Technology takes over
Minus computer training
you may be left out in the cold
By DOUG LEVY
In today's job market,
students who go from college to
the working world without a
technical background are
reducing their chances for a
job, according to three Univer
sity professors.
Arthur Farley, head of the
computer and information
sciences department, Roger
Best, head of the marketing
department and Roy Halvorsen,
a journalism associate profes
sor, all say technology plays a
much larger role in the job mar
ket now than it did 10 years ago
Marketing seems to be the
area changed most by the tech
nological boom. "There has
been a tremendous explosion in
me i iciu ,
says Best
"Computer
systems and
the use of
computers
have in
V/icaocu y i cany
If a student wants a job with a
marketing firm, he or she should
have a mixture of marketing re
search, consumer behavior and
computer skills courses, Best
says
"If you’re trying for a job with
a consumer goods firm, you
won't even get a second inter
view if you haven't had those
courses."
Farley is quick to point out
that a student with computer
skills is one step ahead in the
job market
"Computers are a major
aspect of communication
today," he says "There is no
reason not to have computer
experience, and if you have the
capability to use a computer, it
makes it that much easier to get
along "
Students entering the com
puter field should be prepared
to have a working knowledge of
business applications and sys
tems analysis, Farley says
"An employer might say, Oh,
I want an accounting system
designed for IBM,' and the
worker would then need to have
experience in systems analy
sis.”
In journalism, Halvorsen con
tends that the old standbys of
spelling and grammar are just
as important today as they have
ever been
However, he says, “The main
thing a journalist needs to use is
a VDT (video display terminal),
and most people can learn to
use those within a few hours ”
A basic background in com
puter operations is a definite
edge for the average student,
says Halverson
i
‘ People able to cope with
computer language will be bet
ter prepared if technology
evolves "
For marketing majors, con
trary to those in journalism,
today's technology-oriented
society makes the basics of a
decade ago obsolete, Best says
"The students of today know
more about consumer behavior
than I was taught as a PhD —
and they 're at an undergraduate
level," he says
The big difference now is
flexibility, Farley says
"What a person needs to
know has really blossomed
That means that you have to be
more flexible today In fact, most
of our students are put on ma
chines they haven't used
‘Computer experience
is a fundamental skill
today — it’s a must.’
Derore
All three
professors are
adamant in
the belief that
students
should take
sume uuinpuier courses max
would allow them to build a ba
sic background of computer
based knowledge
“Oh, absolutely," says Best
"Computer experience is a fun
damental skill today — students
that have that experience will be
way ahead "
“It would have to be a must —
there's much more than just
word processing out there,"
Farley says
Adds Halvorsen: “Computer
knowledge is applicable in so
many areas of human life that
you will eventually use it one
way or another
"Almost every business now
is using some kind of com
puter-based data system. That
makes computer knowledge
extremely valuable.”
Network Perms
Haircut included COO
Keg. $40.00 £t «9
Haircut
Reg. $11.00
Acrylic Nails
Reg. $40.00
25
00
Coupon esplres Dec. I, 1982
20 W. 25Ul 342-7661
======= coupon ======
Economically depressed?
\ KQAD T0X
_/ RECOVERS
a shiny
car
would
help
FIRST STREET CAR WASH
• COIN-OPERATED
• SELF-SERVICE
• VACUUMS
corner 1st & Jefferson
Oregon Dally Emerald
Johnson Wax currently has an opening for a Sales Representative in the Far
Western U S area to sell to supermarkets, drugs, hardware, and other retail
and wholesale accounts This position should lead to Sales Management in
about two years.
Candidates should have the following related skills:
* College Graduate
* Communication Skills
* Ability to plan, organize and handle a demanding workload
* Demonstrated Leadership
* Practical Judgment
We are looking for a person who:
(1) Wants to progress with a fast growing company
(2) Wants to join a team of professionals
(3) Is action oriented; likes to get things done
(4) Will be willing to relocate in approximately 24 months for management
opportunity
Starting salary commensurate with experience, company car plus limited
incentive program and an excellent benefit package
Candidates should consult the Career Planning and Placement Offce for
interviewing schedules.
ALL REPLIES HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
An equal Opportunity Employer M/F
J
PERFECTLY SUITED
REG. 100 00)79.90
Choose from a large collection
of Wool Blend suits for day into
evening.
Illustrated:
Single button jacket is shorter
with simple lines. Easy fitting
skirt with side pockets. Fully
lined. Wool blend in assorted
tweeds. 5-13.
CAMPUS
I I 515 ' $2° per page 10% discount to U of O Students
■ W wMI I Iv9 Oregon Daily Emerald Jobwork Department, 300 EMU
Page 3 Section B