(opening music) ♪ ♪ >> Hi, and welcome to another session of the Job Man Caravan.

I'm Bill Terrell.

The Job Man Caravan is a television show designed to bring you job information, community information and lots of entertainment.

Today on the Job Man Caravan, we'll take a look at computer related jobs.

The entertainment will be supplied by the Average White Band.

and Prince.

The computer, with its ability to collect, store and sort vast amounts of information, is very important to everyday life.

This incredible machine can be used to simply build customers or to solve complex problems.

People who work in the world of computers need a variety of skills to perform the many jobs in the field.

Some of the workers include people who service and repair computers or service technicians, engineers who design and debug computers and computer systems.

People who sell computers and office machines, known as marketing representatives and marketing support representatives who teach their customers' employees how to use computer equipment and office machines.

Computer operating personnel include people who develop systems for processing information, known as systems analysts, computer programmers who write instructions and translate them into machine readable language, and data entry operators who operate computer related equipment such as remote terminals.

Data entry operators enter information into computer systems.

Some of these workers prepare the data to be processed by punching patterns of holes and computer cards to represent specific letters, numbers, and special characters, using a machine that is similar to a typewriter.

In most newer systems, however, the operator sits at a machine that is equipped with a typewriter keyboard and an electronic screen that displays the data as it is entered directly into the computer.

Data entry personnel must have manual dexterity, and the ability to work quickly and accurately.

They should be able to work under close supervision as part of a team, and also must feel comfortable working with machines and doing repetitive, organized tasks.

Computers can process large quantities of information rapidly and accurately, but only if they are given step by step instructions to follow.

The instructions that enable computers to perform a job are called programs and are designed by computer programmers.

When writing programs for specific problems, the programmer breaks down each step into a series of coded instructions using one of the languages developed especially for computers.

Next, the programmer tests the operation of the program to be sure that the instructions are correct and will produce the desired information.

To become a computer programmer.

The most important thing to have is a logical analytical mind.

Since the needs of employers vary, there are no universal educational and training requirements.

>> The education and the training is varied.

It can happen in a number of ways.

Firstly, it can happen at the academic level.

Secondly, it can happen at the practical experience level.

Thirdly, it can happen being a combination of both.

There is some kind of training involved.

When you talk in terms of, programming, you are talking in terms of formal training.

In my case, it was a combination of both working in the field and working in different companies.

You pick it up, being surrounded by people who do this sort of thing.

Beginning salaries.

Beginning salaries vary.

It depends on the part of the country you live in.

It depends on the type of company that you work for.

If you want a number, the classification varies depending on where you are in the field, whether you're in operations, whether you're in programing, whether you're in systems management or upwards.

But the salary ranges all over from 10,000 up to maybe 100,000.

It depends on where you are working and who you are.

Now that's a big spread.

I agree it's a big spread, but, realistically, someone starting out today, as a programmer in New York, you can start out as low as 14, and that's considered low by some people.

Or, at 20,000.

It depends on what you bring to the, company.

You're seeking employment and Terrell> This is the Job Man Caravan.

And today we're taking a look at computer related careers, where when we turn with our look at computer related careers, we'll be taking a look at a systems analyst and an operations supervisor on the Job Man Caravan.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ One more time.

>> A systems analyst first.

I think we should, establish a definition of what a systems analyst is.

And I think we can best do that by giving giving an example.

Let's quickly compare the computer to a typewriter.

A writer, for example, is a writer.

A typewriter is a machine.

The computer is a machine.

An analyst is an individual who brings, a certain knowledge or expertise to this area.

And he uses the computer as a tool.

A systems analyst will see the big picture, the entire picture.

He can decide, for example, if you work in a firm such as Goldman Sachs, knowing the requirements of the firm, what kind of computer system we should have, how big it should be, how powerful should it be, what kind of programs will we have?

What are the requirements?

What kind of reports are going to be generated?

