Software configuration management is an area in which you are going to be working with a lot of different technology. Most likely, you'll be working with a company's technical department – and you will be part of their technical support, as it were. You will be in charge of making sure that all of the various pieces of software and hardware that are used work together, and if they don’t, you'll need to figure out how to make them work together so the company can run more smoothly.
Duties
You will have many different job duties while working in software configuration management. First of all, you'll have a say in what types of software and hardware are purchased and installed. You will be responsible for researching the various types of software that the company is going to be purchasing, and you will have to see what different types of software and hardware might work better or worse with your current set up. You will need to research the various types of software and find out what is going to be the best for the company and best for the hardware that you already have.
Once a piece of software or hardware is brought into a company, you will probably be responsible for installing it or helping employees to install it. You'll also need to install any components that go along with it, and then make sure that all of them work together in a way that is easy to use for everyone in the company. If there are problems with the pieces of software or hardware, you'll need to make sure that you can trouble shoot these problems so everyone can benefit from the technology.
Often, working in software configuration management, you will be responsible for dealing with any problems that come up with software or hardware. You might double as a technology leader or even a technology support person, answering questions or taking care of problems. In general, it is going to be your job to make sure that you know all of the various components of technology, and how to use them with each other.
Education and Experience
For jobs in software configuration management, you are going to need to have a degree in computers or in computer technology. As software and technology get more and more complex, you are going to need to have a higher degree level in order to have the education that you need and the experience that you need to fulfill these parts of the job. Therefore, you need to start with a high level of education when it comes to computers and technology in general. Then, you need to have experience as well. You should have as much experience with computers and technology as you can.
Also, in order to excel at this type of job, you need to be able to learn more about technology. Remember that this is a field that is ever growing, so you can't expect to learn every program and piece of software while you are in school. You have to be able to keep up on the latest technology, and be able to have a system for learning new pieces of software on your own.
Another branch of software configuration management might mean working with software companies to actually create the pieces of software and make sure that they work with other parts of hardware and software. In order to do this job, you do need a very advanced degree in computers, and you need to be very technically savvy.
Qualifications
There are many different qualifications that you need to work in software configuration management. First of all, your computer, math, and science skills have to be top notch. You are not going to get this type of job, nor are you going to be able to keep this type of job, without a great deal of computer and software know-how, so be sure that this is the area that you are excelling at first and foremost. Then, you'll be able to get to other areas of your qualifications.
You have to be a person that is responsible for your own learning as well. For a job in software configuration management, you will need to be ready and wiling to learn about the various aspects of the software and do so on your own, without being told. Much of your job will be done without direct supervision, so you have to be good at working on your own, and you have to be willing to work without being told exactly what to do.
Software configuration management can be a tough job, but it can also be one that has a high level of pay, so it will be worth it for you.
