6 answers
Quintin
Student
Sasolburg, Free State, South Africa
1
Question
Updated
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What is it like to be in the Information Technology business
Greetings , my name is Quintin. I am in the 11th grade and i was wondering if some of you can maybe help me by answering a few questions. I want to get into the IT part of the business world. As of the moment I don't have a lot of IT knowledge but I'm very fond of the idea . I do however, have some skill in the Microsoft Office line of products. So if any of you can maybe let me know if you need some admin work done. I will be more than willing
Thank you for your time. It is truly appreciated
Quintin
#tech
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6 answers
Adam Barron
Director Network Security
4
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Adam’s Answer
I have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and have been in Cybersecurity since the late 90's. I do draw on the technical skills I learned in college a lot but I also need to use skills that an English major or Business major would have gained. Even in IT you need to be able to communicate effectively and make decisions that will provide the most benefit to your company or customers.
My suggestions would be to try out some basic programming or scripting courses, computer networking courses, and look into big data analytics using tools like Splunk or ELK.
As you become more technically skilled, remember to spend time staying well rounded by brushing up your communication skills, presentation skills, and business acumen. In the end you should do what is most rewarding to you, meaning what you enjoy doing the most.
My suggestions would be to try out some basic programming or scripting courses, computer networking courses, and look into big data analytics using tools like Splunk or ELK.
As you become more technically skilled, remember to spend time staying well rounded by brushing up your communication skills, presentation skills, and business acumen. In the end you should do what is most rewarding to you, meaning what you enjoy doing the most.
Anna Johnson
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Anna’s Answer
Hi Quintin,
It may be a good idea to take some programming classes or teach yourself something pretty easy like SQL. There are a lot of free resources online. Learn some basics about databases and any area of IT you think you might be interested in. Putting these skills on your resume will help you with finding starter jobs related to IT and in general will be useful no matter what you decide to do after school.
It may be a good idea to take some programming classes or teach yourself something pretty easy like SQL. There are a lot of free resources online. Learn some basics about databases and any area of IT you think you might be interested in. Putting these skills on your resume will help you with finding starter jobs related to IT and in general will be useful no matter what you decide to do after school.
That is the plan yes. Thank you for the insight. I'm busy teaching myself on DELPHI SEATTLE X how to code but I'm finding it a bit challenging
Quintin
Mauro Blardony
Recruiter
61
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Mauro’s Answer
Hi Quintin,
Have to ask yourself. What do you enjoy so far regarding with software? Do you like to use it? Do you like to help people with it? Do you want to improve it? Do you want to share more insights and teach more people about the software?
These are kinds of questions you have to ask yourself so that you can identify what part of IT you want to be in.
If you like using it as a hobby then that is probably not an ideal field.
If you like to help people with it, then small gigs as a Tech Support will be a good start.
If you want to improve it, then that is an engineer role, and you would need to do Computer Science.
Hope this helps.
Have to ask yourself. What do you enjoy so far regarding with software? Do you like to use it? Do you like to help people with it? Do you want to improve it? Do you want to share more insights and teach more people about the software?
These are kinds of questions you have to ask yourself so that you can identify what part of IT you want to be in.
If you like using it as a hobby then that is probably not an ideal field.
If you like to help people with it, then small gigs as a Tech Support will be a good start.
If you want to improve it, then that is an engineer role, and you would need to do Computer Science.
Hope this helps.
Thank you so much for the insight. I want to make it a career because i'm currently studying the programming side of IT but i'm struggling a bit so I'm busy improving in that field but thank you so much for the insight it helps a TON!
Quintin
Jayme Moquet
Sales / Account Management
2
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Jayme’s Answer
There are many different ways to enter a career in IT, and you don't necessarily need to have a lot of IT knowledge to get started. There are opportunities in Sales or Account Management for IT companies that are more relationship or communication based. Those positions are typically looking for someone that is a good communicator and able to think strategically...and the IT part is secondary and can be learned. There are also a variety of Project Management and Service roles to support resources that sell IT to companies.
I would suggest continuing to improve your Microsoft Office skills as that will be an advantage to you in many jobs you seek. Also think about what it is you like about IT...is it connecting people with the right technology to solve a business gap, programming / coding to create the technology, supporting the technology that people buy and fixing problems, etc. This will help you determine what aspect of IT you'd like to enter so you can further build your skills. Best of luck!
I would suggest continuing to improve your Microsoft Office skills as that will be an advantage to you in many jobs you seek. Also think about what it is you like about IT...is it connecting people with the right technology to solve a business gap, programming / coding to create the technology, supporting the technology that people buy and fixing problems, etc. This will help you determine what aspect of IT you'd like to enter so you can further build your skills. Best of luck!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1508
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
In Information Technology, there are different subjects that you could pusual. Below are a few popular examples :
Computer Science - It is the study of computers and computational systems. This subject mostly with software and software systems; this includes their theory, design, development, and application.
Computer Engineering - Computer engineering focuses on solving problems and designing hardware and software interfaces. Computer engineers can be responsible for the development and prototyping of software and hardware simultaneously.
Information Engineering - It focuses on the engineering discipline that deals with the generation, distribution, analysis, and use of information, data, and knowledge in systems.
There are a few examples only. It may have different subjects on Information Technology subject to the courses designed by the universities. You may explore more and identify the subjects that you are interested on for further development.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Computer Science - It is the study of computers and computational systems. This subject mostly with software and software systems; this includes their theory, design, development, and application.
Computer Engineering - Computer engineering focuses on solving problems and designing hardware and software interfaces. Computer engineers can be responsible for the development and prototyping of software and hardware simultaneously.
Information Engineering - It focuses on the engineering discipline that deals with the generation, distribution, analysis, and use of information, data, and knowledge in systems.
There are a few examples only. It may have different subjects on Information Technology subject to the courses designed by the universities. You may explore more and identify the subjects that you are interested on for further development.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Claire Mosby
North Yorkshire
9
Answers
Bedale, England
Updated
Claire’s Answer
Hi Quentin, I have been in the IT Industry for the last 30 years and would say you do not need to be technical to be successful. I have seen a great deal of change in IT over the years from computers being huge and having to be connected by wire to the building network to what we see today as wireless connections and access on any device. If you are interested in IT I would suggest you take a look at career opportunities with companies in your area that may offer apprenticeships or gap years if you chose to go to college. Don't let what you consider to be a lack of IT knowledge hold you back and good luck .
Thank you so much it is very much apprecited
Quintin