Computers & Careers

"It doesn't matter what sort of degree you've got. As long as you're intelligent and can think clearly there is a place for you in the world of computers."

This was the main premise developed by a panel discussion on careers and computers in the common room on July 15.

The panel consisted of Messrs. J. M. McDonald, an employee of IBM. R. A. Cumming, of a rival firm of manufacturers—ICT, J. P. Cornwall, the superintendent of management services of the State Services Commission, and G. V. Oed (chair), a senior lecturer in accountancy at Victoria and the president of the Computer Society.

The panel spoke before a large and enthusiastic audience and gave a general introduction as to what computers can be used for, their main users, and what these users are looking for when recruiting graduates for work in this field.

One of the examples, given by Mr. Cornwall, of their great usefulness was concerned with the checking of cranes by the Marine Department. Where formerly it required a full day to check one crane this could now be done in 10 minutes with the aid of a computer.

Mr. McDonald also gave a resume of how people are recruited into this field and how they are then trained. The only basic requirement is a degree and an MA in German may be just as good a preparation as a BSc in mathematics. This is because the machine companies start their training from scratch and do not assume any particular knowledge before training begins. Both he and Mr. Cornwall gave instances of the range of salaries which may be enjoyed by people in the computer field.