IT Career Exploration 1.3

Information Technology

the use of technology to store, manage, and share information

Hardware

The physical parts of a computer system, such as a keyboard, smartphone, or server

Software

the programs and apps that rum on a computer and tell the hardware what to do

Software Development

the process of designing, writing, testing, and maintaining software programs or applications that run on computers and devices

Network

connecting computers and devices to share information and resources securely across digital systems

Cybersecurity

the practice of protecting computers, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks or damage

Data Analytics

the process of examining large sets of data to discover useful information, trends, and patterns that support decision making

Technician

a hands on support role that involves helping uses solve technical issues with hardware, software, or systems

Administrator

someone who manages and maintains systems, networks, or cloud services to keep them running smoothly and securely

Analyst

A person who studies data, system performance, or security patterns to find insights and recommend improvements.

Engineer

a technical expert who designs and builds systems, networks, or software, often solving complex problems behind the scenes

Developer

someone who creates software or applications by writing, testing, and updating code to build digital tools

Manager

a person who plans, organizes, and leads projects or teams to meet technology goals and deliver results on time

It Support

helps users with their technology issues

Project managers

help plan and guide technology projects from beginning to end

DevOps engineers

focus on making work between developers and IT teams faster, smoother, and more reliable

Software Developer

a person who writes and maintains code to create software programs and systems that solve problems or preform tasks

Front-End Developer

a developer who builds the parts of a website or application that uses interact with directly such as buttons menus and page layouts

Back-End Developer

a developer who creates the server-side logic, databases, and systems that power the parts of software uses don’t see

Full-stack Developer

a developer who works on both the front-end and back-end parts of software, handing all layers of development

Mobile App Developer

a developer who creates software specifically for mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets, using platforms such as iOS or Android

Software Development Life Cycle(SDLC)

A structure, repeatable process that software teams follow to plan, design, build, test, deploy, and maintain software

Planning Stage

The SDLC phase where project goals, requirements, and constraints are identified

Analysis Phase

the phase where the user needs are gathered and translated into software requirements

Design Stage

the phase where developers and designers plan how the software will work, look, and interact with other systems

Implementation stage

The phase where the developers write the actual code based on design plans

Testing phase

the phase where the software is reviewed and tested for bugs, errors, and functionally

Deployment stage

the phase where the software is released to users

Maintenance stage

the ongoing phase where software is updated, fixed and improved after release

UX/UI Developer

A professional who designs and implements the visual interface and user experience of software to ensure it is intuitive, accessible, and easy to use

User Interface (UI)

The visual part of the software that users see and interact with including buttons, menus, screens, and icons

User Experience (UX)

how a user feels while interacting with software, including ease of use, satisfaction, and efficiency

DevOps

A combination of development and operations practices aimed at shortening the software delivery cycle

Quality Assurance

the process of testing software to ensure that it works correctly and meets requirements before release

Network reliability

the ability of a network to consistently perform well and avoid outages

Network security

the protection of data and systems from unauthorized access, theft, or damage

Network professional

an IT specialist who builds and maintains systems that keep devices connected and data moving efficiently

Cybersecurity professional

an IT specialist who protects systems and data from digital threats such as hacking, viruses, and unauthorized access

Network infrastructure

the physical and digital components, such as cables, devices, and systems, that allow computers and devices to connect and share data

Network engineers

it professionals who design and build the structure of a network, including how devices connect and communicate

Network administrators

IT professionals who manage and maintain a networks daily operations, making sure that everything runs smoothly and fixing issues when they arise

Network security specialist

IT professionals who protect network from threats by monitoring risk and setting up tools to block unauthorized access

Cybersecurity analyst

a professional who monitors systems, investigates alerts, and helps protect against cyber threats

SOC analyst

a cybersecurity specialist who works in a security operations center to detect and respond to threats in real time

Penetration tester

A security expert who safely test systems for weaknesses by simulating cyberattacks before real attackers can exploit them

Ethical hacker

A professional who tests systems for weaknesses using the same methods as a real attacker; another word for penetration tester

Artificial intelligence (AI)

the ability of machines or computer systems to perform tasks that typically require humans intelligence, such as recognizing patterns, making decisions, understanding language, or generating content

Data

raw facts, signals, or values that are collected and stored by systems but have not yet been processed or interpreted

Information

data that has been processed, organized, or given context so that it has meaning and can be used to support decisions or actions

Data scientist

a professional who analyzes large sets of organized data to identify patterns, make predictions, and supports decision making

Data Engineer

professional who designs, builds, and maintains systems that collect, organize, and move data from its sources to storage solutions where it can be used for analysis

Machine learning

a branch of AI that allows computers to learn from data; instead of following fixed instructions, the system finds patterns in the data and uses them to make predictions or decisions on its own

Generative AI

a the of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, code, ore audio, based on instructions it receives

Prompt engineer

a professional who designs effective inputs (or prompt) for generative AI systems

AI trainer

works with developers to improve AI systems by supplying sample data, rating outputs, and correcting mistakes to guide better performance

Data visualization specialist

focuses on turning complex data into clear, interactive visual report that help others make decisions

AI Product manager

Bridges the gap between business needs and technical teams when building AI powered products or tools

Ethical AI Adviser

helps organizations understand the risk and responsibilities of using AI especially when working with personal or sensitive data

AI Content Specialist

Uses prompt engineering and editing skills to guide generative tools in creating articles, videos, or marking materials that align with brand goals

IT Support professionals

technology specialists who help people solve problems with their devices, software, and networks

Cloud computing professionals

technology professionals who work with visual infrastructure hosted online to ensure that applications, data storage, and, other services are secure, available, and scalable for organizations

Connectivity

the ability of a device or user to access networks, the internet, and cloud-based tools

IT help support technician

a frontline IT support professional who assists users with common technical problems such as hardware malfunctions, software errors, password resets, and connectivity issues, often through a help desk or on-site support

IT Support Analyst

a support professional who investigates complex or recurring technical issues, analyzes system data, and collaborates with other teams to improve system reliability and user support processes

Cloud Support technician

an entry-level cloud professional responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting virtual systems within cloud platforms

Cloud operations analyst

a cloud professional focused on monitoring the health, performance, cost, and security of cloud systems

Cloud Architect

a senior-level cloud expert who designs and builds cloud-based infrastructure and systems

It Project manager

a professional who plans and oversees technology projects; they define goals, build schedules, assign tasks, and guide teams to ensure that software and system update are derived on time and meet business needs

DevOps Professional

a technology expert who manages how software is built, tested, and released, focusing on automating and improving the delivery process to ensure that systems and applications run smoothly, securely, and reliably

Web designers

professionals who create the layout, visual appearance, and user experience of websites

Multimedia specialist

creators who combine graphics, audio, video, and animation to produce digital content for websites, games, for presentations

Digital Content Creators

Individuals who produce and share digital materials such as videos, blogs, graphics, and social media posts

Creative technologist

Professionals who blend technology and design to develop innovative digital experiences, often using interactive tools and emerging media

Motion graphics artists

designers who create animated visual content, such as moving text, shapes, and graphics, for videos, advertisements, and digital media

Augmented reality (AR)

a technology that adds digital images or information to the real world, often viewed through a phone or tablet camera

Virtual Reality (VR)

A fully digital experience that replaces the real world with a computer-generates environment, usually accessed through a headset.

Digital Ad Designers

Creative professionals who design visual content such as ads, videos, and motion graphics for websites, apps, and social media

Digital strategists

professionals who use data and technology to plan, guide, and optimize digital marketing campaigns for maximum audience impact