11 answers
Blake
Student
Erlanger, Kentucky
1
Question
Updated
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How complicated is informational technology as a job?
#technology
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11 answers
Jay Almers
Solutions Architect
8
Answers
Mebane, North Carolina
Updated
Jay’s Answer
Information Technology as a career can be as easy or difficult as you want it to be. For example, if you are interested in how computers work and enjoy troubleshooting issues as they come up, such as not being able to connect to a WiFi network or the performance of the PC you are working on seems to be slowing down, then perhaps a job in the PC support side of IT is a good option. On the other-hand, if you have some experience in programming, then perhaps a career as a software engineer is in line with your skills. Both of these examples are very different functionally but are encompassed in the Information Technology industry. Like with anything you do and enjoy, the more you work at it, the more skilled you become. Keep in mind that you can always branch off and specialize in other areas or technologies as you gain exposure to them through your work.
Tony Melrose
1
Answer
Updated
Tony’s Answer
As others have already said, there's a lot to "IT" as a practice - but what that really means is you have a lot of options and choices.
I started my career doing IT Support for a company - answering the phone to help when people broke their printers, laptops, or had software issues. After a few years doing that, I wanted to transition into writing code. Because I was already in IT, I was able to work with the software engineering manager to come up with a transition plan to make the transition. At the same time, I have several friends that have chosen Security technology jobs, and as a result have built a lot of expertise in something that I'm not very qualified in.
What I really mean to say here is that IT is a pretty wide field and you don't need to be an expert in all technology to enjoy success in the field, and how you choose to specialize in it can very much determine how complicated the field can be. The more you learn about technology and dig into things, the better off you'll be if you do decide to go down the IT path!
Good luck!
I started my career doing IT Support for a company - answering the phone to help when people broke their printers, laptops, or had software issues. After a few years doing that, I wanted to transition into writing code. Because I was already in IT, I was able to work with the software engineering manager to come up with a transition plan to make the transition. At the same time, I have several friends that have chosen Security technology jobs, and as a result have built a lot of expertise in something that I'm not very qualified in.
What I really mean to say here is that IT is a pretty wide field and you don't need to be an expert in all technology to enjoy success in the field, and how you choose to specialize in it can very much determine how complicated the field can be. The more you learn about technology and dig into things, the better off you'll be if you do decide to go down the IT path!
Good luck!
Jennifer Fleming
Program Manager
1
Answer
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Awesome question!!! IT is a large and wide open field that requires many different skill sets such as programmer, business analyst, quality assurance/tester, project/program manager, helpdesk/support, database administrator, and system architect. When I was making the decision to pursue my bachelor's in computer science, I really questioned that decision because I did not think I was 'nerdy' enough to survive. Now that I have spent numerous years in this field I have learned that there is something for everyone. I don't view myself as a 'computer geek' or someone who has the skill sets to be an in-depth programmer - but I have realized that I do have the skill sets to be a very good program manager or business analyst. I really like to work with the customers to identify what type of functionality or automation they need to perform their job and then work with the architects & developers to figure out how to deliver the requests. Although it can be very challenging to deliver what is desired in the requested timeframe it is also very rewarding to see the functionality actually being used to make someone's life easier. Because of the wide diversity in opportunities, I would definitely recommend pursuing something in the IT field if you have an interest. Once you either start taking classes or working in the field, you will get a great chance to learn and experience the different paths and opportunities. Since IT is such a huge and growing field, it is awesome that there are so many different options and you can take advantage of pursuing different roles throughout your career.
Amy Macchiarola
Solutions Engineer and Implementation Management
2
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Amy’s Answer
It can be complicated, but that makes it exciting! I am always learning. Because technology matures over time, it is constantly changing. So you do need a desire and passion for learning.
Since technology is part of almost every aspect of our daily lives, there's so many different ways to focus on technology in your career. Think about the types of technology you interact with and that you love! Even if they're complicated, if you have a passion for it, you'll be challenged and invigorated to find success. Think about how you want to be involved: do you like helping people use tech (support or helpdesk), do you like presenting information (sales, marketing, events, training), do you like building and innovating (product mgmt, development, quality assurance), do you like managing and leading (think about working in groups in your school work or sports), think about management in projects or people.
I have a passion for working with customers and helping them find success with my company's products. Every job I have had in 25 years, except one, required working with customers. I had only one job where I didn't work with customers and it helped me realize it was a critical element to my happiness.
