Professional_Knowledge_and_Abilities

Developing Professional Knowledge and Abilities DJ Pijut GEN200 September 17th, 2011 University of Phoenix Developing Professional Knowledge and Abilities Career success for an information technology professional can be determined by the ability to improve professional knowledge and abilities constantly. Information Technology (IT) is an ever-growing industry. Even after an IT professional receives a Bachelor's degree, the development of professional knowledge and abilities will never cease. As technology changes, the Internet has become the easiest and most convenient way for professionals to stay current on the advancements. One association that can be found online, which is for IT Professionals, is the International Association for Computer Information Systems (IACIS). According to "International Association For Computer Information Systems" (2003), "It is a nonprofit association founded in 1960 and dedicated to the improvement of information systems and the education of information systems and computer professionals." The IACIS publishes an A* ranked journal called the Journal of Computer Information systems (JCIS). That journal is published four times a year and has a 12-13% acceptance rate ("International Association For Computer Information Systems" 2003). The research and ideas are approved by using a refereed journal process. The refereed journal review process ensures that everything published is valid, accurate, and up-to-date with current technology. The opportunity to read this journal will assist an IT Professional with staying current on challenges that IT organizations face today. Another journal that IACIS publishes is Issues with Information Systems (IIS). This journal is registered with the Library of Congress and has an acceptance rate of 60% ("International Association For Computer Information Systems" 2003). The research in these journals will make a person more knowledgeable and add to his ability to perform as an IT Professional. The topics in these writing are relevant to issues that IT organizations are faced with. This research will help guide the choices of an IT Professional makes throughout their career. If the information is not relevant or is out-of-date, the professional will not have an informed opinion, which could result in making the wrong choice. Making choices like this will have a negative impact on future success as companies need people who add value to the company. Companies are looking for employees who have the willingness to keep learning and finding ways to further the success of the company. To advance in any position, a professional will have to show improvement in the ability to perform tasks or assignments. With the knowledge gained from education, a person should be able to contribute more to the overall good of the company. Employers rarely acknowledge the achievements of an employee who does not show the desire to improve on his abilities and knowledge. With the assistance of the Internet, libraries, seminars or conferences, the ability to gain knowledge about his field of employment will help further the career of a person. The unemployment rate is the highest it has ever been and employers have a larger pool of prospects to choose from. If he does not prove the ability to make a difference in the company, interject new ideas, come up with new processes, he could be overlooked for promotions or even be let go. Keeping up with technology is something that becomes as important as the current position one may have. Without learning about new research, new technology, new processes or innovated software, an IT Professional's career will become stale. The Journal of Computer Information Systems and the Issues in information Systems are just a couple of the tools a person can find to assist him in accomplishing a successful career in the Information world. A persons career success can be affected greatly by the ability to continue to gather knowledge and also putting that knowledge to effective use. References International Association for Computer Information Systems. (2003) Retrieved from http://iacis.org/web/about.html