The Computing Zone

Time until the next GCSE Computing Exam!!


Future Careers


History of Computer Careers

Prior to the 1980s, most computer work was done at an extremely high level. Academic professionals authored advanced systems for use on mainframes and commercial data centres.

In the 1990's, the commercial internet started to become available to the public, and the rise of e-mail forever changed the way that communication happened in a typical office.

Now, we are absolutely saturated with computers and embedded devices, and this trend is expected to continue, we may one day see miniature computers inside our bodies.

There is no single career in computation, but having a basic understanding of engineering and programming skills can be adapted to any specialisation.

Web Developer and Designer

One of the most visible careers might be the web developer.

Content consumed online is perhaps one of the most prevalent forms of media, and thereby it is one of the most practiced areas of expertise. This work might involve a lot of freelancing, but just as easily could be part of an established consultancy shop.

Good Skills to Learn: HTML, JavaScript, CSS, SQL, Web Servers, 1-2 Web Programming Languages, Google Analytics, Graphic Tools such as Adobe Photoshop

Software and OS Developer

A more general purpose title, a software or operating system developer will be working on software applications. This could be for desktop applications, mobile, or more complex web applications.

An operating system engineer would be writing code which defines the code that allows the computer interface as we know it to be experienced by users. There is a huge area of diversity here, so no single skill set is absolute.

Good Skills to Learn: C/C++, Xcode, Objective-C, Java, .NET

Hardware and Electrical Engineering

There would be no computer programmers without computer engineering. Companies like Intel, AMD, Nvidia and Radeon, all create electronics.

Whether it's computer processors, memory, or storage, every part in a computer needed to be invented, engineered and manufactured. It is common for the manufacturing to happen in China, but engineering is a global effort.

Additionally, specialized computers and electronics can be found in everything from automobiles to medical equipment.

Good Skills to Learn: Electrical Engineering, Physics, Hexadecimal, Unit Testing, Image Processing, 3-4 relevant programming languages

Devices and Networking Developers

Related to the general software developer, but different in a lot of ways.

Writing code to handle physical devices and network routers is much different than writing pure software. Doing development for devices can require a stricter knowledge of the computer science and engineering of the hardware itself.

Good Skills to Learn: C/C++, 1-2 Other Programming Languages, UNIX, Linux, Network Socket Programming, Network+ Certification, Electronic Circuits

Business Analytics and Statistics

Running a business of any size can take a lot of energy and effort. Being able to measure the performance of that business can be even more difficult. For that reason, the business or data analyst position has come into existence.

Somewhere in between a finance role, a statistician, and a data engineer, the analyst weaves multiple data sources together into measurable numbers that indicate the health or performance of a particular project or organisation.

Good Skills to Learn: Excel, Visual Basic, SQL Server, Visual Studio, R, Python, Statistics, Advanced Mathematics, Finance

IT and Technical Support

Information Technologists and Technical Support staff are among the most critical members of the corporate ecosystem.

Generally these roles are charged with the smooth operation of hundreds to thousands of work stations and file servers. They also need to implement security and corporate control software, running administrative duties and software updates for everyone in a company.

Good Skills to Learn: Operating System Installation, Document Management, SQL, A+ Certification, Customer Service Skills

Project Management

Not every computer job is purely technical. There are non-technical roles that facilitate the functioning of software developers, and that help communicate performance challenges to executives.

Project managers can implement a variety of team-based tools or work methods to keep a project on track, and to monitor how efficient their team is working.

Good Skills to Learn: Agile Methodology, Project Management Software, "Team-ware", Ticketing Systems, Excel, SQL, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Visio

Academic and Computer Sciences

There are actually computer careers which focus primarily on experimental projects and are centered around the process of discovery and publication.

Colleges, institutes, and large companies all have "lab" teams that come up with new ideas for building hardware or software in the hopes of finding innovation.

Corporate research labs are generally more product driven, while academic environments could either focus on publishing papers or on improving computer education.

Good Skills to Learn: Extremely variable, this could be anything. It should help to know 3-4 programming languages and be able to write well.

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Leo Tolstoy

Nothing is worth more than this day.

Mark Twain

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde

Edith Sitwell

Doug Larson

Douglas Adams

Today the greatest single source of wealth is between your ears.
Adrian Tracy

George Will

Joe Girard

The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective.
Al Neuharth

Start off every day with a smile and get it over with.
W. C. Fields

Ambrose Bierce

Some people not only expect opportunity to knock, they expect it to beat down the door.


Will Rogers



This can also be called ‘internet safety’, ‘online safety’ or ‘web safety’. E-safety is often defined as the safe and responsible use of technology. This includes the use of the internet and also other means of communication using electronic media (eg text messages, gaming devices, email etc).

Use the linked resources to find help, support and guidance. Don't forget you can always talk to your teacher!

If you need to get in touch with Mr McG then this is the way….

What's your name?
Thank you [name], that's great.

Can I ask where you are from?
Hey [name], can I ask where you are from?
Hey [name], which class are you in?
OK [name], thanks for that.

I will need your email address so I can get back to you!!
Thanks [name], nearly there.

What can I help you with?

Thanks [name] from [whichclass][location], Mr McG will get your message…"
[message]"…and will get back to you ASAP via [email]. Catch you soon.

Thank you [name], Mr McG got your message.
Thanks [name], Mr McG will get back to you as soon as he can!!

Have a great day!!

K McGuinness - 2018

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