Computer ProgrammerComputer Programmer

By David ChengBy David Cheng

Job SummaryJob Summary A programmer develops and maintains software on a A programmer develops and maintains software on a

large mainframe system or one who develops large mainframe system or one who develops software primarily for personal computers.software primarily for personal computers.

A lot of programmers have additional jobs to become A lot of programmers have additional jobs to become systems architects, software producers, or technical systems architects, software producers, or technical writers.writers.

Expect to work 40+ hours all week long in the office Expect to work 40+ hours all week long in the office and at home.and at home.

Computer are crucial to computer programming Computer are crucial to computer programming otherwise the work for computers can not be done otherwise the work for computers can not be done without it.without it.

Work EnvironmentWork Environment If you were hired by a large company, you would most likely be If you were hired by a large company, you would most likely be

working in a cubical or office alone; sometimes in a team with working in a cubical or office alone; sometimes in a team with other programmers also. Other companies let you work something other programmers also. Other companies let you work something else with more room or maybe outside. else with more room or maybe outside.

Some choose to be self-employed and they still make a lot of Some choose to be self-employed and they still make a lot of money doing their own work. money doing their own work.

Most computer programmers are employed by major companies Most computer programmers are employed by major companies like Intel or IBM.like Intel or IBM.

Computer manufacturing companies such as Intel, AMD, and IBM.Computer manufacturing companies such as Intel, AMD, and IBM.

According to calmis.com, there are 74,600 computer programmers in California in 2005

According to sacbee.com, in 2000, 69% of computer programmers According to sacbee.com, in 2000, 69% of computer programmers are males and 31% are women.are males and 31% are women.

Women and Computer ProgrammingWomen and Computer Programming

Analysts say that women aren’t entering the computer field Analysts say that women aren’t entering the computer field field as quickly as other professions even though they have field as quickly as other professions even though they have a better chance to get employed now by major companies a better chance to get employed now by major companies than ever before.than ever before.

In 1970, computer programming was mostly a male In 1970, computer programming was mostly a male

occupation. there were only 1% of women programmers. occupation. there were only 1% of women programmers.

The numbers of women getting their degrees in computer The numbers of women getting their degrees in computer programming has risen about 26% from 1970 to 2000.programming has risen about 26% from 1970 to 2000.

Despite the isolation and hurdles in computer Despite the isolation and hurdles in computer programming, most women in computing say the joys far programming, most women in computing say the joys far outweigh the frustrations. outweigh the frustrations.

Women in Computer ProgrammingWomen in Computer Programming

Men, , 69%

Women, , 31%

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Job OutlookJob Outlook The outlook for this job is growing at a slow but The outlook for this job is growing at a slow but

steady pace and will continue to grow in the near steady pace and will continue to grow in the near future.future.

Computer programming jobs are expected to grow Computer programming jobs are expected to grow about as fast as average, increasing by 14.6 percent about as fast as average, increasing by 14.6 percent through 2012 in the future.through 2012 in the future.

The security of the job is pretty secure with low The security of the job is pretty secure with low chance of getting fired by a company.chance of getting fired by a company.

Unions are not widespread in this job, but computer Unions are not widespread in this job, but computer programmers who work for the government programmers who work for the government organizations are mostly in a union.organizations are mostly in a union.

Requirements?Requirements?

Level of Education: Associates or Bachelor Degree.Level of Education: Associates or Bachelor Degree.

Where to Get Training: Technical College, Community Where to Get Training: Technical College, Community College, or University.College, or University.

What Courses Do You Need: Computer Science.What Courses Do You Need: Computer Science.

Other Educational Requirements: Language certification.Other Educational Requirements: Language certification.

You must be willing to be investigative, patient, realistic, You must be willing to be investigative, patient, realistic, conventional creative, be able to work under pressure and conventional creative, be able to work under pressure and communicate with people who don’t know a lot about communicate with people who don’t know a lot about computers.computers.

