Careers in IT - Information Technology Diversity Part 1: Systems Category

By Lt. Col. Paul Capicik (USAF Ret), October 5, 2009

As a service member who developed a rewarding career in the IT arena after leaving the military, I want to provide a brief overview of the incredible diversity of career options available to those of you interested in getting into the field of Information Technology. Very briefly, I was a CIO and IT department manager for a medium size enterprise that included a national headquarters, 1500+ nationwide offices, 60,000+ members, and the nation's largest fleet of single engine piston aircraft (550+).

The scope of the organization's Information Technology program touched in-house business and mission processes as well as interfacing with civilian and government organizations on the national, state, and local level. It included equipment management and application interaction among ground, aircraft, and satellite resources. And even with this wide a scale of involvement in so many aspects of the operation, our role touched on only a limited number of applications from the vast opportunities available in such a diverse field as Information Technology.

Due to the wide array of possibilities open to an Information Technology professional, it might be difficult for you to determine which degree program you want to pursue. In an effort to make things a little simpler, we can break down the field into two main areas of specialization - Systems (the physical tools, instruments, and hardware that makes it all work), and Process Applications (the software programs that perform required IT tasks and run on the aforementioned systems). This first article will cover the Systems category, while my next article, Part 2, will focus on Process Application Development.

Systems Category

Information Technology practitioners working in the Systems side of the field typically deal with the actual computers, networks, security systems, and the required support networks used to run the business process applications. Systems workers also provide the means of connectivity among both local and geographically disparate parts of an IT system, handling local and worldwide information sharing, system resources, and interfaces. Some examples of specialized tasks from the Systems field include:

• Purchasing, setting up, and maintaining computers (including end user support)
• Designing, installing, and maintaining networks
• Database administration
• Developing, deploying, and monitoring system security

Most military members serving in Information Technology roles play some part in one or more of the above tasks. And anyone who's been deployed to a new location knows both the importance and urgency placed on completing these tasks efficiently and effectively. Depending on the size - and budget - for the system in question, IT workers can find themselves working on all of these functions at once, or focusing on a specific role like monitoring and interpreting security logs to prevent or stop hacking attempts. On the Systems side of the Information Technology arena, there are occasional requirements for coding and programming, though those functions are typically not the primary task at hand.

Be sure to stay tuned for part 2 of this article, where I will explore the Process Application Development category of IT. Also watch out for future updates from both myself and other experts in the Information Technology field. We'll be providing a wealth of information on specific issues and general considerations alike. Be sure to help out fellow service members by inviting them to participate in our forum either as a contributor, or another interested reader, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience. We'd love to hear from you! 

Careers in IT - Information Technology Diversity Part 2: Application Development Category

With the wide array of possible career paths within the field of Information Technology, it can often be difficult to determine the correct one for you, given your unique interests and career goals. In my last article, part one of this two-part series, I covered the Systems category of Information Technology including who would be best fit to pursue a career in that field and what type of education would best prepare that individual for a successful career. In part two of the series, I will cover the Application Development category of IT.

Application Development Category

People often assume that individuals working in Application Development Information Technology careers are simply programmers or coders, but there is far more to the field than that. IT offers companies the opportunity to increase efficiency across the board, saving time, manpower and money, while increasing customer satisfaction rates at the same time. Typically, automating business and mission processes is the best way to accomplish these types of effectiveness and efficiency improvements, with some examples of specializations in this area including:

• Determining which business processes can be improved with automation
• Conducting process reengineering to gain maximum benefits from IT capabilities
• Application and database development (programming/coding)
• Testing applications and training end users
• Maintaining and upgrading applications

While some application development is done by military members, much of this is outsourced to civilian contractors. But again, as with the Systems career path of Information Technology, depending on the size and needs of the organization you work for, you could find yourself working on all of these tasks at the same time.

College courses and degree programs provide the "foundation" necessary for developing the abilities needed to pursue (and succeed!) in a specialized Information Technology career. Certifications are also an option as a sort of "quick fix," normally used to quickly get you up-to-speed in a particular specialization.

This article just skims the surface of all the exciting opportunities available to those interested in pursuing a career in Information Technology. But it should be a useful place to start for those of you looking for information regarding how to choose a degree program. And remember, if you're on active duty in the military, you know you're going to need a degree for promotion at some point - so you might as well start right away! And even if you do intend on leaving the service, your future employers are going to evaluate your capabilities based on your education level by examining both your degree(s) and your certifications.

Keep in mind - other individuals competing for the same IT positions as yourself are aware of this necessity, so you should do everything you can to set yourself apart from "just another Information Technology technician" by getting that degree or an additional certification. It can't hurt!

Talk to an education counselors about the opportunity of enrolling in an online programs, giving you the flexibility, and the expertise, that you need to succeed in your IT career. And ask us about your TA, Montgomery GI Bill (Chap 30), and even the new Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chap 33) benefits- while they're still available. Reduced military tuition rates and military scholarships help extend those benefits even further, minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses, so why wait?