Challenges of an IT Professional

TechnoparkToday.Com>> I am 68 years old, owner of a small software company.  I learned computer programming in 1969 from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the only computer institute in Asian continent at that time where program was written in punch card.  Later I worked in more than 30 countries before settling down in Trivandrum.

During my life time, I noticed several aspects of Information Technology.  The number one problem for an IT professional is health.  He is attached to a chair for nearly 10 hours a day for 300 days in a year.  As Homosapiens, our body is not designed to sit in a chair.  Because of the posture, the IT professional develop several health problems.  This become very acute when one reaches the age group of 35-45. Women suffer more than men.

The second problem an IT professional face is relationship problems. They communicate with the inanimate computer for hours every day.  The computer is like Alladins Jin, which obeys without question.  They get conditioned by this behavior pattern.  Human beings are different, they all react.  Most often they react negatively.  Husband, wife, children, subordinate, they all react in a way which we don’t like.   An average IT person gets frustrated on the reaction.  The number of divorce cases among IT couples is increasing alarmingly. Job hoping is the culture in IT industry.  Trust and loyalty are proportionate to the pay packet. They believe that shore is always greener on the other side.

The third challenge they face is time management. The world is moving so fast that it is very difficult to cope with. Everybody have 1440 minutes a day.  Many IT ans cannot cope with the work and family pressure on time.

Remember three words:  Health, Relationship,Time.

(To be continued..>>)

 Capt. K.Aravindakshan Pillai MBA, NORAD Fellow, Master FG, MIMA.

Capt K. Aravindakshan Pillai is an Ex-Naval officer who participated in 1971 war. Now he is a columnist, politician, and sports man (veteran). He writes columns in English and Malayalam magazines. He is an accredited management teacher and a management consultant. Email:  [email protected], Phone:9446442417, 0471-2724667.