1. Your Future and Information Technology
Chapter 15
Your Future and Information Technology

2. Competencies (Page 1 of 2)
Explain why it is important to have an individual strategy to be a "winner" in the information age
Describe how technology is changing the nature of competition
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Competencies (Page 2 of 2)
Discuss four ways people react to new technology
Describe how you can stay current with your career
Describe different careers in information technology
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Introduction
This final chapter is not about the far future, it’s about today and the near future. It’s about how organizations adapt to technological change as well as it’s about you as an individual and what you can do to keep your computer competency up to date.
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. Changing Times Automated tellers Internet banks 15-5
Important in today’s economy to be adaptable. Technology is changing rapidly… so the more flexible a company and its workers, the more it is apt to survive and succeed.
Important to understand that jobs aren’t going away – they are changing. People and businesses need to change with the technology – or at least be willing to attempt the changes. As one opportunity is “replaced” with technology, another opportunity is created. Take advantage of it.
Key to success is how to integrate technology with people! If you can do this, you will succeed!
Automated tellers
Internet banks
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Technology and Organizations
New products
New enterprises
New customer and supplier relationships
Technology creates new products that operate faster, are priced cheaper, often better quality, and sometimes even totally new; can be individually tailored to a particular customer’s needs
Read all you can to become familiar with changes, and upgrade your skills
New businesses are appearing – try to anticipate changes two years down the road so that you can prepare now and be ready when the technology and the businesses arrive. Those who foresaw the increase in networking and the Internet and started preparing were there when the technology was. Will you be ready?
Companies who adapt to changes and who even create their own technology will be able to keep their customers longer and keep them satisfied
Look into Federal Express and what it is doing to keep up with technology and keep customers satisfied
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Technology and People Cynicism Naiveté Frustration Proactivity
People react differently to technology – whether new or continuing.
Many people still believe that learning how to use the computer and the technology takes too much time. This may be true to start with. Remember when some of us used to use typewriters? We found working on the computer frustrating at first and thought we could do it much faster the “old” way. Now how many of us use the typewriter? Many students have no concept of how to use a typewriter!!!
Other people believe that the computer should be able to solve ALL the problems. What’s wrong with the computer? How come it can’t find my balance? Why am I not “in the system” yet? I though computers were the answer to all.
Still others get easily frustrated with computers. Perhaps it doesn’t respond “fast enough.” Some “refuse” to read the manual or to try something. They want to ask before they try or they want someone else to do it for them or show them. Many feel “stupid” because everyone else knows how to use the computer.
And there are a large number of people who are proactive – they look at technology and see a way to learn something new; they view the technology as a new tool that will positively impact their lives and activities.
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. How You Can Be a Winner Stay current Maintain computer competency
Develop professional contacts
Develop specialties
Be alert for organizational change
Look for innovative opportunities
To avoid getting left behind, important to realize that life is now becoming a continual learning experience. Many students think “Once I get my degree, I’ll be set.” Important to realize that your education will not stop after high school, your degree from a two-year college, or even your degree(s) from the four-year universities.
Technology is continually changing, and we need to change with it or we will get left behind! Sometimes these changes seem to be ruling our lives rather than our controlling our own futures.
Read trade publications; go on line to find out the latest; stay in touch with people in your industry to find out what they know, how they are coping, and what they are doing to stay up to date.
Important to develop skills in particular areas – but don’t limit yourself. Those who limit themselves to just Web development or just networking or just programming a particular language may find themselves struggling with the future. Overlap – don’t spread yourself thin, but know enough to be able to jump from one area to another within a specific area. If you’re interested in programming, learn two or three that are related. Know what is coming down the pike so that you can easily fit into the next generation.
Web development and networking can work together… remember that the Internet (and the Web) is just a great big network. Knowing how one works will help you understand how the other works. Specialize in one, but learn to translate that into understanding the other.
Look for opportunities to improve yourself and to advance yourself.
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

9. Careers in IT Computer support specialist Computer technician
15-9
Careers in IT
Computer support specialist
Computer technician
Computer trainer
Cryptographer
Database administrator
Data entry worker
Desktop publisher
Information systems manager
Network administrator
Programmer
Software engineer
Systems analyst
Technical writer
Webmaster
Discuss some of the above positions
Ask the students what skills are needed for these positions
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

10. A Look to the Future Be Proactive
15-10
A Look to the Future Be Proactive
Concentrate on goals
Use computers to your advantage
Gain control over technology
Keep an eye on the future and move toward success
This is not the end, it is the beginning
Basically, read, read, read. Learn as much as you can in areas you like
Pick up books and attend seminars. Make yourself available to change, relocate, or adjust your skills
Talking with others in the industry and networking for opportunities and careers can help you with your goals
Always move toward success
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

11. Discussion Questions (Page 1 of 2)
Why is strategy important to individual success in the information age? What is your strategy?
Describe how technology changes the nature of competition.
How can your computer competencies and knowledge help you get ahead in today’s market?
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

12. Discussion Questions (Page 2 of 2)
What does proactive mean? What is a proactive computer user? What advantages does this type of user have over the other types?
Discuss several different careers in information technology. Which are of interest to you?
Have students turn to the end of Chapter 15 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.