Formations et parcours :
Licence Sciences et Technologie :
· Mathématiques
· Informatique
· Electronique, Electrotechnique et Automatique (EEA)
· Physique

Master Sciences Technologie Santé :
· Mathématiques (recherche)
·  Sciences et Techniques de l'information et de la communication (research) :
- Signaux et communications numériques
- Programmation ; modèles langages et techniques
· Sciences et Techniques de l'information et de la communication (professional) :
- Méthodes informatiques appliquées à la gestion des entreprises (MIAGE)
- Multimédia bases de données et Systèmes (MBDS)
- Informatique Mathématiques appliquées à la finance et à l'assurance (MAFA)
- Télécommunication, informatique, micro électrique (TIM)
- Informatique et Sciences pour l'ingénieur (ISI)

BASIC COMPUTER TECHNICIAN

As from the analysis of users' needs, carried out by himself/herself or a project leader, the programme analyst creates or improves computer programmes. His/her activity evolves more towards analysis and less programming. It is often considered by beginners as a step towards other functions.

Activities

Analyse the problem

The users' needs are written specifications that specify what the computer programme is capable of doing. The programme analyst then defines how this programme will function. He/she details the organisation, the technical solution that has been chosen in elaborating all the treatment chain. Writing out the programme then follows.

Adapt software packages

The new development tools (software engineering workshops, object-oriented programming language) facilitates the writing of the programmes and gradually orient the activity of the programme analyst towards the analysis. With software packaging, that is to say the frequent use of standard software "ready to use", the programme analyst is often asked to adapt software by bring the necessary changes.

Test the solution

The programme analyst participates in the tests and the launching of the applications. He/she writes out the technical instructions for the installation and the user's guides. He/she trains the users, and ensures the maintenance of the applications.

Work conditions

At the user's and the service company.

At present, the majority of the computer specialists work in user companies : telecommunications, banks, distribution, car industry, large public and industrial companies, etc.

A third are employed by the suppliers, in particular the SSII, service companies and computer engineering, that carry out work required by user companies. At present the largest computer specialist are the SSII and the demand will continue to grow, as the user companies concentrate on their initial work and subcontract all or part of their computer needs.

The work conditions in a SSII are sometimes difficult : long hours, travelling nearly inevitable, night work and week-end work. These conditions are often rewarded by salaries that are consequently calculated.

In companies, availability is a must when launching heavy applications.

Career-promotion

A temporary profession

The computer specialists often change companies at the beginning of their career. The most standard path starts by an experience in one or several SSII constructors, followed by a job at a user's. The programme analysts can evolve towards supervision (project leader), towards technical expertise (computer system architect, network engineer...) or towards the commercial side. This evolution will be easy as the level of training is high (Baccalaureate + 4/5).
Required skills

To evolve, know how to communicate

The job offers often require precise technical know-how : master the methods and development tools, the practice of 2 or 3 programming languages, knowledge of a software package or a range of equipment with its software. Amongst the required skills, one needs rigour, a methodological sense, facility and the rapidity to adapt.

The programme analyst must also know how to communicate, work in a team, know the needs and activities of the users, understand the environment and the way the firm works.

He/she must permanently update his/her technical know-how and follow the general evolution of new technologies. The command of English is essential.

Openings-Salaries

A high level of 'initial training'

The programme analysts, that one thought for a time condemned to disappear, still has a place on the job market. But computer science is a domain that calls for top qualifications and therefore the level of training is high.  When they are required, the Baccalaureate + 2 diploma holders must have had experience.

It is not rare that a programme analyst job be offered to candidates who are not computer specialists (scientific diploma such as chemistry, physics, maths...) with à la clef a training on the technical environment in which the company is specialized.

As for the salary, real differences exist depending on the size of the firm, the type of employer, the   spread of responsibilities and the experience.
In 2000, a young executive may hope to earn from 28 000 to 30 000 Euros (annual gross salary).

For information

Bibliography

"L'informatique". Avenir. ONISEP
"Etudes scientifiques Université Gd. Ecoles". Dossier. ONISEP
"Les métiers de l'information" - Parcours - ONISEP
"Les métiers de l'informatique". Collection Demain les cadres. APEC
"Fiches fonctions" (ex : informatique de gestion et d'organisation). APEC
"Fiches secteurs" (ex : cabinets de conseils en service informatique). APEC
"Courrier cadres". Hebdomadaire d'actualités sur l'emploi des cadres. APEC
"Le monde informatique"
"01 informatique"
Internet site : http://www.onisep.fr

Organisations to be consulted

SYNTEC informatique, Chambre syndicale des sociétés de service et d'ingénierie informatique, 3 rue Léon-Bonnat, 75016 Paris - France. Tel. : 33 (0)1 44 30 49 70
Internet site : http://www.syntec-informatique.fr