Information Technology as a Profession Bob August augur@lake.ollusa.edu

Introduction Background The Learned Professions The Ten Dimensions The Current State of Information Technology as a Profession Discussion/Questions

Background Graduate Course in College and University Teaching Introduction of Concept to Programming Students USASBE Meeting IABPAD Paper ACBSP Regional Conference

The Learned Professions A profession is an occupation that requires extensive training and the study and mastery of specialized knowledge, and usually has a professional association, ethical code and process of certification or licensing. Examples are accounting, law, medicine, finance, the military, the clergy and engineering. Classically, there were only three professions: ministry, medicine, and law. These three professions each hold to a specific code of ethics, and members are almost universally required to swear some form of oath to uphold those ethics, therefore "professing" to a higher standard of accountability. Each of these professions also provides and requires extensive training in the meaning, value, and importance of its particular oath in the practice of that profession. *Wikipedia

The Learned Professions Doctors Attorneys

The Learned Professions Teachers Clergy

The Ten Dimensions Professional Organizations Acquired Body of Knowledge Maintaining the Body of Knowledge Code of Conduct/Ethics Client/Provider Relationship Service to the Profession Certification through Examination Regulating the Profession Giving Back It’s a Calling

Dimension 1: Professional Organizations Doctors - American Medical Association Attorneys - American Bar Association Nurses – American Nurses Association Teachers Discipline Teaching Level

Dimension 2: Acquired Body of Knowledge Doctors 4 years of medical school 2+ years of residency/internships Attorneys 3 years of law school College/University Faculty Masters Ph. D. Clergy Seminary/School of Theology

Dimension 3: Maintaining the Body of Knowledge Doctors Attorneys CPAs Teachers

Dimension 4: Code of Ethics Doctors – Hippocratic Oath Attorneys – Code of Ethics for Practicing Attorneys Nurses – ANA Code of Ethics Teachers – State Boards

Dimension 5: Provider/Client Relationship Doctor/Patient Attorney/Client Teacher/Student

Dimension 6: Service to the Profession Regional and National Conferences Papers Symposium Seminars Workshops Officers

Dimension 7: Certification through Examination Doctors – Medical Licensing Exam Attorneys – Bar Exam Accountants – CPA Exam Nurses – RN Exam

Dimension 8: Regulating the Profession Doctors – State Medical Boards Attorneys – State Bar Associations Clergy – Religious Denomination Teachers – State Board for Education Certification

Dimension 9: Giving Back (Philanthropy) Doctors - Doctors without Borders Attorneys – Pro Bono Work Clergy – A Life of Service

Dimension 10: It’s a Calling Doctors Attorneys Teachers The Clergy

The Current State of Information Technology as a Profession

Dimension 1: Professional Organizations Association of Computer Machinery Association of Information Technology Professionals Information Systems Security Association

Dimension 2: Acquired Body of Knowledge Information Technology Professionals 4-year college education (SIGITE Recommendation) Specialization in a specific IT area Programming Networking Web development User support

Dimension 3: Maintaining the Body of Knowledge Information Technology Professionals Rapid Change Professional Development

Dimension 4: Code of Conduct/Ethics ACM AITP ISSA

ACM Code of Conduct/Ethics Preamble Commitment to ethical professional conduct is expected of every member (voting members, associate members, and student members) of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). This Code, consisting of 24 imperatives formulated as statements of personal responsibility, identifies the elements of such a commitment. It contains many, but not all, issues professionals are likely to face…

1. GENERAL MORAL IMPERATIVES As an ACM member I will .... 1.1 Contribute to society and human well-being. 1.2 Avoid harm to others. 1.3 Be honest and trustworthy. 1.4 Be fair and take action not to discriminate. 1.5 Honor property rights including copyrights and patent. 1.6 Give proper credit for intellectual property. 1.7 Respect the privacy of others. 1.8 Honor confidentiality.

2. MORE SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES As an ACM computing professional I will .... 2.1 Strive to achieve the highest quality, effectiveness and dignity in both the process and products of professional work. 2.2 Acquire and maintain professional competence. 2.3 Know and respect existing laws pertaining to professional work. 2.4 Accept and provide appropriate professional review. 2.5 Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems and their impacts, including analysis of possible risks. 2.6 Honor contracts, agreements, and assigned responsibilities. 2.7 Improve public understanding of computing and its consequences. 2.8 Access computing and communication resources only when authorized to do so.

3. ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVES As an ACM member and an organizational leader, I will .... 3.1 Articulate social responsibilities of members of an organizational unit and encourage full acceptance of those responsibilities. 3.2 Manage personnel and resources to design and build information systems that enhance the quality of working life. 3.3 Acknowledge and support proper and authorized uses of an organization's computing and communication resources. 3.4 Ensure that users and those who will be affected by a system have their needs clearly articulated during the assessment and design of requirements; later the system must be validated to meet requirements. 3.5 Articulate and support policies that protect the dignity of users and others affected by a computing system. 3.6 Create opportunities for members of the organization to learn the principles and limitations of computer systems.

4. COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE As an ACM member I will .... 4.1 Uphold and promote the principles of this Code. 4.2 Treat violations of this code as inconsistent with membership in the ACM. Adherence of professionals to a code of ethics is largely a voluntary matter. However, if a member does not follow this code by engaging in gross misconduct, membership in ACM may be terminated.

Dimension 5: Client/Provider Relationship Provider/Customer

Dimension 6: Service to the Profession Regional and National Conferences Papers Symposium Seminars Workshops Officers

Dimension 7: Certification through Examination Information Technology Professionals Vendor Certification Microsoft Cisco Sun Vendor Neutral CompTIA – A+, Network+, Security+, etc. International Information Systems Security Certifications Consortium (ISC)2 - CISSP SANS Institute – Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

Dimension 8: Regulating the Profession SANS - GIAC (ISC)2 - CISSP

Dimension 9: Giving Back (Philanthropy) Bill & Melinda Gates

Dimension 10: It’s a Calling “When you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life.”

The Current State of Information Technology as a Profession Professional Organizations Acquired Body of Knowledge Maintaining the Body of Knowledge Code of Conduct/Ethics Client/Provider Relationship Service to the Profession Certification Through Examination Regulating the Profession Giving Back It’s a Calling

Questions/Discussion