This is a great time to seek a career in the information technology sector. Demand for specialized computer positions have rebounded substantially since the dot com bubble. Demand in some areas (e.g., information security) is tremendous and educational institutions are lagging at least three years behind the demand for qualified graduates. The continuing evolution of the industry has resulted in many new, technologically-advanced positions (e.g., new media development). Many of those new jobs require an entirely different set of jobs skills than the computer science jobs of the past. UMFK can prepare you to fill those jobs. This is a great time to seek a career in the information technology sector and UMFK’s computer applications program will help prepare you.
UMFK's computer applications graduates have excelled in a variety of information technology professions. Many have continued their education by successfully pursuing graduate degrees. Some entrepreneurial graduates have even started their own companies.
Currently, our graduates are sought out for positions as computer programmers, computer support specialists, database administrators, network/systems administrators, security specialists, systems analysts, and web site designers. Employers who have hired our graduates in recent years include:
- Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services
- ATX Forms
- Daigle Oil Company
- Gene’s Electronics
- James Sewall Company
- Netherland Office Products
- Northern Computers Incorporated
- Northway Bank
Faculty members work with students and regional employers and organizations to facilitate internship opportunities. The university itself has benefited from the talents of many of our students during their time here. The program director maintains a web site with links to appropriate job searching sites and regularly alerts students to new opportunities as they arise. For individuals willing to travel, a wealth of job opportunities exist in more urban environments, and with federal agencies for those particularly interested in information security.
The following are descriptions of a sample of computer applications related positions that are available to our graduates.
Computer Programmers
Design, code and test computer programs. Programmers write programs according to the specifications determined by systems analysts. Today, many programmers use CASE (Computer Assisted Software Engineering) tools to automate much of the coding process.
Computer Scientists
Generally design computers and system software and conduct research to improve their design or use, and develop and adapt principles for applying computers to new uses.
Computer Support Specialists
Provide assistance and advice to users. They interpret problems and provide technical support for hardware, software, and systems.
Database Administrators
Work with database management systems software, coordinating changes to, testing, and implementing computer databases.
GIS/GPS technicians
Geographic information systems (GIS) continue to provide many career opportunities for our students and graduates. There have been an increased number of paid internships in GIS and global positioning (GPS) for our students. Graduates in computer applications with a GIS concentration have enough background in GPS and GIS to qualify as technicians for the growing GIS “Industry.” GIS technicians perform digitizing (mapping), GPS data collection, and basic GIS tasks. State government and private corporations currently have openings for mapping or "cartographic" technicians. GIS specialists have more extensive training in database management, programming, and geospatial analysis, and currently are sought after by industry. UMFK is a member of the Maine GIS Education Consortium, a group of University of Maine System Schools actively promoting GIS undergraduate education and post-graduate educational opportunities.
Network/Systems Administrators
Plan, install, configure, and support an organization's communication network systems. Often employ security specialist skills to maintain the security of networked resources.
Security Specialists
Responsible for analyzing the risks and threats to information assets, and then planning, coordinating, and implementing an organization's information security measures. Often work closely with network/system administrators, database administrators.
System Analysts
Investigate the requirements of an organization, its employees, and its customers in order to prepare a plan for new or improved computer services. Each component of the service must be specified, including all inputs and outputs, mathematical and logical operations to be performed, etc. The analyst also prepares a cost-benefit analysis report to help management decide whether the proposed plan is financially feasible and provides sufficient value to make it worth undertaking. Often work closely with programmers to ensure timely and correct implementation of new or improved services.
Web site Designers
Create, test, post and update web sites. Often employ programming and database management skills to develop interactive web sites such as those used for electronic commerce.