IT President Suggests A Degree Provides An Edge In Evolving Philadelphia Market
The top eight out of 10 Internet sites in the world are American-owned companies, according to venture capitalist Mary Meeker. Jobs in technology are no doubt highly sought after; and a quality education in the field will better your chances of landing the job you want. According to C. Joseph Keesey, President of the IT company SystemsNet, the key to growth within the field is to never stop learning and to be open to new ways of doing things.
What sort of education is needed to successfully do your job?
"A complete knowledge of the business applications used by a customer's organization is required to be effective in our field. Technicians that move ahead the fastest have taken some type of higher education which gives them an edge. Individuals in our field are constantly learning, as the industry is always evolving."
Do you believe education plays a vital role in landing a great job in the technology field?
"Education plays a strong role in landing a position within the technology realm. Customers want technology service firms that understand their business and their technology, the products implemented, and above all have experience in dealing with the issues at hand. Good technicians in the field originally went to some higher learning institution, but those original tools were just the stepping-stones. Individuals in our field are constantly learning new technology or partnering with firms that can bring the skill set to the organization."
What is the most relevant aspect of your education that applies to your day-to-day job?
"My education personally has provided concepts that can be applied daily. A lot of software that I originally was trained on to support or implement is no longer used, however, the concepts I learned are still being used within newer products today. Technology really builds upon itself. The key for anyone looking to grow in this field is to never stop learning and to be open to new ways in doing things."
What is the most fun aspect of your job?
"Every day in our field is a new adventure. Even though the products are standardized, every company operates differently and we cater to those environments. It allows our technicians to grow, not only in their field but also in the customer service aspect that grows our customer base."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.