10 years ago I found the technology that I truly found joy in learning and I feel I will stick with it till it loses its relevance (hopegully I retire before it does!). This was after about 15 years in various other technologies. Again, it took a few jobs in different tech to find the one I am passionate about.
These 2 aspects - working with customers in business messaging - I finally found what drives me and helps me thrive. Bottom line, be open to trying different things. If you don't find it excites you, move on.
Since technology is part of almost every aspect of our daily lives, there's so many different ways to focus on technology in your career. Think about the types of technology you interact with and that you love! Even if they're complicated, if you have a passion for it, you'll be challenged and invigorated to find success. Think about how you want to be involved: do you like helping people use tech (support or helpdesk), do you like presenting information (sales, marketing, events, training), do you like building and innovating (product mgmt, development, quality assurance), do you like managing and leading (think about working in groups in your school work or sports), think about management in projects or people.
I have a passion for working with customers and helping them find success with my company's products. Every job I have had in 25 years, except one, required working with customers. I had only one job where I didn't work with customers and it helped me realize it was a critical element to my happiness.
10 years ago I found the technology that I truly found joy in learning and I feel I will stick with it till it loses its relevance (hopegully I retire before it does!). This was after about 15 years in various other technologies. Again, it took a few jobs in different tech to find the one I am passionate about.
These 2 aspects - working with customers in business messaging - I finally found what drives me and helps me thrive. Bottom line, be open to trying different things. If you don't find it excites you, move on.
Sukhminder Sukhi
25
Answers
Updated
Sukhminder’s Answer
IT is a specialization field. Technology has made all things very complicated these days to keep our life simple and straight. But one can see if from all aspects. If you have passion about a field, every working days becomes a vacation. If you feel it as a burden, even simple job will proven as complex one. Complexity of a job goes away after you attain the experience of doing it. That is true with IT as well. Given IT is now in every field, it has some commonality among those all fields and some specifics for a field. IT of a hospital is different from IT of a car factory.
IT being now an old field and very quickly expanding field, complexity is a natural attribute it is attaining every day. Since today's technology is better than yesterdays, so would be tomorrow's better that today, this every changing concept keeps it complex. By the time you learn and understand IT of today and feel comfortable with it, tomorrow when new updated IT is available you feel need to understand the complexity again.
Neuro surgery is not complex to a neuro surgeon, it is complex for a programmer. So is programming to a painter. If IT were a complex job then it would not have become so popular filed. From outside every sphere is complex but as you jump in the same sphere one day becomes one's best skill set and a routine job.
Get yourself into right courses, get yourself equipped with right education, the complex IT will become interesting and simple for you.
Do not get scared, scare it by knowing and understanding it.
All the best!
IT being now an old field and very quickly expanding field, complexity is a natural attribute it is attaining every day. Since today's technology is better than yesterdays, so would be tomorrow's better that today, this every changing concept keeps it complex. By the time you learn and understand IT of today and feel comfortable with it, tomorrow when new updated IT is available you feel need to understand the complexity again.
Neuro surgery is not complex to a neuro surgeon, it is complex for a programmer. So is programming to a painter. If IT were a complex job then it would not have become so popular filed. From outside every sphere is complex but as you jump in the same sphere one day becomes one's best skill set and a routine job.
Get yourself into right courses, get yourself equipped with right education, the complex IT will become interesting and simple for you.
Do not get scared, scare it by knowing and understanding it.
All the best!
John C
Carrier Relations
10
Answers
Singapore
Updated
John’s Answer
Great question, Blake!
i think when you asked if IT was complicated, you must be wondering how could all those software programs, the hardware devices, and the Internet all come together....to enable our digital lives.
The simple answer is, it has taken many years of hard work through many different groups of people leveraging a diverse range of knowledge & skillsets to put all of that together.
Take for example the Internet. It's made of hundreds of thousands of miles of sea-cable & land-cable, to hub points leading to Data Centers across the world. And then there's the software & hardware that holds this information in the Data Center, and the telecommunication provider that sends the data to your mobile when you click on Instagram. This has taken many years to build up, and thousands of different engineers, both hardware & software to put them together.
Like the guidance offered by my peers above, IT (and Telecommunications) is a very large, open & diverse field.
