Career of the Week: Computer Network Engineer

A computer network engineer maintains and administers computer systems and all of their related components, including computer hardware, systems software and applications software. Educational requirements for a career in computer network engineering usually requires a four-year bachelor’s degree combined with work experience and top candidates generally possess advanced training.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Computer Network Engineer

A computer network engineer operates the master consoles that monitor the performance of computer systems and coordinates computer network access and use. Network engineers design, configure and test computer hardware and networking and operating system software. They are responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing network security measures for the protection of data, software and hardware. Computer engineers recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, determining the hardware or software requirements that may be related to such changes. There is some overlap with computer network administrators at the transport level, including the management of the linking and networking protocols that allow data to be transferred. Here are some examples of job duties from Monster.com:

Computer Network Engineer Job Requirements

Knowledge of electronic equipment, circuit boards, chips, processors and related equipment is essential for a computer network engineer. Employers usually look for at least a bachelor’s degree although an MBA with technology as a core component is often preferred. Currently, 60% working in computing started out with non-IT degrees. Employers will often consider other areas of expertise that more precisely fit the job and recommend additional training. Engineering science and technology play a key role in a computer developer career. Critical thinking, logic, communication and problem solving are skills present in a quality computer network engineer. Here are some requirement excerpts from CareerBuilder.com:

Computer Network Engineer Job and Career Outlook

Computer networking is one of the top five fastest-growing occupations today, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (www.bls.gov). The last decade saw remarkable growth in computer system design and related industries. Corporations and business both large and small depend on network engineers to design, install, maintain and protect their computer systems. Additional network engineers will be required to keep up with the demand created by strong competition among businesses and increasingly sophisticated technological innovations. A posting on,www.salary.com, stated the average earnings of a computer network technician was between $44,141 and $66,185. New technologies such as the Internet and wireless mobile devices will create new job opportunities as network engineers will be needed to provide support and implement changes into existing systems. An increased reliance on computer systems has also created a greater need for security, which can be provided by those holding proper training or a degree in computer network engineering.

source: diplomaguide.com

click here for more salary information

The 10 Least Stressful Jobs of 2010

Imagine that you were given the chance to cut your amount of job-related stress in half – would you do it?

It’s doubtful many employees would refuse such an opportunity, especially at a time when the economy is causing heightened workplace anxiety. But while embracing a stress-free lifestyle may sound like a wonderful idea, for some it might not be worth the cost. Would you be willing to sacrifice a career with growth potential for less anxiety? How about a good salary, or a job with high levels of satisfaction? Examining the 10 least stressful jobs for 2010, this is a choice many job seekers have to make if they want less tension in their work lives.

This year’s least stressful job, Musical Instrument Repairer, ranks well in the three stress “Mega Factors” (work environment, job competitiveness and risk) used to measure tension levels, but offers little earning potential or opportunity for advancement. The same deficits apply to several other jobs on the list, such as Appliance Repairer, Piano Tuner and Janitor, which are unlikely to cause tension headaches, but also have relatively low median incomes and (with the exception of Janitor) poor employment prospects.

Of course, everyone’s desire to climb the corporate ladder is different, and for some the relatively low stress of being a Librarian is more appealing than the potential of a high risk, high reward career like Senior Corporate Executive. Similarly, Surgeons work long hours and have little room for error, but are paid exceptionally well for their efforts. Whether this is enough to ease the pain of such a high-pressure career, however, depends largely on the job seeker.

Think it’s time to ditch the rat race and find a job that won’t cause indigestion? Check out one of the 10 Least Stressful Jobs for 2010:

1. Musical Instrument Repairer

Maintains and repairs band and orchestral instruments of all kinds.

2. Medical Records Technician

Maintains complete, accurate, and up-to-date medical records for use in treatment, billing, and statistical surveys.

3. Actuary

Interprets statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, and death, and loss of property from theft and natural disasters.

4. Forklift Operator

Operates industrial trucks and tractors to move products and raw materials for manufacturing firms.

5. Appliance Repairer

Performs major and routine maintenance on a variety of electrical home appliances.

6. Medical Secretary

Transcribes dictations, prepares correspondence, and assists physicians and other medical scientists in compiling reports, articles, speeches and conference proceedings.

7. Librarian

Selects and organizes materials to make information available to the public.

8. Bookkeeper

Maintains financial records and prepares statements of a company’s income and daily operating expenses.

9. Piano Tuner

Adjusts piano strings to achieve proper musical pitch.

10. Janitor

Cleans offices and other spaces within buildings, and keeps areas in good condition.

While the majority of jobs on this list offer little growth potential or income, there are some exceptions. Actuaries enjoy relatively stress-free workplaces thanks to an excellent work environment and little risk of serious injury or death. However, the salary and employment prospects for Actuaries are also very good, thanks in part to the rigorous testing required to become licensed. This makes Actuary stand out among the least stressful jobs, and is a major reason that the profession also ranks as the best overall job for 2010.

source: careercast

click here for more salary information

Top Republican questions GM/administration over TARP funds used to pay back loans

By Mark Kleis

A top Senate Republican, Charles Grassley, questioned the Obama Administration regarding the recent announcement by General Motors that all federal loans had been repaid. Grassley believes that the loans were in fact paid back with other federal bailout funds – not from profits due to the operation of the automaker.

GM announced on Wednesday that it had fully repaid the $6.7 billion in loans from the U.S. government, and $1.4 billion in loans to the Canadian government. Today, according to Fox News, a Republican Senator has questioned the legitimacy behind that announcement.

Senator Charles Grassley accused both the Obama Administration and GM of misleading taxpayers about the true status of the automaker’s government-sourced loans. Grassley accused the automaker of using funds from a different part of the government funded bailout in order to pay back its loans.

Grassley’s charge was verified by the inspector general behind the bailout, who oversees the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP) funding. Special inspector general of the TARP program, Neil Barofsky, told the Senate Finance Committee and Fox News that GM used bailout money out of an escrow account in order to pay back other government loans. Grassley mentioned in his letter to treasury secretary Timothy Geithner that a form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed $6.7 billion worth of taxpayer funds were sitting in an escrow account available to GM.

Grassley questioned Geithner, asking for public clarification about why GM was allowed to use taxpayer funds from the escrow account in order to pay back a taxpayer-funded loan. “It appears to be nothing more than an elaborate TARP money shuffle,” said Grassley in his letter.

Following GM’s triumphant announcement on Wednesday, Vice President Joe Biden said the repayment was a “huge accomplishment.”

“The bottom line seems to be that the TARP loans were ‘repaid’ with other TARP funds in a Treasury escrow account. The TARP loans were not repaid from money GM is earning selling cars, as GM and the administration have claimed in their speeches, press releases and television commercials,” wrote Grassley.

source: LEFTLANENEWS.COM

click here for more salary information