The Myth and the Reality of Information Technology

There is lot of myth associated with Information Technology(IT). A newcomer gets intimidated with different aspects of IT. But there is some level of Myth associated to this information. This article will enlighten you with some of the Myth and the Reality of Information Technology.

MYTH 1:

A technical degree in Computer Science is required to join the IT workforce.

REALITY:

A Bachelors or a Masters degree can help you to a certain extent but it is not mandatory. Besides, you actually don’t need a Computer science degree.

All that matters is your interest and knowledge in your specific area. A college degree doesn’t give you any additional edge. Information technology is a fascinating area, it allows people from different educational backgrounds to participate and contribute. You can be from any background and still switch to computer science. In fact, coming from other educational traits will help as you have the knowledge of both the worlds.

You can hold a diploma, degree or can be self-taught, it does not make much difference.

Some of the most successful people who did not go to college but still achieved great success in the IT field are:

• Bill Gates, one of the wealthiest men in the world and founder of Microsoft dropped out of Harvard after completing just two years of college.
• Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple was a dropout of Reed College.
• Larry Elision, former CEO of Oracle. He is the co-founder of Oracle Corporation. He attended University of Illinois and University of Chicago but never graduated.
• Michael Dell, Founder of Dell Computers. He dropped out of University of Texas and started forming ideas that eventually became Dell.

MYTH 2:

Computer Science is difficult and boring.

REALITY:  

Anything is difficult or boring if you are new to it.

Computer science can be very interesting, just think whatever around you is designed by using computers and logic. Won’t you feel excited to be a part of it? Think of the possibility to be able to design or create something yourself. Imagine someone’s program is sending rockets to space, running huge credit transactions, protecting our country and even creating your favorites games.

MYTH 3:

Information technology keeps on changing, so you have to study for ever.

REALITY:

Learning never ends in life.

Do you notice how much cars have changed over time? Automobile companies release a new model every year with new features but we all learn them and get quickly adapted to it.

Similarly, in computers or Information technology, things change – new versions, new languages are created but the underlying principles remain the same. Only its application or implementation changes.

If you learn one language, you will be able to relate similar concepts in all the other languages or versions.

MYTH 4:

It takes a long time to be successful in IT.

REALITY:

You get daunted when you see an IT professional with 20 years of experience but you don’t see how and where he started.

It is true for any other profession too. A successful doctor, lawyer or even a movie actor becomes successful with experience. Even a skilled architect or an artist takes years to practice his skills before creating a masterpiece. They all have to keep upgrading themselves. But they all start somewhere.

Information technology is not different from other professions. You start low but over time you learn and gather knowledge.

MYTH 5:

It will take years to get a Computer education and it will cost thousands of dollars.

REALITY:

It is true that formal college degrees take years to complete but certificate courses from private technical colleges and institutes can equip you with computer knowledge in one fourth of the time and money.

These institutes will provide quick knowledge because they don’t have to go with pre-set schedules and can customize the courses according to the market requirements.

MYTH 6:

Information Technology requires knowledge of advanced Mathematics.

REALITY:

There are some disciplines of  IT , like, Data scientists or financial model developers  that may require advance Mathematics, but mostly to become successful in IT you just need basic Mathematics.

IT does involve interaction with numbers but you don’t have to write any complex calculations or formulas.

MYTH 7:

The IT job market is getting over-crowded and, in a few years, it will be saturated.

REALITY:

Due to the application in every business field, IT jobs will grow more in the coming years.

As the world around us is progressing , the need for additional workforce will increase manifold.

Information Technology is essential today and tomorrow.