What I don’t know
After reviewing the list of options given for the tech topics, I realized that I had a hard time choosing a single topic I wanted to know more about. I do know enough about each area to have a discussion, but not so much in some areas that I could necessarily have a job specifically in that area. Other topics I simply didn’t have much of an interest in. I chose IT careers as the topic I’d like to get to know more about.What I did realize is that there are many options to choose from, and each requires a different skillset though they all have the same baseline knowledge requirements. I have always enjoyed technical support roles where I get to interact with people and learn while doing. Every problem could be different on a given day and thus requires me to use what I’ve previously learned and adapt it to the current situation.
The Basics
This course has touched on all the basic knowledge to get started in a career in IT. It included programing, networking, troubleshooting as well as the history and background of computers. No matter which IT career path is ultimately chosen, these basics become the building blocks for future courses. Being able to understand how computers and programming got started helps to give some insight into what could be done to make things better while also keeping standard processes in mind.
Choosing a Path
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026” (US Department of Labor). One of my first jobs was doing technical support and I truly enjoyed the fact that every assignment was different. Based on the description of a Computer Support Specialist, I’d say that this closely ties in with some of the responsibilities I’ve had in the past. I got to learn the things I didn’t already know which helped me to fix the same or similar problem faster the next time. I’ve been learning and growing ever since.Of the ten jobs listed on the Department of Labor’s website as well as the US News and World report site’s list of the Best Technology Jobs of 2018, a few of them popped out as roles I currently do as well as others I’d like to do in the future. My current role as an Application Analyst seems to closely tie in with the job of a Computer Systems Analyst/Systems Architect. Part of my current job is to bring business and IT together by understanding the needs and limitations of both. I’m often tasked with researching the current processes of our affiliates in preparation for seamlessly integrating into a single cohesive platform. While doing so, I always have to consider the security of our networks during and after any transition. As such, understanding the role of Information Security Analysts at my company and ensuring compliance has been at the forefront of every decision that is made.
A Computer Network Architect designs and builds data communication networks that range from small connections between two offices to next-generation networking capabilities in the cloud. Network and Computer Systems Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of computer networks (US Department of Labor). I have some experience in designing and building a network as well as troubleshooting network problems and I very much enjoy doing it. I am pretty familiar with network architecture, but I don’t have much familiarity with network security. This is something I’d like to learn more about in order to help make decisions in the future.
As par for the course with doing computer science courses, I have learned a few programming languages in the past. I have found web development to be one of the types of programming that I’ve done that I have truly enjoyed doing and will continue to do in the future. Though I’ve done computer programming, software developing and some database design in the past, I have never found it to be fulfilling. Although this is something I would be willing learn more about and become proficient at, it is not something I’d want to build a career upon. Another role that doesn’t seem the least bit as something I would enjoy doing is Computer and Information Research Scientist, even though I could truly see myself finding innovative uses for existing technology. I enjoy the hands-on aspects of my job a lot and the research I sometimes need to do. As such, I often think that being an IT Manager is not a role I might relish doing all the time, but maybe on a project by project basis.
Connecting the Dots
Everything I’ve learned has played a role in deciding what I’d like to do more (or less of) in the future. I’m pretty good at picking up how to use various types of applications and then being able to assist others – Each one teach one. Writing and researching this topic of IT Careers has highlighted that I am indeed on the path to my dream job in Information Technology. As well, along the way it would be in my best interest to research and complete some relevant certifications like CompTIA’s A+, Network + and Security + (CompTIA)
References
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2018, April 13) Computer and Information Technology Occupations Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htmCompTIA. CompTIA Career Roadmap Retrieved from https://certification.comptia.org/docs/default-source/downloadablefiles/it-certification-roadmap.pdf
U.S. News & World Report. (2018). Best Technology Jobs Retrieved from https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-technology-jobs
Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2017). Fundamentals of Information Technology & Literacy. ZyBooks. Retrieved August 2018, from https://learn.zybooks.com/zybook/ASHFORDINT100AcademicYear2018/
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