Week 5: Exploring Career Options and Informational Interviews Using the DeVry Program Guides and the Occupational Outlook Handbook There are three parts to this assignment. Please be sure to review all aspects of this assignment thoroughly before responding to the questions. You can type your answers directly on this instruction sheet and attach it to the Dropbox. This assignment will be graded using the rubric available in the Week 5 Assignment tab. Please note that 10 points will count toward writing skills Part I: Exploring Career Options (10 points) 1. Go to http://www.devry.edu/degree-programs/program-guides.html 2. Download a DeVry Program Guide by selecting the hyperlink that best describes your specialization. 3. Read the two-page DeVry Program Guide for your specialization and take note of the possible career titles listed on the second page. 4. Go to http://www.bls.gov/ooh to learn more about an occupation in your field of interest. a. Select one of the categories under Occupation Groups in the list on the left. b. Search for one of the career titles you have made a note of. (If you cannot find your career title on this page, enter it in the upper-right search box.) 5. At the top of the career listing, you will see tabs for the five categories listed below. Click each of the tabs, study the content, and fill in the chart below for one career of interest. Your name: Norberto Vargas Gomez Identify a career of interest and potential job title: Network & Communications Management Job duties and responsibilities: Determine what the organization needs in a network and computer system before it is set up. Maintain network and computer system security and ensure that all systems are operating correctly. Collect data in order to evaluate the network’s or system’s performance and help make the system work better and faster Qualifications necessary for job of interest: Analytical skills , Communication skills, Computer skills, Multitasking skills and Problem-solving skills. Potential salary range: 76,090 Similar occupations/job titles: Computer Security Specialist, Network Engineer, Network Security Consultant and Security Architect Part II: Career Analysis (60 points) For this section of the assignment, you will critically analyze a career in your field of interest. Your responses to each question should be thorough and provide new information based on the research you have done. 1. After reviewing the DeVry Program Guide for your specialization, name two courses that you are most interested in taking. Describe why these courses are important for your career interest. 2. Based on what you read in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), describe what skills and knowledge you need to be successful in the job you identified above. 3. How SPECIFICALLY will the information in the OOH impact your educational plans? 4. Is there a professional association affiliated with the occupation that you could become a member of (as a student or a professional)? Please describe the association and include in your description whether you plan to join. Part III: Informational Interviews (25 points) The following questions will help you prepare for conducting an informational interview. Be sure to review the material about informational interviews in this week’s textbook reading and the article on informational interviews linked on the Week 5 Assignments page. You can also search the DeVry University library for more information about informational interviews before responding to these questions. 1. Consider what you’ve learned about the career field you are interested in. Name and describe a company that employs people in your career field of interest. 2. Imagine you have the opportunity to conduct an informational interview with a person employed by this company. What job title could this person have? Is there a person in your current network (e.g., friend, family, past or current colleague, classmate, professor, etc.) who you could conduct an informational interview with? If so, list his or her name, company, and job title. 3. Based on the course material reviewed for this assignment, list at least five questions you would ask this person in an informational interview. (All questions should be UNIQUE to your desired occupation). Next to each question, provide a reason why you have chosen each question. College of Engineering & Information Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Program Network & Communications Management about this degree program general education coursework Today, businesses and individuals demand connectivity 24/7. Communication, information and even entertainment are delivered through “always on” networks that need to be highly accessible and highly secure. Recent advances in wireless and fiber optic technology have made communication faster and clearer than ever before; making possible a range of new mobile devices that allow you to remotely schedule and watch your favorite TV shows, while browsing the web. At DeVry University, we believe in the value of a comprehensive education. This means broadening your knowledge and skill sets beyond the area of your degree program, to prepare you to succeed in today’s diverse and evolving workplace. A bachelor’s degree from DeVry University’s Network & Communications Management program can help position you for a career in this rapidly evolving and high growth field. Our degree program can expose you to the next-generation of network tools and prepare for a career connecting people via VoIP, video, smart phones and more. From day one, you can learn important analytical and communication skills, such as problem solving, reasoning and analysis, academic and professional writing, and mathematics and statistics skills. These skills can better equip you to work across cultures and understand a wide range of concepts that influence your area of study. General Education Coursework: • Communication Skills • Humanities • Mathematics • Natural Sciences • Personal and Professional Development • Social Sciences core-degree coursework all of these courses ACCT-301 BUSN-115 COMP-100 COMP-129 