Tech Track: Building Your Career in IT

Big data is a dynamic field that finds businesses and organizations capturing massive amounts of information at an alarming speed – all of which will be analyzed and used to help make important decisions. A data engineer creates the massive reservoirs needed to collect big data. These IT professionals develop, construct, test, and maintain architectures, such as databases and large-scale data processing systems, which house big data. In this title, the emerging career field of a data engineer is explored. With the right mix of education and experience, data engineers can find themselves in high demand.

Computer systems administrators supervise the day-to-day operation of such physical computer devices as central data storage, printers, scanners, and routers. They install programs, hook up cables, identify problems, and update equipment and software. In 2016, U.S. News and World Report ranked the occupation the eighth-best technology job, and future employment projections show growing demand for workers with the right skills. This title explains the job and how it fits into the overall field of information technology. It focuses on what the job is like and also covers the bases of education, certification, and experience that employers will look for.

All projects require a competent manager, and that is most certainly the case with big IT projects. Technical project managers supervise all aspects of the project, manage personnel, oversee budgets, ensure that the work stays on schedule, and execute communication plans between all parties. In this title, readers will find out if they have what it takes to become a technical project manager. They will learn what the job entails, what skills and personality are required for the job, the types of training and education needed, and what a typical day on the job is like.

In this day and age, software engineers truly make the world go round. These professionals create all kinds of technical products, including the programs needed to make computers operate, the apps used on smartphones, websites on the internet, and the entertainment enjoyed by gamers. The best part about this career choice? The need for software engineers just keeps growing every year. In this title, readers will get an understanding of what this job entails, how to prepare for it (including training and education), and what a typical day as a software engineer is really like.

Customer satisfaction does not only apply to goods and services but is also extremely important to the digital world as well. As smartphones and mobile devices have become increasingly common, billions of people rely on technology to schedule and live their lives. User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) engineers work to ensure a pleasurable interaction between a customer and product. Accomplishing this requires a knowledge of a variety of fields, including programming, graphic design, marketing and branding, and psychology. This book explores the training, challenges, and rewards of these exciting professions.

The world of IT is ever changing, with new operating systems, software packages, and hardware equipment introduced at a breakneck speed. Technical analysts provide the computer database support for organizations and their users. They implement upgrades, perform computing system maintenance and testing, develop IT solutions to improve quality, and design interfaces that help users access information in a timely, efficient manner. This title explores the technical analyst career path, an exciting position with a leading role in coordination and management of all IT design and development systems for an organization.

Information technology professionals are in high demand in today's job market, and there are no signs of that demand abating. Much of the focus in IT is on software developers and security specialists, but a need also exists for technical quality assurance engineers. These professionals devise and run the tests that check programs and digital infrastructure for problems and flaws. This title provides teens with an in-depth look at the ins and outs of becoming a quality assurance engineer, including educational requirements, work expectations, and where to look for open positions.

Since the development of the World Wide Web in the 1990s, humans have been living in the Information Age. That's why one important job in the growing field of information technology is that of database administrator (DBA). A DBA is responsible for storing, backing up, and making information easy to access, as well as ensuring its security. This title uses an easy-to-understand, straightforward approach to explore the tasks DBAs perform and the education, certification, and experience required for it. It also outlines steps high school students can take to prepare for fulfilling employment requirements and tips for finding job openings in the field.