8 answers
David
Student
4
Questions
Updated
392 views
What are some college classes I should consider taking in order to do my best in the IT field?
I wanted to know what would be the best classes to take in order to succeed in the IT field.
Login to comment
8 answers
Robert McEneaney
Engineering Lead
1
Answer
Concord, Massachusetts
Updated
Robert’s Answer
To give a slightly different take: we are currently in the middle of a massive revolution in not just IT, but many white collar professions. The revolution is being driven by Large Language Models (commonly referred to as "AI", "AI bots" or "chat bots" like ChatGPT"). The impact of this revolution and how it will alter the demand for certain skills needs to be at the forefront of your planning when considering where to invest your time learning.
LLMs are adept at performing relatively small-scoped repetitive tasks and content creation (both structured and creative). Learning about the "implementation" aspects (most of the basic things described in Tony's answer) of a design or IT architecture is becoming less important than understanding how to think big picture, be creative, and make strategic decisions. LLMs are already able to do a lot of the grunt work for you, and by the time you graduate, they will be even more powerful. Of course there will always a market for really in-depth expert experience with all kinds of implementations (I have spent my career on these), but that market will not reward commodity skills in these areas in the future. Graduates of 'coding bootcamps' who are able to build websites and mobile apps will become less and less valuable to businesses who can just ask an LLM to get them 90% of the way there, and contract one software dev to wrap it up.
I recommend you lean into studies in Distributed Systems design and architecture, Software engineering fundamentals, Cloud infrastructure, Security, all aspects of AI, Business - try to find a niche in there that you are passionate about. Be someone who has a vision and leverage the new powerful tools available to make that vision a reality. Don't be someone replaceable by the AI models, be someone who knows how to take full advantage of these models as a tool to quickly bring your ideas to market.
LLMs are adept at performing relatively small-scoped repetitive tasks and content creation (both structured and creative). Learning about the "implementation" aspects (most of the basic things described in Tony's answer) of a design or IT architecture is becoming less important than understanding how to think big picture, be creative, and make strategic decisions. LLMs are already able to do a lot of the grunt work for you, and by the time you graduate, they will be even more powerful. Of course there will always a market for really in-depth expert experience with all kinds of implementations (I have spent my career on these), but that market will not reward commodity skills in these areas in the future. Graduates of 'coding bootcamps' who are able to build websites and mobile apps will become less and less valuable to businesses who can just ask an LLM to get them 90% of the way there, and contract one software dev to wrap it up.
I recommend you lean into studies in Distributed Systems design and architecture, Software engineering fundamentals, Cloud infrastructure, Security, all aspects of AI, Business - try to find a niche in there that you are passionate about. Be someone who has a vision and leverage the new powerful tools available to make that vision a reality. Don't be someone replaceable by the AI models, be someone who knows how to take full advantage of these models as a tool to quickly bring your ideas to market.
Thanks for your answer I find this very interesting and will be putting it into consideration when choosing where I want to specialize in IT.
David
Tony Pearson
Master Inventor
50
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Tony’s Answer
Typing -- if you did not take typing in high school, take it in college. The ability to type quickly and accurately is needed in nearly every aspect of IT.
Logic -- This is often listed under "Philosophy" classes, but the ability to understand AND/OR, and IF/THEN is foundational for IT.
Databases -- Learn the "Structured Query Language" (SQL) which is used by nearly all major databases. You will learn how to design databases with "Third Normal Form", use queries to generate reports, learn to insert and update records in a database, and how to join two database tables together.
Algorithms and Data Structures -- this is how data is stored in memory, or on disk, and how to perform tasks by using specific sequence of steps (algorithms). You will learn Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD), sorting algorithms that put things in alphabetical or numerical order, etc.
Technical Writing -- writing user manuals is a valuable skill. This writing is completely different than writing novels, poetry, or legal documents.
Programming Languages -- these days, most programming languages are very similar. Python, Java, PHP, and so on have similar concepts and structures. Once you learn one programming language, learning other languages is very easy.
Logic -- This is often listed under "Philosophy" classes, but the ability to understand AND/OR, and IF/THEN is foundational for IT.
