With the ever-increasing use of technology in residences and companies, it’s important to keep it all running smoothly and up-to-date. With a qualification in Information Technology, you can be a part of the technological age.
If you haven’t noticed the increase of people glued to their cellphones, laptops and tablets – you might be living in your own little bubble and I envy you slightly. Technology is the present and the future – present day technology is amazing and pretty much every organisation and person thrives off it. In the future – we’ll probably see robots walking around and artificial intelligence helping run organisations.
Jup, it’s a little scary. But so exciting. Technology is the future. It’s here and it will continue improving and infiltrating every part of our lives.
Now that we understand why technology is so important, we can get into what exactly it is.
Tech Professions Explained
You may have heard some of the following qualifications and phrases used in the media: computer science, information systems, information technology, web development, software development… and the list goes on. Some people assume these are the same and lead to the same jobs. While they can lead to the same jobs, they’re quite different when it comes to course content.
Information Technology (IT) focuses on interacting directly with technology and can include the installing, using, maintaining and fixing hardware and software. Those who are qualified in IT will be able to fix your computer, trouble shoot problems, help you choose and install the best software for your personal or business life. Software development, web development and information systems (and all of the other names given to these people) are the guys who actually create the software. They design and create programs, websites, servers, apps, you name it. They use technological languages like CSS, Python, Java and PHP. These people create things like Facebook, the Uber app, Sage Pastel, BitCoin and so much more. Without them, we’d basically be cavemen. (They’re also known as devs, programmers or coders.)
Information Systems, on the other hand, are those who bridge the gaps between IT and business. You may be familiar with the terms Business Analyst and IT Consultant. They inform and analyse business systems and recommend IT solutions for business problems.
Without IT specialists, the world would be in chaos.
Which one is best for you?
Information Technology is definitely more hands-on and practical. It requires a lot of problem-solving, on-the-spot thinking and getting into weird places for the sake of fixing something.
Whereas Information Systems is for the more business-minded individual who is a holistic thinker and can visualize and provide processes and systems to make business more efficient and effective.
If you aren’t sure which one to pursue, there are some qualifications which will train you up to be competent in both sectors.
Grind Time, Study Time
When it comes to choosing a place to study, you need to make sure they have a reputable name in an industry and are accredited. Don’t worry – we did this for you.
The IIE offers various qualifications in Information and communications technology at Rosebank College. From higher certificates to diplomas and degrees, you can pick your poison.
This will qualify you in technical assistance and computer related support. The course will offer you the basics of Information Technology type work and web development. It’ll give you the basic skills needed to get an entry level job in either of the two sectors.
This course will equip you with business related skills as well as programming. Your main focus will be programming in the business world and you would be able to get a job as a Junior Software Developer, Mobile app developer, Web Developer or Computer Systems Analyst.
This would be the typical IS qualification. You will learn how to install, maintain, build and fix hardware and software as well as have extensive knowledge of business systems and advanced IT management. You’ll be able to work in various industries as the go-to guy of all technology related problems. They’ll also equip you with the skills needed to manage your own team – winning!
A network is a system that connects all of the different servers and computers together in an organization. Once qualified, you will be equipped to manage, maintain and fix these networks to make sure all is running smoothly and communication within the company is uninterrupted.
With this qualification, you will be an Information Systems specialist who is skilled in business analysis. Get ready to have the skills needed to consult and recommend IT system solutions to businesses in order to make them more efficient and effective. You will be able to offer IT solutions based on your business and IT knowledge.
And the best news?! If you don’t qualify for The IIE’s bachelors degree or you aren’t convinced the degree is what you would like to do, you can study one of The IIE diplomas or a higher certificate and then pursue a bachelor’s degree to further enhance your career possibilities. That’s what we love to hear!
FundiConnect 2cents
Technology is the future. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it a few more times. IT professionals are needed in South Africa and around the world. There simply aren’t enough of them to meet every single company’s requirements. This is a really great career to get into. Give it some serious consideration and if it’s something you want to do, get your studies going with Rosebank College, a brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE).
