---MIS2 Assignment # 1---

We are to think about our self worthy to be called as IT professional, how do we see our self 10 years from now, and what are our strategies to get there?

"The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them." -Denis Watley-

Basically it is one of the toughest questions given to us for the reason that, it really hard to think of becoming an IT professional with our situation today. However since we envision of becoming a member of IT professional league, I think we must first define what does this “worthy IT Professional” means.

In the World of IT many people call our selves “IT Professionals,” but what I would like to know is the true meaning of a “worthy” IT professional? Can we be an IT professional if we only use the GUI side or do we really have to be able to use the command line area as well? Would I have the qualification to be called as IT professional?

Worthy, I have heard this word a million times before since when I was young up to now, and yet, I really don’t know the exact meaning. Why does this word exist? What is the word worthy? The word worthy, is it merely just a word? Or is there something deeper meaning beyond its word itself, can any anyone narrow its meaning? It has been used by most people. It is the mostly asked.

The word worthy just what is it? To define the word worthy, according to the dictionary, it is somebody who is good or morally upright or a respectable person. Am I fit to what the word worthy defines? If yes, I don’t know why and how. If not, are there ways to make my self praiseworthy? To be a worthy person, a respectable person, or a good person, they say it starts with small deeds. However, if a person fails to do so then, how could you do big deeds just to be called a worthy person?

Everything around us is changing. Technology is one of the most ideal examples of change. There has been a rapid pace of change in technology in these past years. New technologies were introduced to improve the quality of our life. It is for our own comfort. It is for ease of getting things done. Technology has change the way of our living. And it makes me wonder, “Are there still things that are needed to improve in our life?”

We are in line of what they so called future “IT Professionals”, not because we are soon to graduate as IT student only but the mere fact that we can contribute a massive development to the industry of technology. Can we commit our self worthy to be called IT professionals?

Well, IT professional covers a lot of different jobs similar to doctor a veterinarian, general practitioner, surgeon and all doctors; I would say the same for Programmer, helpdesk support, SQL designer are all types of IT Professionals. It all really comes down to one thing a good knowledge of Computers and a pay packet for doing it. Just as intended applicants to any club or organization are scorned, however, so are technology professionals scorned by the established professions. The intent is to maintain high standing of existing professions by demeaning all else. Most technical professionals are constrained to operate under duress, however, working under deadlines created by delusions and fantasies of persons having no particular technical basis for their determination. Any work product produced under such situations is bound to be flawed.

As I surf the net I found out that Information technology professionals within an organization tend to work together in a team environment. Team members within an organization must learn to work together to complete a job. Professionals that make up this team may include systems analyst, information systems management, programmers, users and other specialists. In order to work well together, a team must strive to communicate clearly and completely with its members. To achieve this, members will have to trust and respect each other. Furthermore each member should put one’s own views second to the views of the group. The responsibility and accountability within a team should be shared, for success in a team environment.

Not so long, I dream to become a boss in my own company or travel around the globe with the help of my premises, but never in my dream to become an It professionals. Really things are meant to be change as time goes by, and this would make me realize that upon choosing my carrier now, I can barely say that dreaming to be an It professional is indeed a big challenge in my life now. Although IT covers many works, still I’m confused on what to choose. Would it be an IT programmer? IT consultant? Or what?

Hmmmm maybe, just maybe 10 years from now Ill be an IT Consultant, not because it deals with meeting with different clients but also indeed it fit my personality as more comfortable in talking and convincing a lot. Here are some definitions about an IT consultant:

An IT consultant works in partnership with clients, advising them how to use information technology in order to meet their business objectives or overcome problems. Consultants work to improve the structure and efficiency and of an organization’s IT systems. IT consultants may be involved in a variety of activities, including marketing, project management, client relationship management and systems development. They may also be responsible for user training and feedback. In many companies, these tasks will be carried out by an IT project team. IT consultants are increasingly involved in sales and business development, as well as technical duties.

Definition and Nature of the Work

The widespread use of computers in businesses of all sizes has created a need for computer consultants. Companies that are large enough to computerize their operations but too small to need a computer specialist on staff usually hire computer consultants on a contract or retainer basis.

