Do not choose to do a degree in computers or information technology just because you enjoy tinkering with technology in a room on your own or with like-minded individuals.

It is my view that you will probably be thinking about this choice because you are already attracted to computers or information technology in general, hence that sort of question is already answered by default. The attraction of the financial aspect is irrelevant - if you think you can do a job just because of the money paid, you seriously need to think again! No matter how much you are paid if you have to get up every day to do something you hate you will ultimately fail.

The truth of the matter is that in todays world pursuing a career in information technology via a degree of some description in the area is not enough! Until recently - and to some extent still evident today - two of the most staggering shortfalls in individuals who have gone through their learning pathway following such a degree program are:

A poor communication style and rather poor specificity to products in the market after graduating.

This is by no means insurmountable, but the questions to ask yourself are:
Am I a good communicator - because your career in information technology will greatly depend on your communication skills when you have deal with, for example, users or managers or colleagues and/or all of them. Look into how many information technology projects have failed because of poor communication between the "technologists" and the "end user or buyer".

The product specificity issue is a tricky one because of the speed of change of products you may well be a top end expert today and redundant tomorrow because of a newer product eclipsing an older one. But the breadth and depth of a computing or information technology degree allow for easy adaptability to this changeability while more product specific study may result in utter redundancy.

In conclusion, I would recommend you carefully assess the peripheral skills you will require to succeed in this career path. If your answer is still a firm "yes" for following this pathway make sure you also polish up on some general business skills, communication skills and constantly keep abreast in terms of updating your qualifications as it is a potentially a 24-hour to redundancy pathway.

Learn more about this author, Max Gallo.
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