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Tasks* |
- Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to
design system and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities,
performance requirements and interfaces.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new
hardware, or to improve its performance.
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility
of design within time and cost constraints.
- Consult with customers about software system design and maintenance.
- Coordinate software system installation and monitor equipment functioning
to ensure specifications are met.
- Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis
and mathematical models to predict and measure outcome and consequences of design.
- Develop and direct software system testing and validation procedures,
programming, and documentation.
- Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan computer specifications
and layouts, and peripheral equipment modifications.
- Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians and
other engineering and scientific personnel.
- Obtain and evaluate information on factors such as reporting formats
required, costs, and security needs to determine hardware configuration.
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Tools & Technology* |
Tools used in this occupation:
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Desktop computers |
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High end computer servers — Application servers |
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Integrated circuit testers — In circuit emulators ICE; Logic analyzers |
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Notebook computers |
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Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers — Personal digital assistant
PDAs |
Technology used in this occupation:
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Data base management system software — Computer Associates integrated data
management system CA-IDMS; Database management software; IBM DB2; Oracle DBMS |
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Development environment software — C; Embedded systems development software;
IBM Rational Rose XDE Developer; Microsoft Visual Basic |
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Object or component oriented development software — C++; Practical extraction
and reporting language Perl; Self; Simulation language SIMULA |
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Program testing software — Defect tracking software; Mercury Interactive
LoadRunner; Source code editor software; Usability testing software |
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Transaction server software — Apache software; Customer information control
system CICS software; IBM Middleware; Object Management Group Object Request Broker |
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Knowledge* |
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Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips,
electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications
and programming. |
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Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering
science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures,
and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. |
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Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics,
and their applications. |
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Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching,
control, and operation of telecommunications systems. |
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English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English
language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and
grammar. |
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Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in
production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
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Skills* |
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Programming — Writing computer programs for various purposes. |
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Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and
weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
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Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related
information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
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Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both
current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
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Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what
to do about it. |
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Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits
of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
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Technology Design — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve
user needs. |
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Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in
work related documents. |
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Operations Analysis — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create
a design. |
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Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in
conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
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Abilites* |
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Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems
to produce answers that make sense. |
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Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information
and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
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Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form
general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated
events). |
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Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet
of the observer). |
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Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely
to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is
a problem. |
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Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
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Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and
ideas presented in writing. |
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Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain
order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of
numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
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Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking
so others will understand. |
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Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of
another person. |
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Work Activities* |
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Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including
hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data,
or process information. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and
applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information
from all relevant sources. |
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating
results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information
to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail,
or in person. |
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Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications,
ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing,
estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances
or events. |
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Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons,
or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating,
auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining
what information means and how it can be used. |
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Work Context* |
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Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions
with individuals or teams in this job? |
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Electronic Mail — How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
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Spend Time Sitting — How much does this job require sitting? |
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Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in
a group or team in this job? |
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Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision,
does the job offer? |
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Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working
indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
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Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact
or highly accurate in performing this job? |
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Coordinate or Lead Others — How important is it to coordinate or lead others
in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
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Structured versus Unstructured Work — To what extent is this job structured
for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities,
and goals? |
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Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in
contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform
it? |
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Job Zone* |
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Title |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed |
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Overall Experience |
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is
needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years
of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
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Job Training |
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience,
on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. |
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Job Zone Examples |
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training
others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers,
teachers, chemists, and police detectives. |
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SVP Range |
(7.0 to < 8.0) |
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Education |
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
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Interests* |
Interest code: IRC
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Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with
ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve
searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. |
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Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that
include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants,
animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations
require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely
with others. |
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Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set
procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details
more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. |
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Work Styles* |
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Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic
to address work-related issues and problems. |
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Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough
in completing work tasks. |
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Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying
a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
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Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable,
and fulfilling obligations. |
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Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally
challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
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Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop
new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
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Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or
negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
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Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
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Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
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Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and
effectively with high stress situations. |
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Work Values* |
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Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented
and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
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Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to
work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility
and Autonomy. |
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Wages & Employment* |
National
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Median wages (2005) |
$37.06 hourly, $77,090 annual |
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Employment (2004) |
460,000 employees |
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Projected growth (2004-2014) |
Much faster than average (36+%)
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Projected need (2004-2014) |
268,000 additional employees |
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