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Employment Outlook—According to ccbenefits.com, Business and Financial Operations among the occupation groups projected for the largest growth in Illinois and Cook County through the year 2015. Sophisticated computer software now has the capability to write basic code, eliminating the need for many programmers to do this routine work. The consolidation and centralization of systems and applications, developments in packaged software, advances in programming languages and tools, and the growing ability of users to design, write, and implement more of their own programs mean that more of the programming functions can be transferred from programmers to other types of information workers, such as computer software engineers. Computer programmers can perform their job function from anywhere in the world and can digitally transmit their programs to any location via e-mail. Programmers are at a much higher risk of having their jobs outsourced abroad than are workers involved in more complex and sophisticated information technology functions, such as software engineering, because computer programming has become an international language, requiring little localized or specialized knowledge. Nevertheless, employers will continue to need programmers who have strong technical skills and who understand an employer’s business and its programming requirements. This means that programmers will have to keep abreast of changing programming languages and techniques. Given the importance of networking and the expansion of client/server, Web-based, and wireless environments, organizations will look for programmers who can support data communications and help implement electronic commerce and intranet strategies. Demand for programmers with strong object-oriented programming capabilities and technical specialization in areas such as client/server programming, wireless applications, multimedia technology, and graphic user interface likely will stem from the expansion of intranets, extranets, and Internet applications. Programmers also will be needed to create and maintain expert systems and embed these technologies in more products. Finally, a growing emphasis on cybersecurity will lead to increased demand for programmers who are familiar with digital security issues and skilled in using appropriate security technology. Nature of Work—This program is designed to qualify you as an entry-level RPG programmer by learning procedural programming concepts. Computer programmers write, test, and maintain the detailed instructions, called programs, which computers must follow to perform their functions. Programmers also conceive, design, and test logical structures for solving problems using the computer. The complexity of problems can range from those that can be solved in a few hours to those that need to solve enterprise level problems and may require more than a year of work. Related Job Titles—Programmer I, Junior Programmer, Junior Software Developer, Junior Test Engineer, and Junior Desktop Support Earnings: The U.S. Department of Labor—The U.S. Department of Labor—Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median annual earnings of computer programmers were $69,620 in May 2008. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science averaged $61,407 per year in 2008. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010-2011 For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Resource Center, Student Services Center, S202, at (708) 974-5737. www.morainevalley.edu/jrc. |
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This certificate
prepares students to program in RPG IV on the IBM System i. According to
search400.com, RPG skills will be in demand for a long while to come. Since most
employers are looking for programmers with skills in other areas in addition to
a strong RPG skill set, the e-Commerce Assistant, Software Developer, and
Business Skills certificates would be excellent complements to this certificate.
