What is the difference between computing and information technology

The vendor-specific certificate is one that is awarded by a computer tech company such as Microsoft or Cisco Systems. These certificate programs teach skills in using the products of the sponsoring company.

They encourage businesses to use their products, platforms, and processes by offering the courses. The result is that some companies rely solely on one brand of products and job applicants must have expertise in those products.

So, a company that uses Microsoft programs would require their employees to have or to obtain Microsoft certification in those platforms or products. Cisco Systems offers the following certifications:. A vendor-neutral certificate is one that is offered by an organization and does not promote any one brand.

That makes it possible for anyone in the computer sciences or information technology field to gain expertise without being restricted to one employer or system. Entry-level certificates typically do not have any prerequisite courses. Those intended for experienced professionals may require the individual to have taken certain coursework or to have a minimum level of work experience.

These certificates generally also require the candidate to pass an exam. The certificates take from three-to-twelve months to earn. Some are self-paced and self-directed online, and some are presented in a five-day online or face-to-face program. Software developer jobs are projected to grow 21 percent by , well above average.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paying employer of computer scientists is software publishers. These companies are often the developers as well. They include providers of operating systems, data refining technologies, educational programming, and even gaming. The demand for programmers is declining.

Database administrator jobs are expected to increase by nine percent. The job demand is expected to increase by 13 percent, which is much higher than the BLS average of five-to-eight percent. With a two- or four-year IT degree, graduates can find work in a number of occupations, including information security, network architecture, database administration, systems administration, and computer support.

However, some of these jobs require advanced computer science and programming knowledge, so graduates must enroll in specialized programs or take elective courses. For example, information security requires knowledge of discrete math and algorithms, and database administration requires knowledge of programming.

To put the job simply, they research and experiment with systems to make the best and most cost-effective use of programming to meet organizational goals. Consultation is generally billed by day, by consultant. Many IT consultants work for consulting firms, but some are independent contractors. It is like a virtual closet that must be kept organized and cleaned.

Cloud architects do that job. The position involves a basic knowledge of operating systems and networking, programming languages, and security. The analysis of that information is often used in criminal investigations. He designs software for specific machines and monitors the computers for security breaches like cyber-attacks and viruses, malware, and unauthorized data mining. Pursue your career in technology today with King University. With year-round courses, a generous credit transfer policy, accelerated programs, and affordable tuition, you can discover how King can help you achieve your goals.

To put it bluntly, computer engineers make computer parts work together. Computer engineers are responsible for the research, design and development of computer equipment like circuit boards, microchips, routers, video cards, etc.

Some universities may treat this discipline as an off-shoot of electrical engineering. It is beneficial for computer engineers to have a grasp of computer science.

Computer engineers often deal with hardware-to-software integration, meaning they have to design and build processors and hardware that can support a given program. As technology advances and our devices become smaller and smaller, a main goal of computer engineers is to create microchips and microprocessors that work economically and efficiently.

Computer engineering students will study concepts in computer science, engineering and mathematics. By combining these three fields, computer engineers are able to solve hardware problems and create state-of-the-art machines that can handle the many tasks computers perform. Diversity in the job comes from the various industries that employ computer engineers. You can find employment rates and median salary information for the top four industries in which computer engineers work below:.

Information technology IT may adopt the monikers information systems or systems administration. Essentially, IT professionals are the users of technology. IT utilizes existing operating systems, software and applications in tandem to create a larger system that solves a specific business problem.

IT constructs a network from established building blocks to carry out a task, such as an automated supplies ordering service. Due to the nature of the work, IT professionals are more likely to interact with clients and co-workers outside of their department.

They may help explain to a client how to solve technology problems or work with executives and business owners to construct a technology plan that will meet their business needs. IT students will study network and database design in depth, and receive an introduction to basic theory and applied mathematics. Successful IT candidates will possess strong critical thinking skills; IT professionals are tasked with resourcefully and cost-effectively applying the tools at their disposal. At every level, from mom-and-pop shops to multinational corporations, businesses need IT.

Over the next decade, career opportunities in IT are expected to grow faster than average. Depending on your level of education, a degree in IT can provide a comfortable paycheck. A degree can set you on a solid path to being competitive for many types of computer-based jobs.

IT jobs however, particularly entry-level ones, might have less strict degree requirements. Many universities and colleges offer computer science or other related degrees like computer engineering. Some may also offer information technology degrees, or information technology specializations within computer science. So what exactly do you learn in them, and which should you pick?

Computer science degrees generally aim to teach you the basic mathematical and scientific concepts behind computers and their programs. A degree in computer science can have you designing software and hardware, learning programming languages, data structures, and artificial intelligence concepts.

Computer science degrees might require mathematics, statistics, or engineering courses. A degree or specialization in information technology can teach students essential systems and networking concepts, security practices, and application development. Similar fields of study can be called information systems.

Many of the principles underlying computer science can also be applicable to IT jobs. Computer science might be broader and prepare you for a wider field of careers.

Both IT and computer science can lead to lucrative and engaging careers. This content has been made available for informational purposes only.