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ES1.4 Definition of computing as a profession.
A major criterion for "professional"
status is the expectation of some autonomy in the exercise of responsibilities. Some
computer professionals have a great deal of autonomy in the decisions they make. Other
computer professionals are employees of large firms and software shops where they are quite
restricted in their duties and autonomy. They often work on only a small part of a larger
system and have little knowledge of or control over decisions made about the larger project.
The extent to which computer professionals are 'professional' is more analogous to
accountants or engineers who claim special expertise, have professional associations, and
adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct. As they prepare for a computing
career, it is very important for computing students to realize early in their education that
they will be entering a profession, not just a job market.
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