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January 15, 2007
25 Questions about a Career in IS, Q2:
Why is IS Not the Same as Computer Programming?
Computer programming involves only one of the five components of an information system. The other components must be developed and managed as well.
For example, what is the best way to enroll for classes? Does your university have the best possible procedures? Are all of the users (you, faculty, TAs, admins, department heads) well trained? Is there a better way? What is the procedure for attempting to enroll in a closed class? Is it the best way?
Someone designed the procedures to use. Those people were not computer programmers; they were, in fact, social scientists. When creating the system they had to consider how people work, how they are motivated, how they manipulate for self-interest, how they resist change, etc.
If you like people, if you like orderly processes, if you like thinking about the best way for a group of people to interact, you might be interested in a career in IT.
Posted by DavidK at January 15, 2007 05:17 PM | Permalink