Your Future and Information Technology Chapter 15 Your Future and Information Technology

Competencies (Page 1 of 2) Explain why it is important to have an individual strategy to be a "winner" in the information age Describe how technology is changing the nature of competition Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Competencies (Page 2 of 2) Discuss four ways people react to new technology Describe how you can stay current with your career Describe different careers in information technology Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction This final chapter is not about the far future, it’s about today and the near future. It’s about how organizations adapt to technological change as well as it’s about you as an individual and what you can do to keep your computer competency up to date. Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Changing Times Automated tellers Internet banks 15-5 Important in today’s economy to be adaptable. Technology is changing rapidly… so the more flexible a company and its workers, the more it is apt to survive and succeed. Important to understand that jobs aren’t going away – they are changing. People and businesses need to change with the technology – or at least be willing to attempt the changes. As one opportunity is “replaced” with technology, another opportunity is created. Take advantage of it. Key to success is how to integrate technology with people! If you can do this, you will succeed! Automated tellers Internet banks Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technology and Organizations New products New enterprises New customer and supplier relationships Technology creates new products that operate faster, are priced cheaper, often better quality, and sometimes even totally new; can be individually tailored to a particular customer’s needs Read all you can to become familiar with changes, and upgrade your skills New businesses are appearing – try to anticipate changes two years down the road so that you can prepare now and be ready when the technology and the businesses arrive. Those who foresaw the increase in networking and the Internet and started preparing were there when the technology was. Will you be ready? Companies who adapt to changes and who even create their own technology will be able to keep their customers longer and keep them satisfied Look into Federal Express and what it is doing to keep up with technology and keep customers satisfied Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technology and People Cynicism Naiveté Frustration Proactivity People react differently to technology – whether new or continuing. Many people still believe that learning how to use the computer and the technology takes too much time. This may be true to start with. Remember when some of us used to use typewriters? We found working on the computer frustrating at first and thought we could do it much faster the “old” way. Now how many of us use the typewriter? Many students have no concept of how to use a typewriter!!! Other people believe that the computer should be able to solve ALL the problems. What’s wrong with the computer? How come it can’t find my balance? Why am I not “in the system” yet? I though computers were the answer to all. Still others get easily frustrated with computers. Perhaps it doesn’t respond “fast enough.” Some “refuse” to read the manual or to try something. They want to ask before they try or they want someone else to do it for them or show them. Many feel “stupid” because everyone else knows how to use the computer. And there are a large number of people who are proactive – they look at technology and see a way to learn something new; they view the technology as a new tool that will positively impact their lives and activities. Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

How You Can Be a Winner Stay current Maintain computer competency Develop professional contacts Develop specialties Be alert for organizational change Look for innovative opportunities To avoid getting left behind, important to realize that life is now becoming a continual learning experience. Many students think “Once I get my degree, I’ll be set.” Important to realize that your education will not stop after high school, your degree from a two-year college, or even your degree(s) from the four-year universities. Technology is continually changing, and we need to change with it or we will get left behind! Sometimes these changes seem to be ruling our lives rather than our controlling our own futures. Read trade publications; go on line to find out the latest; stay in touch with people in your industry to find out what they know, how they are coping, and what they are doing to stay up to date. Important to develop skills in particular areas – but don’t limit yourself. Those who limit themselves to just Web development or just networking or just programming a particular language may find themselves struggling with the future. Overlap – don’t spread yourself thin, but know enough to be able to jump from one area to another within a specific area. If you’re interested in programming, learn two or three that are related. Know what is coming down the pike so that you can easily fit into the next generation. Web development and networking can work together… remember that the Internet (and the Web) is just a great big network. Knowing how one works will help you understand how the other works. Specialize in one, but learn to translate that into understanding the other. Look for opportunities to improve yourself and to advance yourself. Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Careers in IT Computer support specialist Computer technician 15-9 Careers in IT Computer support specialist Computer technician Computer trainer Cryptographer Database administrator Data entry worker Desktop publisher Information systems manager Network administrator Programmer Software engineer Systems analyst Technical writer Webmaster Discuss some of the above positions Ask the students what skills are needed for these positions Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

A Look to the Future Be Proactive 15-10 A Look to the Future Be Proactive Concentrate on goals Use computers to your advantage Gain control over technology Keep an eye on the future and move toward success This is not the end, it is the beginning Basically, read, read, read. Learn as much as you can in areas you like Pick up books and attend seminars. Make yourself available to change, relocate, or adjust your skills Talking with others in the industry and networking for opportunities and careers can help you with your goals Always move toward success Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Discussion Questions (Page 1 of 2) Why is strategy important to individual success in the information age? What is your strategy? Describe how technology changes the nature of competition. How can your computer competencies and knowledge help you get ahead in today’s market? Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Discussion Questions (Page 2 of 2) What does proactive mean? What is a proactive computer user? What advantages does this type of user have over the other types? Discuss several different careers in information technology. Which are of interest to you? Have students turn to the end of Chapter 15 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.