Information Technology Image and Myths By Sandra Daniels Updated by Carlotta Eaton

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Information Technology Image and MythsBy
Sandra DanielsUpdated by Carlotta Eaton
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What image comes to mind when someone mentions an
IT worker?

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What do you see?

• Programmer in striped pants checked shirt with
  a pocket protector full of pens?
• In a cubicle
• Hunched over a keyboard or maybe two?
• A Jolt cola or Mountain Dew and a Twinkie within
  reach?
• Hair still wet from the shower?

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5 Myths of IT WOrkers
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Myth 1

• All IT professionals are techie gear-heads with
  little interest in anything outside of
  technology.
• (What are your interests? Do you wear headgear
  most of the time?)

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Myth 2

• IT professionals possess a complete disregard for
  business concerns.
• (Do you know accounting, business forms, project
  management, psychology?)

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Myth 3

• Once you join the ranks of IT, youll work in
  solitary confinement for the rest of your life,
  living only for weekend movie marathons of the
  Sci Fi Channel.
• (What is your ideal IT job?)

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Myth 4
PCMCIA IEEE SCSIACL BIOS DNS DHCP CAL
FDDI GNOME HCL P2P RAID VFAT GPO IRQ OU SID

• If you dont understand acronym-speak, dont ever
  think of conversing with an IT professional.
• (If you cant talk the talk (jargon), you cant
  walk the walk of IT.)

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Myth 5

• You must have a computer science degree to get a
  job in IT.
• (Do you know the difference between CSC and ITx?)

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What ITers Really Do

• Define and solve problems
• Participate in strategy meetings
• Interact with other company departments
• Have ties to top management
• Create competitive edge for company

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What ITers Really Do (cont.)

• Track schedules and budgets
• Modify current programs and processes to meet
  changing needs
• Write documentation
• Support the business goals of the business
• Move through the levels of management right on up
  to the CEO slot

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Successful ITers

• Develop expertise in multiple fields such as
  accounting, production, marketing advertising,
  human resources, research and development.
• You have to understand multiple facets of a
  company before you can contribute to its success.

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Start Here!

• ITE 105 IT Careers and CyberEthics teaches you
  about IT Careers.