borders. International sales normally account for a large percentage of most hardware companies' bottom lines, and India, Japan, China, and other Asian locations are hotbeds of hardware manufacture and design.
Trends
Smaller and Smaller
As advancing technology makes it cost-effective to make more complex chips in increasingly compact sizes, computer hardware makers can bring smaller and smaller devices to market. Think flat computer display screens. Think ever-thinner, ever-lighter laptop computers. And so on.
New Gaming Platforms
The big three in gaming hardware—Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo—all either have recently launched their latest-generation gaming consoles or are planning their imminent release. This situation comes around every five years or so. The new consoles feature high-def graphics, speedy performance, and enhanced audio. Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was launched late in 2005, is at press time the most advanced console on the market. Sony's PS3 console, due out later in 2006 or early in 2007, is projected to be technically more advanced than the Xbox 360, but will cost significantly more. Nintendo's Wii console, also due out later in 2006, is so far taking a back seat to the Sony and Microsoft console offerings in terms of marketplace buzz.
Convergence
Is it a DVD player? A stereo system? A photo scrapbook? A film editing station? A telephone? No, it's today's PC or laptop. These days, personal computers are able to do more and more different things. This means plenty of work for computer hardware professionals, as they make and market hardware products with new and varied capabilities. On the other hand, it also means new sources of competition—such as telecom companies making newfangled cell phones that allow users to watch videos and surf the Internet, and consumer electronics companies making personal entertainment systems and the likes.
Outsourcing
In the hardware world as elsewhere in business, an increasing number of manufacturers are outsourcing product and component development and manufacturing overseas. Some companies are only doing top-level design in the United States, leaving production and more basic design tasks to cheaper labor in the Philippines, China, and elsewhere. What this means is that product managers and project heads may have to travel a lot more than in previous generations; it also means that many North America-based jobs are being lost. Increasingly, the task of American PC companies is to be expert in marketing and distribution while simply outsourcing manufacturing and portions of the design work. Still, observers point out that there should continue to be plenty of jobs in this sector in the U.S. for techies with top-notch skills.
Consolidation
Related to outsourcing and commodification, consolidation of the industry makes sense as computers become familiar products that require fewer very different design and manufacturing approaches. Let a few giant companies manufacture more units at lower cost while sharing marketing and distribution costs across a larger organization. Hewlett-Packard came home with Compaq for billions, and rumor has it that Gateway is a prime takeover target.
Linux
This cheap, open-source operating system software (read: Linux code is available for free on the Web) is moving into the mainstream. Pushed by the desire to lower costs, companies of many stripes have taken a new interest in Linux instead of more expensive operating systems such as Windows or Unix. At the same time, Intel has begun optimizing its chips for Linux in addition to Windows. The result: Hardware manufacturers such as IBM, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard have begun optimizing their PC and server products for Linux.
How It Breaks Down
For job seekers, one way to segment the industry is by the type of computer hardware the company makes. Other differentiating factors include industry and application focus and sales-and-distribution methodology: mail order, Internet, or retail.
PCs (Desktop and Laptop)
The PC market is perhaps the most visible segment of the high-tech hardware market, with computers becoming more and more common at work, home, labs, and school. Established players here include Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Apple, which make desktop and portable computers, many of which are powerful enough to replace high-end specialized workstations and to use for 3-D rendering, molecular modeling, computer-aided design (CAD), and video editing. Portable computers represent a growing overall share of the personal computer market.
Peripherals
A peripheral is usually understood to be an external product added to a computer, such as a new mouse, speakers, or memory stick (think manufacturers like Kensington, Logitech, and KeyTronic), all the way up to monitors, scanners, and printers. However, a peripheral can also be something added into a computer, such as a 3-D video card or an internal modem.
Servers
There are many types of servers—those big boxes that, among other things, are the glue that holds the Internet together. In addition to Web servers, which pass back and forth all of the HTML and image files that end up on your screen, there are local area network (LAN) servers, wide area network (WAN) servers, file servers, mail servers, database servers, and more. Every time two computers (termed "clients" in this context) connect over a network, a server is involved.
Job Prospects
Opportunities in the computer hardware industry exist not only for engineers, computer scientists, and others with technical skills, but also for people with financial, marketing, sales, and product management backgrounds. Job seekers with technical expertise and a computer science degree attract the most opportunities and the sweetest compensation packages, whether they work as engineers, product managers, or in marketing. Opportunities in fields such as sales, customer support, and technical writing go to individuals with good people skills, a strong customer-service bias, and the ability to communicate complex ideas in plain English, respectively. If any of these sounds like you, give computer hardware a close look—but be prepared to get up to speed on the technical side.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the growth in the United States in jobs in this sector will drop between 2004 and 2014, compared to an increase in jobs overall of about 14 percent. You can thank the increasing automation of manufacturing processes, as well as the trend toward moving computer hardware-production jobs overseas, for the bleak outlook. Still, this is a big, growing industry, and there will always be business and techie jobs available in this sector for people at the top of their game.
