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Information Technology Career Opportunities Office Technology and Management
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the Information Technology Career Opportunities Office Technology and Management offers to its trainees. Office technology and management formerly known as secretarial studies guarantees prompt and decent employment for students who have competent Office Technological skills. Office Technology and management exposes its trainees to many opportunities in the Information Technology industry which they may clutch such as taking a career in Web design/Web development, Database administration, internetpreneurship, data processing, graphic design and Information Technology Consultancy. Students, after graduation could also go entrepreneurial to establish small-scale businesses of different types. The paper submits among others that to obtain qualitative Office Technology and Management graduates in the 21st century, the curriculum for Office Technology and Management programme should be redesigned and enlarged to accommodate courses that are in touch with the realities of the business world of today. Students’ positive attitude towards innovations must be activated and interest developed in Information Technology.
INTRODUCTION: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
As the reliance on technology continues to expand in office, the role and chances of Office Manager has greatly evolved. Office automation and organizational restructuring have led professional Office Managers to assume responsibilities that were once reserved for managerial staff. Office technology and management creates awareness, develops the potentials in man to subdue and harness the resources in his environment for the betterment of himself and his society.
Office is any place where business, clerical and professional activities take place. Management is an executive ability to handle a business. Hence, office management is the administrative handling, controlling and maintaining a balanced process of work inside the office of an organization whether big or small, which is necessary to achieve the best service it can provide to the people who will receive a great benefit (Wikipedia, 2013).
Office technology according to Ekpenyong (2008) involves the use of new inventions or devices in an office to transform, or change the process of office work. It is this rapid change in the technology of office work through the use of machines to do the work that was previously done by hand that explains what we call office technology/automation. In other words, the use of machines such as computers, electronic mail system, among others, is called technology/automation. Advances in Information Technology and increased computerisation have upgraded secretarial work, as they have led to a decrease in the quantity of more routine and mundane work, and to an increase in the quality and accuracy of the work produced by Office managers.
Information Technology was defined by French (1996) in Nworgu (2007) as a broad based technology (including its methods, management and application) that supports the creation, storage, manipulation and communication of information. In addition , Dajur, Irorakpor, Leka, Muhammad and Okoro (2011) defined Information Technology as digital devices made up of computers and telephones with varying capacities for information processing, which has become today’s office manager’s management tool. Through operation of Management Information Systems (MIS), ICT is used as a major management tool to create, store, and organize, retrieve and use information relating to staff, operations, costs, examination and other records.
UNESCO (2010) defines career as a sequence of attitudes and behaviours that are associated with work and that relate to our life experience, it is an integration of our personality with our job activities. The modern technology has changed the traditional role of office workers just as it has changed the way that offices operate. The clerical worker of yesterday has become the information manager of today. A consensus (agreement) exists among psychologists that each person possesses certain abilities, interests, personality traits and other characteristics. It is also agreed upon that when these characteristics are known and put into appropriate use, the individual is more likely to become a happier person, a more effective worker and a more useful citizen. In other words, knowing oneself and knowing the opportunities existing in one’s environment, and especially knowing what one can do that employers would be willing to pay for can assist such an individual make good vocational choice and adjustment.
UNESCO (2010) added that the concept of career had many meanings. It means differently to different people. To most people, a career is a series of separate but related experiences that occur in the process of moving upward in their chosen occupation or profession. Traditionally, this process involved increases in salary, responsibility, status, prestige, and power. But today an individual can remain in the same job, developing new skills, without necessary moving upward in an organization. It is also becoming common for people to move laterally among various jobs in different fields and different organizations. The concept of career applies not only to work for pay, but a variety of other life pursuits, such as homemaking and volunteer work. A layman sees career as any of the following:
- Moving upward in one’s chosen field of work – making more money.
- The particular occupation for which you are trained.
- General progression of your working or professional life.
- A goal in life that is fulfilled through a job or series of job
- One’s calling in life; a person’s occupation; an individual’s work and life roles over their life span.
On the other hand, Akinwale (1999) in UNESCO (2010) has this to say, “That career is a behavioral and attitudinal process associated with the past, present and possible future practices, ideas and activities in relation to the aspirations and interest of an individual”. According to him, a career is a continuous work process over time. It is associated with short and long term objectives that are highly relevant to growth and development of interest and work.
