Importance of Professional Issues in Information Technology (PIIT)
Write a Reflection on Professional Issues in IT.
Professional Issues in Information Technology (PIIT) is a unit that is quite important for people in the IT profession to take. It aids them in so many ways while continuing in their careers and even advance in it and reach the most senior level. It helps IT professionals gain not only the technical skills that are required for their jobs but they also will get a wider understanding of their operational context. They also get to learn about some of the ethical, legal, social, organizational and financial issues that they can face as IT professionals like a code of conduct, internet law, intellectual property rights in software and also start an IT company. In this everchanging world, these issues faced by IT professionals keep on changing thus this unit keeps on evolving to keep up with these changes. Thus, this makes it essential for individuals in this profession to take this unit on as it will help them (Bott 2005).
When I enrolled in my degree I had one goal that pertained to my career as an IT professional. My aim was to learn how to effectively function as a professional Informational Technology(IT) practitioner. I would do this by endeavoring to understand what context be it social, financial, organizational and ethical in which professional IT practitioners work. My goal was not to be an expert in these areas but to just gain operational knowledge on the issues in order to function properly in my chosen IT career. It was important for me to take this degree because I knew that it would help in future when I am faced with this issues in my career and thus I will be well equipped to handle them. I would also get familiarised with the code of conduct for IT professionals in Australia and thus this would enable me to act accordingly and help me prosper as an IT practitioner (Goldweber et.al 2011, pp. 70).
When I enrolled in this unit, I expected it to fit into my goals in various ways. First, I envisioned that I would learn new things about the issues faced by IT professionals as they carry on with their work. Secondly, I expected that this degree would be up to date with these issues and that they would also be specific to Australia but also focus a little on the rest of the world as I might work in these different environments thus would like to be prepared. This unit has not made me change my mind on the major which I chose to take on and the career I chose. It, in fact, made my resolve stronger because I gained invaluable knowledge in my career path. My aspirations have changed after taking this unit in different ways. First, after I learned about these issues faced by IT practitioners and how they are handled it gave me the confidence that I would be able to handle them without any trouble. Next, I have a new goal to become an expert on these professional issues in the IT field by pursuing a degree in this area. It would enable me to seek a higher level when looking for work like being in senior management as this is what expected of them (Burmeister 2013, pp. 28).
Expectations from taking PIIT
Workplaces even ICT companies have employees from different backgrounds and these individuals have to work together for the company to be successful. Companies also have a variety of projects which require people to work in groups and thus there are different behaviors which are needed so that these diverse groups can work effectively and productively. First is an organizational behavior where a team leader is appointed to lead this group through the task that they are given. The team leader will first get to know everyone’s competency levels in the skills required to complete the task. When they find this out, the tasks will be assigned to those who are best suited to do them and thus this ensure that it is completed in a timely manner and also it is done well (Mohammed and Nadkarni 2011, pp. 500). The next one is that one should not assume that they know the different cultures that exist in the group just because of one experience instead they should ensure that they research information on these cultures. When they have this information, they will know how to behave while interacting with these individuals (Roberge and Van Dick 2010, pp.300). However, the ICT professional should not stereotype and believe that the information he’s learned is generally true to everyone in the group. They should make it a point to interact with the different people in the group to know what they like or not thus this will help the group function well. Also, the ICT professional should ensure that they are in constant communication with their group. When people share their thoughts and rationale on different situations, it unifies these people from different backgrounds (Corey, Corey and Corey 2013).
I contributed to ensuring that my group functioned and performed soundly in various ways. First, I ensured that we had a way to resolve various conflicts that arose while making decisions in the group. I used the voting method where all parties aired their grievances and why their option was best, and then as a group, we made a decision on what was the best path to take by voting secretly (Bucic, Robinson and Ramburuth 2010, pp.240). Next, I ensured that everyone was assigned roles that they could handle doing well so that we could complete tasks given in a timely manner. I could have done a couple of things better to ensure that the group function better. First, I would have held weekly sessions where we talked about the challenges faced by the team members while undertaking their tasks. This would enable other group members to give suggestions on how to handle these issues. Next, I should have ensured that we found an appropriate place to hold the group meetings instead of finding venues at the last minute. We wasted a lot of time looking for new venues each time but if we had one place where we could use it would save valuable time for group members (Rummler and Brache 2012). I would have helped my group members perform better by recognizing their weaknesses and helping them overcome these challenges by learning about how to improve on them. Also, I would ensure that I build on each members strengths while undertaking project tasks this would make sure that these tasks are done in the best way possible (Moreland, Levine and Wingert 2013, pp. 20).
