Do you *actually* work in Information Technology?

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There's a common assumption among some folks (at least I think there is, based on my general read of the posts on this forum) that we all work in IT or at least we all aspire to do so as our ultimate goal. The question is, how do we define IT? I Googled "define: information technology" and came up with this result:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3A+information+technology&btnG=Google+Search

Based on a lot of those definition, I, as a technical writer, don't actually work in IT. I didn't imagine I did, realizing that I just document the process of those folks who do have an IT role of sorts (and I'm not sure software development fits all of the definitions listed), but I don't think that necessarily invalidates what I do. It's still a role that requires a certain technical knowledge but I rather think of myself as a bridge between the developers/product and the administrators/end users of the product. I have to have one foot in each world.

Taking a cold hard look at your job or at least the job you want to have, do you or will you work in IT?

 

I work with IT and I am expected to be able to resolve issues like having to carry out the failover procedure incase the 1st or main server goes down.

I am also expected to do thing such as remapp any drivers that have become dis connected from the network and carry out weekly backups of the various configurations we use.

But do I work in IT. No but I hope to.

On Saturday I assisted IT in their network migration project, my role was to test all of the systems in my department to check everything was working for the next week.

So that has made me want to get into IT even more.

 

Not sure where I'd fall these days. I no longer support users... but I offer IT training. Is that IT? I dunno. But ultimately, it doesn't matter, does it? If I decide to become a "real tech" again, I simply have to be able to convince my next employer that I am still able to do the job. Wouldn't be the first time I "got out" and "got back in"... it was just like I had never left. That certainly wouldn't have been the case if I hadn't been in IT training.

I still support a few clients on an hourly basis... but I don't think this alone would qualify me as "being in IT".

 

Yes i do and have done since the 70s

 

A lot of the definitions give a big nod towards software, computer science, processes, data handling, analysis and design, and engineering.

but yeah whatever, define it as what you like, if IT means changing the paper in the printer then put me in the engineering or science camp every time !

 

Well I lived and breathed I.T. - good english, from 8 today till 6. Now since I got home I am doing more fun fun

 

I disagree. If you're giving help to people have computer problems, then you're squarely in IT. Many, many, many IT jobs involve end-user support, which is quite similar to customer support.

 

In what aspect? People fighting with other people? Or people forgetting their password, or having trouble getting their spreadsheet to behave? The latter two are IT, regardless of whether users are having problems with their PCs or the PC itself is having problems.

It's not Computer Technology... it's Information Technology. Are you providing information regarding their technology? Of course you are.

 

Yep. To the Bawls!

 

A lot of the best computer engineers came from physics or electronics backrounds, they built the computers, the operating systems, created procedures, processes, designed the silicon chip, routers, TCP/IP, the mouse, the GUI, a lot of them were hackers in the purest sense.

Some of the first computer systems were for such diverse things as payroll, cracking codes, determining missile trajectory and accounting.

These people were still scientists and engineers, but they created the entire field, they didn't concern themselves with what was and wasn't IT, they just created stuff either because it was cool or because it solved a problem.

Without such people we couldn't have this conversation because IT wouldn't exist !

People who are really interested can study computer history, Charles Babbage, Alan Turning, Jon Von Neuman etc

You could also do a lot worse than reading Steven Levy's excellent book :-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackers:_Heroes_of_the_Computer_Revolution

 

Nah, I don't work in IT anymore.

 

A resounding yes.. my team supports both office-based and remote users on workstation, laptop and server platforms, providing network and telephone support.. software/hardware support, we write processes and design standard solutions, maintain stock control and asset management of the IT estate.. erm.. and a whole lot of other staff.. so far we've taken on the work of approx. 30 people since they've been moved on with more to follow.. joy!

 

I support 500 users (+-) out of 5 locations, 5 DC's and 2 Exchange servers.

But I DO NOT work in IT.....I tell everyone that I'm a trash collector. Those of you new to the IT world will learn that trick real quick.

 

Not sure I work in IT any more
I think TI (Technology Information) would be more appropriate

My role is to provide vendor agnostic advice to clients and assist (or do it all) solution architecture, project management, sometimes even implementation
but for the most part its information and architecture they want, show me how to do this best?, how can i get this done?, who's the best blade vendor this week?

My job is primarily research focused now, keeping up with the latest and greatest so I'm in a better position to advise clients, I've all to often heard the 'I'd love to do it all myself but I just don't know what's 'in' any more' as my clients most definitely DO work in IT, and as you all know that keeps them busy little bees

 

Ryan,

IT or TI, sounds good to me!

Now where's that Exchange book. :-D