ORIGIN OF OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT EDUCATION
Office Technology and management started in the United States of America in the 17th and 18th centuries as secretarial studies. By the 19th and 20th centuries the course expanded rapidly to some developed countries and spread to developing countries (Wikipedia, 2012).
Wikipedia (2012) stated that today, Office Technology and Management is a specialized phase of vocational education that prepares students to enter teaching and office occupations as capable and intelligent members of the labour force. Women are no strangers to Office Technology and Management education. They started to enter the vocation in the late 1880s about the same time when the adding machine, typewriters and telephone were invented. Since then secretarial education has undergone a lot of transformation in all ramifications in order to meet changing office work and environment. The information and communication technology has taken secretarial education beyond the level imagined by its inventors. It has also provided job opportunities for both women and men. The use of office managerial services permeates all facets of a country’s socio-economic and political life. For example, Office managers – products of Office technology and management education – usually work in offices with other professionals in schools, hospitals, corporate settings, or in legal and medical offices.
Office managers and administrative assistants are employed in organizations of every type. They are employed in firms providing services ranging from education and health to legal and business services. Others work for firms engaged in manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade, transportation, and communication. Banks, insurance companies, investment firms, and real estate firms are also important employers, as well as Federal, State, and local government agencies. This non-restrictive nature of office managerial services provides its recipients with wide access to job employment opportunities.
From the pervasive nature of office managerial services, it is clear that virtually all spheres of life need office technology management intervention. All organizations need good information management systems, good record keeping for effective competitiveness and profit making. Secretarial education has been evolving and developing with the advancement in office work and technology. As a response many tertiary institutions in Nigeria have now changed the nomenclature from Secretarial Education/Studies to Office Technology and Management.
It portrays responsiveness to global changes in office and secretarial work especially with the application of information and communication technology to office secretarial practices. This new perception has opened a wide vista in the development of new skills in the secretarial vocation and has helped in the creation of many new jobs and job opportunities for office technology and management graduates and other office managerial operatives (Wikipedia, 2013).
From the foregoing, it is obvious that office managerial work keeps expanding and has a lot of room for initiative and abilities to improve organizations well being. Many Information Technology job/career opportunities have been created for competent office technology management graduates and other office managerial operatives.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OFFERS TO ITS TRAINEES
Office Technology and Management as a course offers the following Information Technology career opportunities to its trainees:
Graphics Designer
Graphic design is all around us. It is in our morning paper, on our commute to work, and on the cover of our favorite books. The most common forms include: logos, websites, business cards, advertisements, book design, brochures, billboards, product packaging, posters, magazine layout, newspaper layout, greeting cards, etc.
Wimmer (2009) defined Graphic Design as an interdisciplinary, problem-solving activity which combines visual sensitivity with skill and knowledge in areas of communications, technology and business. Graphic design practitioners specialise in the structuring and organizing of visual information to aid communication and orientation. The graphic design process is a problem solving process, one that requires substantial creativity, innovation and technical expertise. Graphic design is a creative process, one most often involving a client and a designer, and traditionally completed in conjunction with producers of form (printers, sign makers, etc.). Common uses of graphic design include identity (logos and branding), publications (magazines, newspapers and books), advertisements and product packaging. For example, a product package might include a logo or other artwork, organized text and pure design elements such as shapes and color which unify the piece (Wikipedia, 2013). Miller (2009) also defines a graphic design as “the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience.” He further said a graphic designer is responsible for arranging and using elements on different types of media (such as a poster, a package or a website), most likely with the use of graphics software program such as Corel Draw, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign, etc.
A Graphic Designer is one who has the artistic sensibility, skill and experience and/or training professionally to create designs or images for reproduction by any means of visual communication, and who may be concerned with illustration; typography; calligraphy; surface design for packaging; or the design of patterns, books, advertising and publicity material, or any form of visual communication (Julius & Felipe, 2008). A graphic designer is a professional within the graphic design and graphic arts industry who assembles together images, typography or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for published, printed or electronic media, such as brochures (sometimes) and advertising. They are also sometimes responsible for typesetting, illustration, user interfaces, web design, or take a teaching position. A core responsibility of the designer’s job is to present information in a way that is both accessible and memorable.
