High Demand for Computer Network Administrators and Human Resource Managers - Term Paper Example

Picking the Better Path: Research Report Assisting a Client in a Career Choice Abstract The fields of computer network administration and human resource management are in very high demand in this day and age. The importance of computer administrators lies in the increasing prevalence of online communication in the digital age, and in how the internet is utilized to its fullest potential as a means not only of reaching out to their customers, but also of expediting day-to-day operations and transactions. Meanwhile, HR practitioners are prized for their ability to tap into the fullest potential of an organization’s employees, turning them into the means by which an organization strives for success. Regardless of what field the client ultimately seeks to find employment in, though, the most important thing to remember would be for him to ensure that the field he chooses is indeed the one he feels inclined towards, and to devote his utmost efforts to the pursuit of his objectives. The paper suggests that if one shows both competence and inclination towards his chosen field, success should not be difficult to achieve. Table of Contents Introduction: The Importance of Career Counseling 4 Computer Network Admin / Network Security 5 Human Resources Management 6 Conclusion 8 References 10 Introduction: The Importance of Career Counseling In this day and age, the value and importance of excellence is known to all, yet realized by few. This concept is understood by most as striving to push oneself to one’s limits, aiming to achieve success through the exertion of effort, rather than adopting a mindset of mediocrity and settling merely for what is passable. In this way, excellence can thus be characterized not as a one-off thing, but as a habit, a guiding principle by which one lives his life. Whatever one’s endeavors may be, it would be best for him to dedicate his utmost efforts to their successful completion – which, in turn, is more likely to happen when one’s designated objectives are self-motivated and self-determined, rather than assigned to him by other authorities (Lepper et al, 1973). One’s pursuit of a given goal may be influenced by certain extrinsic and intrinsic motivators, the interplay of which determines his commitment and the sense of fulfillment to be had. Specifically, one is said to exhibit a more enduring form of commitment to a task if he performs it because he finds meaning in the act itself, or is at least in it for more than just the material benefits. In this way, motivation can fall under one of five different forms. The first four are all extrinsic motivation, and all feature an individual gradually growing to identify with his goal or objective. At the extreme opposite is pure intrinsic motivation, where one engages in a particular act or endeavor purely for its own sake (Deci and Ryan, 1991). This has certain implications within the context of career counseling, especially when one considers that people tend to receive poor career advice, if they are not made to do without it entirely (UK Cabinet Office, 2009). All too often, people end up wasting their time working in a field they never wanted to be in the first place; whether out of a misplaced need to live up to the expectations of their parents, or otherwise due to a misguided sense of practicality, they thus fail to find happiness in their jobs as a result. And due to the major, major influence of autonomy on one’s motivation, these people also become less likely to commit their utmost effort to a job they do not even like. The general idea behind career counseling, then, is to avert such a scenario, by presenting clients with job options best suited to their skills, talents and inclinations. Specifically, this particular client is strongly recommended to pursue either a career in network security, or otherwise in human relations, both paths of which shall be further detailed in the succeeding pages. Computer Network Admin / Network Security The IT industry has always required competent and capable professionals to take care of the necessary work, but this has become even more important in this day and age, where computers and technology have arguably become the backbone of the entire business world. From the office to the classroom and even to our very own homes, computer access has become all but hardwired into our daily routines and activities. In fact, the ubiquity of computers in modern society is such that even some poor families are able to have access to at least a netbook and a prepaid internet connection. This being the case, it is little wonder that jobs in the industry are quite lucrative. The reason for this should be evident from the success experienced by such companies as Microsoft, Apple and IBM, and the employees working under them. Due to the staggering level of success and prosperity enjoyed by these corporate giants, the paychecks enjoyed by their individual employees are no doubt generous – to say nothing of the fact that they not only tolerate, but even welcome foreigners to work for them (Stajano, 2003). As a matter of fact, even comparatively smaller computer technology companies such as Lenovo – with a total revenue of $21.594B, as opposed to Microsoft’s $69.94B (United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 2008), are more than capable of providing their employees not only with a respectable monthly salary, but also with awesome fringe benefits as well. Needless to say, computer network administrators are well in demand – not least because they are the ones responsible for both ensuring the optimum functionality of the relevant systems, but are also in charge of fending off hackers and other malicious entities that may seek to undermine an organization’s online operations. As noted on the official website of Remington College (2011), computer network administrators are omnipresent in society and in the global economy. These professionals are usually in charge of installing, configuring, troubleshooting and maintaining programs and security, and are also charged with inspecting, evaluating and improving on the system as needed. Other tasks and functions that fall within their purview include maintenance of both local (LAN) and wide (WAN) area networks, as well as the internet and intranet systems of companies. Ensuring network security is an especially vital function of theirs, especially considering the prevalence of hacking incidents in this day and age. Needless to say, the nature of their tasks, each of which would already require high levels of competency on its own, means that the work of these administrators is extremely taxing