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Introduction to the Readings
The readings this time have been chosen to give you a general flavor of
current IT-related career issues. Pratt's article on getting started in IT
careers and the companion "Tips" piece from Computerworld are part of a larger
special issue on careers themes you might find interesting. Capell's little
article on "A Recruiter's Search for Technical Candidates" and Ryan's piece on
the marketability of Windows skills are valuable not just for the specific
information they contain but also for the broader insights into the kinds of
things IT people are hired for, usually very specific kinds of skills and
experience with specific product families.
Discussion Questions
- What kind of job do you hope to have in five years time. How do you hope
that your BSIR or other UWM degree will prepare you for it?
- Most jobs require some kind of skills or experience in addition to
whatever formal training you will receive in your degree program. What might
that be, and how do you plan to achieve it?
- What do you think are the most important points made in the
Computerworld articles on starting out in IT. Do these change anything about
the way you will approach your career.
- Ryan's article ad some of Capell's hints illustrates the highly
specialized nature of many technical IT careers. Why do employers look for
such specific kinds of skill? Would you enjoy a career closely tied to
particular products or technologies?
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