James Masinelli

Term Research Paper: Assessing a Career in Business

My intended carrier in the future is an Information Technology specialist. I personally

chose this field because I find that networking systems and computers a major growing field in
our society today. I also enjoy working with complicated computer systems. After doing some
research a computer information technology career still seems appealing.
IT specialist are employed by countless corporations in and out of the technology job
markets. Almost all professional companies have some sort of computer maintenance or service
departments, but what does an IT specialist do?
"Information technologists generally design, operate or maintain technology products.
Not limited to employment with technology companies, information technology (IT)
specialists may work with any businesses, agencies or organizations that use technology
or manage large amounts of information. Regardless of the sector they work in, IT
specialists usually provide similar services related to software, hardware, databases, Web
resources, networks and enterprise systems. Duties of an information technology
specialist can include network management, software development and database
administration. IT specialists may also provide technical support to a business or an
organization's employees and train non-technical workers on the business's information
systems. Advanced information technology specialists may design systems and assess the
effectiveness of technology resources already in use or new systems that are being
implemented. Additionally, they will determine the practicality of changes and
modification of systems." (Weber, A. (2015, July 13). Information Technology
Specialist: Job Description and Requirements. Retrieved November 14, 2015)

James Masinelli

Term Research Paper: Assessing a Career in Business

Basically information technologists manage, service and design all computing systems and
infrastructure within a company. On day to day basis specialists may have responsibilities of
fixing failing hardware or software; meet with department heads about implementing new or
different technologies to encourage better business, and creating new networking systems to help
the company be more efficient.
Although it specialists have many day-to-day responsibilities a general career path may
look something like this. After graduating from college or certification program (college
preferred). A graduate can find an IT job at any major company or organization. In the entry
position the specialists will just be put to work setting up networks, repairing electronics, and
doing other computer service needs. Then when they show an aptitude towards IT and leadership
skills they may be promoted to team leader. As a team leader he or she would be in charge of a
small group of specialists working together or individually to complete associated tasks. From
there they can move up to district manager. A district manger is similar to a team leader but in a
broader scale. A district manager is in charge of the team leaders in the given district. A district
manager makes sure that the team leaders are meeting and exceeding goals. Depending on how
large the corporation the specialists can keep getting promoted to higher level jobs within the IT
department or can seek other positions in other companies. (Applegate, M. (2013, May 7).
Computer Technician Requirements. Retrieved December 2, 2015,)
A carrier in the information technologies is promising you will not be able to pursue it
without the right education. Frist anyone interested in this field must have at least an associates
degree and field specific certifications, but higher education is always preferred. The potential
candidate would attend a college where he or she would gain an associates in Computer

James Masinelli

Term Research Paper: Assessing a Career in Business

Engineering and Information Technologies. This would be basic training in certain entry level
skills like setting up networks, basic computer hardware knowledge, programing languages,
along with basic business management, and business writing. Along with taking job related
courses some colleges (including SLCC) require students to have industry standard certifications.
These certifications help show future employers that the candidate is proficient and
knowledgeable within a certain skill set. The top IT certifications are: Cisco Certified
Internetwork Expert certification, A+ certification, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
(MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) are the most common
certifications used today. (Eckel, E. (2008, December 10). The industry's 10 best IT
certifications - TechRepublic. Retrieved December 1, 2015)
After completing school and the necessary certifications what should an IT technician
expect to pay?
Men account for the majority of Network Support Technicians in the United States. The
overall average income for this group is approximately $42K annually. Including
potential for bonuses and profit sharing peaking near $3K and $6K, respectively
total cash payment to Network Support Technicians can bottom out near $26K or peak
near $58K depending on individual performance. Experience level is the biggest factor
affecting pay for this group, followed by geography. (Computer / Network Support
Technician Salary. (2014, February 18). Retrieved December 2, 2015,)
This information gives a good cross section of the job force and also shows how many things can
factor into the salary of an IT professional.

James Masinelli

Term Research Paper: Assessing a Career in Business

Careers in the Information technologies as of now are very optimistic. According to the
Burro of Labor statistics this job market has been on a steady growing spurt and will continue to
grow.
Employment and output in computer systems design and related services are projected to grow
rapidly over the next decade, outpacing similar professional, scientific, and technical industries
and the economy as a whole. Between 2010 and 2020, output in computer systems design and
related services is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6.1 percent, compared with 3.6
percent for the broad industry categoryprofessional, scientific, and technical servicesand 2.9
percent for all industries. (See chart 3.) Employment in computer systems design and related
services is projected to grow 3.9 percent annually from 2010 to 2020, compared with 2.6 percent
for professional, scientific, and technical services and 1.3 percent for all industries. (Csorny, L.
(2013, April 1). Careers in the growing field of information technology services : Beyond the
Numbers: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved December 2, 2015,)
The information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the IT sector will grow at steady pace for
the next years.
A very famous networking and computer wiz is Mark Cuban. He made his fourteen selling and
creating computer companies.
In 1981 Cuban landed a job selling software, and eventually formed his own consulting
business, Micro Solutions. Cuban was soon an expert in the field of computers and computer
networking. He also had a knack for building a smart, profitable company. In 1990, Cuban sold
the firm to CompuServe for $6 million.

James Masinelli

Term Research Paper: Assessing a Career in Business

His fortune making, however, was far from done. Sensing that a new world awaited with the
development of the Internet, Cuban and a business partner, Indiana alum Todd Wagner, started
AudioNet in 1995. Its formation was rooted in a desire to be able to listen to Indiana Hoosier
basketball games online. The company, despite its early critics, proved to be a smash success.
Renamed Broadcast.com, the firm went public in 1998 and soon saw its stock reach $200 a
share. A year later, Wagner and Cuban sold out to Yahoo! for nearly $6 billion. (Mark Cuban
Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2015)
Mark Cubans success in the networking and computer world is a great example of how the sector as a
whole is a growing and prospering industry.
There are some pros and cons to being an IT technician. The Pros: Having a job in the
information technology sector is a great opportunity to learn a rare skillset and be unique. IT gives you
the ability to work in many different companies and sectors. The con is that it may be a more stressful
and demanding job compared to others. (Shah, K. (2012, August 12). What are the pros and cons of a
IT consulting career?)
Personally I believe My Fit in this career is very good. I enjoy working in a business
environment and find myself always drawn toward finding solutions to problems.

James Masinelli

Term Research Paper: Assessing a Career in Business

Sources:
Applegate, M. (2013, May 7). Computer Technician Requirements. Retrieved December 2,
2015, from http://work.chron.com/computer-technician-requirements-9628.html

Computer / Network Support Technician Salary. (2014, February 18). Retrieved December
2, 2015, from
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Computer_/_Network_Support_Technician/Sal
ary

Eckel, E. (2008, December 10). The industry's 10 best IT certifications - TechRepublic.

Retrieved December 1, 2015, from http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/theindustrys-10-best-it-certifications/

Mark Cuban Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2015, from

http://www.biography.com/people/mark-cuban-562656#early-life

Shah, K. (2012, August 12). What are the pros and cons of an IT consulting career?
Frequently asked in. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from https://www.quora.com/What-arethe-pros-and-cons-of-a-consulting-career

Csorny, L. (2013, April 1). Careers in the growing field of information technology services :
Beyond the Numbers: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from
http://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-2/careers-in-growing-field-of-information-technologyservices.htm

Weber, A. (2015, July 13). Information Technology Specialist: Job Description and
Requirements. Retrieved November 14, 2015, from
http://study.com/articles/Information_Technology_Specialist_Job_Description_and_Requi
rements.html