Databases -- Learn the "Structured Query Language" (SQL) which is used by nearly all major databases. You will learn how to design databases with "Third Normal Form", use queries to generate reports, learn to insert and update records in a database, and how to join two database tables together.
Algorithms and Data Structures -- this is how data is stored in memory, or on disk, and how to perform tasks by using specific sequence of steps (algorithms). You will learn Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD), sorting algorithms that put things in alphabetical or numerical order, etc.
Technical Writing -- writing user manuals is a valuable skill. This writing is completely different than writing novels, poetry, or legal documents.
Programming Languages -- these days, most programming languages are very similar. Python, Java, PHP, and so on have similar concepts and structures. Once you learn one programming language, learning other languages is very easy.
Thank you, Tony!
David
Nicole Baillie
Data Analyst
483
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi David. Thank you for this thoughtful question!
One additional suggestion, I would make is to consider taking a communications and/or some sort of public speaking class. If a public speaking class makes you a little nervous, consider taking on some activity where you get to practice speaking to audiences.
IT folks have a notorious reputation for having great ideas...but not having the ability to communicate those ideas in a way that non-teckky people can understand. It can be hard to get your ideas noticed if they are difficult for others to understand. To be clear, IT folks do lots of great work and they spend a lot of their time supporting the business needs of non-teckky people. When (not if) something breaks, many times it is the IT folks who have to come up with solutions. If non-teckky folks cannot grasp the solution, it can be that much harder to get a solution implemented that can actually provide a good outcome.
Hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck to you!
One additional suggestion, I would make is to consider taking a communications and/or some sort of public speaking class. If a public speaking class makes you a little nervous, consider taking on some activity where you get to practice speaking to audiences.
IT folks have a notorious reputation for having great ideas...but not having the ability to communicate those ideas in a way that non-teckky people can understand. It can be hard to get your ideas noticed if they are difficult for others to understand. To be clear, IT folks do lots of great work and they spend a lot of their time supporting the business needs of non-teckky people. When (not if) something breaks, many times it is the IT folks who have to come up with solutions. If non-teckky folks cannot grasp the solution, it can be that much harder to get a solution implemented that can actually provide a good outcome.
Hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck to you!
Thank you very much, Nicole I appreciate your response! I find this very helpful and will definitely be taking some communications classes in college.
David
Matt Seul
Senior Technical Staff Member
8
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Matt’s Answer
I'd like to emphasize the existing answers pointing at social skills.
I've seen a lot of folks that are BRILLIANT with technology but feel unable to advocate for their work.
This can be due to social anxiety, inexperience speaking publicly or struggle to get across what is awesome about what you do.
And to be clear:
If you want to succeed long-term, it'll not be just on your work alone.
People need to SEE and UNDERSTAND it. They need to WANT it.
This means being able to work messaging around why your work matters to THEM. What is in it for THEM.
Without being able to rally that support yourself, you'll likely find yourself struggling to get approval for ideas, have your work recognized and achieve bigger outcomes. This can lead to a lot of frustration, feeling being "stuck" or stepped over.
So, what now? Well, there's a few things you can do:
Attend public-speaking clubs, such as Toastmasters (highly recommended!)
Participate in (IT) challenge events and hackathons where you'll not only build but also present on a rapid clip
Get hands-on education in both marketing as well as entrepreneurship, it'll make a world of difference
Try explaining your favorite ideas and projects to someone not from IT in 30 seconds, seek to understand what makes people excited about your work
I've seen a lot of folks that are BRILLIANT with technology but feel unable to advocate for their work.
This can be due to social anxiety, inexperience speaking publicly or struggle to get across what is awesome about what you do.
And to be clear:
If you want to succeed long-term, it'll not be just on your work alone.
People need to SEE and UNDERSTAND it. They need to WANT it.
This means being able to work messaging around why your work matters to THEM. What is in it for THEM.
Without being able to rally that support yourself, you'll likely find yourself struggling to get approval for ideas, have your work recognized and achieve bigger outcomes. This can lead to a lot of frustration, feeling being "stuck" or stepped over.