A systems analyst is the wizard that oversees the entire operation.

He has to know every facet.

So you can see that he comes as a qualified expert Terrell> Systems analysts, must be able to think logically and should like working with ideas employers usually seek analyst with a background in accounting, business management, or economics to work in a business environment, while a background in physical science, mathematics or engineering is preferred for scientifically oriented organizations.

The salaries of systems analysts vary depending on their employers, but the average salary for an analyst in the South is about $20,000 a year.

As a computer operations supervisor for a large international investment firm in New York City, and the state is responsible for the accuracy of the work that is produced on his company's computer system.

When he is on duty, he monitors financial data and information that is relevant to his company's operation.

>> My adventure started when I got out of the service, in 1967.

It was.

And like many people coming out of the service, it became necessary to go to work.

It was a random choice.

I looked in the newspaper and saw computers and, closed my eyes and pointed, and it said RCA.

I went down for an interview.

I was tested extensively and hired as a computer operator trainee 12, 13 years ago.

I would, suggest, as the state of the art is now is quite different.

And when I started out about 13 years ago, I think maybe 14 years or 14 years ago, the obvious things you can start by, at the educational level, at institutions, by looking over and seeing what's available.

You can go and visit if you can get into, institutions that have computers, you can right away to, corporations such as the big manufacturers that, produce computers.

And we know who they are.

And trade papers and things like that.

Trying to get information at all different levels and see whether or not, if you, really like to try to find out, you can just, try various sources, newspapers, companies, just almost anywhere because they're all over the place for TV, even everywhere.

Just look every place and then certain areas will start.

You'll start focusing once you have a broad base of information on which to deal with the field, From what I read in the industry publications and from what we see in media, the computer field, as some call it, for now, or data processing or management information systems or whatever, is wide open, because we have to understand that as we gear ourselves moving up into the, next century, we have to begin to think about what is going to happen.

And everything is moving in the area of high tech or high technology.

And if we see the trends in economics and politics and, and the world structure today that, we're surrounded by awesome technocracy, you pull the plug, everything stops.

So technology is what's happening from my point of view.

That's where a lot of people may, consider going.

Terrell> Don't be so mean.

You're on the Job Man Caravan.

And this week we're taking a look at computer related jobs All...right here on the job in television.

This week we're taking a look at these computer related jobs.

Because we live in a world that's filled with computers, and we need people to fill jobs in the computer industry.

So therefore this week on the Job Man Caravan, we're giving you an overview of some of the jobs involved in computer related jobs.

Friends are standing by for some entertainment.

But before Prince, when you think of computer salespersons, the first thing that comes to mind is marketing sales representatives and those marketing support representatives.

Let's take a look at these positions on the Job Man Caravan.

If you enjoy dealing with people, then a career in computer and office equipment sales may be for you.

People who do this type of work are known as marketing representatives.

>> To be a marketing representative, it's good to have a good understanding of business.

You need to understand the concerns of the Chief Executive officer in a business.

You need to understand, have some idea of accounting, accounting requirements, legal requirements, the requirements of a legal office.

You need to just be a general, have a generally a good understanding of business.

The special requirements for selling would be a person needs to be persuasive.

You need to be able to articulate your ideas.

Once you develop an understanding of what a customer needs, a perspective customers needs are, then you need to be able to convince that prospective customer of his needs, because many times a customer doesn't understand what his needs are, and it's a salesman's job or a salesperson to go in and bring about that customer awareness of a need.

And once you do that, then you present the customer with a product to...solve that which need or requirement.

Then you have to convince him that you have the best product to do that because you have competition.

And so you need to be able to develop rapport with that customer.

And, to persuade that customer that you have the best product to meet his needs.

So you need to have the language skills, required to articulate those requirements and, to articulate the benefits of your product.

And you need to be sort of tough in a way, because it's not easy.

It's a tough job.

And, you have to be able to just hang in there until you get the order.