JOBS IN SOFTWARE -3
Career Course ::: Computer Software Development
If there were to be one major factor of technological revolution in the modern age, the answer would invariably go to a computer. Life in the 21st century is being governed by computers. This sleek device has changed the very way the world goes about its business. From our living rooms to office apartments in high-rise buildings, the computer has pervaded our lives beyond extrication and finds application in a large number of human activities. The importance the computer has come to occupy in our lives renders it the status of a non-disposable necessity of our civilization. If you are technologically driven and love to work with computers, a career in Computer Software Development is just right for you. This is a field, which is growing by leaps and bounds and promises to hold a lot of reward in terms of money. A Computer Software is a programme used to direct the operation of a computer, as well as documentation giving instructions on how to use them. It is different from Computer Hardware by the fact that hardware comprises the mechanical, magnetic, electronic and electrical devices used to make a computer system, as the central processing unit, disk drives, keyboard or monitor. A Computer Software is made to run by the use of Computer Hardware. Thus Computer Software is a set of programmed instructions that enable a computer to perform specified functions.
There are mainly two kinds of jobs in Computer Software- Manufacture and Software Development. In Manufacture, system programming is done so as to enable the computer to work. The applications of computer science and the principals of telecommunication are combined together in this fled. The field of manufacture requires creativity, high technological expertise and analytical reasoning. On the other hand, in Software Development, existing operations are updated, improved and refined for use in the future. Using the procedures of analysis, design, construction and implementation does this.
Thus, in the face of changing needs, soft wares are continuously upgraded, with new additions and modifications, so that computers are enabled to perform a variety of jobs.
Thus, Software Development is a continuous process with a large number of different jobs and applications for the computer. This makes the field, an ever-expanding and continuous one, which has a lot of job opportunities.
Different Computer Softwares
* System Softwares:
Programmes controlling the computer’s mode of operation.
* Application Softwares:
User-friendly programmes specially designed to take care of a customer’s basic needs or to run the day-to-day affairs of an organization.
* Application Packages:
Usage programmes allowing for complicated calculations, writing of reports, making presentations, drawings, etc.
Eligibility
The high-end jobs in Software Development are performed by Software Engineers. One should be a qualified Computer / Information Technology or Electronics Engineer in order to work as a Software Engineer. The minimum educational qualification required to study engineering in these disciplines is the successful completion of the 10+2 level of education with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as the subjects. One can also acquire a Degree in MCA (Master of Computer Applications) in order to work as a Soft ware Engineer.
If one is a plain science or commerce graduate, but one wants to work as a Software Engineer one should be trained in a particular computer language or application process.
The minimum eligibility criteria in order to work as a Design / Soft ware Engineer is a Degree in Electronics / Computer Engineering. Successful completion of the Graduation level of examination, in any discipline, along with proficiency in various computer programmes and languages like Java, C++, C, COBOL, FORTRAN, ALGOL, etc., is necessary in order to work as an Application Programmer.
The minimum qualification required to work as a System Analyst is the successful completion of the Graduation level of examination along with knowledge about various systems and prevailing trends in the industry. Apart from that, one should also have proficiency in a number of computer languages and programmes.
Aptitude
One should be technology-driven and have a profound love for working with computers. One should have strong mathematical skills. Ability to think critically and analytically and the ability to reason logically are the other qualities required in this field. One should be efficient and hard working and have the ability to work in a team. Good communication skills are required to interact with and understand the needs of the clients and deliver software programmes that would meet their needs. One should be intelligent with deep and high concentration and have skills in numeracy, imagination, patience and persistence. One should be able to sit for long hours at a computer terminal and should be able to meet deadlines and targets.
Courses
Various, courses in software technology are available in engineering colleges and other universities across the country. Reputed engineering colleges provide courses in software engineering while many universities provide courses leading to BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) and MCA (Master of Computer Applications) degrees. A large number of private institutes across the country also offer courses in Software Technology to the eligible candidates. Some of the noted institutes offering course in software technology are the NIIT, Aptech, Tata Unisys, etc. These institutes have their branches spread out all over India.
