So for this week,
taking a break from the Friedman’s the World
is Flat, I am going to give you a little background on the basics of an IT
Specialist’s job and a little exploration of the field. Most companies wouldn't
run smoothly without these tech-savvy employees up-keeping the system. With
excellent computer knowledge and troubleshooting skills, they help make a companies’
infrastructure and digital property functional. They are a principle keystone
in creating effectiveness and efficiency in a workplace.
An IT Specialist (Information Technology) has to have sufficient education and experience to be successful in problem solving tasks involving math, technology and networks. In certain cases, the network goes down, or the user is challenged with installing software or new technology is being implemented and may need help every step of the way. Many systems offer particular certification for their technology like for some, Windows, Cisco and Oracle. Most complete a Bachelor’s degree with typical majors such as: computer science, information science, mathematics, engineering, statistics or operations research (Education Portal). I was a little curious about some of these areas of study, so I researched a few in particular to get a better grasp on what background some of these IT Specialist might have. First one I was interested in was operations research. I didn't really have any guess as to what it would entail. I found that it falls under a sub-field of mathematics and statistics, using that to analyze population problems with scheduling and transportation for examples (bigfuture). They specialize with creating and perfecting life applicable problems and the logistics of it all. The major that I found most interesting was information science. “Information Science (IS) majors combine technical expertise in computer science with the social sciences to study how people and societies interact with information (Cornell.)” As computer science was mentioned in the definition, it seems that it more so specializes on the social standpoint, as the computer science major specifically pertains to the more creative side of programming and designing software. I could see this branch of study having a little more creativity, and seriously come in handy as an IT Specialist whether it’s network management or database programming.
I talked with my
Dad about his employment at the company, IM Flash Technologies (an Intel micron
venture) to get a little more insider information about this field. He gave me
a few pointers and had to explain a few technical terms. For one, the general
job description of any IT personnel is to be the behind the scenes crew of the
company or business’s production to ensure it runs smoothly since most are very
computer dependent. His job isn't exactly an IT specialist, but has worked IT
positions and some of his duties has similar relations. For one clarification he made, I asked what pertained to the phrase multiple programming language when researching IT requirements and job skills. He explained that it involves programming mainly, and is the different forms of base codes for pertaining intentions. A few to mention are Java, JavaScript, and HTML, as the last two mainly relate to Internet as in my reading about Netscape and the birth of the Internet. As a Dry Etch Equipment Technician, he monitors tool performance, schedules and perform preventative
maintenance on assigned tool sets, and troubleshoots and repairs equipment. He
mentioned how the IT’s do similar tasks, just with the networks and computers
within the facility, and he, the semiconductor equipment and machinery. In his
department, there are robotic networks and computers linked to all of the
technology. This position is just as crucial to a smooth running company as IT Technicians.
If something stops working within the manufacturing fabrication, that
particular unit is disrupted or halted. He is supposed to minimize tool downtime and
increase availability, particularity with systematic troubleshooting (imflash).
An obvious difference though between these two fields, is uniform. Dad mentions
that inside the fab is 100 times cleaner than a hospital. There can only be a
particular fraction of dust in the atmosphere. With this, they gown up in “bunny
suits” and goggles in the clean room and continue to keep sanitized inside the
fab where microchips are made.
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