Information Technology vs. Computer Science, Lillian Decatur

Information Technology vs. Computer Science, Lillian Decatur

 
A strange phenomenon is happening today in technology: it’s evolving, it’s proliferating, and it’s changing the way people learn. But more than that, it’s creating a knowledge gap that’s affecting a certain demographic of people in the world. While the Internet is responsible for more global economic growth than renewable energy, mining, and agriculture, there are still hundreds of thousands of people who do not have access to a stable Internet connection. So while all those lucky people with broadband access get to take online classes and enjoy the fruits of knowledge transfer on the web, a staggering number of people are left in the dark. As it turns out, the digital chasm between the haves and have-nots is only getting larger. This graphic explores the digital divide: what it means for you, for the world, and for the people who are left behind.

 

IT Careers

The current economic climate has companies across the country cutting budgets and making hard layoffs at a staggering rate. Nevertheless, the United States is witnessing some job growth in some career fields, including information technology (IT).

The new economy has forced many IT departments to invest in money-saving technologies, and these investments are actually creating new job opportunities for IT professionals who work at places like dallas managed it services. This is good news, especially for IT workers who are willing to learn new skills.

Here are seven of the best IT jobs in today’s tight market. Representing all career levels, from entry-level to top-level, these jobs appear to be recession-proof. To learn more about these IT careers, salaries, and education requirements, read on.

1. IT Manager / Architect
IT managers and system architects are always in demand. People with automation, process, and workflow skills are needed in this economic climate. Companies are looking for system, application, network, data, security, information, solutions, and enterprise architects.

The average annual salary for an IT manager or architect is $79,000. Like most mid-level to high-level IT jobs, this one requires a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in an IT-related field. Examples include computer science, information technology, and math. Masters degrees can give job candidates an edge.

2. Database Administrator
Database administrators (DBAs) appear to have strong career prospects, as more businesses utilize databases for their information. This career is one that continues to grow, despite overall pay declines in IT careers. Jobs in database management typically pay an annual salary around $79,000. As with other mid- to high-level jobs, database administrators need a Bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field like computer science or math.

Most employers also expect applicants to have a few years of experience with the database their companies use. Some DBAs gain this experience in system administration, which offers enough database work to start building the necessary skills for a database management job.

3. Unified Communications Engineer
Unified communications engineer is one of the best recession-proof IT positions, due to the money-saving, time-saving technology. Unified communications use software to integrate telephone, email, voice mail, chat, and other technologies into one system.

As more companies utilize unified communications, the demand for IT workers in this field will continue to grow. A unified communications engineer is a mid-level IT position. The annual salary is around $73,000, and a bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred. Since unified communications setups are usually vendor-specific, employers will expect some experience with the particular packages their companies use.

4. Network Security Specialist
As IT careers go, security is an excellent specialty. Network security is a necessity in the world of information technology. Skilled and talented IT security specialists rarely need to look for a job — the jobs usually finds them. Security specialists typically start their careers as system administrators. With experience and certification, they can easily make the switch to network security specialist.

Security specialists earn an annual income of around $67,000. Most employers prefer a BS degree in an IT-related field, such as math, computer science, or information technology. Workers with certifications are highly sought after.

5. VoIP Support Specialist
The current demand for VoIP support specialists results from this new money-saving technology embraced by many small and medium-sized businesses. Businesses are searching for ways to cut communication costs, and VoIP allows them to save on the company phone bills.

IT workers can find VoIP jobs at all levels — from entry-level positions like installation and support, to high-level certified positions that support architect and enterprise-level installations. The typical salary for a VoIP support specialist is $61,000 annually. A bachelor’s degree is preferred for this IT position, and certifications are also available.

6. Wireless Network Manager
Wi-Fi is part of almost every office network. Both the benefits and the security risks of wireless networks have created a demand for specialized IT workers.

While pay growth has slowed somewhat for wireless network managers, it is still up from past years. The average annual salary is $72,000. Most organizations use wireless networks, and the necessary skills for a network manager job are relatively easy to learn.

A Bachelor of Science degree is strongly preferred for a wireless network manager position. Degree fields should include information technology, management of information services, or similar fields. The most successful candidates for this IT work will have several years of experience in network management. Several certifications can enhance an applicant’s qualifications.

7. Mac or Linux Support Specialist
While the business world is still primarily a Windows world, more companies are starting to incorporate Mac computers and Linux machines. System administrators and technicians with Mac and Linux skills are increasingly in demand.

Support specialists with skills and experience with Mac, Linux, and other alternative operating systems (OS) typically earn an annual income of around $52,000. A bachelor degree in Information Technology, Management of Information Services, or another IT-related field, is preferred by most companies. Most support roles begin as entry-level positions.

Areas of Study
What can I expect to learn while studying IT?
If you choose to study information technology, you can expect to grow in knowledge and skills.

KNOWLEDGE

Computer Networking

Computer networking explores ways to configure computers into connected web-based networks. Network configuration addresses hardware issues like cabling and routers as well as software considerations like client/server applications. It includes topics like the pros and cons of various network connectivity options, wireless and wired network set-up and cloud computing.

Information Assurance

Information assurance, or network security, teaches how to spot weaknesses in a network’s security system by addressing effective security measures that can repel hackers and viruses. It discusses ways to keep sensitive data safe through software and hardware design and secure coding. Finally, information assurance covers ethical issues like confidentiality and integrity in the IT profession.

Operating Systems

Operating systems are complex software programs that allow people to use computers. This subject discusses the installation, management and design concepts of different operating systems like Linux, Windows and Mac OS X. Discussion topics include the history, function and structure of these systems.

Database Design

Database design discusses how to model, create and implement large databases. IT databases use computers and the web to provide people with a place to store and easily access digital information. Databases design requires students to understand the relationship between pieces of data so that they can structure the database logically using common database structures like relational, hierarchical, network and object-oriented designs.

Discrete Mathematics

Discrete mathematics introduces mathematical concepts that are related to information technology processes such as designing, programming and troubleshooting computers. Some relevant mathematical topics that will be covered include logic, algorithms, encryption, graph theory and number systems.

 

Information technology is an ever-evolving field that relies on computing technology to acquire, process and store all forms of information, including that which is vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical. With the microminiaturization of computers and birth of the internet, information became a valuable commodity. Since that time, systems that efficiently deliver and manage information have become incalculably valuable, and information technology as a field rose to deliver such needs. Today, using computer software, programming languages and information systems, information technology delivers businesses with essential services like process automation, database and computer network design and tools of business productivity.

 
Created by Lillian Decatur, visit her work here: OnlineITDegree.net