If one studies in a private institute, one should ensure that the institute is accredited by the DOEACC (Department of, Electronic Accreditation for Computer Courses). One can go in for the DOEACC-accredited courses, which are available at different levels – from `O`, and `A` levels to advanced courses at `B` and `C` levels. The authorized training partners of big software multinationals like IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and Lotus also conduct courses in software technology. After completion of a course at any of these institutes, one will be required to go through a certified examination, which is recognized worldwide.
Prospects
The 21st century is the age of computers and software professional has no dearth of opportunities in terms of work. According to NASSCOM, the domestic IT software market is expected to grow by about Rs.1, 000 core in between 2005 and 2009. In India, the IT industry can be divided into three major areas-Indian IT services and consulting companies like Wipro, Infosys, TCs, etc., multinational IT service companies like Hewlett Packard, Accenture and Microsoft; and research and development companies like Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, etc. The best engineering graduates in the electronics or computer science streams from the IITs and NITs find recruitment in the product research and development companies. On the other hand, engineering graduates from any stream, and confidence, easily find recruitment in IT service companies.
One can work in a number of positions in the IT sector, which is growing by leaps and bounds. One can work as a Software Engineer in any of the large Software companies operating in India. Many small companies also employ Software Engineers, though at a lower pay scale than the large companies like Infosys, Wipro, etc. If one is talented enough, one can get a job in a company like the Microsoft or Sun Microsystems.
One can start one’s career in the IT industry as a trainee Software Engineer. In this position-which one will be taking up directly after passing one’s engineering degree-one will be required to work in the first level of back-end jobs in the IT industry. Work in software designing houses, software development and the handling of software systems and applications are some of the areas where Software Engineer generally works. Many Software Engineer work to customize data and facilitate the use of software in managing the flow of data.
Software job opportunities are available in banks and insurance companies; as well as in telecommunication firms. Indian Software Engineers have worked sincerely to create a special niche for themselves in the world of Software. As the superior quality of Indian Software Engineers has been established worldwide, a large number of overseas computer companies are hiring Indian Software Engineers in their organizations. Every fourth Software Engineer in the world is an Indian. Indian Software Engineers employed with big Indian software companies like Infosys, Sat yam or Wipro, etc., are often sent abroad to handle overseas projects. As the world is increasingly getting digitized and computerized, the demand for software professionals is increasing steadily and will increase even more in the years to come. The software sector is one of the powerful engines driving the Indian economy and in the next few years, it is expected to throw up millions of job opportunities. These job opportunities would primarily be in the applications sector and in some specialized sectors like embedded software. One should keep oneself abreast with the latest tools and programming practices in order to ensure success in this rapidly expanding field.
In an IT company, one has to start as a trainee Software Engineer in which position, one will be required to do software development, write codes and even do the maintenance work. Next, one is promoted to the position of a senior Software Engineer in which one is responsible for the end-to-end development of software. The position of the Project Leader is the next rung in which one is responsible to deliver the project on time. The senior most position in this industry is that of a Project Manager. However, if one does not want to make a foray into management, one can work as a Technical Architect and share the same seniority level as that of a Project Manager. A technical Architect designs the software application and handles the technical organization of the project.
Remuneration
Software Engineering is a field, which offers high awards in terms of salaries. Even fresher are paid very good salaries in this industry. One will be paid a starting salary ranging between Rs.12, 000 to Rs.30, 000 per month when one starts one’s career as a Software Programmer, Systems Analyst, Product Designer or Software Engineer. In a product research and development company, one will earn a starting salary ranging between Rs.30, 000 to Rs.50, 000 per month. For fresh Software Engineers in the IT services sector, the salary ranges between Rs.12, 000 to Rs.25, 000 per month. In embedded software, the salary ranges between Rs.6 lakh to Rs.8 lakh per annum. Even higher salaries are paid in big companies like Infosys and TCS while overseas companies hire Software Engineers at really fabulous salaries. One’s salary goes on increasing with work experience in this industry. With a few years of work experience under one’s belt, one can own. For an entrepreneur in this industry, the sky is the limit in terms of making money.
If there were to be one major factor of technological revolution in the modern age, the answer would invariably go to a computer. Life in the 21st century is being governed by computers. This sleek device has changed the very way the world goes about its business. From our living rooms to office apartments in high-rise buildings, the computer has pervaded our lives beyond extrication and finds application in a large number of human activities. The importance the computer has come to occupy in our lives renders it the status of a non-disposable necessity of our civilization. If you are technologically driven and love to work with computers, a career in Computer Software Development is just right for you. This is a field, which is growing by leaps and bounds and promises to hold a lot of reward in terms of money. A Computer Software is a programme used to direct the operation of a computer, as well as documentation giving instructions on how to use them. It is different from Computer Hardware by the fact that hardware comprises the mechanical, magnetic, electronic and electrical devices used to make a computer system, as the central processing unit, disk drives, keyboard or monitor. A Computer Software is made to run by the use of Computer Hardware. Thus Computer Software is a set of programmed instructions that enable a computer to perform specified functions.