And depending on your personality & interests, you can be in Engineering, in Sales, in Operations, in Legal & Regulatory, in Manufacturing, in Design & Product Mgmt...the sky is the limit, if you want to put it that way.
i've done a wide array myself. i started as an engineer many years ago, and gone through sales & project management. And now in industry relations.
IT may be overwhelming. But with a learning mindset & the readiness to step up to a challenge, you'll never be bored in this industry.
Speak to different categories of IT people, you'll realise it's a Wide World out there
Do some online courses related to IT, and see if it interests you in any way
i think when you asked if IT was complicated, you must be wondering how could all those software programs, the hardware devices, and the Internet all come together....to enable our digital lives.
The simple answer is, it has taken many years of hard work through many different groups of people leveraging a diverse range of knowledge & skillsets to put all of that together.
Take for example the Internet. It's made of hundreds of thousands of miles of sea-cable & land-cable, to hub points leading to Data Centers across the world. And then there's the software & hardware that holds this information in the Data Center, and the telecommunication provider that sends the data to your mobile when you click on Instagram. This has taken many years to build up, and thousands of different engineers, both hardware & software to put them together.
Like the guidance offered by my peers above, IT (and Telecommunications) is a very large, open & diverse field.
And depending on your personality & interests, you can be in Engineering, in Sales, in Operations, in Legal & Regulatory, in Manufacturing, in Design & Product Mgmt...the sky is the limit, if you want to put it that way.
i've done a wide array myself. i started as an engineer many years ago, and gone through sales & project management. And now in industry relations.
IT may be overwhelming. But with a learning mindset & the readiness to step up to a challenge, you'll never be bored in this industry.
John recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1816
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hi, I am glad to know that you are interested in IT job. I am not sure why you have the perception that IT Job is complicate. You would need to have the knowledge and skills to work on IT job indeed. If you have it, you would not find it complicate.
There are many different kinds of IT jobs, e.g. development, computer engineering, system support, application support, system administration, etc. Some kids can develop their own programs or build their own PC.
You may explore the areas that you are interested on to start with. For example, you are interested in programming. You can start to develop something simple first, e.g. a simple web page or program to control the toy car or robot, etc. It can give you the feeling how it works.
Having said that, you still would need to attend relevant courses in college if you would like to develop your career in IT.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
There are many different kinds of IT jobs, e.g. development, computer engineering, system support, application support, system administration, etc. Some kids can develop their own programs or build their own PC.
You may explore the areas that you are interested on to start with. For example, you are interested in programming. You can start to develop something simple first, e.g. a simple web page or program to control the toy car or robot, etc. It can give you the feeling how it works.
Having said that, you still would need to attend relevant courses in college if you would like to develop your career in IT.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Clarissa Fong
15
Answers
Updated
Clarissa’s Answer
This is an interesting question. I am not sure why you think IT is complicated. There are many fields in IT, and you can always choose a field that you enjoy. And, as you grow professionally, you can branch out into different fields in IT. Not only technologies are advancing and evolving, the business model, the way businesses and consumers consume IT and services is also changing with speed. It is very interesting and rewarding, especially if you embrace it with a growth mindset, and keep re-inventing yourself.
Jamie Graham
Electrical Engineering
2
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
There are many disciplines that fall under IT - I think all can be complicated, but as an entry-level person you will be given assignments that match your skillset, so you should feel they are challenging but not impossible. As you gain more experience, your assignments will grow in complexity and scope, sometimes these projects may seem too complicated and overwhelming, but you will be able to handle it leveraging the experience you have gained from previous projects. It really is a continual learning process, graduation does not mean the end of learning, it's a process that will continue throughout your career.
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
261
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Blake,
Any jobs can be difficult or easy depending on the person. No difference for Information Technology. Some will find it easy and entertaining, some will find it super hard ...
That really depends what you want to work on in IT, there are many domains. Sure, you need to like computer. After that, skills really vary depending on what you want to do.
Any jobs can be difficult or easy depending on the person. No difference for Information Technology. Some will find it easy and entertaining, some will find it super hard ...
That really depends what you want to work on in IT, there are many domains. Sure, you need to like computer. After that, skills really vary depending on what you want to do.
Joe LoCascio
Manager, Sales Engineering
3
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Joe’s Answer
I think it totally depends! Some jobs can be very complex, such as Software Engineering or Data Architecture, but there are also some incredibly straight-forward, operational roles in IT, that are more reactionary (handling escalations/customer support), that tend to offer low barriers to entry for those that aspire to develop a career in IT.