IT – a 21 st Century Profession

Presentation to insert name here 2 The IT Profession Early 19th Century A man working on the computation of data was called a "computer“ Beginning of the 20th Century 1930s and 1940s "a computer" still meant a person doing calculations. End of the 20th Century Information technology is critical to economies around the world and underpin just about everything we take for granted especially in the developed world. The IT practitioner is the secret to the smooth running of today’s information society.

Presentation to insert name here 3 The IT Profession Past Technical solution provider Present IT (Information and Technology) doesn’t just support business it powers business FutureA business focussed profession, with a base of both technical and business competencies; a transformation partner with business

Presentation to insert name here 4 A Maturity Model for a Profession Public Statutory Governed Qualified Organized Established Levels Developing Levels IT Derived from the Carnegie Mellon University Capability Maturity Model®

Presentation to insert name here 5 Why is it important for the IT profession IT at biology’s frontiers In less than 10 years IT has gone from being a valuable tool for life sciences to being at the heart of some of the most important research projects ever undertaken. Mining data from the human genome requires massive computing power Chemical equivalent of the genome project is producing another data mountain Go green with software Organisations are looking to software to help them meet their environmental commitments IT helps restore Lehman UK If separating the IT systems is successful, Nomura will be able to run Lehman Brothers UK as a standalone entity at a significantly lower cost than when it was Lehman Brothers’ UK entity Computers to harness speed of light Scientists aim to speed information processing by using light waves Future optical computers will provide more processing power and higher speed Headlines from Computer Weekly September 2009

Presentation to insert name here 6 Scope of the IT Profession

Presentation to insert name here 7 Transformational Change Failure Danger: A project based on business outcomes or for the sake of it (IT)?

Presentation to insert name here 8 Technology at the heart of business WH Smiths, Amazon and the incredible shrinking market share.. VISA, Mastercard and no other relevant threats.. Groceries, knowing your customer and real time delivery.. Collaborative working and booze, or how to get ahead in Columbia..

Presentation to insert name here 9 The IT profession HRMarketingFinance + IT

Presentation to insert name here 10 The challenge for IT professionals The challenge is to: Maximise the dividends of successful IT enabled innovation Exploit the potential of the technology to increase the ability to compete and meet customer expectations Use the power of the technology to help drive business growth

Presentation to insert name here 11 What does Professionalism look like? Member of a professional body Signed up to a code of conduct Committed to continuous professional development Qualified Demonstrates trusted competence

Student Presentation 2009/10 12 What is a professional body? A professional body is defined as a non-profit organisation seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest. As the professional body develops, so does its range of functions: To establish a Code of Conduct To share knowledge of new developments and good practice To set standards of education, skills and experience To advise government

Student Presentation 2009/10 13 About BCS? The UK’s leading professional body for those working in IT & communications The only awarding body for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status A route to Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) Formed in 1957 and received its Royal Charter in 1984 BCS is the Chartered Institute for IT and an international awarding body for qualifications We have nearly 70,000 members in more that 100 countries BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, promotes wider social and economic progress through the advancement of information technology science and practice.

Student Presentation 2009/10 14 BCS The Chartered Institute for IT BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, promotes wider social and economic progress through the advancement of information technology, science and practice. In 2009 BCS underwent a transformation. Changes include: – A modern new corporate identity, –Internal restructuring, and an overhaul of BCS Qualifications and Chartered IT Professional status. We serve over 70,000 members worldwide

Student Presentation 2009/10 15 Mission & Vision Mission Our mission is to enable the information society by promoting change and wider social and economic progress. Vision Our vision is to be a world-class organisation for IT. We also need to ensure that we, as an organisation, are adapting to that world and can continue to grow our impact and influence in the decades ahead.

Student Presentation 2009/10 16 Benefits of membership The importance and benefits of joining the Institute: Membership is widely recognised and respected. Sets you apart form other IT practitioners. Shows that you are keen to contribute both to the development of your own career and to that of the IT profession Demonstrates that you are a committed professional on whose expertise and competence people can count A quote from one of ours student members sums up what membership means to them: “Technology is changing at an ever increasing pace, and it's in your interest to make sure that you are up to date. My BCS membership helps with just that.” Jocelyn Deborne

Student Presentation 2009/10 17 Benefits of membership Open to those following an approved course of study leading to a qualification Recognised for admission to Associate or Professional membership of BCS. We keep you up-to-date with on-line newsletters, detailed reports, journals and books, our online library provides an invaluable resource Access to Sun Microsystems Learning Any student who passes a BCS accredited degree is eligible for MBCS on gradation. Career development Free access to SFIAplus the UK’s recognised framework for IT knowledge, skills and training BCSrecruit.com – the jobsite for IT professionals

Student Presentation 2009/10 18 Networking BCS has over 40 UK branches, 45 specialist groups and 15 international sections. BCS also has a Young Professionals Group (YPG). The Member Network is a chance for you to interact with other members, create groups, promote your blogs and Twitter feeds and contribute questions or answers to the new Ask an Expert function

Student Presentation 2009/10 19 Membership categories Ordinary Grades: Student membership - the grade for those on a course of IT related study Associate membership (AMBCS) - a first step to Professional membership Professional Grades: Professional membership (MBCS) - requires 5 or more years’ experience dependent on qualifications Fellowship - our most senior grade for IT professionals Chartered Status: Chartered IT Professional status (CITP) - The benchmark of IT Excellence. As the Chartered Institute for IT, only BCS can award Chartered status. Other registrations: Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci)

Presentation to insert name here 20 Set Yourself Apart For students, acquiring a recognised qualification is a means of demonstrating a commitment to professional development. Any student who passes a BCS accredited degree is eligible for MBCS on gradation, making them exempt form the usual required 3-5 years work experience. Students are entitled to a 50% discount, for the first year of membership. On the day of graduation we can arrange for a presentation of MBCS certificates Continuous support Employers are increasingly looking for proof of professionalism. BCS membership can help you to stand out from the crowd. BCS is committed to making IT the leading profession of the 21st Century. We are also dedicated to providing cutting edge services for members that are relevant at every stage of their career. © 2007 The British Computer Society

Presentation to insert name here 21 Set Yourself Apart The importance and benefits of joining the Society Membership sets individuals apart from other IT practitioners giving industry recognition of skills and experience. Membership gives you: oProfessional recognition with industry leading post nominal letters MBCS & CITP oA huge online IT and communications library oBCSrecruit.com jobsite and career services oNational & international networking oJoining BCS is the pathway to Chartered IT Professional status (CITP) and other Chartered registrations (CEng/IEng and CSci) oMembership demonstrates that you are a committed professional on whose expertise and competence people can count

Presentation to insert name here 22 Which Chartered Status? CSci for those who advance knowledge and understanding of computer science CEng for those who apply IT to the /IEng solution of engineering problems CITP for those who exploit IT to deliver business advantage

Presentation to insert name here 23 Skills Framework for the Information Age

Presentation to insert name here 24 Outcomes Improvements in: Exploitation of I and T Reliability of project and programme delivery Reliability of critical systems Enterprise security & governance Returns on investment © 2007 The British Computer Society

Presentation to insert name here 25 The IT Profession IT (Information and Technology) doesn’t just support business it powers business. Success is measured by business outcomes and IT practitioners are the secret to the smooth running of today’s information society © 2007 The British Computer Society

IT – a 21 st Century Profession More info can be found on: – Main BCS website – YPG website