Now president of his own information technology (IT) service company, Ibrahim
Hamouda has come a long way since his first few years in the information technology
industry. "I followed one of the best IT [workers] in the industry as his
shadow for couple of years, without pay, just to learn from him," he says.
For Hamouda, it is very rewarding to implement something new or to deploy
a new piece of software that he developed.
"It is a very good career for people who like to feel the satisfaction
of achievement," he says. He adds that for him, this satisfaction not only
comes financially but in life as a whole as well.
Paul Skrzyniak has also been fortunate enough to start his own computer
and networking services business.
"I used to work in technical support at a web hosting company and it became
too stressful," he says. "Dealing with managers and owners in a big company
was always an issue for me." Skrzyniak is now co-owner of a computer services
business.
He says he realized that he had enough knowledge and experience to take
the leap to start a new business. "I never thought I would have my own business,
but I never ruled it out either," he says.
Skrzyniak's rewards now come from the clients he helps on a daily basis.
"The total appreciation I get now is from my clients, treating them with respect
and kindness while completing the jobs all culminates into success," Skrzyniak
says.
"I run my business my way, on my terms, and things could not be better!"
he says.
However, the hardest part of the job for many LAN technicians is keeping
up with the ever-changing technology.
"There are new things every day and if you don't keep up, you're out of
the industry in two months," says Hamouda.
A LAN technician must stay up to date on new technologies, softwares and
upgrades as well as learn how to use and implement those new tools.
"There is always new technology to implement and to learn," says Olivier
De Wulf. De Wulf is managing partner of an IT service company in San Francisco,
California.
That is one thing Diana Smeland really likes about her job. Smeland says
she feels part of a technological revolution in the workplace. "I have the
pleasure of doing something new and being able to figure it out," she says.
Those challenges and exploring new ways to overcome them help make this an
exciting career.
"It's always different, always very interesting," says De Wulf. "I think
what makes our job so interesting is that we are there to help people use
the technology as well as they can."
It is a fast-paced, growing and dynamic field that requires individuals
to be multi-taskers and excellent communicators. Because of an evolving technology,
individuals must also always be open to change and ready to learn.
"If you have the love for computers, problem-solving, and
always have that bit of curiosity and motivation to learn then, go into networking,"
Skrzyniak. "Networking is a big part of our world today. The Internet is the
biggest network and look what it has done in the way we communicate."