From checking email on our phones to crunching numbers on our laptops to organizing a teleconference over cloud-based software, it’s hard to overstate the importance of information technology in the workplace. But what, exactly, are we talking about when we talk about IT
Information Technology Definition
The phrase “information technology” goes back to published in the Harvard Business Review. Authors Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whisler defined several types of information technology:
- Techniques for the fast processing of information
- The use of statistical and mathematical models for decision-making
- The “simulation of higher-order thinking through computer programs.”
While many elements of this generation are uncertain, it appears clean that it’s going to flow into the managerial scene rapidly, with precise and far-achieving effect on managerial organization,” they wrote.
Six many years later, it’s clean that Leavitt and Whisler have been onto some thing big. Today, data generation refers to the entirety that corporations use computer systems for. Information generation is constructing communications networks for a enterprise, safeguarding records and data, developing and administering databases, assisting personnel troubleshoot issues with their computer systems or cell devices, or doing various different paintings to make sure the performance and safety of enterprise data structures.
Information Technology Examples
When it comes to career paths in information technology, examples run from tiny consulting firms to huge multinational corporations, and from highly technical specialties to management ladders that demand strong people skills. Here are some examples of routes you might choose:
- Computer Support Specialist – These positions require a bachelor’s diploma and are an amazing suit in case you revel in answering questions on pc software program and hardware, putting in place equipment, and schooling pc users. People on this function want to have a sturdy draw close of many forms of software program, inclusive of database interface programs, improvement of surroundings gear and running device software program. The median annual pay for this task is $53,000, and positions on this subject are developing quicker than average, in step with BLS.
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator – This task frequently calls for a bachelor’s diploma in a pc-associated subject, aleven though a few employers may also best ask for an companion diploma or postsecondary certificate. Either way, those jobs are frequently to be had to specialists with out previous paintings revel in withinside the subject, and BLS reviews that they paid a median earnings of $82,000 in 2018. Daily responsibilities on this task may want to consist of keeping pc community hardware and software program, backing up records and troubleshooting community issues. To try this paintings, you want to realize a way to use database control software program, in addition to community tracking and net platform improvement gear.
- Computer Network Architect – This is a step up the profession ladder for a community administrator and commonly calls for a bachelor’s diploma and former revel in withinside the IT subject. People on this function layout and construct networks, along with intranets, neighborhood location networks (LANs) and extensive location networks (WANs). Median pay for this form of paintings was $109,000 in 2018, in step with the BLS. Network architects frequently want to recognize a number of software program structures, inclusive of management gear, improvement surroundings software program and running device programs. There’s additionally frequently an detail of human contact to this task when you consider that community architects may also want to paintings with clients and income and advertising body of workers to satisfy patron desires and make certain debts are installation correctly.
- Computer Systems Analyst – This task, additionally referred to as device architect, needs an information of each IT and enterprise structures. As with many data generation careers, the everyday background for the task is a bachelor’s diploma in a pc or data technology subject, however a few humans come to this paintings after analyzing enterprise or maybe liberal arts. Strong pc skills, frequently inclusive of programming gear, database control software program and improvement surroundings software program are a should. At the identical time, humans doing this paintings should be capable of follow pc structures to deal with enterprise control problems like workflow, stock manipulate and manufacturing processes. As greater corporations flow into cloud computing, paintings on this location will grow. The median pay for the task was $88,000 in 2018, in step with BLS.
- Information Security Analyst – This is one of the fastest-developing jobs in IT, with an anticipated 32% growth through 2028, in step with BLS. Professionals in those positions guard enterprise networks and structures from cyber attacks. These jobs usually require a bachelor’s diploma with a pc-associated major, plus a few revel in withinside the IT subject. Professionals on this subject want to apply improvement surroundings gear, in addition to community tracking and running software program and precise safety gear. The median salary on this task was $98,000 in 2018, in step with BLS.
- It’s clean from this listing that positions in IT constitute excessive-paying, fast-developing profession paths. It’s additionally clean that step one closer to a lot of them is incomes a bachelor’s diploma. Within the better schooling context, pc technology is basically centered on programming and software program improvement, at the same time as data generation is the look at of pc structures and networks as they relate to the operation of a enterprise. Either may be the inspiration for a excellent profession withinside the subject. Some college students may additionally pick to specialize mainly pc-associated regions like cyber safety or maintain their schooling with a master’s diploma in a associated subject.
Regardless of your precise path, the arena of possibilities in IT that Leavitt and Whisler noticed rising returned in 1958 remains developing today, and not using a lead to sight.