COMP-230 MGMT-404 MGMT-408 SEC-280 Essentials of Accounting Introduction to Business and Technology Computer Applications for Business with Lab PC Hardware and Software with Lab Introduction to Scripting and Database with Lab Project Management Management of Technology Resources Principles of Information Systems Security did you know? Cisco Networking Academy courses at DeVry University teach networking and IT skills to prepare you for industry recognized certifications. Note: DeVry’s academic catalog, available via www.devry.edu/uscatalog, contains the most current and detailed program information, including graduation requirements. College of Engineering & Information Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Program Network & Communications Management careers in network and communications Management knowledge and skills Network and communications managers are employed far beyond the computer and telecommunications industries. Financial firms, insurers, schools and government agencies all employ network and communications specialists to meet their specialized needs for information sharing and communication. Many network and communications professionals are also self-employed as consultants working for a wide variety of companies. Wired, Optical and Wireless Communications2 — Examine various signals and their transmission in the network, including codes and numbering systems, data transmissions methods, basic point-to-point networks, error detection and correction, and Internet access technologies. Earning DeVry University’s bachelor’s degree in Network & Communications Management, you can be prepared to design, build, install and manage voice, video and other data communication systems. You can learn to create backup, security and redundancy measures to ensure the privacy of sensitive information and the ability to access critical information in times of crisis or natural disaster. You can also gain a basic understanding of the regulations that govern this industry allowing you to perform your tasks ethically and conscientiously. Graduates of DeVry University’s Network & Communication Management degree program may consider careers including: • Computer Security Specialist • Network and Telecommunications Manager • Network Engineer • Network Security Consultant • Network Systems Analyst • Security Architect According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of network systems and data communications analysts is expected to grow by 53 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations and places it among the fastest growing of all occupations. According to its Occupational Outlook Handbook, “demand for network architects and engineers will increase as organizations continue to upgrade their IT capacity and incorporate the newest technologies. The growing reliance on wireless networks will result in a need for many more of these workers.”1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Computer Software Engineers and Computer Programmers, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/oco/ ocos303.htm (visited April 1, 2011). 2 DeVry University, on the Internet at www.devry.edu/degree-programs/college-engineering-informationsciences/network-and-communications-management-about.jsp. 3 O*NET OnLine, Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts, on the Internet at www.online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/15-1081.00 (visited April 1, 2011). 1 Converged Networks2 — Explore current and emerging networks that deliver voice, data and video/imaging through various technologies, including core switching, broadband, edge access, Internet protocol telephony, adding packet capabilities to circuit-switched networks, 3G and 4G solutions, presence-enabled communications, and security and troubleshooting. Wireless Technologies and Services2 — Explore wireless technology and how wireless networks operate, including wireless network components, design, security, troubleshooting and regulation. Advanced Networking2 — Focus on emerging and advanced topics in the networking field, exploring advances in technology and their implications in designing, implementing, securing and managing networks. Advanced Network Security2 — Develop advanced skills in identifying network security vulnerabilities, including wireless vulnerabilities; conducting risk assessments; preventing, detecting and responding to intrusions; and providing for business continuity and disaster recovery. career-focused coursework all of these courses NETW-202 NETW-204 NETW-206 NETW-208 NETW-230 NETW-240 NETW-250 NETW-310 NETW-320 NETW-360 NETW-410 NETW-420 NETW-471 NETW-490 NETW-494 NETW-497 SEC-450 Introduction to Networking with Lab Introduction to Routing with Lab Introduction to Switching with Lab Introduction to WAN Technologies with Lab Network Operating Systems - Windows, with Lab Network Operating Systems - UNIX, with Lab Voice/VoIP Administration with Lab Wired, Optical and Wireless Communications with Lab Converged Networks with Lab Wireless Technologies and Services with Lab Enterprise Network Design with Lab Enterprise Network Management with Lab Advanced Topics in Networking Senior Project with Lab Senior Project I with Lab Senior Project II with Lab Advanced Network Security with Lab Administration and Management3— Gain knowledge of the business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Systems Evaluation3— Identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. Attention to Detail3 — Learn to pay attention to detail and to be thorough in completing work tasks. Interacting with Computers3— Use computers and computer systems to program hardware, write software, set up functions, enter data or process information. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.ncahlc.org. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus – 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211. Program availability varies by location. AC0060. ©2014 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved. Version 7/7/14 For comprehensive consumer information visit devry.edu/bncm Visit DeVry.edu or call 888.DEVRY.04