Summary
The information technology (IT) field may be currently regarded as a rapidly growing sphere that offers respectable and secure positions for people with related academic credentials. In general, it covers the administration, support, and design of computer systems and telecommunications. IT includes system analysis, software programming, computer science, network and database administration, and computer support. The majority of careers in this sphere entail design and operational tasks related to computer hardware components, networks, and software applications. In the present day, experts in IT work with businesses and non-commercial organizations to implement and support computer networks for systems’ reliability and efficiency. However, the field is not homogeneous and includes several disciplines, such as computer science, information systems, engineering, and information technology.
Disciplines
Computer science may be defined as an IT discipline encompassing various computing aspects. It includes the study of hardware and software, data structures, modeling data processes, network design, artificial intelligence, algorithmic and theoretical foundations, and their application for processing information. Experts in this discipline use algorithms and data structures for complex computing to improve how computers work and figure out new strategies for problem-solving. The discipline is divided into theoretical and practical computer science. Theoretical computer science focuses on mathematics and abstract ideas, including perfecting codes and algorithms. In turn, practical computer science applies theories to practice for the creation of more advanced hardware and software. It also makes substantial use of experimentation and hypothesis testing during the design, measurement, conceptualization, and refinement of information structures, new algorithms, and computer architectures. Computer science embraces multiple careers, including database administrator, software developer, web developer, computer systems analyst, information security analyst, computer hardware engineer, information research scientist, computer network architect, and many others (Kowarski, 2019). Based on engineering and mathematics, this discipline incorporates techniques from electronic circuit design, statistics, and queueing theory.
The information systems discipline involves the efficient design, delivery, and application of communication and information technologies in order to solve particular problems for governments, companies, and society. It refers to information set management that includes technology components, people, and processes. The study of information systems incorporates computer networking, decision support systems, system design and analysis, database management, and information security. The discipline focuses on theoretical and practical problems of data collection and analysis, telecommunication technologies, and the application of theoretical foundations for the development of algorithmic processes, IT systems, and various models, especially in business. Career opportunities in information systems are network administration, system analysis, computer programming, computer support, database support, and Internet support.
Information engineering implies the generation, analysis, distribution, and application of data, knowledge, and information in systems. Its stages are information strategy planning, area analysis, system design, and practical implementation. The discipline is studied by data engineers (information input and output), security engineers (safety of information access), software engineers (programming), and hardware engineers (physical products’ design). Finally, information technology is the design, study, support, management, and implementation of information systems. It focuses on the maintenance of systems’ software, hardware, networks, and databases, project management, and data and cyber security. The most popular careers in this field are data analysts and scientists, database administrators and analysts, cyber security specialists, and computer service technicians.
Programming and Scripting
Programming and scripting are computer languages used to create applications and software. Programming is a particular combination of symbols and words for writing programs. In turn, scripting is a programming language type designed for runtime systems for task execution automatization. In contrast with programming languages, scripting does not need compilation. In general, a program is a set of instructions for a computer’s task performance, while a script is a code for a software application’s control. Web developers, computer systems engineers, web designers, and app developers use programming languages, such as Java and HTML. For instance, video game developers use them to create games. In turn, scripting languages, such as Python, Ruby, or JavaScript, are used by experts to automate network administration tasks and execute programs, for example, through web servers.
Information Technology Careers
- Entry-level position – Web/Internet Support Specialist. This career refers to the information systems discipline and implies the provision of friendly and technical support to a company’s internal team and network of clients. It presupposes communication to troubleshoot hosting, website, and email issues (Thompson, 2017). It requires a bachelor’s degree in the IT field and knowledge of basic computer functions, technology platforms, basic server administration, website maintenance and exploitation, front-end technologies, web hosting, and code versioning tools.
- Mid-level position – Software Developer. This career refers to the computer science field and requires the maintenance of systems that will run networks and devices. It also focuses on the development of applications for people to perform particular tasks on cellphones, computers, or other devices (ComputerScience.org Staff, 2021). From a person, it requires a bachelor’s degree in IT and knowledge of code component testing and application, the life cycle of software development, and programming and scripting languages.
- Desired position – Computer Systems Analyst. In general, this career in the computer science discipline refers to the examination, evaluation, and analysis of a company’s current computer systems for their improvement (“Computer systems analysts,” 2021). It also requires a bachelor’s degree in IT, knowledge of software engineering tools, distributed networking concepts, software and hardware applications, and strong analytical skills.
In general, all positions in the IT field require a bachelor’s degree in the IT field. At the same time, a successful career needs constant education besides academic credentials – thus, additional online and offline training for IT specialists is highly essential. Moreover, working in this sphere need soft skills, such as responsibility, time management, communication skills, and fast learning.
References
ComputerScience.org Staff. (2021). Software developer. ComputerScience.org. Web.
Computer systems analysts. (2021). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web.
Kowarski, I. (2019). What can you do with a computer science degree? U.S. News. Web.
Thompson, V. (2017). Web support job description. Career Trend. Web.