Tera Dorrington

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AS A CAREER

There are a number of reasons to choose Information Technology as a career:
First of all, the rapid spread of computers has created a need for highly trained workers to design and develop new hardware and software systems and to incorporate technological advances into new or existing systems.  Second, it is a challenging, interesting and unwardly mobile career for anyone who likes learning about computers and trying to fix things.

Cynthia told us that the most important aspect of the job is the use of logic.  She has to think about what to do to get from one point to the next in the fastest and most economical way without getting off the beaten track and creating new problems.  Her logical routes have to be uncomplicated enough to train other users on them.  Cynthia finds the two different aspects of her job very satisfying: (1) She enjoys the interactions with her clients and customers when she satisfies them by successfully troubleshooting and solving their problems.   (2) She enjoys ordering and setting up the equipment for the server because "it's your baby and it's brand new" and she is doing something on her own that is challenging.

An Information Technologist Specialist like Cynthia works with computer networks such as Local Area Network Systems and Wide Area Network Systems.  These networks include major components such as computer workstations, secondary computer equipment, and network components such as bridges, routers, switches and cabling.  These systems have already been designed and manufactured, but the information technologist specialist has to select the right "systems" for a particular local or wide area network based on the user requirements, technical specifications  required and budget available to do the work.  To implement  network systems, she has to install and configure complex network operating systems based on the system's specifications and  customer requirements.  She has to troubleshoot and resolve any problems that may occur.   After the "network system" is up and running, she has to troubleshoot, manage, reconfigure, upgrade and administer the systems.
Skills:
 * can manage, plan, design, install, maintain, troubleshoot computer systems, components, local area networks and embedded computer controlled equipment;
 * can work well with others since she is often part of a team, but she is able to work independently and take initiative when necessary;
 * can demonstrate good communication, management and analytic skills, adaptability, flexibility, and comfort with computers;
 * shows a willingness to engage in continual professional development because of the rapid pace of technological change;
Knowledge:
 * knows operating systems such as UNIX, SOLARIS ETC.
 * knows computer programming and digital logical fundamentals
 * knows network design, configuration, administration and management
 * knows telecommunications
 * knows computer communications such as WANs, ISDN
 * knows database systems such as ORACLE
 * knows internet and intranet systems design and configuration such as LANs
 * knows digital system design and computer control design and applications
 The Information Technologist Specialist performs three major roles:
 1. Programmer Analyst:  She analyzes information processing or computation needs and writes specifications for computer programs, identifying the steps in the program and the algorithms to be used.  Effectively communicates program specifications to other computer programmers, tests and implements computer programs and provides user training.
 2. Network Specialist:  She performs network (LAN) planning, installation, configuration, troubleshooting and upgrading services.  She works with a team to operate, maintain and safeguard the network by identifying improvements to existing networks, determining users' information requirements, analyzing system performance and optimizing the working of the network.
 3. Computer Programmer:  She writes computer programs or software packages by coding instructions and algorithms into machine readable form.  She tests, de-bugs, documents and implements computer programs or software packages, maintains existing computer programs by making minor changes as required, and solves computer problems for other users.