Computer and Information Systems Managers
They are at the helm supervising or coordinating computer system projects for all different types of companies and organizations. Whether they are managing data processing, information systems, programming, or systems analysis, their effective leadership on complex projects and teams is integral to their organization’s efficiency and success.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Oregon Computer and Information Systems Managers in 2007 was a good $100,709 per year, or $48.42 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Here’s some encouraging news for you: the number of positions in this field is already larger than the statewide average, and is expected to grow to 3,302 total jobs by 2016, a growth of about 14.7%. In fact, the profession is expected to add about 424 NEW JOBS. If you count new and replacement jobs combined, about 99 job openings per year are expected through 2016. While by far the largest numbers of positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington County, all regions across the state are expected to hire for these positions.
In 2006, large numbers of employees in this profession worked in the fields of Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Others worked in Management of Companies and Enterprises, Wholesale Trade, and Health Care industries.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should plan on earning your bachelor’s degree if you want to gain the skills needed to be a Computer and Information Systems Manager. Acquiring related work experience also helps once you jump into the job market.
Database Administrators:
Design creative ways to sort through, organize and save information for current and future uses; they make sure that the computer system functions right, and sometimes they create and apply security features to their systems; these are the people who look at a million pieces of data and construct perfectly organized systems that make our lives easier.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Database Administrators in 2007 was a strong $69,020 per year, or $33.18 per hour.
Show me the jobs: The number of Database Administrator jobs in Oregon is expected to grow steadily at about the state average, with 174 NEW JOBS expected between 2006 and 2016, a growth of about 15.6%. The employment department predicts about 30 job openings per year in the next eight years, including replacement and new positions. By 2016, about 1,287 positions are expected statewide. While the greatest numbers of opportunities are expected to open up in Multnomah, Washington, Marion, Polk, Clackamas, and Yamhill county regions, many other counties also are expected to need Database Administrators.
In 2006, the highest numbers of Oregon’s Database Administrators worked in information and publishing, finance, insurance, and local government. Many others worked in a wide range of industries ranging from apparel trades to social assistance to telecommunications.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: If you want to gain the skills to be a Database Administrator, you should definitely plan on earning a bachelor’s degree. Keep in mind that having a master’s degree also gives you an advantage in the “real world.”
Network Systems & Data Communications Analysts
Create and maintain computer networks that keep people connected across the town or across the globe, including Internet, intranet, local networks, and other communications systems such as telecommunications. They model, plan, and analyze networks, and may supervise programmers involved with their work.
Show me the money; The average annual wage in Oregon for Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts in 2007 was a strong $61,604 per year, or $29.62 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Great news - the number of job openings in this field is already larger than the state average and is expected to grow faster than the state average to a projected 3,347 jobs by 2016. In fact, Oregon is expected to add about 759 NEW JOBS for Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts, a growth of 29.3%, between 2006 and 2016. The state expects about 111 job openings per year, including new and replacement jobs in the next eight years. The highest numbers of new positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington Counties, however opportunities are expected to arise in communities across the state. In 2006, large numbers of Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts in Oregon worked in computer and electronic product manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, and components systems design, while hundreds of others worked in a wide range of industries from insurance to scientific consulting fields to appliances.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: Definitely plan on earning a bachelor’s degree if you want to pursue a career in this field. Acquiring related work experience also gives you a leg up in the job market.
Computer Programmers
Create the intricate instructions that direct computers to do their work; in other words, these people create the “mind maps” or orchestration for computers that they need to come alive and begin solving problems. Their work may involve writing programs to store, locate, or retrieve chunks of information like documents or data, or may involve programming websites to do this work.
Show me the money The average annual wage for Computer Programmers in 2007 in Oregon was a strong $69,615 per year, or $33.47 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Looking for opportunity? The total number of jobs for Programmers in Oregon is already large and job openings are going to grow in coming years largely because of the need to fill replacement openings. Oregon is expected to add about 499 NEW JOBS in Programming, a growth of 15.4%, between 2006 and 2016. This is expected to bring the state to a total of 3,736 Computer Programming positions by 2016 Even better news is the state projects 132 new and replacement job openings per year for the next eight years. Large numbers of positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington Counties, followed by Lane County, however Programming jobs are projected in many areas across the state. In 2006, Programmers in Oregon worked largely in computer systems design, information and publishing, internet services, web search portals, and data processing services, while hundreds of others worked in a wide range of fields from transportation equipment manufacturing to insurance carriers to junior colleges.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should plan on earning a bachelor’s degree if you want to pursue a career as a Computer Programmer. Acquiring related work experience also gives you an edge in the job market.
Show me a real person:
Meet Intel Programmer Kristen Accardi, who compares programming to the creative process of making movies.
Computer Support Specialists
Provide technical support, hands-on help, and guidance on hardware and software to people using computers; in other words, they are the translators of computer logic for the common user in many different industries, and the first responders when systems and software just aren’t working for people trying to do their work.
Show me the money: The average annual wage for Computer Support Specialists in Oregon in 2007 was a good $43,188 per year, or $20.76 per hour.
Show me the jobs: The forecast - jobs, jobs, and more jobs. There are already a larger number of jobs in this field than the state average, and significantly large numbers of openings are projected for the future. Oregon is expected to add about 1,143 NEW JOBS in Computer Support, Specialists a growth of 14.5%, between 2006 and 2016. Statewide, about 218 job openings (both replacement and new jobs) are expected per year during this period. The largest number of new positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington Counties, followed by Lane County, however Computer Support Specialists jobs are expected to pop up in every state region. In 2006, large numbers of employees in this line of worked in business services, administrative services, publishing and information, and computer and electronic manufacturing. Hundreds of others worked in a wide range of industries from Internet server providers to civic organizations to legal services.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should plan on getting some postsecondary training (college or community college) to learn the wide range of skills needed for computer support. Earning a bachelor’s degree on top of it gives you a competitive advantage.
Computer Systems Analysts
Like coaches who assess and analyze the science, business, and data problems or capabilities of an organization then recommend the most productive systems or software; they tackle general computer problems and pull different technologies together to help their organizations get the best results from their practices, employees, and equipment.
Show me the money; The average annual wage for Systems Analysts in Oregon in 2007 was a strong $69,031 per year, or $33.19 per hour.
Show me the jobs: Want to enter a growing field? The number of jobs for Systems Analyst in Oregon is already larger than the state average, and is expected to grow much faster than the state average in coming years to a total of 3,896 jobs statewide by 2016. In fact, Oregon is expected to add about 502 new jobs for Systems Analysts, a growth of 14.8%, between 2006 and 2016. The state projects about 92 job openings per year, including both replacement and new jobs in this period. The largest numbers of new positions are expected in Multnomah and Washington Counties, however jobs are expected to pop up in many areas across the state. In 2006, large numbers of systems analysts in Oregon worked in manufacturing, federal government, local government, and computer systems design, while hundreds of others worked in a wide range of fields from universities to insurance companies to apparel supplies.
What I ABSOLUTELY need: You should definitely plan on getting your bachelor’s degree if you are drawn to a career as a Systems Analyst. You’ll have one up in the job market if you also gain some related work experience.