There are mainly two kinds of jobs in Computer Software- Manufacture and Software Development. In Manufacture, system programming is done so as to enable the computer to work. The applications of computer science and the principals of telecommunication are combined together in this fled. The field of manufacture requires creativity, high technological expertise and analytical reasoning. On the other hand, in Software Development, existing operations are updated, improved and refined for use in the future. Using the procedures of analysis, design, construction and implementation does this.
Thus, in the face of changing needs, soft wares are continuously upgraded, with new additions and modifications, so that computers are enabled to perform a variety of jobs.
Thus, Software Development is a continuous process with a large number of different jobs and applications for the computer. This makes the field, an ever-expanding and continuous one, which has a lot of job opportunities.
Different Computer Softwares
* System Softwares:
Programmes controlling the computer’s mode of operation.
* Application Softwares:
User-friendly programmes specially designed to take care of a customer’s basic needs or to run the day-to-day affairs of an organization.
* Application Packages:
Usage programmes allowing for complicated calculations, writing of reports, making presentations, drawings, etc.
Eligibility
The high-end jobs in Software Development are performed by Software Engineers. One should be a qualified Computer / Information Technology or Electronics Engineer in order to work as a Software Engineer. The minimum educational qualification required to study engineering in these disciplines is the successful completion of the 10+2 level of education with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as the subjects. One can also acquire a Degree in MCA (Master of Computer Applications) in order to work as a Soft ware Engineer.
If one is a plain science or commerce graduate, but one wants to work as a Software Engineer one should be trained in a particular computer language or application process.
The minimum eligibility criteria in order to work as a Design / Soft ware Engineer is a Degree in Electronics / Computer Engineering. Successful completion of the Graduation level of examination, in any discipline, along with proficiency in various computer programmes and languages like Java, C++, C, COBOL, FORTRAN, ALGOL, etc., is necessary in order to work as an Application Programmer.
The minimum qualification required to work as a System Analyst is the successful completion of the Graduation level of examination along with knowledge about various systems and prevailing trends in the industry. Apart from that, one should also have proficiency in a number of computer languages and programmes.
Aptitude
One should be technology-driven and have a profound love for working with computers. One should have strong mathematical skills. Ability to think critically and analytically and the ability to reason logically are the other qualities required in this field. One should be efficient and hard working and have the ability to work in a team. Good communication skills are required to interact with and understand the needs of the clients and deliver software programmes that would meet their needs. One should be intelligent with deep and high concentration and have skills in numeracy, imagination, patience and persistence. One should be able to sit for long hours at a computer terminal and should be able to meet deadlines and targets.
Courses
Various, courses in software technology are available in engineering colleges and other universities across the country. Reputed engineering colleges provide courses in software engineering while many universities provide courses leading to BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) and MCA (Master of Computer Applications) degrees. A large number of private institutes across the country also offer courses in Software Technology to the eligible candidates. Some of the noted institutes offering course in software technology are the NIIT, Aptech, Tata Unisys, etc. These institutes have their branches spread out all over India.
If one studies in a private institute, one should ensure that the institute is accredited by the DOEACC (Department of, Electronic Accreditation for Computer Courses). One can go in for the DOEACC-accredited courses, which are available at different levels – from `O`, and `A` levels to advanced courses at `B` and `C` levels. The authorized training partners of big software multinationals like IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and Lotus also conduct courses in software technology. After completion of a course at any of these institutes, one will be required to go through a certified examination, which is recognized worldwide.
Prospects
The 21st century is the age of computers and software professional has no dearth of opportunities in terms of work. According to NASSCOM, the domestic IT software market is expected to grow by about Rs.1, 000 core in between 2005 and 2009. In India, the IT industry can be divided into three major areas-Indian IT services and consulting companies like Wipro, Infosys, TCs, etc., multinational IT service companies like Hewlett Packard, Accenture and Microsoft; and research and development companies like Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, etc. The best engineering graduates in the electronics or computer science streams from the IITs and NITs find recruitment in the product research and development companies. On the other hand, engineering graduates from any stream, and confidence, easily find recruitment in IT service companies.
One can work in a number of positions in the IT sector, which is growing by leaps and bounds. One can work as a Software Engineer in any of the large Software companies operating in India. Many small companies also employ Software Engineers, though at a lower pay scale than the large companies like Infosys, Wipro, etc. If one is talented enough, one can get a job in a company like the Microsoft or Sun Microsystems.
