Specialized Computer Job Skills
Examples of jobs that require specialized computer skills are listed below.
- Graphics design
- Digital video production
- Technical writing
- Web-based training (WBT)
These are sort of like "computer jobs," in that the people in these fields work on computers almost exclusively to perform their primary duties. But computers in and of themselves aren't the focus of these jobs. So, to get picky about it, these aren't really computer jobs either, but rather occupations that require both basic and specialized, computer user skills. For example,
- A graphics artist not only needs to know how to efficiently operate complex graphics software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, but must have artistic talent, too. Some sort of an art degree can't hurt either.
- A WBT developer needs development skills in related software applications, such as those included in Macromedia's eLearning Studio, but also needs solid knowledge in the ways of the Web, and education or experience in instructional design.
Not to mention, technical writers, for example, would probably prefer to be called "technical writers" than "computer workers" (much less, "computer geeks"), even though they must specialize in several applications, such as Microsoft Word, and Adobe FrameMaker, Photoshop and Acrobat. Still, some employers might require that people who work these types of gigs possess computer certifications in the software required to do the job. More about certifications later.
Note: Web designer or developer sort of falls between this "category" and the next, depending on how an employer defines the job skills and duties. (Generically speaking, job banks and employers are more likely to call either a "new media job" too, rather than a computer job.) For more about this, read the article "On Becoming a Web Designer".
