Answer the questions about the text.

1. Why is the IT profession respected globally? What spheres are more likely to need IT professionals?

2. What are IT specialists usually responsible for?

3. What opportunities does IT field have in store for an individual?

4. How could one make a firm foundation in IT career?

5. What should one do to stay on in the main stream in IT sphere?

6. What characteristics should an IT professional possess?

 

Vocabulary

Find the words or expressions in the text that mean the following.

	bring (something) into existence; invent or design
	situated or moving beyond the confines or boundaries of; outdoors
	need for a particular purpose;, be in need of; demand
	explain the meaning of (information or actions); decipher, decode
	show or offer (something) for others to scrutinize or consider
	the overall structure within which a user, computer, or program operates; the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates
	an insistent question or query
	not able to be predicted; changeable

Discussion

Which of the following claims do you agree/disagree with? Give your reasons.

– The world cannot do without IT.

– You don’t need to have a university degree to become a successful individual; it’s just a lucky strike.

– The knowledge you learn at the university is a good start up in an IT career.

– Excellent problem solving skills are enough to cultivate the right self-image in the company you work for.

– Teamwork results depend on the qualities of each of its members.

Text C: How do You Fit in the IT Field?

Pre-reading

13. Match up the words with their corresponding definitions.

	determine	a	feeling fear or anxiety; frightened
	provide	b	cause (something) to occur in a particular way or to have a particular nature
	value	c	the quality or state of being different or diverse; the absence of uniformity or monotony
	quality	d	a settled way of thinking or feeling about something
	attitude	e	desire and determination to achieve success
	ambition	f	the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind
	be afraid of	g	the importance, worth, or usefulness of something; the regard that something is held to deserve
	appropriate	h	equip or supply someone with (something useful or necessary)
	variety	i	suitable or proper in the circumstances

Reading

Find the sentences with the following words/phrases in the text below; read and translate them. Get prepared to discuss the questions after the text.

attitudes, are you good at, providing,value,variety,quality,appropriate, are you afraid of, ambitions, determining

Is database admin better than programming? Or is programming better than database admin? Give me a break! Get your career on the right track by focusing on issues that matter. No area is best.

The IT space is vast, and self-awareness is a key to knowing which area is appropriate for you. First and foremost, you must answer the “Who Am I” question. Understand yourself. Sincere self-evaluation is a necessity for quality career management. Knowing who you are helps you in determining what you want and don't want in a career, and in providing career direction.

What interests you: ideas, people, or things? Are you more of an “I” or a “WE” person? How do you like to work with data, people and things? What are your likes and dislikes? What do you want? What are you good at? What are you afraid of?What do you need, and what makes you happy? What gives you meaning and satisfaction? What is your fundamental driving force? What's most important to you? What are your abilities, skills, values, hopes, personality, qualities, strengths, weaknesses, attitudes and ambitions? For example, can you work at unusual hours? How do you handle stress – “putting out fires” – and solving problems?

We live in the world of constant change. How comfortable are you with the “beast called lifelong learning”? In IT learning never stops. What is your learning style? How do you learn (thinking and understanding) best? What works for you in terms of seeing, hearing, and doing?

You must do your research and ask around about career opportunities, but the value of your research is dependent on the quality of your self-knowledge. Self-awareness is a combination of past experiences, current thoughts and future ambition. What do you do to make inferences of your past – your memories, experiences, failures, achievements, qualifications, growth?

The people factor is also important. Who are you when it comes to relating to people?

Certifications and IT career opportunities exist in a wide variety of fields including: Engineering, Networking, Programming, Database Administration, Web Development and Research. Each of these fields has unique requirements. The question is: where are you and where are you going? Don't jump on the bandwagon, but instead look for how your interests and strengths fit in. What are your IT capabilities? What is the level of your IT know-how?

Comprehension

15. Answer the questions about yourself in IT sphere, you may use the expressions and words from the previous exercises.

Vocabulary

Find out the meaning of the following expressions; find the sentences with them in the text read and translate these sentences.

