Computer and Information Research Scientists

People in this career often have these skills:

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

People in this career often know a lot about:

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

People in this career often have talent in:

• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

People in this career often do these activities:

• Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
• Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.
• Assign duties or work schedules to employees.
• Monitor the performance of computer networks.
• Maintain computer hardware.

• Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
• Design integrated computer systems.
• Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
• Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.
• Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
• Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
• Manage information technology projects or system activities.
• Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
• Develop organizational goals or objectives.
• Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.
• Train others in computer interface or software use.
• Participate in staffing decisions.
• Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.

• Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

• Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

• Computer Systems Analysts

• Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

• Operations Research Analysts

• Statisticians

• Computer Network Architects

• Database Administrators