There are levels of employment, the titles depend on the There are levels of employment, the titles depend on the level of experience of the programmer: Levels I, II, and III.level of experience of the programmer: Levels I, II, and III.

SalarySalary The average salary for a starter programmer makes about The average salary for a starter programmer makes about $46,656 a year $46,656 a year

and a senior programmer makes about and a senior programmer makes about $75,982.

Compared with the average salary in the U.S., computer programmers Compared with the average salary in the U.S., computer programmers makes more than the average.makes more than the average.

According to Monster.com, they are over 20 pages with over 1000 jobs in the According to Monster.com, they are over 20 pages with over 1000 jobs in the Bay Area alone. Bay Area alone.

In the Bay Area, a programmer’s salary is higher than the average salary in In the Bay Area, a programmer’s salary is higher than the average salary in the U.S..the U.S..

High school is especially important to the person looking for a job, without a High school is especially important to the person looking for a job, without a diploma it is almost impossible to get employed.diploma it is almost impossible to get employed.

A person who graduated from high school and college will make about 100 A person who graduated from high school and college will make about 100 times more than the person who did graduate from high school at all. times more than the person who did graduate from high school at all.

SalarySalary

Pay: The following chart shows national salaries for computer Pay: The following chart shows national salaries for computer programmers at various levels.programmers at various levels.

Level:Level: Years of Years of Median Salary Median Salary ExperienceExperience

Programmer IProgrammer I  0-3 0-3 $46,656 $46,656 Programmer IIProgrammer II 2-5 2-5 $54,347   $54,347   Programmer IIIProgrammer III  4-6 4-6 $67,519 $67,519 Programmer IVProgrammer IV 5-8 5-8 $75,982 $75,982

OverviewOverview Most workers are satisfied at what they’re doing, which far

outweighs the stress when working at the office or home.

Computer programming seems like a very enjoyable career. I would not take the job because I can not handle stress well or work increasingly long hours week after week.

Due to the ever-changing programming industry, an employed or unemployed computer programmers must continue their education to update their skills and knowledge.

Most major company employers will cover the costs of continuing education for employed computer programmers.

BibliographyBibliography Wikipedia, Computer Programmer, URL: Wikipedia, Computer Programmer, URL:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programmerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programmer , Mar., 28, 2006, Mar., 28, 2006 Collegeboard.com, Computer Programmer, URL: Collegeboard.com, Computer Programmer, URL:

http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/careers/106478.html, http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/careers/106478.html, Mar., 28, 2006Mar., 28, 2006

Salary.com, Computer Programming Career Education and Advancement , URL: Salary.com, Computer Programming Career Education and Advancement , URL: http://www.salary.com/learning/layouthtmls/leal_display_nocat_Ser289_Par418.html, http://www.salary.com/learning/layouthtmls/leal_display_nocat_Ser289_Par418.html, Mar., 28, 2006Mar., 28, 2006

Employment Development Department , Computer Programmers, URL: Employment Development Department , Computer Programmers, URL: http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/Compupro.htm, Mar., 28, 2006http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/Compupro.htm, Mar., 28, 2006

Monster.com, Computer Programmer, URL: Monster.com, Computer Programmer, URL: http://jobsearch.monster.com/jobsearch.asp?cy=us&q=computerhttp://jobsearch.monster.com/jobsearch.asp?cy=us&q=computer%20programmer&zip=94578&rad=200&re=112&refine=1, Mar., 28, 2006%20programmer&zip=94578&rad=200&re=112&refine=1, Mar., 28, 2006

DeBare, Ilana, High-tech industry zipping along, DeBare, Ilana, High-tech industry zipping along, but women often are left behindbut women often are left behind , URL: , URL: http://www.sacbee.com/static/archive/news/projects/women/wcmain.html, http://www.sacbee.com/static/archive/news/projects/women/wcmain.html, Mar., 28, 2006Mar., 28, 2006