Challenges faced by IT professionals
As a student, there are extra steps that one can take when taking a unit such as this to ensure that they are successful in their course. They should take extra pathways to ensure that their career path is clear especially ICT practitioners. First, I joined the Australian Computer Society(ACS) where I got the chance to attend various IT functions and got to interact with ICT practitioners in the field. Also, I attended some seminars and workshops set up by ACS where I got to ask questions and learn new things about my chosen career path as an IT professional (Litchfield, Frawley and Nettleton 2010, pp. 530). I subscribed to online magazines and publications about IT where I got first hand and latest information about the field thus ensuring I was always up to date with the information available. I also ensured that I followed all of the relevant social media pages on the IT profession where they updated their followers on any new developments in the field of IT (Fink 2013).
Some of the vital roles played by an ICT practitioner in this modern world include; first is to ensure that company information is secure this is done because in this new age many people are stealing data as it is more valuable. Hence ICT professionals have to ensure that they provide security to information. Next is that they can build systems where organizations an manage their company resources from one place and they can do this from anywhere in the world. Thus this ensures that there is accountability in business and ICT professionals are an important part (Von Konsky, Jones and Miller 2014, pp. 15). They also play a huge role I ensuring customer satisfaction in that these ICT practitioners provide channels through which to communicate with customers without meeting physically hence reducing the hustle (SamGnanakkan 2010, pp.39). It has affected my future work in that it means that more and more companies will require me as an ICT professional which will result in a rise in demand thus means I will get work easily when I complete my degree.
This unit has improved my induction into the IT profession by firstly I have learned the various issues be it ethical, technological or financial issues that are faced by in the IT field which has prepared me to tackle these issues well. Also, I have learned the code of conduct for ICT professionals thus will know how I am expected to behave when I get employed in the IT field. I have also learned the professional roled and responsibilities that IT employees have thus this gives me an idea of what I will be doing when I get employed. Finally, I learned what businesses have to comply with Australia like the Australian Standard 8015 when carrying out their activities and how it will affect me as an ICT professional (Duncan 2007, pp. 46).
Effective Interpersonal Communication and Teamwork
Throughout the course of the unit, the different weekly learning topics have taught me various vital things in relation to my career path in IT. It impacted how I viewed the ICT profession and also gave me tools to deal with the different issues that crop up in this profession. The first topic is “Privacy in the Digital Age” and it impacted my view in different ways. This topic dealt with the ever-evolving Right to Privacy where in the past it dealt only with the physical interference of someones personal space but it has now evolved to be more complex and more than this. With the development of the World Wide Web, it has birthed a whole new range of landscapes on where these privacy laws. The laws struggle to keep up with the growing contours of privacy in cyberspace. This topic impacted my view in that I learnt what role I would play when I get employed to provide privacy in the digital world for the companies that would employ me and its importance (Waltz 2014, pp. 205). It gave me tools I would employ to ensure that I deal with the issue of privacy when it occurs. Also, with the knowledge gained from this topic will enable me to give advice to people on the need for privacy in this digital world. Next, it gave me knowledge on the different legislation that exist on privacy in the digital age and with this information, I would be able to know what would be right to do and the consequences I would face when I did not respect these laws (Ephrati and Bürge).
The next topic was “Ethics and codes of conduct” which taught me of the different ethical issues that exist in this field and how to handle them and also how as ICT professionals we are expected to behave according to the code of conduct and ethics that exist for the profession. It has impacted my view of the profession first by realizing that ICT is starting to play an important role in our lives more and more thus this means that us as ICT professionals will be under a lot of scrutiny. Thus by learning these set of rules on the code of conduct and ethics, it will enable me and others in the profession to know how to behave accordingly (Vaccaro and Madsen 2009, pp. 118). Next, the ethics part showed me the impact that technology has on the various parts of society also how my actions will influence those around me including coworkers and customers. With this knowledge, I would be able to know if I was positively affecting the society with my work or if I need to adjust it and my behavior for the betterment of those I am working for and with. Also, with the data gathered from this topic, I would be able to fill the gaps that exist in the laws that pertain to the ICT profession. The field keeps on changing and thus the formulation of laws lags and this topic gives me methods on how to deal with the different issues that will crop up which are mostly ethical (Bia and Kalika 2007, pp. 440).
