IT or the term information technology is used when referring to an entire industry. Literally, information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. In some organisations, this is referred to as Management Information Services (MIS) or Information Services (IS). In a large company, the IT department is responsible for storing, protecting, processing, transmitting and later retrieving information as necessary. Some time ago, an IT department might have only consisted of a single Computer Operator, who would store date on magnetic tape, and then put it away in a protected storage area. However, modern IT departments perform complex functions using computers, servers, database management systems and cryptography. The department is made up of several System Administrators, Database Administrators and at least one Information Technology Manager. This group of personnel usually reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
IT departments are increasingly concerned with data storage and management, and information security continues to be top priority. Cloud computing is a growing area to watch, and the job outlook for those in the IT field is strong, with data security and server gurus amongst the highest paid.

Careers in IT

Many of the job titles within IT departments overlaps. The following are some jobs that are available in the IT industry:

Network Engineer

Network engineers design and maintain both the hardware and software necessary for computer networks. These professionals are high level technical analysts with a speciality in Local Area Networks (LANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs).

Network Administrator

These professionals have the responsibility of maintaining the computer hardware and software systems that comprise a computer network.

System Administrator

System administrators maintain the computer system of a company. Their primary responsibility is server management, and they have the job of installing, maintaining and upgrading servers.

Database Administrator- DBA

These personnel use database software to store and manage information. They set up database systems and are responsible for ensuring those systems operate efficiently.

CIO-Chief Information Officer

The CIO is the head of the IT department within an organisation.

IT Project Manager

The project manager controls the resources of large projects. In the Tech industry, this can mean managing large software development projects, networking projects, IT installations or conversions, or any other function where business and technology needs have to be managed and resources have to be co-ordinated.

What Qualification is Necessary for IT Employment

In the IT field, it is often not enough for an individual to just earn their certifications. Employers usually favour IT professionals with work experience. For individuals wanting to work with networking devices more than with computer hardware, software and servers, it is necessary to obtain certification as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) which will require the sitting of one or two exams, depending on preference. For those who prefer working on computers; installing and fixing computer hardware and software, and administering network servers and network databases and applications, it is necessary to obtain the A+ certification followed by the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification. The A+ certification exam is given as either one or two examinations; one is based on computer hardware and the other covers operating systems. The MCSE certification is awarded upon the successful completion of seven individual exams.
While some IT positions require all the above mentioned certifications, others only require one of them. To gain an IT position, create a sharp resume listing of all your certifications and, or, technical school degrees and work experience. If you lack work experience, try to obtain some by working with an IT specialist. After passing the A+ certification exam, individuals can continue their studies in networking by earning their MSCE and, or CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE, and go on to become a network engineer, a senior network engineer, a contractor, or even a consultant.