1) Give me a break! 2) Get your career on the right track 3) to make inferences 4) self-awareness

5) put out fires 6) the ” beast called lifelong learning” 7) what works for you 8) jump on the bandwagon

Writing

17. Write a short summary of your opinion concerning your vocational fitness, i.e. How do you fit in the IT field?

Text D: Possible Careers in IT

 

Reading

18. Look through the articles; choose the one that fits your choice best and prepare a presentation about your future profession. It should include the following items:

 

A.Information technology in today’s society

b. Requirements for it specialists

c. How you fit in the IT field

D. The way you see your future profession

 

Information Technology (IT) is a broad term that includes all aspects of managing and processing information and related technologies. IT is a field which is comparatively young in comparison with other fields. The professionals of this field are young and enthusiastic and dynamic.

IT has basically two potential zones to work upon. They are the hardware and the software. Hardware includes the maintenance aspects of physical components of computers. Software on the other hand is designing programs in the way of step by step instructions which help companies and other organizations recruiting and dealing with large number of people. While choosing a computer engineer’s position one should focus on job descriptions rather than job titles. Most probable career paths options in software are presented below:

A Computer Engineer Career

A computer engineer's job is different from that of a computer hardware engineer. Hardware experts design the actual computers. A computer software engineer develops tests and evaluates software to make computers operational. Computer engineers may also be responsible for constructing and managing an organization's computer system. Most computer engineers work as part of a tech team in an office or laboratory environment. Computer engineers design and develop a wide range of software including business applications, network control systems, operating systems, middle-ware and games. Computer engineers start by analyzing user needs. Then engineers develop, design and test software to meet those needs. The process involves detailed flowcharts, diagrams, documents and instructions referred to as algorithms. Conversion of algorithms is typically done by computer programmers.

Computer engineers are divided into two categories. Computer applications software engineers analyze users' needs to design applications software or specialized utility programs. Computer systems software engineers coordinate construction of an organization's computer systems and handle maintenance and expansion.

Computer applications software engineers work with various programming languages based on the purpose of the program and where it runs. Some engineers develop package computer applications while others develop completely customized applications for specific organizations and even develop databases.

Marketing, sales, technical resources, logistical and technical support are all possible career options for computer systems software engineers. Quite a number of systems software engineers work for companies that create and install the computer systems for other businesses and organizations.

After computer engineers and system analysts design software programs, computer programmers write them. Programmers also work on updating, modifying, expanding and repairing existing programs. Often programmers work closely with computer engineers to boost productivity through enhanced technology.

Most computer engineer jobs require a bachelor's degree. For some positions, a master's degree is preferred. College majors for computer engineers include computer science, mathematics, software engineering, computer information systems. Employers prefer to hire computer engineers who are familiar with the latest technology.

Computer engineers must have certain skills to be employable. Computer engineers need strong analytical skills and the ability to remain focused on multiple tasks at once. Many computer engineers work with clients and must express complex ideas in simple terms. Creativity and ingenuity are important skills for computer engineers designing new software programs. Computer engineers should work well with technical analysis and abstract concepts. Business skills make it possible for computer engineers to advance to management positions.

A Systems Analyst

A systems analyst uses computers and related systems to design new IT solutions, modify, enhance or adapt existing systems and integrate new features or improvements, all with the aim of improving business efficiency and productivity. They must possess a high level of technical expertise and clear insights into current business practices.

They examine existing IT systems and business models; analyze systems requirements; undertake product development; implement, configure and test feasible solutions.

The analyst acts as liaison between the client and the developers. They conduct a cost analysis and agree the timeframe to implement the proposed solution. They specify and shape the system requirements and operations, the user interface and output and present the proposal to the client. They work closely with the client team, including commercial managers and software developers, during both the report and implementation phase.

It is vital to look closely at job descriptions rather than job titles e.g. analysts may be known as systems or business analysts and the trend is currently towards including the term 'solutions' in the job title.