One can start one’s career in the IT industry as a trainee Software Engineer. In this position-which one will be taking up directly after passing one’s engineering degree-one will be required to work in the first level of back-end jobs in the IT industry. Work in software designing houses, software development and the handling of software systems and applications are some of the areas where Software Engineer generally works. Many Software Engineer work to customize data and facilitate the use of software in managing the flow of data.
Software job opportunities are available in banks and insurance companies; as well as in telecommunication firms. Indian Software Engineers have worked sincerely to create a special niche for themselves in the world of Software. As the superior quality of Indian Software Engineers has been established worldwide, a large number of overseas computer companies are hiring Indian Software Engineers in their organizations. Every fourth Software Engineer in the world is an Indian. Indian Software Engineers employed with big Indian software companies like Infosys, Sat yam or Wipro, etc., are often sent abroad to handle overseas projects. As the world is increasingly getting digitized and computerized, the demand for software professionals is increasing steadily and will increase even more in the years to come. The software sector is one of the powerful engines driving the Indian economy and in the next few years, it is expected to throw up millions of job opportunities. These job opportunities would primarily be in the applications sector and in some specialized sectors like embedded software. One should keep oneself abreast with the latest tools and programming practices in order to ensure success in this rapidly expanding field.
In an IT company, one has to start as a trainee Software Engineer in which position, one will be required to do software development, write codes and even do the maintenance work. Next, one is promoted to the position of a senior Software Engineer in which one is responsible for the end-to-end development of software. The position of the Project Leader is the next rung in which one is responsible to deliver the project on time. The senior most position in this industry is that of a Project Manager. However, if one does not want to make a foray into management, one can work as a Technical Architect and share the same seniority level as that of a Project Manager. A technical Architect designs the software application and handles the technical organization of the project.
Remuneration
Software Engineering is a field, which offers high awards in terms of salaries. Even fresher are paid very good salaries in this industry. One will be paid a starting salary ranging between Rs.12, 000 to Rs.30, 000 per month when one starts one’s career as a Software Programmer, Systems Analyst, Product Designer or Software Engineer. In a product research and development company, one will earn a starting salary ranging between Rs.30, 000 to Rs.50, 000 per month. For fresh Software Engineers in the IT services sector, the salary ranges between Rs.12, 000 to Rs.25, 000 per month. In embedded software, the salary ranges between Rs.6 lakh to Rs.8 lakh per annum. Even higher salaries are paid in big companies like Infosys and TCS while overseas companies hire Software Engineers at really fabulous salaries. One’s salary goes on increasing with work experience in this industry. With a few years of work experience under one’s belt, one can own. For an entrepreneur in this industry, the sky is the limit in terms of making money.
JOBS IN SOFTWARE -2
I.Job Outlook
Computer software engineers are projected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations from 2004 to 2014. Rapid employment growth in the computer systems design and related services industry, which employs the greatest number of computer software engineers, should result in very good opportunities for those college graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science and practical experience working with computers. Employers will continue to seek computer professionals with strong programming, systems analysis, interpersonal, and business skills. With the software industry beginning to mature, however, and with routine software engineering work being increasingly outsourced overseas, job growth will not be as rapid as during the previous decade.
Employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations, as businesses and other organizations adopt and integrate new technologies and seek to maximize the efficiency of their computer systems. Competition among businesses will continue to create an incentive for increasingly sophisticated technological innovations, and organizations will need more computer software engineers to implement these changes. In addition to jobs created through employment growth, many job openings will result annually from the need to replace workers who move into managerial positions, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force.
Demand for computer software engineers will increase as computer networking continues to grow. For example, the expanding integration of Internet technologies and the explosive growth in electronic commerce—doing business on the Internet—have resulted in rising demand for computer software engineers who can develop Internet, intranet, and World Wide Web applications. Likewise, expanding electronic data-processing systems in business, telecommunications, government, and other settings continue to become more sophisticated and complex. Growing numbers of systems software engineers will be needed to implement, safeguard, and update systems and resolve problems. Consulting opportunities for computer software engineers also should continue to grow as businesses seek help to manage, upgrade, and customize their increasingly complicated computer systems.
New growth areas will continue to arise from rapidly evolving technologies. The increasing uses of the Internet, the proliferation of Web sites, and mobile technology such as the wireless Internet have created a demand for a wide variety of new products. As individuals and businesses rely more on hand-held computers and wireless networks, it will be necessary to integrate current computer systems with this new, more mobile technology. Also, information security concerns have given rise to new software needs. Concerns over “cyber security” should result in businesses and government continuing to invest heavily in software that protects their networks and vital electronic infrastructure from attack. The expansion of this technology in the next 10 years will lead to an increased need for computer engineers to design and develop the software and systems to run these new applications and integrate them into older systems.
