adminout of school to pursue their passion.
Henry Ford cannot be left out of this group except that he dropped out to manufacture cars. In case you lose the point, it’s not about dropping out, it’s about taking the next critical step to reach your destiny.
In keeping with my thrust of helping those intending to pursue a career in technology I spoke to the professor and director of the computer centre at the University of Zimbabwe, Dr Gilford Tapera Hapanyengwi, who is very passionate about technology. Our discussion centred on the foundation of starting an IT career.
Tonderai Rutsito (TR): There are many students out there that are looking at various career options but for those who are interested in technology where can they start?
Gilford Hapanyengwi (GH): Well, it all depends on how successful the students are in their studies. The entry requirements for most ICT professional qualifications vary from O-Level to A-Level.
TR: Let’s start with O-Level students, how can they enter the technological world?
GH: One can also choose to study towards attaining a certificate. This qualification is a stepping stone to being an IT professional. The professions can be in networking, development and operations, etc. Networking can also lead to things like certification in Cisco.
TR: What development courses are we talking about?
GH: Development certification is one that can lead to certification in Microsoft and more recently development in Android and Java. In fact, the mobile world is providing interesting development challenges and opportunities. You have a situation where the developing world depends more on mobile than the developed world. As a result we cannot depend on good solutions coming from the North all the time.
TR: How about the operational courses?
GH: Operations leads to certification in Windows OS and Linux and any such operating systems.
TR: How about A-Level students?
GH: Those with A-Level Science can do a BSc in Computer Science or Electronic or Electrical Engineering. It’s a good start, but for those who did commercials, including Mathematics, can opt for Business Studies and Computer Science or Information Systems.
All these require some high points usually in the 13+ range. An A or B in Mathematics is imperative.
TR: What is the secret to making it to these computing levels?
GH: The bottom line about Computer Science, IT, ICT (whatever you want to call it) is that you need to have a desire to experiment and you need to be a hard worker.
Experimentation is very important as new developments come through that rather than just sticking to the norm.
TR: Suppose I just want to be a network engineer, why should I spend three years studying for a degree instead of going the CCNA Cisco route or becoming a Microsoft specialist or a Linux, is this not a waste of time?
GH: That is a very good question. It depends on the level that you want to reach and the environment you find yourself in. Professional qualifications are suited for someone who is already in the profession. For you to be a professional golfer you have to have done some armature golfing.
TR: Is this not a waste of time though considering that a practical qualification at times takes precedence?
GH: The essence of a degree or diploma is to give you the basic IT grounding which you then find useful when you pursue a professional career.
TR: What if I have a bit of work experience?
GH: Yes, a diploma or degree can to some extent be substituted by work experience. But then this is even a longer way of attaining your goal, as there is no structure with regards to the quality of knowledge one gets in a work setting.
TR: I understand that part but in some specialised fields companies normally ask for Microsoft, Linux or Cisco certification?
GH: Well, they are asking for those in a roundabout way. They are aware that for you to attain the professional qualifications you will have gone the degree or diploma route in most cases. Of course, there is a fourth way, where one starts on the professional qualification and then gets a job where they are practising while still learning.
TR: Is this last route advisable?
GH: It is but the trick is getting someone to employ you so that you get the experience while you are still doing your professional courses.
TR: We have some organisations, mostly parastatals who still require “an IT degree” for positions like IT administrators and managers, is this a good move?
GH: Degrees are very relevant in two ways. A bachelor’s degree endows you with a certain way of thinking. You are taught how to think and then you are taught about your subject matter. This is very important when one is looking at a future contribution of an employee.
The second thing will depend on what you have done with your degree. Certification is exactly that “certification”. A normal IT professional who respects himself or herself is normally expected to excel in what they do and thus have a certain level of certification.
Moreover, if you are looking at becoming an IT manager or administrator you are aiming for a level that also requires a bit of planning, design and administration.
TR: This is something we do not really learn at school . . .
GH: Of course, these things are not necessarily covered in your degree or certification but it is an experience that is attained through teamwork and development.
TR: What advice would you give to the students who want pursue a career in networking, Linux administration and Microsoft-certified engineers?
GH: Know and enjoy your Mathematics. Work hard and excel in school. Enrol for a Computer Science programme then certify. Innovate, innovate and innovate. Do not look at repairing things, look at introducing new products, new ways of thinking and doing things.
TR: I have a strong background in hardware engineering and repair and I feel the degree programmes that are on offer at the moment are irrelevant or useless. Would you care to comment?
GH: If a degree programme does not teach you how to think, then it is useless. If it builds on your logical thought process then it is a good degree.
TR: Just how in touch is our ICT syllabus with the technological world especially in degree programmes and how often is it reviewed?
GH: Well, that is a question that each programme will have to individually answer to. However, the majority of our programmes, which I am exposed to, are quite relevant. I will give you a simple measure: our graduates are finding jobs in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
TR: How about any short computer course you would recommend for starters especially for those who are already at various workplaces, the doctors, engineers, teachers who want a good appreciation of computing or at least to familiarise, where can they start?
GH: That is a very difficult question to answer because it depends on the intended use of the course and the capabilities of the individual. However, an International Computers Driver’s Licence is a generic good beginning for someone who is looking for computer appreciation and initial use of systems. This also works for someone that is looking for proper use of the Microsoft applications they might be using already.
TR: I cannot help but agree with you completely. ICDL is quite comprehensive and a good starting point. Thank you so much for the enlightenment.
l The writer is a computing specialist with TechnoMag, more on our Facebook page http://facebook.com/technomagzw. LIKE our Facebook page for free airtime giveaways. Website http://tech.co.zw. Twitter @technomagzw. Email: [email protected]/[email protected]
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