So, what now? Well, there's a few things you can do:
Matt recommends the following next steps:
Mei-Lin Quinn
1
Answer
Updated
Mei-Lin’s Answer
I have a technical degree and business degree. I think it is important to have some business background even if you plan to be in IT. I think it gives you a different perspective that allows you to look at things differently and not just from a technical perspective.
Andy Truong
Developer
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Andy’s Answer
Hi David,
I'm a recent grad and all courses in an Information Technology Degree Plan are going to be relevant in some way. I would recommend taking any IT courses that really interest you. I don't think there is a single best pathway of classes. IMO, constantly being curious and learning is the most important skill you can have. Some great career paths would be: DevOps, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, etc. Pick an area of IT that interests you and dig deep. There is so much to learn and grasp. Personally, the most influential courses I took were:
1.) Basic Programming/Coding Course -- Teaches you basic computer logic and a mindset of fixing/debugging computers
2.) Basic Cybersecurity Course -- Usually covers some basic IT stuff and was exciting!
I'm a recent grad and all courses in an Information Technology Degree Plan are going to be relevant in some way. I would recommend taking any IT courses that really interest you. I don't think there is a single best pathway of classes. IMO, constantly being curious and learning is the most important skill you can have. Some great career paths would be: DevOps, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, etc. Pick an area of IT that interests you and dig deep. There is so much to learn and grasp. Personally, the most influential courses I took were:
1.) Basic Programming/Coding Course -- Teaches you basic computer logic and a mindset of fixing/debugging computers
2.) Basic Cybersecurity Course -- Usually covers some basic IT stuff and was exciting!
Richard J (Rich) Tedesco
Program Management
37
Answers
Rolesville
Updated
Richard J (Rich)’s Answer
There are lots of aspects of IT - there is development (coding), networks, cyber, support, etc. I would take computer / IT basic courses first to get an understanding of the array of possibilities within IT and as you get into your last two years - work with your counselor to refine your courses to the specialty path you are most interested in. Post school you may still need to take some certification courses unless you can get those along with your academic courses - again talk to you counselor.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
David
Viraj Patel
CX Engineer
2
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Viraj’s Answer
Here are some college classes you should consider taking to do your best in the IT field:
1. Computer Science Fundamentals: This course introduces you to computer science principles, including algorithms, data structures, and programming languages.
2. Database Management: This course covers the design and management of databases, including SQL and data modeling.
3. Networking and Security: This course covers the basics of computer networking and security, including protocols, architectures, and security threats.
4. Operating Systems: This course covers the concepts and principles of operating systems, including process management, memory management, and file systems.
5. Web Development: This course covers the basics of web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
6. Software Engineering: This course covers the software development process, including design, testing, and project management.
7. Data Science and Analytics: This course covers the concepts and tools used for data analysis and data visualization.
8. Cloud Computing: This course covers the principles of cloud computing and the use of cloud-based services, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
9. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: This course covers the principles and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, including data mining, natural language processing, and computer vision.
These courses will provide you with a strong foundation in computer science and information technology and prepare you for a variety of IT roles. It's also important to keep in mind that the IT field is constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends through self-learning and professional development opportunities is essential.
1. Computer Science Fundamentals: This course introduces you to computer science principles, including algorithms, data structures, and programming languages.
2. Database Management: This course covers the design and management of databases, including SQL and data modeling.
3. Networking and Security: This course covers the basics of computer networking and security, including protocols, architectures, and security threats.
4. Operating Systems: This course covers the concepts and principles of operating systems, including process management, memory management, and file systems.
5. Web Development: This course covers the basics of web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
6. Software Engineering: This course covers the software development process, including design, testing, and project management.
7. Data Science and Analytics: This course covers the concepts and tools used for data analysis and data visualization.
8. Cloud Computing: This course covers the principles of cloud computing and the use of cloud-based services, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
9. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: This course covers the principles and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, including data mining, natural language processing, and computer vision.
These courses will provide you with a strong foundation in computer science and information technology and prepare you for a variety of IT roles. It's also important to keep in mind that the IT field is constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends through self-learning and professional development opportunities is essential.
I appreciate your support, Viraj
David