Careers in hi-tech

Black Collegian, Feb 1998 by Douglass, Fredrick I

PURSUING HI-TECH CAREERS TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT MILLENNIUM

Computers creatively connect communities to new technology circuits: reaching beyond urban career boundaries.

"Computers have democratized technology," says Alexis M. Herman, the brilliant, beautiful and feisty lady President Bill Clinton appointed to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Labor. "Computers have leveled the playing field thereby providing African Americans and members of other minority groups with access to science-based careers that were previously the exclusive province of white males. New and better equipped technological warriors are emerging primarily from the nation's HBCUs to enter the battle for jobs as engineers, computer programmers / systems analysts, chemists, physicists, biologists and other hi- tech professions."

Students considering career choices should also consider the fact that there is also a business and management aspect to the burgeoning technology industry. Ralph Szygenda, chief information officer, General Motors, Corp., who was honored as CIO of the Year during November 1997, in Baltimore at the Maryland Technology Showcase, says that there are unlimited career opportunities for people who want to manage technology and become the entrepreneurs who capitalize on technological innovations. Szygenda, who is responsible for developing and implementing GM's global information technology strategy, asserts "there's ample room in this business for more people at all levels who do what I do. Presently, I manage the Information Systems and Services component. I am accountable for management of all information technology efforts within General Motors. Before joining GM, I was vice president and CIO at Bell Atlantic Corporation where my main initiatives involved reengineering corporate business processes and generating information technology to meet the evolving and growing demands of communication, information services and entertainment businesses."

Szygenda adds, "...the bottom line is that there are employment opportunities for those who are involved in all phases of technology, ranging from formulating new innovations to implementing and managing them."

Leslie EX Hearn, CIO of Maryland's Office of Information Management, states that technology is constantly spawning new career and entrepreneurial opportunities. "There are billions of technology dollars waiting for people with the business acumen to understand the financial implications of technological change. One of the major concerns of today is how to manage what will happen to the nation's computers with the advent of the new millennium. The rapidly approaching year 2000 crisis is at the top of all corporate and governmental agendas. The problem is that all software must be converted so that computers will recognize the year 2000. To save memory, early programmers used one digit date fields; therefore, current software will go from 1999 to 1900 instead of 2000. This is potentially catastrophic for business; but it has created business growth opportunities for developers of conversion software and management techniques to solve this technological problem."

What is technology

The International Technology Education Association (ITEA), Technology for All Americans Project, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, offers the following definition: "Technology is human innovation in action. This involves the generation of knowledge and processes to develop systems that solve problems and extend human capabilities."

Although this definition sounds very basic, it reflects the level that technological advances continue to affect daily life by constantly bringing down the costs of computers, cellular phones, compact disc players, the new digital video discs (dvd) and other gadgets. But the sobering fact is that while we are all surrounded by technology, we must move towards mastery of technology. A lack of computer knowledge cripples any career.

According to the Technology for All Americans Project, "Technology is a fundamental aspect of human activity. The acceleration of technological change is a constant in everyone's life today. The power and the promise of technology is based on the need for technological literacy-the ability to use, manage and understand technology. Technological literacy is considered to be critical to the success of people." Considering the fact that so many people are proficient with technological devices ranging from video games and cellular phones, the student seeking to be a hi-tech professional must attain considerable proficiency with the higher-end applications of computers and other technological devices.

Developing a Personal Hi-Tech Infrastcture of Skill to Succeed in Technology Industry

Begin by matching your major with skills and career goals; choose the right courses to succeed in your chosen field of endeavor. Consult your academic adviser.

Develop a wide array of computer related skills and knowledge including use of modems, Internet, intranet, desktop publishing, digital camera.