Information about these careers is based on national statistics, so salaries and opportunities may be different in your town. Computer programmers write, update and maintain the detailed software programs that list in logical order the steps that computers must execute. Applications programmers usually are oriented toward business, engineering or science. Programmers in software development companies may work directly with experts from various fields to create software.
Systems programmers maintain the software that controls the operation of an entire computer system.
There are no universal training requirements. Entry programmers may have an associate degree from a community college or technical institute, but the majority of programmers hold a bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems , while others have taken special courses in computer programming to supplement their study in fields such as accounting , inventory control or other business-related areas. On average, systems programmers earn more than applications programmers. While the attorney assumes responsibility for the paralegal's work, a paralegal is often allowed to perform all the functions of a lawyer other than accepting clients, setting legal fees, giving legal advice or presenting a case for trial. Generally paralegals do background work for lawyers, including research to identify the appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles and other material used to determine if a client has a good case.