As with other information technology jobs, employment growth of computer software engineers may be tempered somewhat as more software development is contracted out abroad. Firms may look to cut costs by shifting operations to lower wage foreign countries with highly educated workers who have strong technical skills. At the same time, jobs in software engineering are less prone to being sent abroad compared with jobs in other computer specialties, because the occupation requires innovation and intense research and development.
II.Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Most employers prefer to hire persons who have at least a bachelor’s degree and broad knowledge of, and experience with, a variety of computer systems and technologies. The usual degree concentration for applications software engineers is computer science or software engineering; for systems software engineers, it is computer science or computer information systems. Graduate degrees are preferred for some of the more complex jobs.
Academic programs in software engineering emphasize software and may be offered as a degree option or in conjunction with computer science degrees. Increasing emphasis on computer security suggests that software engineers with advanced degrees that include mathematics and systems design will be sought after by software developers, government agencies, and consulting firms specializing in information assurance and security. Students seeking software engineering jobs enhance their employment opportunities by participating in internship or co-op programs offered through their schools. These experiences provide the students with broad knowledge and experience, making them more attractive candidates to employers. Inexperienced college graduates may be hired by large computer and consulting firms that train new employees in intensive, company-based programs. In many firms, new hires are mentored, and their mentors have an input into the performance evaluations of these new employees.
For systems software engineering jobs that require workers who have a college degree, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer information systems is typical. For systems engineering jobs that place less emphasis on workers having a computer-related degree, computer training programs leading to certification are offered by systems software vendors. Nonetheless, most training authorities feel that program certification alone is not sufficient for the majority of software engineering jobs.
Persons interested in jobs as computer software engineers must have strong problem-solving and analytical skills. They also must be able to communicate effectively with team members, other staff, and the customers they meet. Because they often deal with a number of tasks simultaneously, they must be able to concentrate and pay close attention to detail.
As is the case with most occupations, advancement opportunities for computer software engineers increase with experience. Entry-level computer software engineers are likely to test and verify ongoing designs. As they become more experienced, they may become involved in designing and developing software. Eventually, they may advance to become a project manager, manager of information systems, or chief information officer. Some computer software engineers with several years of experience or expertise find lucrative opportunities working as systems designers or independent consultants or starting their own computer consulting firms.
As technological advances in the computer field continue, employers demand new skills. Computer software engineers must continually strive to acquire such skills if they wish to remain in this extremely dynamic field. For example, computer software engineers interested in working for a bank should have some expertise in finance as they integrate new technologies into the computer system of the bank. To help them keep up with the changing technology, continuing education and professional development seminars are offered by employers, software vendors, colleges and universities, private training institutions, and professional computing societies
Computer software engineers are projected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations from 2004 to 2014. Rapid employment growth in the computer systems design and related services industry, which employs the greatest number of computer software engineers, should result in very good opportunities for those college graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science and practical experience working with computers. Employers will continue to seek computer professionals with strong programming, systems analysis, interpersonal, and business skills. With the software industry beginning to mature, however, and with routine software engineering work being increasingly outsourced overseas, job growth will not be as rapid as during the previous decade.
Employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations, as businesses and other organizations adopt and integrate new technologies and seek to maximize the efficiency of their computer systems. Competition among businesses will continue to create an incentive for increasingly sophisticated technological innovations, and organizations will need more computer software engineers to implement these changes. In addition to jobs created through employment growth, many job openings will result annually from the need to replace workers who move into managerial positions, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force.
Demand for computer software engineers will increase as computer networking continues to grow. For example, the expanding integration of Internet technologies and the explosive growth in electronic commerce—doing business on the Internet—have resulted in rising demand for computer software engineers who can develop Internet, intranet, and World Wide Web applications. Likewise, expanding electronic data-processing systems in business, telecommunications, government, and other settings continue to become more sophisticated and complex. Growing numbers of systems software engineers will be needed to implement, safeguard, and update systems and resolve problems. Consulting opportunities for computer software engineers also should continue to grow as businesses seek help to manage, upgrade, and customize their increasingly complicated computer systems.