Role of an IT Professional in the Modern World
The final topic is “Group Dynamics” where I learned how to people from different backgrounds function when they are placed in a group to work on something. Groups are important because they help people achieve more than when they work on projects alone. This topic affected my view of the ICT profession in that, I learned that when working in groups it is important to have good strong leadership. This helps the group complete the project in right and in the way that is required therefore this prepared me for an instance like this where I would know the first step to take when I have to work in a group (Forsyth 2018). Also, the topic showed me that when I get employed there will be many instances where I will be required to work in groups which are diverse and dynamic. With the knowledge gained I would know how to behave in such a situation thus ensuring the group works smoothly. Also, this topic gave me tools to use to ensure groups I will be part in future will function smoothly tools like conflict resolution where I would be able to resolve any issues that would arise while working together. Finally, this topic showed me that the most important thing for a group is that there should be excellent communication between members. Thus this part showed me how it would be important to keep communicating to ensure the success of any group dynamic I would be in my future career path (Farnsworth and Boon 2010, pp. 620).
References
Bia, M. and Kalika, M., 2007. Adopting an ICT code of conduct: An empirical study of organizational factors. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 20(4), pp.432-446.
Bott, F., 2005. Professional issues in information technology. BCS, The Chartered Institute.
Bucic, T., Robinson, L. and Ramburuth, P., 2010. Effects of leadership style on team learning. Journal of Workplace learning, 22(4), pp.228-248.
Burmeister, O.K., 2013. Achieving the goal of a global computing code of ethics through an international-localisation hybrid. Ethical Space, 10(4), pp.25-32.
Corey, M.S., Corey, G. and Corey, C., 2013. Groups: Process and practice. Cengage Learning.
Duncan, S., 2007. Professional Issues in Information Technology. Software Quality Professional, 9(4), p.46.
Ephrati, D. and Bürge, M.S., Privacy In The Digital Age.
Farnsworth, J. and Boon, B., 2010. Analysing group dynamics within the focus group. Qualitative Research, 10(5), pp.605-624.
Fink, L.D., 2013. Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated approach to designing college courses. John Wiley & Sons.
Forsyth, D.R., 2018. Group dynamics. Cengage Learning.
Goldweber, M., Davoli, R., Little, J.C., Riedesel, C., Walker, H., Cross, G. and Von Konsky, B.R., 2011. Enhancing the social issues components in our computing curriculum: computing for the social good. ACM Inroads, 2(1), pp.64-82.
Litchfield, A., Frawley, J. and Nettleton, S., 2010. Contextualising and integrating into the curriculum the learning and teaching of work?ready professional graduate attributes. Higher Education Research & Development, 29(5), pp.519-534.
Mohammed, S. and Nadkarni, S., 2011. Temporal diversity and team performance: The moderating role of team temporal leadership. Academy of Management Journal, 54(3), pp.489-508.
Moreland, R.L., Levine, J.M. and Wingert, M.L., 2013. Creating the ideal group: Composition effects at work. Understanding group behavior, 2, pp.11-35.
Roberge, M.É. and Van Dick, R., 2010. Recognizing the benefits of diversity: When and how does diversity increase group performance?. Human Resource Management Review, 20(4), pp.295-308.
Rummler, G.A. and Brache, A.P., 2012. Improving performance: How to manage the white space on the organization chart. John Wiley & Sons.
SamGnanakkan, S., 2010. Mediating role of organizational commitment on HR practices and turnover intention among ICT professionals. Journal of Management Research, 10(1), p.39.
Vaccaro, A. and Madsen, P., 2009. Corporate dynamic transparency: the new ICT-driven ethics?. Ethics and Information Technology, 11(2), pp.113-122.
Von Konsky, B.R., Jones, A. and Miller, C., 2014, January. Visualising career progression for ICT professionals and the implications for ICT curriculum design in higher education. In Proceedings of the Sixteenth Australasian Computing Education Conference-Volume 148 (pp. 13-20). Australian Computer Society, Inc..
Waltz, D.B., 2014. Privacy in the Digital Age. Ind. L. Rev., 48, p.205.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