As a marketing support representative our core is the direct responsibility of making sure that all of our equipment is installed properly, that is growing out, taking a look at some of the applications, also, putting helping the customer to properly design the system that they want.

They're planning to buy.

The other part of it is to adequately demonstrate to the customer that, in fact, this is exactly what you need.

The marketing representatives job, the design, say that he initiates the call.

He actually brings the prospect in and he qualifies the customer based on that criteria.

They will come in for a demonstration.

The marketing support representative then will demonstrate that piece of equipment to the customer and answer any questions that the customer might have.

It does not matter as to which area, just study.

And when it comes down to your formal education, that is a college education.

Your technical background, if you decide to go to a technical school, it is important that one, you make sure that you, have a neat appearance, that you can communicate, that you can use a great deal of creativity that you have already built inside of you, and bring forth all of those things and use your personality a lot.

That is very key because when you approach a person and you really want to make sure that they understand what you're doing, then you must use everything you have.

Besides a very good education, besides using your communicative skills and also and using your product knowledge, when you marry those three things together, you're going to be a good marketing support person.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Terrell> Engineers are employed in practically every known industry.

Those who work in the computer field design and develop new applications for computer systems.

They also work on the installation of computer equipment and see to it that the programs are properly installed, >> Usually, for a systems engineer or a marketing representative.

Prerequisite is that you do have, a college degree.

My background specifically is General Business Administration.

I have a Bachelor of science degree from South Carolina State College and, an MBA from Atlanta University.

But if I had to tell someone to try and prepare themselves for a career with IBM, especially to be a systems engineer, I would suggest that they try and take some computer science courses in whatever college they attend.

And also, people who are majoring in math usually have a good chance these systems engineer, because, you need to have a certain amount of, logical thinking.

And engineers also in high school.

Well, I'm not altogether certain of the courses that are being taught in high school right now.

I think that some general data processing courses, can be taken in the high schools.

I think that students should take advantage of any data processing courses that I've taken, try and learn their math courses.

Real well, you know, if they can get it, they can get those.

That'll help them a lot.

>> Do not shy away from the sciences or the maths.

If you have a particular interest in it, pursue it to the hilt.

Don't let folk discourage you from the engineering departments in your high school or colleges.

Pursue it.

Continue with it.

Emphasize that it helps.

Those are the types of skills, the background that you need.

Read a lot.

Become aware of what areas of systems engineering need openings.

Large systems, small systems, many computers.

But be very aware and do not shy away from the sciences.

Terrell> The job of the customer engineer or the computer service technician is a very important one.

These workers service and repair computer equipment and office machines.

To qualify for this type of work, you need a background in electronics.

>> My advice for, any young person looking for a career in data processing and computer service and it would be to take advantage of, whatever is offered in the technical way in high school.

First of all, even physics offers a lot as, background for electronics.

And then, after high school, perhaps taking advantage of, technical schools.

The, technical schools right around in Columbia offers a number of courses that would be very helpful in, taking advantage of getting, background in electronics.

Terrell> Changes in the data processing technology will have differing effects on computer related operations.

Graduates of two year data processing programs should find ample employment opportunities over the next decade.

The outlook for graduates of computer related college curriculums, particularly those with a major in computer science, should be excellent, through the 1980s, even college graduates who have had courses in computer programming, systems analysis and other data processing areas should also find many employment opportunities.

If you would like more information on computer related careers.

Write Job Man Caravan, South Carolina ETV Drawer L Columbia, South Carolina 29250.

Our program this week on the Job Man Caravan has been computer related jobs.

We'd like to thank you for joining us on the Job Man Caravan And you've got a standing invitation to join us each and every week right here on the Job Man Caravan.

Our special thanks to our guests on this week's program, The Average White Band and Prince.

But most of all, we thank you for watching the Job Man Caravan and be sure to join us next week.

Until then, I'm Bill Terrell.

Thanks for watching.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