New growth areas will continue to arise from rapidly evolving technologies. The increasing uses of the Internet, the proliferation of Web sites, and mobile technology such as the wireless Internet have created a demand for a wide variety of new products. As individuals and businesses rely more on hand-held computers and wireless networks, it will be necessary to integrate current computer systems with this new, more mobile technology. Also, information security concerns have given rise to new software needs. Concerns over “cyber security” should result in businesses and government continuing to invest heavily in software that protects their networks and vital electronic infrastructure from attack. The expansion of this technology in the next 10 years will lead to an increased need for computer engineers to design and develop the software and systems to run these new applications and integrate them into older systems.
As with other information technology jobs, employment growth of computer software engineers may be tempered somewhat as more software development is contracted out abroad. Firms may look to cut costs by shifting operations to lower wage foreign countries with highly educated workers who have strong technical skills. At the same time, jobs in software engineering are less prone to being sent abroad compared with jobs in other computer specialties, because the occupation requires innovation and intense research and development.
II.Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Most employers prefer to hire persons who have at least a bachelor’s degree and broad knowledge of, and experience with, a variety of computer systems and technologies. The usual degree concentration for applications software engineers is computer science or software engineering; for systems software engineers, it is computer science or computer information systems. Graduate degrees are preferred for some of the more complex jobs.
Academic programs in software engineering emphasize software and may be offered as a degree option or in conjunction with computer science degrees. Increasing emphasis on computer security suggests that software engineers with advanced degrees that include mathematics and systems design will be sought after by software developers, government agencies, and consulting firms specializing in information assurance and security. Students seeking software engineering jobs enhance their employment opportunities by participating in internship or co-op programs offered through their schools. These experiences provide the students with broad knowledge and experience, making them more attractive candidates to employers. Inexperienced college graduates may be hired by large computer and consulting firms that train new employees in intensive, company-based programs. In many firms, new hires are mentored, and their mentors have an input into the performance evaluations of these new employees.
For systems software engineering jobs that require workers who have a college degree, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer information systems is typical. For systems engineering jobs that place less emphasis on workers having a computer-related degree, computer training programs leading to certification are offered by systems software vendors. Nonetheless, most training authorities feel that program certification alone is not sufficient for the majority of software engineering jobs.
Persons interested in jobs as computer software engineers must have strong problem-solving and analytical skills. They also must be able to communicate effectively with team members, other staff, and the customers they meet. Because they often deal with a number of tasks simultaneously, they must be able to concentrate and pay close attention to detail.
As is the case with most occupations, advancement opportunities for computer software engineers increase with experience. Entry-level computer software engineers are likely to test and verify ongoing designs. As they become more experienced, they may become involved in designing and developing software. Eventually, they may advance to become a project manager, manager of information systems, or chief information officer. Some computer software engineers with several years of experience or expertise find lucrative opportunities working as systems designers or independent consultants or starting their own computer consulting firms.
As technological advances in the computer field continue, employers demand new skills. Computer software engineers must continually strive to acquire such skills if they wish to remain in this extremely dynamic field. For example, computer software engineers interested in working for a bank should have some expertise in finance as they integrate new technologies into the computer system of the bank. To help them keep up with the changing technology, continuing education and professional development seminars are offered by employers, software vendors, colleges and universities, private training institutions, and professional computing societies
JOBS IN SOFTWARE - 1
I.Nature of the Work
The explosive impact of computers and information technology on our everyday lives has generated a need to design and develop new computer software systems and to incorporate new technologies into a rapidly growing range of applications. The tasks performed by workers known as computer software engineers evolve quickly, reflecting new areas of specialization or changes in technology, as well as the preferences and practices of employers. Computer software engineers apply the principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that enable computers to perform their many applications.
Software engineers working in applications or systems development analyze users’ needs and design, construct, test, and maintain computer applications software or systems. Software engineers can be involved in the design and development of many types of software, including software for operating systems and network distribution, and compilers, which convert programs for execution on a computer. In programming, or coding, software engineers instruct a computer, line by line, how to perform a function. They also solve technical problems that arise. Software engineers must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code.
Computer applications software engineers analyze users’ needs and design, construct, and maintain general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. These workers use different programming languages, depending on the purpose of the program. The programming languages most often used are C, C++, and Java, with Fortran and COBOL used less commonly. Some software engineers develop both packaged systems and systems software or create customized applications.
Computer systems software engineers coordinate the construction and maintenance of a company’s computer systems and plan their future growth. Working with the company, they coordinate each department’s computer needs—ordering, inventory, billing, and payroll recordkeeping, for example—and make suggestions about its technical direction. They also might set up the company’s intranets—networks that link computers within the organization and ease communication among the various departments.
