In India, the computer industry has been growing at a phenomenal rate of 45% per annum, making it amongst the fastest growing sectors of the economy. It is estimated that by the start of the new millennium, the requirement for computer professionals in India alone, will be close to 4,00,000 computer professionals, and including others with computer handling skills, at well over 1,60,000. With a manpower shortage, and a continuing demand for trained professionals, this expanding field of information technology provides a large gap to be filled by those with the appropriate skills and with ambition and aptitude.

There are two main sectors in the computer industry. While hardware covers the physical elements of a computer system, and is concerned with the design, development, assembly, manufacture and maintenance ; software is the set of programmed instructions that enable a computer to perform specified functions.

The work therefore encompasses a range of specialist jobs that are changing constantly as machines become ever more sophisticated, demanding new skills or different combinations of existing ones.

At the lowest rung of the ladder are Data Entry Operators who feed data into the computer system, through a keyboard. Programmers are responsible for writing and testing programs and assisting users during the implementation phase. Programmers can be Applications Programmers who write user-friendly programs to comply with the consumer needs, whether for a general or specific purpose, or Systems Programmers who work with computer manufacturers, software houses or R&D institutes for developing software for different computer systems.

Other jobs in the area of software include those of Analysts, who perform a range of differing specialist functions including analysing user requirements, programming, testing, and installation of software. Analysts may also provide advice to clients on purchase and installation of appropriate computer systems and guidance on program development. There are also Systems Designers who take care of the design aspect of software development. All these functions require people with advanced computer skills.

At the highest professional level are the Computer Engineers who develop programmes for computers. Their work covers the design, development and maintenance of software. Software Engineers also design software packages for client companies.

In the area of Hardware - the major responsibilities are those of Hardware Engineers, which encompass the physical elements of the computer system and involve the manufacture and maintenance of computers, the development of new designs and the modification of existing systems to suit the growing needs of the computer industry. Design Engineers are engaged in the creation and improvement of products and processes that can be manufactured and maintained economically, perform satisfactorily, look good and satisfy proven demand. Service Engineers diagnose and rectify problems that may arise in computer systems while Hardware Technicians assist the engineers in servicing and maintaining computers.

The non-technical areas also require some knowledge of computers. Sales and marketing jobs require a thorough knowledge of the products, the competition and current trends in the market.

Every day new jobs are being created in this fast growing field. Already Internet and its widening horizons in the area of electronic business has opened up a host of employment opportunities. As more and more companies wake up to the prospect of doing business through the Internet and with increasing business being transacted electronically, there is a huge demand for web technology professionals. E-commerce specialists create and develop and maintain sites for companies through which business can be transacted. This area of work requires computer professionals with skills in setting up, managing and developing Web-sites and for web page designers, programmers and application developers. There are several institutes which offer specialised courses in various aspects of e-commerce.

The best option for entering the world of computers is a degree course in engineering or computer science. Software jobs including that of Systems Analyst require an engineering degree with a post-graduate diploma in computer applications, or a post-graduate degree in Computer Applications (MCA). Programming jobs require a minimum diploma in programming, while at the data entry level, it is sufficient to have passed 10+2 with some knowledge of various software packages.

The eligibility varies with the course and level of study.

Computer Engineering : 10+2, with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and preferably, Computer Science.

Undergraduate Course / B Sc in Computer Science : 10+2 in Science, Arts, and Commerce.
"B" level or graduate level DOE scheme : "O" level certificate of diploma in computers. <
Postgraduate Course/ MCA : Graduation in computer science or any other degree related to science, mathematics, statistics, or operational research.
E-commerce & web-page designing courses : Graduate with computer skills.

While the short-term courses vary from three to six months, the degree programmes can be of three - four years duration in different institutions.

A three-year diploma in motion picture photography is offered by the Film and Television Institute, Pune, while the Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC), Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi offers a 2-year post-graduate diploma in motion picture photography to graduates in any discipline.

Besides engineering colleges, which offer Computer engineering, several universities offer Bachelors and Masters courses in Computer Science and Computer Applications. There are also hundreds of organisations in practically every town and city in India, providing some form of computer training, diploma and certificate courses in areas other than computer engineering.

To guide prospective software students, the Government Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Courses (DOEACC) has set up a system of accrediting specific courses at specific branches of training institutes to bring about quality and standardisation at all levels of computer education.

DOEACC takes the responsibility of ensuring that the training institutes maintain the minimum level of standard, equipment, and staff for the course they are accredited for at that branch. It is therefore advisable to look for the DOEACC certification when selecting the computer course and institute.

Most institutions offer a wide range of short-term and long-term specialised courses to suit various requirements. Those looking for a career in computers should enrol in the regular programmes. There is the basic foundation course at the "O" level for school or college level students who have never worked with computers before, which can be followed by the "A" or Advanced level; the "B" level equivalent to an undergraduate degree and "C" level to a postgraduate degree.