Popular Technology Degrees
Voice Over Internet Protocol - an Evolving Information Technology
October 17, 2006
by Mary Hobson
mary.hobson@technology-schools.com
Technology Schools Columnist
It seems crazy to use Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) to make telephone calls - using the telephone line to carry data - at a ridiculously cheap rate, but VOIP is a typical information technology application. You simply have to stop thinking of audio or video information as anything other than a data-stream, and then you can enjoy this effectively no-cost service (other than connection costs and the software that does the translation).
Information technology is a constantly advancing industry. We take technology for granted as it is now woven into the fabric of our everyday life, but we should not underestimate the speed of the developments that are taking place. Computer technicians, computer scientists, and software programmers work hard to add value to the new ideas that are implemented, and the result is rapid evolution of applications that start off as toys but end up as valuable commercial assets.
A Global Tool with Local Costs
VOIP is just such an information technology application, giving clients the ability to regard telephone communication as a global tool with local costs. Added value items include video conferencing, interfacing with both mobile and land line telephony, sophisticated call forwarding options, and messaging using email for voice messages.
In order to be able to develop these kinds of linked applications that make information technology a part of everyday life, you need to land the right computer job, and that requires excellent computer science or information technology skills.
Start with an Information Technology Degree
To find the right school for you, research different technology school websites to learn about the available computer science, computer programming, and information technology degrees. Your chosen technology school will give you an overview of the program curriculum as well as the type of computer jobs that each degree can lead to.
You may decide to study online, and many technology schools offer online computer science and information technology degree programs to allow you to study and work at the same time. This is a perfect solution if you have family commitments or worry that taking time off to attend school full-time may harm your career prospects.
Information Technology Career Options
Working as a computer programmer or as an information technology technician means that you have many career choices. There are all kinds of career paths open to you, including working in research and development, in software houses, or with users. You can decide the areas that you are most interested in and acquire a career resume that will allow you to gain access to your chosen areas. Jobs in information technology are plentiful, so your career path is likely to be upwards with some careful planning.
So research technology schools that interest you, choose your first computing job, and get started on your path to a successful information technology career.
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About the Author
Mary Hobson is the head of IT at a polytechnic school in New Zealand. She also works as a freelance writer.
