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January 29, 2007
Q4 of 25 Questions about a Career in IS:
The IS discipline has many varied and interesting careers. One way to think about them is to consider the five components of an information system: hardware, software, data, procedures, and people. Consider the following careers for each component:
People
Many information systems careers involve working with people. Computer sales people sell hardware, network services, software, database consulting, and other systems services. Such sales people must possess sophisticated knowledge of their customers and their industry as well as have broad knowledge of the capabilities of their products. Sales support personnel assist the sales personnel with the installation and use of the product either pre- or post-sale. Sales support personnel are usually more technical than sales people and are trained to give in-depth demonstrations of their products.
Computer support personnel assist system users. They may work on telephone support, or they may write documentation for the support web site. Some support personnel work in the offices of the users whom they support. Computer training personnel teach users how to employ the information system to accomplish their job tasks.
Change agents specialize in helping users adapt to new or modified information systems. Typically, users resist change and it is the responsibility of a change agent to determine the source of the resistance and to help users overcome their reluctance to adapt to the new system.
Procedures
Every information system has procedures for use. Systems analysts work with users to determine, early in a project, what the information system is supposed to accomplish. Systems analysts interview users to specify the features and functions that are needed. Then, systems analysts work with other IS professionals to design and document procedures. They coordinate with system support personnel for the development of training materials.
Technical writers develop documentation for using the system. Some writers create the help text within computer programs, some create external documentation on a web site or other facility, and still others create training materials. Technical writers need strong writing skills, an empathy for the user, and a fearless ability to dive into complicated subjects.
Data
Three job titles are common for the data component. Database designers meet with users and systems analysts and create a data model of how the users view their data. They then transform the data model into a database design. Some database designers alter existing database designs to adapt to new or changed requirements. Database design requires someone with both effective communications skills and strong conceptual thinking abilities.
Databases are shared resources and subject to conflict and misuse. Database administrators establish policies and procedures for controlling and protecting a database. A large database may be supported by an office of database administration. Most database administrators have strong database skills.
Data administration is an enterprise-wide function that concerns the effective use and control of an organization's data assets. A data administrator (or office of data administration) works with top management to set organizational data policy (for example, privacy restrictions on customer data) and to ensure that effective controls exist for protecting the organization's data. Data administration requires strategic thinking and strong diplomacy skills more that it requires technical knowledge.
Software
The common jobs involving software are computer programmers and software testers. Programmers design and code computer programs and software testers evaluate those programs against their specifications. Maintenance programmers are entry level programmers who adapt existing programs to meet new or changed requirements, Today, much software testing is done by automated systems and some software testers are also programmers who write the testing programs.
Some IS professionals install, tune, and test pre-built or licensed software. These people, who may have been trained as programmers, do not actually design or write the computer code, but instead install an existing software product in a customer's site, tune that product to best meet the customer's needs, and test the installation.
Hardware
Jobs for this component involve setting up and operating computer hardware and networks. The titles system administrator and network administrator are common. Such people setup new hardware, install components, and they sometimes repair computer and network gear.
Posted by DavidK at January 29, 2007 09:06 AM | Permalink