Sheila Levine

Today Sheila Levine is a rising star in information technology management at a successful mid-size company. You'd never guess that she has also been a designer of window treatments, a full-time artist, and a happy - but unemployed - liberal arts graduate from a well-regarded East Coast university. Fortunately, ever since she was a teenager, Sheila was also a computer hobbyist, glued to the screen for hours on end.

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"I taught myself assembly language programming out of a book when I was fourteen," she confesses. "All the years that I was struggling to make a living in the arts, it never occurred to me that computer work was also very creative, and that I could make a secure and interesting career from my favorite hobby.

I even tried becoming a window treatment designer as an attempt to combine my artistic flair with a steady income." Unfortunately, the self-employed life was a difficult one. Sheila found that the cost of maintaining inventory and managing clients left her little time for creative pursuits.

"I was complaining one day to my good friend Tom, who was working at the time as a lead programmer for a startup software company. I had called to ask him a technical question about a screen saver that I was developing as a personal art project." Sheila paused to sip her chai. "

He suddenly stopped in the middle of the conversation and said, 'You know, Sheila, the best way to get these questions answered is to get some computer training. I know you know a lot, but you're self-taught, and the industry is looking for verified skills.

However, if you get some coursework under your belt, I could probably find you an entry-level position here somewhere.'" Sheila thought about it for a couple of weeks and then enrolled in a nearby computer school, taking classes at night while continuing to run her window treatment business in the daytime.

Within 18 months she emerged with a diploma in information technology, having studied several programming languages as well as systems administration, networking, security and even some creative courses in animation and graphics.

Her friend Tom did find her a position, as a desktop support analyst for the startup company. "My starting salary was lower than I was making with my own business," Sheila confesses, "but the hours were much better."

Sheila spent a year in the desktop support position, taking advantage of every opportunity to learn new technologies and skills. She quickly became known as a wizard at troubleshooting. Sheila went back on the job market. Within a couple of months she had landed a position as an entry-level networking engineer.

Four years have passed since Sheila went to work at Tom's startup company. Today, she is an IT manager and she loves her job. "The best thing about the work that I do," she says, smiling, "is that I finally have both the time and the money to enjoy my work in the arts. I'm so glad that my friend Tom got tired of my asking him all those technical questions!"

What is Information Technology (IT)?

As an IT professional, your main objective would be to design, manufacture, operate, service, or repair IT components or systems. You may specialize in hardware, software, telecommunications, databases, or networks. The rapid expansion of IT out of specialist computer companies and into unrelated business sectors has produced an enormous number of different roles.

These career clusters are: Computer & Information Systems Managers; Computer Programmers; Computer & Information Scientists, Computer Systems Analysts; Computer Hardware Engineers; Applications Software Engineers; Systems Software Engineers; Computer Support Specialists; Database Administrators; Network & Computer Systems Administrators; and Network Systems & Data Communications Analysts.

What Are Career Prospects Like With An Information Technology Degree?

The Information Technology Association of America notes that 92 percent of all information technology jobs are in non-information technology companies-80 percent of them in small companies outside the information technology industry. If consultancy does not appeal, you are more likely to find entry-level employment in virtually any company that uses IT.

Depending on the size of the company, you could be in charge of the whole information technology system or be responsible for a small part of it. Many companies specialize in offering IT services, so you may well find plenty of opportunity with one of these consultancies, especially if you enjoy constant variety and meeting new people.

According to the Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Fall 2002) the distribution of employees working in this field was as follows: associate degree 10%, bachelor's degree 48%, master's/higher 18% (24% had a lower level of education).

What Skills Do I Need For A College Degree Program In Information Technology?

Clearly, you will need to have a basic knowledge of computers and physics as a minimum or several years experience in the field. You will find a good level of mathematical ability essential. The nature of IT means that you will need close attention to detail, since the smallest error in your work can have serious consequences. You will find it helpful to be a problem solver and have a desire to complete and finish a task.

What Sort Of Training Will I Receive At College?

Information technology degrees vary widely between schools offering information technology programs and any concentrations you might be interested in following. The rapid advancement in IT research means that program content changes frequently to reflect these discoveries.

Typical courses of study may include the following: Internet, Web components, programming (C++, COBOL, Java, HTML, Visual Basic, VRML, windows routing and switching) system administration programming techniques, new media programming, Web development, digital media, operating systems, networks, data communications, databases, LAN, WAN, interface design, gaming, simulations, artificial intelligence, 2 and 3D graphics, wireless networks, digital audio, interactive media, testing, application programming, . and security. While this list is far from exhaustive, you can see the immense depth of knowledge required. These courses are usually combined with projects and tasks set by the tutor so you can get plenty of experience before starting your career.

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