information technology careers

Careers in Information Technology

Chad Warner

Chad Warner

● I create websites that empower small businesses. Specialty: WordPress○ Marketing & e-commerce sites for local small

businesses

● Husband, entrepreneur, Type A, hiker, reader, Tolkien fan

It's all about information

http://blogs.gartner.com/svetlana-sicular/files/2012/06/DataScientistJobDescriptions.jpg

Networks

● Design, install, configure, maintain networks

● Routers, switches, Ethernet, WiFi, Internet,

firewalls, VoIP, IP video

http://douglas-mitchell.com/RPB/RPB-Move-Initial-Racks.jpg

Systems

● Install, configure, maintain systems

● Servers, PCs, OSs, software, embedded

systems, robotics

Software/App Development (Programming)

● Design, code, test software

● Native apps, web apps, embedded systems,

robotics

http://www.desktopped.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/daves-cockpit-1.jpg

Information Security

● Design, defend, attack networks & software

● Anti-malware, Web security, cryptography,

digital forensics

http://sysmox.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/tunks_cypress_inn_website_hacked_1.jpg

Technical Support

● Support end users

● Hardware (PCs, mobile devices), software,

websites, network connections

http://centertech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Help-Desk-1.jpg

Web Design/Development

● Design, code, test websites & web apps

● Front-end, back-end, SEO, analytics, social

media, e-commerce

http://www.siliconvalleywatcher.com//Manyscreens.jpg

What led me into IT?

● Interest in science and technology

● Comfort with computers and electronics

● Individuals and businesses need assistance

with technology

● Desire to improve life through technology

● Decided during senior year at CCHS to

attend GVSU to become a Network Admin

Education & training

● No formal education or certifications

necessary for web design; mostly self-taught

(free online training, experimentation)

● People like to know that I have a degree

● Business minor has been very helpful

(marketing, accounting, finance, etc.)

● Some companies require certifications or

degrees, but experience usually trumps

them

College

● BS in Information Systems from Grand Valley, 2008

○ 4-year program that included a business minor

○ Conceptual, not as practical and hands-on as

Davenport

○ IS is focused on IT within business, CS is focused

on programming

● Trade schools have short-term advantage:

immediately marketable skills. Liberal arts schools

have long-term advantage: broad familiarity

● Minor or double-major in a field of interest

● I know IT grads of GVSU, Hope, Calvin, Davenport,

MSU

Schedule

● Business hours (M-F 8-5)

● Support jobs may be 24/7

Typical day

1. Begin around 8 AM

2. Email & social media

3. Web design


5. Lunch (at home or networking event)

6. Meet client or attend networking event

7. Web design


9. End around 5 PM

10. Meetup or networking event (1-2/wk)

Equipment

● desktop & laptop

● headset and webcam for voice and video

calls

● smartphone

● scanner/printer

Pros

● freedom to work when, where, and how I

want

● creative problem solving

● improving business and life with technology

● safe and comfortable

Me

My wife

Cons

● need to find my own work

● compatibility issues with old technology (old

browsers, OSs, etc.)

● clients can delay projects

● working with non-technical people can be

frustrating

Salaries

● Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 15-0000 Computer and Mathematical Occupations

● The more specialized, the higher the pay

http://bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mi.htm#15-0000



Career prospects

http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2012/01/art5full.pdfhttp://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/04/forbes_list_grand_rapids_ranks.html

"Top industries hiring in Grand Rapids now include health care, financial services, skilled labor, education, information technology and engineering.Skills and jobs in demand locally include information specialists, manufacturing, administrative, and skilled laborers."

Offices

former coworker

Advice

● Teach yourself so you can catch up to students who

have more computer classes in high school.

● Tinker and learn from fixing the things you break.

● Seek many internships and volunteer opportunities for

experience, reputation, and connections, which are

worth more than pay. Volunteer at church and school.

● The more things you try, the more you’ll discover what

you like and dislike.

Advice

● Develop communication skills: reading,

writing, speaking.

● Be outgoing and personable. Attend clubs,

meetups, networking events.

● Find the intersection of technology and your

passion (sports, travel, health, etc.)

● Don’t worry about landing in the wrong job;

you can change jobs any time.

● Find mentors to teach you and pull strings.

Contact

optimwise.com