Systems software engineers work for companies that configure, implement, and install complete computer systems. These workers may be members of the marketing or sales staff, serving as the primary technical resource for sales workers and customers. They also may be involved in product sales and in providing their customers with continuing technical support. Since the selling of complex computer systems often requires substantial customization for the purchaser’s organization, software engineers help to explain the requirements necessary for installing and operating the new system in the purchaser’s computing environment. In addition, systems software engineers are responsible for ensuring security across the systems they are configuring.
Computer software engineers often work as part of a team that designs new hardware, software, and systems. A core team may comprise engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and design people, who work together until the product is released.
II. Employment
Computer software engineers held about 800,000 jobs in 2004. Approximately 460,000 were computer applications software engineers, and around 340,000 were computer systems software engineers. Although they are employed in most industries, the largest concentration of computer software engineers—almost 30 percent—are in computer systems design and related services. Many computer software engineers also work for establishments in other industries, such as software publishers, government agencies, manufacturers of computers and related electronic equipment, and management of companies and enterprises.
Employers of computer software engineers range from startup companies to established industry leaders. The proliferation of Internet, e-mail, and other communications systems is expanding electronics to engineering firms that are traditionally associated with unrelated disciplines. Engineering firms specializing in building bridges and powerplants, for example, hire computer software engineers to design and develop new geographic data systems and automated drafting systems. Communications firms need computer software engineers to tap into growth in the personal communications market. Major communications companies have many job openings for both computer software applications engineers and computer systems engineers.
An increasing number of computer software engineers are employed on a temporary or contract basis, with many being self-employed, working independently as consultants. Some consultants work for firms that specialize in developing and maintaining client companies’ Web sites and intranets. About 23,000 computer software engineers were self-employed in 2004.
The explosive impact of computers and information technology on our everyday lives has generated a need to design and develop new computer software systems and to incorporate new technologies into a rapidly growing range of applications. The tasks performed by workers known as computer software engineers evolve quickly, reflecting new areas of specialization or changes in technology, as well as the preferences and practices of employers. Computer software engineers apply the principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that enable computers to perform their many applications.
Software engineers working in applications or systems development analyze users’ needs and design, construct, test, and maintain computer applications software or systems. Software engineers can be involved in the design and development of many types of software, including software for operating systems and network distribution, and compilers, which convert programs for execution on a computer. In programming, or coding, software engineers instruct a computer, line by line, how to perform a function. They also solve technical problems that arise. Software engineers must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code.
Computer applications software engineers analyze users’ needs and design, construct, and maintain general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. These workers use different programming languages, depending on the purpose of the program. The programming languages most often used are C, C++, and Java, with Fortran and COBOL used less commonly. Some software engineers develop both packaged systems and systems software or create customized applications.
Computer systems software engineers coordinate the construction and maintenance of a company’s computer systems and plan their future growth. Working with the company, they coordinate each department’s computer needs—ordering, inventory, billing, and payroll recordkeeping, for example—and make suggestions about its technical direction. They also might set up the company’s intranets—networks that link computers within the organization and ease communication among the various departments.
Systems software engineers work for companies that configure, implement, and install complete computer systems. These workers may be members of the marketing or sales staff, serving as the primary technical resource for sales workers and customers. They also may be involved in product sales and in providing their customers with continuing technical support. Since the selling of complex computer systems often requires substantial customization for the purchaser’s organization, software engineers help to explain the requirements necessary for installing and operating the new system in the purchaser’s computing environment. In addition, systems software engineers are responsible for ensuring security across the systems they are configuring.
Computer software engineers often work as part of a team that designs new hardware, software, and systems. A core team may comprise engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and design people, who work together until the product is released.
II. Employment
Computer software engineers held about 800,000 jobs in 2004. Approximately 460,000 were computer applications software engineers, and around 340,000 were computer systems software engineers. Although they are employed in most industries, the largest concentration of computer software engineers—almost 30 percent—are in computer systems design and related services. Many computer software engineers also work for establishments in other industries, such as software publishers, government agencies, manufacturers of computers and related electronic equipment, and management of companies and enterprises.
Employers of computer software engineers range from startup companies to established industry leaders. The proliferation of Internet, e-mail, and other communications systems is expanding electronics to engineering firms that are traditionally associated with unrelated disciplines. Engineering firms specializing in building bridges and powerplants, for example, hire computer software engineers to design and develop new geographic data systems and automated drafting systems. Communications firms need computer software engineers to tap into growth in the personal communications market. Major communications companies have many job openings for both computer software applications engineers and computer systems engineers.
An increasing number of computer software engineers are employed on a temporary or contract basis, with many being self-employed, working independently as consultants. Some consultants work for firms that specialize in developing and maintaining client companies’ Web sites and intranets. About 23,000 computer software engineers were self-employed in 2004.
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