Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Computing Professions?
Millions of people have a computer-related job title, such as computer engineer, com-
puter scientist, programmer, software engineer, system administrator, or systems ana-
lyst. Is a computer-related career a fully developed profession like medicine or law? Let's
consider the characteristics of a fully developed profession.
A fully developed profession has a well-organized infrastructure for certifying new mem-
bers and supporting those who already belong to the profession. Ford and Gibbs have
identified eight components of a mature professional infrastructure:
1
.
Initial professional education
—formal course work completed by candidates before
they begin practicing the profession
.
Accreditation
—assures that the formal course work meets the standards of the pro-
fession
.
Skills development
—activities that provide candidates with the opportunity to gain
practical skills needed to practice the profession
.
Certification
—process by which candidates are evaluated to determine their readi-
ness to enter the profession
.
Licensing
—the process giving candidates the legal right to practice the profession
.
Professional development
—formal course work completed by professionals in order
to maintain and develop their knowledge and skills
.
Code of ethics
—mechanism by which a profession ensures that its members use their
knowledge and skills for the benefit of society
.
Professional society
—organization promoting the welfare of the profession, typically
consisting of most, if not all, members of the profession
Figure 9.1 illustrates how these components work together to support the profes-
sion. A person desiring to join the profession undertakes some initial professional ed-
ucation. A process of accreditation assures that the educational process is sound. After
completing their formal education, candidates gain skills through practical experience
working in the field. Another check determines if the candidate is ready to be certified.
Successful candidates are licensed to practice the profession.
When the public can trust the competence and integrity of the members of a pro-
fession, every one of its members benefits. For this reason professionals have a stake
1. From Gary Ford and Norman E. Gibbs, “A Mature Profession of Software Engineering.” Technical
report, Carnegie Mellon University, January 1996. Copyright © 1996 Carnegie Mellon University. All
rights reserved.