and demanding. And given the high demand for them in today’s industry, it can also be inferred that these professionals are compensated very generously indeed. Human Resources Management Another viable career option for the client would be a career in HRM, or human resources management. As noted by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2011), the term ‘human resources’ mainly pertains to the individuals comprising an organization’s workforce – in other words, its employees. As such, the human resources department in an organization is in charge of managing its workforce through the implementation of relevant policies, strategies and programs. In terms of educational background, HR practitioners tend to come from different courses, which should reflect the varied nature of the work therein (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). While most aspiring HR practitioners would definitely attain their bachelor’s degree in the pursuit of their chosen career path, colleges and universities generally do not offer the required courses until the graduate level – though most of them do at least have subjects pertaining to human resource management or business administration for undergrads. Due to the wide range of tasks that these professionals are required to perform, it would be highly recommended for them to have backgrounds in the social and/or behavioral sciences, as well as in business administration. At the very least, it would be an immense help for them to have studied the principles of management, or otherwise organizational structures and/or industrial and operational psychology. All in all, entry-level workers in this industry will receive assignments suited to their level of expertise – which, needless to say, will depend in part on their educational background. The key functions of these professionals revolve around scouting, recruiting, selecting and retaining the most qualified personnel – and then assigning them to the task or position most suited for them - all in order to help the organization achieve its goals. HR practitioners have long been known for being in charge of the organization’s administrative aspects, but they have begun to increasingly rely on the input, guidance and approval of executives in order for them to perform their functions. Due to the asset they pose within any organization, there has been a great demand for HR practitioners since at least 2008 (around 900,000 jobs), and this is expected to go up in the coming years. Rather than a single, well-defined process, human resource development instead has to do with conducting several distinct, albeit related, processes, in order to achieve a given objective or set of objectives (Nadler, 1984). The whole point of human resource development revolves around the realization and acknowledgment on the organization’s part as to the importance of its employees in its pursuit of success (Kelly, 2001). Following this realization, the most instinctive option for an organization would then be to train its employees, helping them to develop the key skills and competencies necessary for them to optimally perform their day-to-day duties within the organization – and in the process, to somehow develop more as persons as well. Conclusion As noted in the preceding paragraphs, both the fields of computer network administration and human resource management are in very high demand in this day and age. The importance of computer administrators lies in the increasing prevalence of online communication in the digital age, and in how the internet is utilized to its fullest potential as a means not only of reaching out to their customers, but also of expediting day-to-day operations and transactions. Meanwhile, HR practitioners are prized for their ability to tap into the fullest potential of an organization’s employees, turning them into the means by which an organization strives for success. Regardless of what field the client ultimately seeks to find employment in, though, the most important thing to remember would be for him to ensure that the field he chooses is indeed the one he feels inclined towards, and to devote his utmost efforts to the pursuit of his objectives. As noted in the introduction’s discussion of the self-determination theory, one tends to devote more effort towards things he is skilled at, as well as things he actually likes doing. Ergo, if one is both shows both competence and inclination towards his chosen field, success should not be difficult to achieve. References Computer Network Administration Jobs (2011). Remington College. Retrieved on October 4, 2011 from http://www.remingtoncollege.edu/computer-network-administration-jobs/ Computer Network, Systems and Database Administrators (2011). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 edition. Retrieved on October 4, 2011 from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos303.htm Deci, E., & Ryan, R. (Eds.), (2002). Handbook of self-determination research. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press. Form 10-K: Lenovo Group Limited (2010). United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved on October 4, 2011 from http://www.google.com/finance?q=OTC:LNVGY&fstype=ii Human Resources, Training and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists (2011). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 edition. Retrieved on October 4, 2011 from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos021.htm Kelly, D. (2001). Dual perceptions of HRD: Issues for policy: SME’s, other constituencies, and the contested definitions of human resource development. Retrieved on October 4, 2011 from http://ro.uow.edu.au/artspapers/26 Lepper, M. K., Greene, D., & Nisbett, R. (1973). Undermining children's intrinsic interest with extrinsic reward: A test of the "overjustification" hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 28, 129–137. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2011). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved on October 4, 2011 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human+resources?show=0&t=1295638541 Nadler, E. L. (1984). The handbook of human resources development. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Stajano, F. (2003). Security for whom? The shifting security assumptions of pervasive computing". Software Security—Theories and Systems. Lecture notes in computer science. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 16–27. We want the top jobs and need better careers advice - Young people tell Alan Milburn's review (2009). UK Cabinet Office. Retrieved on October 4, 2011 from http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2009/090610_survey.aspx Read More