A career as a graphic designer can take many different flavours because graphic design touches so many areas of visual output. Graphic designers work with letters, colour, patterns, illustration, photography, information and physical materials to create everything from annual reports to corporate logos, from maps and diagrams to album and book covers, from product packaging to digital interfaces – and much more besides. Graphic designers are versatile and can bring their understanding of visual elements and composition to work in many different areas. Familiarity with design software, as well as an ability to work and produce visual ideas away from the computer will appeal to employers (Helfand, 2009).
OTM trainees with their knowledge of Desktop Publishing can work in a variety of environments. While some may work within companies devoted specifically to the industry, such as design consultancies or branding agencies, others may work within publishing, marketing or other communications companies. They may also work as commercial designers, working on their own terms, prices, ideas, etc
Web Designer/Developer
The term web design is normally used to describe the design process relating to the front-end (client side) design of a website including writing mark up, but this is a grey area as this is also covered by web development (Walter, 2001). Web designers are expected to have an awareness of usability and if their role involves creating markup then they are also expected to be up to date with web accessibility guidelines (Jennifer, 2006). Lisbeth (2007) stated that web designers are responsible for the visual aspect, which includes the layout, coloring and typography of a web page. Web Designers/Developers will need to have a working knowledge of using a variety of languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and Flash to create a site. OTM offers Web Design as a course that teaches its trainees the fundamentals of HTML and the Web. It provides its trainees with an understanding of the introduction to Web design and Internet programming hence preparing them to take career in the field of web design/web development.
Database Administrator
Database administration is the function of managing and maintaining database management systems (DBMS) software such as Ms Access, Oracle, MySQL, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, etc. Corporations that use DBMS software often hire specialized IT (Information Technology) personnel called Database Administrators or DBAs. A database administrator (short form DBA) is a person responsible for the installation, configuration, upgrade, administration, monitoring and maintenance of databases in an organization (Haigh, 2006).
Database Administrators use database software to store and manage information. They will often set up database systems and are responsible for making sure those systems operate efficiently (usually referred to as database performance tuning). They also make sure that the data they store is backed up regularly, stored effectively, and that the data is secure from unauthorized access. Ensuring the data is available, by maximizing database uptime, is also an important function of the database administrator. Database Administrator’s job is very important, since in today’s world, almost all of the information a company uses is kept in databases (Mark and Orryn, 2001). The courses Database Management Systems (DBMS) and MIS (Management Information Systems) OTM offers at the HND level paves its trainees way to taking career in Database Administration.
Netpreneur/Internetpreneur
According to Spencer and Pruss, (2000), an entrepreneur is typically defined as a person willing to take risks involved in starting and managing a small business and the qualities that are needed to function effectively in a business, profit-making context.
Similarly, netpreneurship or internetpreneurship is the ability to start and manage a small business based exclusively on the Internet (Spencer and Pruss, 2000). Website is one of the most crucial tools for online business communication. It can be used to sell products and services on the web. The office technology management operatives, sometimes with intellectual capital as the only investment in the business, can grow a successful online enterprise with very few resources. Office management graduate with his knowledge of webpage design can help firms to create online business presence and also help his clients to copy it to the web. A competent Office technology and management graduate can engage in e-business by selling products and services such as e-books, ezines and newsletters, tickets, softwares, design and art, advertising services, as well as run consultancy services online.
Data Processor
Data are nothing but facts (organized or unorganized) which can be converted into other forms to make it useful, clear and practically used. This process of converting facts to information is processing. A data processor is a person who processes data. Data processing is any process that a computer program does to enter data and summarise, analyses or otherwise convert data into usable information. The process may be automated and run on a computer. It involves recording, analysing, sorting, summarising, calculating, disseminating and storing data. Data-processing systems typically manipulate raw data into information, and likewise information systems typically take raw data as input to produce information as output (Wikipedia, 2013). According to Wiki (2013), data processing is a sequence of operations on data to convert it into useful information. Information is most important part for any business. Without information, no business can even sustain their position in the market. Data processing helps you to get information from various kinds of instruments like; cheques, forms, images and others. Data processing goes through a cycle of input, processing and output.
