The Information Systems Technology program, located on the Senatobia campus, provides a student with the knowledge to develop and implement business applications using a variety of programming languages or administer network operating systems, depending on the concentration selected:
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Looking for a way to begin an exciting career in an expanding industry? An Information Systems Technology degree can help you get started as a computer support specialist or computer systems administrator. The curriculum is designed to give each student a broad overview of information systems, exposure to career options available within the field and a concentration of skills in a specific area.
What can I expect from a career in Networking?
Computer support specialists provide technical assistance, support, and advice to individuals and organizations that depend on information technology. They work within organizations that use computer systems, for computer hardware or software vendors, or for third-party organizations that provide support services on a contract basis, such as help-desk service firms. Support specialists are usually differentiated between technical support specialists and help-desk technicians.
Technical support specialists respond to inquiries from their organizations' computer users and may run automatic diagnostics programs to resolve problems. In addition, they may write training manuals and train computer users in the use of new computer hardware and software. These workers also oversee the daily performance of their company's computer systems, resolving technical problems with Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and other systems.
Help-desk technicians respond to telephone calls and e-mail messages from customers looking for help with computer problems. In responding to these inquiries, help-desk technicians must listen carefully to the customer, ask questions to diagnose the nature of the problem, and then patiently walk the customer through the problem-solving steps. They also install, modify, clean, and repair computer hardware and software. Many computer support specialists start out at the help desk.
Help-desk technicians deal directly with customer issues, and their employers value them as a source of feedback on their products and services. They are consulted for information about what gives customers the most trouble, as well as other customer concerns.
What can I expect from a career in Programming?
Computer programmers write programs. After computer software engineers and systems analysts design software programs, the programmer converts that design into a logical series of instructions that the computer can follow. The programmer codes these instructions in any of a number of programming languages, depending on the need. Computer programmers also update, repair, modify, and expand existing programs. They may develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Programming Instructor: Signy Givens
Phone: 662-562-3344
Office location at Senatobia: Berry Building
Networking Instructor: Temple Allen
Phone: 662-562-3444
Office location at Senatobia: Berry Building
What can I earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov, the median annual salary in May 2004 for a computer system administrator was $58,190, while a support specialist earned $40,430. The lowest 10 percent of computer support specialists earned less than $37,100, and the top 10 percent exceeded $91,300.
Reference:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last Updated Wednesday, August 03 2011 @ 01:03 PM CDT|1,964 Hits 