Most computer consultants work independently, although some are employed by consulting firms. Their duties vary according to the needs of their client companies. A computer consultant might spend only a few hours helping a dentist select and learn to operate a small office system. For a larger company, the consultant might spend several months establishing a complicated database, creating a network of small and large computers, writing user manuals, designing a Web site, or conducting computer training classes. Consultants also may recommend and design security features for a computer system. Computer consultants can be software programmers, hardware system installers, networking specialists, database specialists, systems analysts, or a combination of the above.

Education and Training Requirements

Most computer consultants are college graduates. They may have degrees in computer science or data processing. Experts recommend that aspiring consultants gain experience as staff computer specialists before working independently.

Getting the Job

Interested individuals can apply directly to computer consulting firms. If someone wants to work independently, he or she can advertise in computer magazines or send a resume directly to firms that potentially require the services of a computer consultant.

Typical work activities

Task typically involve

• meeting with clients to determine requirements;

• working with clients to define the scope of a project;

• planning timescales and the resources needed;

• clarifying a client's system specifications, understanding their work practices and the nature of their business;

• traveling to customer sites;

• liaising with staff at all levels of a client organization;

• defining software, hardware and network requirements;

• analyzing IT requirements within companies and giving independent and objective advice on the use of IT;

• developing agreed solutions and implementing new systems;

• presenting solutions in written or oral reports;

• helping clients with change-management activities;

• project managing the design and implementation of preferred solutions;

• purchasing systems where appropriate;

• designing, testing, installing and monitoring new systems;

• preparing documentation and presenting progress reports to customers;

• organizing training for users and other consultants;

• being involved in sales and support and, where appropriate, maintaining contact with client organisations;

• identifying potential clients and building and maintaining contacts.

Information technology (IT) consultants work in firms of management consultants, software and systems houses within large manufacturers of computing equipment, or occasionally internally in major industrial companies.

What IT consultants do

• analyze IT requirements within companies and give independent and objective advice on the use of IT

• provide specialist support and back-up to professionals within client companies

• advise on strategic planning and operational efficiency

• may run facilities for clients

• design, develop and test new systems

• train staff in new systems.

Key skills for IT consultants

• analytical approach to work

• excellent problem-solving skills

• interpersonal skills

• communication skills

• ability to absorb complex technical information and pass this on clearly

• stamina to meet deadlines

• ability to work under pressure

• project-management skills

• detailed technical knowledge

• motivation.

Training to be an IT consultant

Training is usually on the job, and may include training in programming languages, systems analysis and testing, or in business skills. Practical project experience under supervision is also given.

Information technology consulting (IT consulting, Computer consultancy, Computing consultancy, technology consulting or business and technology services) is a field that focuses on advising businesses on how best to use information technology to meet their business objectives. In addition to providing advice, IT consultancies often implement, deploy, and administer IT systems on businesses' behalf.

The IT consulting industry can be viewed as a three-tier system:

• Professional services firms which maintain large professional workforces and command high bill rates.

• Staffing firms, which place technologists with businesses on a temporary basis, typically in response to employee absences, temporary skill shortages and technical projects.

• Independent consultants, who function as employees of staffing firms (for US tax purposes, employed on "W-2"), or as independent contractors in their own right (for US tax purposes, on "1099").

There is a relatively unclear line between management consulting and IT consulting. There are sometimes overlaps between the two fields, but IT consultants often have degrees in computer science, electronics, technology, or management information systems while management consultants often have degrees in accounting, economics, Industrial Engineering, finance, or a generalized MBA (Masters in Business Administration).

According to the Institute for Partner Education & Development, IT consultants' revenues come predominantly from design and planning based consulting with a mixture of IT and Business Consulting. This is different from a Systems Integrator in that you do not normally take title to product. Their value comes from their ability to integrate and support technologies as well as determining product and brands.

With all these thoughts and beliefs, I would probably say that that the mere fact that I’m holding my own key to success is the fact that I have to struggle more in fulfilling my vision and mission in life not only an ordinary person but as the future IT professional.

I don’t know if this will help me a worthy person or a worthy IT professional. It is just small and there is nothing special. However, it will be a good start isn’t it? I shall end this with a quotation by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt saying that far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

Sources:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/it_consultant_job_description.jsp
http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/196/Computer-Consultant.html
http://www.get.hobsons.co.uk/advice/consultancy-IT-consultant
http://www.answers.com/topic/information-technology-consulting