IT workers help accelerate business processes using technology. They include software developers, systems engineers, security experts, technicians and trainers. IT workers are tasked with both project work and operations to maintain systems. There are roles in internal IT, product vendors, consultants and service providers. Choosing a career in IT offers a stable industry with growth, engaging problem-solving work, good compensation, and opportunities for management.

1. IT
Presented By: Chris Kopchik
Director, Infrastructure & Operations
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP
Father of Thomas Kopchik (WCDS ‘24)

2. What do you do in IT?
• Or perhaps a better question is what are you supposed to be doing?
• IT workers are specialized staff that know how to accelerate or
accomplish work using technology resources.
• Technology should make efficient business process more efficient, by
multiplying the amount of work that a single person can accomplish.
• IT should align business or policy goals with their own operational
practices.
• Example: If the goal is for a business to gain more customers, technology
should be applied to:
•
Identify potential customers (Database reporting)
•
Disseminate means of contacting them (E-mail, Voice over IP, LinkedIn, Skype)
•
Enable Social awareness of their product set (Twitter, Facebook)
•
Create a simple means for a new customer to acquire product (Amazon)

3. What kinds of people work in IT?
• Software Developers – Create software products, create reporting out of
databases, write mobile apps, maintain proprietary software
• Systems and Network Engineers – Maintain “the road”, commonly referred
to as infrastructure. These are the networks, servers, storage, and
datacenters that host the applications that we all use.
• Security Experts – Fight a never-ending struggle against
SPAM, hackers, malware, spear phishing, and other “advanced persistant
threats”. Goal is to protect
• Technicians – Work directly with non-IT staff to resolve computer
problems and maintain “customer-facing” equipment
(PCs, printers, laptops, tablets). Could be part of a Help Desk.
• Trainers – Goal is acclimate non-IT staff to applications and systems so
that the greatest return on technology investment is realized.
• Managers and Executives – Align IT with business goals and build
departmental strategy around chosen products or services.

4. What is asked of IT workers?
• I often wonder what is not asked of IT workers.
• IT work can broadly be defined as:
•
Projects – a temporary task with a defined beginning and end, to produce a unique
(usually new) product or service.
•
Operations – a frequently repeated task dealing with the maintenance or upkeep
of an existing product or process.
• Project and Operational responsibilities often conflict. Managers are
tasked with striking a balance and meeting the goals of the business.
• Work is often performed in off-hours. Technology systems that are used
during business hours must be maintained during evenings or weekends.
• Frequent travel, including international, is not unusual for those that
work in a services field.

5. What roles exist within IT?
• Internal IT Staff – Staff that works at a firm or agency, which is NOT in the
business of technology, e.g. retail stores, law firm, factory. Often they are
technology generalists that maintain many types of systems. Jobs are
generally stable and predictable.
• Product Vendors – Staff that works with a particular brand or service. Their
focus is very narrow, but specific product knowledge should be very deep.
Focus on customers is often regional or dedicated to a large metro area.
Assists customers of varying sizes and industries.
• Consultants – 3rd party expertise (not vendors, not customers, but working
with both) that is tasked with helping from everything from strategy and
business process to implementation or integration of a specific product.
Generally a career for those that like travel and many, varied assignments.
High-achievers often flock here (analytical).
• Service Providers – Often telecommunications (voice, data) or facility
providers. They lease services or space to all of the above categories. Goal is
engage customers in longer-term (3 years+) contracts. Staff functions are
largely operational in nature.

6. Why choose IT?
• Very stable industry. Growth has been omnipresent for the past 25 years.
• Work is often engaging and fun if you like solving problems.
• Compensation relative to educational barriers is very favorable.
• Professional certifications are plentiful.
• Defined career track into management, which is very accessible to just
about anyone.
• A consensus need for virtually every business.
• New cottage industries tend to explode into profitability. Examples:
smartphones/tablets, social media.
• Leverage technology to create technology: work from anywhere.

7. Trade off: Avoid family gatherings

8. Questions?
• Thanks for reading and stopping by today.
• If you have any questions about IT, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My
e-mail address is chris@kopchik.com.
• If you are wondering about my educational background:
•
I am the product of a college preparatory, independent school, like all of you.
•
I am a graduate of Georgia Tech, and have a Bachelor of Science in Business with a
minor in Operations Management.
•
I am a professionally-certified Project Manager.
• I have worked in the IT field for 17 years, the entirety of my professional
career. Even 50% of my summer jobs in college were IT.
• There are many great careers presented to you here today. Please
choose one!