The course, ICT and Office Applications OTM offers to its trainees enable them to do data entry, processing, and analysis through the use of Computer applications such as Ms Word, Ms Excel, etc. Thus these courses unlock their door of grasping career opportunities in data processing where they can work in industries as data processors or become self-employed by establishing business centres that could provide the public with such services as typing of documents, typesetting, etc for some fee.
Information Technology Consultant
When students are well versed in complex Office managerial work and ICT they can establish a consultancy unit that can assist young firms to establish electronic office, records management procedures and even sell ICT and office facilities and equipment to such firms. Huge income could be generated from such ventures to empower such consultants.
CONCLUSION
The acquisition of Office Technology and management education is certainly a reagent for youth empowerment. The acquisition of office technology and management skills opens numerous job opportunities to its recipients because office managerial manpower and services are needed in all areas of the economy. Thus, students who have office technological skills are not likely to waste much time on unemployment queue before securing gainful employment. Students with competent office management technological could establish small-scale businesses of the types earlier discussed where other members of the family (adult and youths) could help to generate more income for their empowerment.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are recommended
- That the curriculum for Office Technology and Management programme should be redesigned and enlarged to accommodate courses that are in touch with the reality of the world of business such as Web programming with special attention to CSS, PHP, Javascript in addition to HTML Programming, MySQL in addition to the content of Database Management System and Management Information Systems, technical writing, modern office production and technology, office equipment maintenance, project management and electronic publishing.
- That training should emphasized more on skills and practical abilities rather than theory.
- That additional training should be embarked upon by the students so as to enable them compete with others in the labour market after graduation. This additional training could be obtained from outside computer training centres/institutes, through attending seminars as well as enrolling for online learning courses.
- Training and re-training of lecturers should be done regularly to keep them abreast of the latest development in Information Technology for the benefit of their students.
- Internet services should also be made available in the computer laboratories to enable students acquire practical skills on how to use the internet.
- Students’ positive attitude towards innovations must be activated and interest developed in Information Technology.
REFERENCES
Asika, N.M. & Odugbesan, A. O. (2002), Understanding Nigerian Business Environment, Lagos, Concept Publication Ltd.
Boladele, Y. (2002). Secretarial Efficiency in an Automated Office: Journal of The School Vocational and Technical Education (THE VAS JOURNAL), 7 (1), 123-134.
Chukwumezie, F.U (2002). The Internet Competencies Required of Secretaries in a Technological Environment, Business Education Journal 3 (6) October, pp. 24-36
Ekpenyong. L E (2008). Foundations of Technical & Vocational Education: Evolution and Practice.
Haigh, T (2006). “Origins of the Data Base Management System” (PDF). SIGMOD Record ACM Special Interest Group on Management of Data 35 (2).
Helfand, J. (2009) “What is graphic design?” AIGA. Retrieved 7th April, 2013 from http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/what-is-design.
Jennifer, N. (2006). Web Design in a Nutshell. United States of America.
Julius, W. & Felipe, T. (2008). Latin-American Graphic Design. Taschen Publishers. ISBN 978-3-8228-4035-1
Lisbeth (2007). The Role of Aesthetics in Web Design. Nordicom Review (28): 63–76.
Miller, E. (2009). What is Graphic Design? Retrieved on 7th April, 2013 from http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/graphicdesignbasics/a/what_is.htm
Nworgu, B.N. (2007). The Indispensability of ICT in Educational Research. Information Communication Technology in the Service of Education Edited by D.N. Ezeh and Nkadi Onyegegbu, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, I.
Spencer, J. and Pruss, A. (2000). The Professional Secretary, London, Continuum Wellington House pp. 125-126
UNESCO (2010), Teaching Materials: Career Development retrieved on 8th April, 2013 from http://www.unesco-nigeriatve.org
Walter, O. (2001). Careers in Web Design. New York: The Rosen Publishing
Wiki (2013) Data Processing retrieved on 8th April, 2013 from http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Categories_of_data_processing
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