| The universal acceptance of computers into our | | | | a computer networking professional may do all, or |
| daily lives, both at work and at home, has | | | | some of these duties.Computer |
| decreased the image of computer users as being | | | | SecurityComputer security is another growing |
| "geeks." The word geek itself has evolved a bit - | | | | field. Many businesses have created networks, |
| going from meaning a socially inept person who | | | | websites and become reliant on computer |
| gets along better with computers than people, to | | | | technology, without employing safeguards to |
| someone who is an expert with computers, a | | | | protect their data. There are many malevolent |
| guru even. In fact, many computer service | | | | computer geeks out there who attack systems, |
| companies utilize the name geek in their | | | | or software for fun, curiosity or profit. Data |
| nomenclature because of this new meaning.Not | | | | extortion is now a common organized crime |
| everyone who is proficient in using a computer is | | | | method for the Russian mafia!Security violations |
| a geek, but there are people out there who are | | | | have created new careers in network security |
| so interested in computers and so well versed in | | | | and software development. Courses of study are |
| them, they wear the title geek with pride. Many | | | | mainly in Microsoft products and software |
| of these people may not have had formal training. | | | | development languages like Visual Basic, C++, .net, |
| They've been playing with computer hardware, or | | | | compiler and assembly languages.Career positions |
| software since they were ten years old. So what | | | | in this category include network security, |
| should you do if you have this kind of computer | | | | software programming, web design, web |
| knowledge? A few years ago, it was very easy | | | | development and website administration (server |
| to get a well paying computer job, without any | | | | side).DatabasesThe acceptance of computers into |
| post secondary education. Advances in | | | | business has created a great demand for |
| technology, the dot-com implosion and wider | | | | databases. Almost every industry has a need for |
| acceptance of technology doesn't make it so | | | | databases for marketing, client retention and daily |
| easy any more. The good news is, you don't | | | | operations. Industries such as banking, insurance, |
| need a four year degree to secure a well paying | | | | hospitals and utilities absolutely rely on them. |
| job in the computer field. Even if you're not a self | | | | Terrorism threats have created new laws, like the |
| professed computer geek, if you have an interest | | | | Patriot Act, that require a database of all foreign |
| in a computer career, here are some good fields | | | | nationals who enter the country.Creation of these |
| to study.Computer NetworkingComputer | | | | databases relies on software, mainly developed |
| networking jobs entail designing, repairing and | | | | by Oracle for large scale databases, Microsoft |
| maintaining PC networks, usually in a business | | | | SQL for web based applications and Microsoft |
| setting. There is no industry standard for | | | | Access for smaller scale and custom |
| software, but Microsoft dominates, with Novell | | | | applications.Jobs in the database category include |
| taking a distant second place. Cisco dominates the | | | | data architects, database administrators and |
| category in hardware routers. Courses of study | | | | information systems managers.The information |
| available include A+ (basic computer hardware), | | | | age has created a wealth of career opportunities |
| MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), | | | | for computer geeks, elevating their status as |
| MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems | | | | knowledgeable professionals and compensating |
| Administrator), Novell Netware and Cisco | | | | them well financially. If you're a computer geek, or |
| Certification.Career positions in this category | | | | would like to become one, a career in any of |
| include network design, network administration | | | | these professions can be obtained in less than |
| and network security. Depending on the employer, | | | | two years of study. |