Information Technology IT Management

¶ … society nowadays is filled with products of innovations in information technology (IT). From instances of just spending your leisure time up to spending time at work, we almost never missed to use products that successfully exist because of IT. For instance, ATMs exist because of IT. We can easily communicate with each other through cell phones through some help of information technology.

Among the most important roles played by IT is in the management of a business. Almost every business nowadays utilizes IT as the managing foundation of their operation. Hence, it will be no wonder if the roles played by IT professionals are as essential as the successful operation of IT in businesses.

A career in information technology management has been a major factor in bringing more success to a business. Without the help of IT professionals, the advanced technologies that exist, such as the computer networks, the Internet, and many others, will be useless. In view of this, this paper will try to briefly explore the careers in the field of information technology management. It will discuss how a career in IT works as well as the roles that a career in IT really plays. With the help of some information gathered from an interview with an IT professional, this paper aims to discuss the real happenings in the career world in IT.

The Roles Performed in a Career in Information Technology

As computing continually grows, the role of information technology professionals also grows. Along with this change demands the continuous update of knowledge and skills in computing for professionals who manage information technology. This is essential to enable them to effectively handle the challenging IT developments.

The roles played by the careers in the field of information technology differ. There are various positions for an IT career like Programmer, Analyst, Database Administrator, and many others. Nowadays, a career in IT does not only mean being knowledgeable in computing, but also having to possess multi-disciplinary skills. Australian Computer Society (2002) indicates that Information technology professionals are no longer remote technocrats, but have become members of multi-disciplinary teams of problem solvers. There is a growing emphasis on communication skills to go with technical knowledge and problem solving ability.

An interview I had with an IT manager from a software house company described how a career in IT management works. According to him, the basic and most essential commitment in managing IT responsibilities is an individual's enthusiasm for a continuous update of his IT skills and knowledge. This is important because IT never runs out of new developments. Similar to ACS's view of multi-disciplinary skills in IT, he also stated that aside from computing, another duty in managing IT responsibilities is the ability to communicate with clients. This is due to the reason that most systems and applications nowadays are being utilized not only by the company but by the clients as well.

Career in Information Technology Helps in a Business' Success career in information technology is important in many ways. This includes management of computer data, protection of the public's welfare regarding data confidentialities, development of new IT innovations, and many others. As with the company where the IT manager whom I had interviewed works, whose major human assets are the IT professionals who develop customized systems and applications for their clients, the company only proves how a career in IT could help millions of businesses improve and succeed because of implementing IT products.

Similarly, the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology serves as an example of how a career in IT can help and protect a business. Their article states their mission as follows.

A promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical leadership for the nation's measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test methods, reference data, proof-of-concept implementations, and technical analyses to advance the development and productive use of information technology.

Information Technology Management Career in the Digital Era

The demand for professionals in the field of information technology management is fast growing. Although there is an increasing number of people who take a career path in IT, the supply of IT professionals still does not meet the demands in this digital era. Hence, the salary offered by the industry is high which makes many IT professionals well-compensated in their job.