Tech Topic Connection

        The selection of IT careers is vast, and the possibilities are endless for those considering traveling down the IT path. One must first determine where in the IT process they want to land. A person may look into developing if they want to impact the beginning of the IT process; however, those wanting to ensure established networks are secure may look into security. Today’s computer careers have evolved tremendously since the early 1900s when computers derived from telephone switches. (Vahid & Lysecky, 2019). While living our lives today, it is almost hard to fathom that computing started in the 1700s. Many historical individuals had a massive impact on technology and set the groundwork for the technological evolution we are witnessing firsthand today.

 

      Joseph Marie Jacquard invented the Jacquard Loom in 1804. The device was vital in textile manufacturing, making the process more efficient and convenient. “The Jacquard Loom influenced modern programmable devices, such as the IBM digital compiler” (Vahid & Lysecky, 2019). Then there is Charles Babbage, who invented the machine to perform polynomial calculations. (Vahid & Lysecky, 2019). If we jump to the late 1800s, there was the punch card tabulating machine invented by Herman Hollerith. The punch card tabulating machine “was an electromechanical computer used to summarize data stored on punched cards” (Vahid & Lysecky, 2019). By the early 1900s, Hollerith’s company merged with a few other companies to form the International Business Machine Corporation, also known as IBM.

        Every career in IT today relies on efficient hardware and software performance within a network. One faulty element can result in a network performing poorly, making IT professionals unable to perform the tasks for their role. Depending on the role, the specifications for hardware will vary. Paying close attention to the amount of storage, RAM, CPU (central processing unit), or external storage devices can make or break a project's success or general workload. Destination hardware can also play a part in network delays. To find out how to determine if there are problems with traffic on its way to a destination, see my post titled Traveling Through a Network. Additionally, unless one is on the front end building code, software programs have code running in the background, which allows users to complete the tasks necessary for their roles.

        Salesforce is an excellent example of a platform allowing administrators to customize and manage data. The Salesforce platform provides the ability to “build, test, and execute rules within Salesforce with just a few clicks, while also taking advantage of templates to quickly launch application portals that automatically process applications against thousands of rules” (Bretches, 2022). Salesforce takes the burden of knowing complex code out of the equation, allowing administrators to focus on the stability and accuracy of data within the database.

         The evolution of technology now allows IT professionals to perform their roles on the go. It is not unusual to see individuals, laptops in hand, hurrying around the office. Laptop hard drives can only hold some information related to what IT professionals need to perform their duties effectively. Laptops connect to a secure server that holds the information needed by the employees within the company. A company’s network can be set up in many ways, depending on its size. The Network Architecture “is the way network services and devices are structured together to serve the connectivity needs of client devices and applications” (What Is Network Architecture? | VMware Glossary, 2022). IT professionals can access the network using a secure login, often assigned by the Network administrator. Network security measures such as passwords, firewalls, and encryption are put in place to keep data safe from falling into the wrong hands.

        As stated earlier, there are many different directions to take regarding a career in IT. The key is to research to find the path that best suits your needs and what you want to accomplish. I am still in the process of figuring out which direction I want to go. The rise in AI gives me pause as I often wonder which career is safe. As I am sure many others, I want a career that will thrive and grow. I am on a mission to figure out what career will best fit me as I continue on my journey toward a degree in IT.

References

Bretches, D. (2022, April 12). Salesforce Launches No-Code Tool to Help Automate Government Program Delivery. National Defense Transportation Association. https://www.ndtahq.com/salesforce-launches-no-code-tool-to-help-automate-government-program-delivery/NIST. (2015). phishing - Glossary | CSRC. Nist.gov. https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/phishing

Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2019). Computing technology for all. zyBooks.

What is Network Architecture? | VMware Glossary. (2022, March 11). VMware. https://www.vmware.com/topics/glossary/content/network-architecture.html#:~:text=Network%20Architecture%20is%20the%20way