[IT Filter] Does anyone know of a resource which gives a comprehensive analysis of the IT Industry and its various facets?

May 18, 2009 3:02 PM

[IT Filter] Does anyone know of a resource which gives a comprehensive analysis of the IT Industry and its various facets?

I have a BA degree and I am currently working in a Business/Operations Management role. I'm going to get into the IT Industry for many justifiable/good/rewarding reasons, but I need a better grasp on what is specifically out there in order to determine the ideal IT facet and role to target. Kudos if there's a resource that can also point me in the direction of practical/relevant certifications that will furnish the skill set to not only get the job, but excel in the position.

Thanks in advance for your time, effort, and goodwill!

posted by platosadvocate to technology (7 comments total)

IT is increasingly a part of nearly every other industry. I'm not really sure how any one document could comprehensively analyze the entire thing. Is there more of a specific part of the industry you'd like to join? I don't think most people who join IT for the sake of making money rather than because of inherent interest fit in very well in it

To me it's like asking "I'd like to become a professional artist. Can someone sum up the industry and suggest what I might focus on?"
posted by crayz at 3:15 PM on May 18

Go to the library and check out periodicals. There will be a reference librarian who will be delighted to help.
posted by theora55 at 3:40 PM on May 18

"I don't think most people who join IT for the sake of making money rather than because of inherent interest fit in very well in it."

You make a great point, and its more than welcome. I was trying to be brief in my question out of courtesy, but I assure you - my decision to pursue a career in IT is driven by all the right reasons. I love all aspects of tech, and I have a natural inclination toward problem-solving activities that rely heavily on critical thinking skills. I could expand further, but it will suffice to say that my decision is primarily driven by passion, and reinforced through a realistic, utilitarian approach. Your concern is valid, but unnecessary.

"Is there more of a specific part of the industry you'd like to join?"

This is kind of what I'm trying to determine by using the resources that our AskMeFi community will (hopefully) suggest. From what I've read, I think a security role would be enjoyable and fulfilling - but the primary endeavor here is to discover what all the options are before I choose a path. I'd rather not find out later that I really should have pursued a different, more compatible/fulfilling course.

Thanks again for everything!
posted by platosadvocate at 3:41 PM on May 18

Your question IS pretty daunting in scope. The only thing I can recommend is that you read recent issues of tech trade publications to get both a general sense of and specific info about the current state of the industry. It will give you some idea of current trends, which companies you should be looking at, which sorts of IT roles are expanding, which ones are obsolete, what acronyms you should know so you don't look stupid in an interview, etc. Some examples of solid tech trade pubs include:

InfoWorld
eWeek
InformationWeek
Computerworld

(creative names, I know)
posted by EnormousTalkingOnion at 4:17 PM on May 18

Gartner does a ton of IT analysis. Forrester Research, also. And Cutter Consortium.

They are mostly pay per article or pay for subscription but they have a lot of free articles too.
posted by txvtchick at 4:23 PM on May 18

Also you didn't ask but in my opinion, a business ops background is a very helpful background for IT. If you are interviewing up the chain and speaking to people NOT in IT, they would probably view that more favorably than they would someone who has spent their whole career in IT (assuming you have the other skills lined up). Mind of the customer and all that.

Good luck!
posted by txvtchick at 4:28 PM on May 18

Security isn't something one easily breaks into. It requires a deep knowledge of computer implementation, software lifecycles and mathematics. I would assume from the username your BA is in philosophy, which may help prepare you some in the ways of formal logic and math.

If you really want to know what sort of roles an organization builds in IT, hunt down an organization chart. You can cross reference that with one of the many employment surveys by position. One example from the BLS. Keep in mind that sometimes surveys don't match reality, or try to construct a single job description when has somewhat different duties.
posted by pwnguin at 5:34 PM on May 18