Computer Network Architects

People in this career often have these skills:

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.

People in this career often know a lot about:

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

People in this career often have talent in:

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

People in this career often do these activities:

• Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
• Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
• Maintain contingency plans for disaster recovery.
• Monitor the performance of computer networks.
• Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.

• Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
• Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.
• Develop models of information or communications systems.
• Resolve computer network problems.
• Develop specifications for computer network operation.
• Provide technical support for computer network issues.
• Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
• Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.
• Modify software programs to improve performance.
• Install computer software.
• Install computer hardware.
• Document network-related activities or tasks.
• Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.
• Supervise information technology personnel.
• Analyze website or related online data to track trends or usage.
• Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
• Test computer hardware performance.
• Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
• Communicate project information to others.
• Design integrated computer systems.
• Configure computer networks.
• Manage financial activities of the organization.
• Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.
• Coordinate software or hardware installation.
• Develop information communication procedures.
• Manage documentation to ensure organization or accuracy.
• Maintain computer hardware.
• Develop testing routines or procedures.
• Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
• Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.

• Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

• Computer Systems Analysts

• Network and Computer Systems Administrators

• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

• Information Security Analysts

• Computer Hardware Engineers

• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

• Database Administrators

• Computer and Information Systems Managers