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Chicago IT Professional Gives Advice On A Growing Field

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Establishments in computer systems design and related services provide IT expertise for consumers and firms, often consulting with businesses to help them upgrade their computer systems, networks, or software. The industry is the largest of any computer-related industry, employing more than 1.5 million people in 2011."

CHI-Tech
(Photo Courtesy of Aurimas Adomavicius)

President of Devbridge Group, an international software design and development company, Aurimas Adomavicius shows how the industry is continuing to grow. Devbridge Group combines engineering expertise with aesthetic to deliver exceptional results for category leaders in manufacturing, health care, financial services and franchising. Aurimas can offer some great advice in obtaining formal education to succeed in this field.

How does formal education relate to the field?

"I have a Bachelor's of Computer Science in Systems Engineering, I've owned and operated Devbridge Group for the last six years and I've been in the field since 2001. My advice to others would be to start as early as possible, and dive as deep as you can. Formal education will give you a very solid foundation on concepts, but you should always read and play with emerging technologies on the side. If you can focus some of your energy on writing classes, public speaking and interpersonal communication – you will be ahead of the pack when you graduate."

How does your educational background correlate with your current role?

"It equipped me with two things: first, knowledge that this is the right field for me, and second, a library of concepts and patterns that real world experience can be built on top of. What is also very important for young engineers is to find great mentors that can coach and shape the evolving skill set with the necessary patterns."

How has the industry changed in terms of formal education?

"Demand for technology talent is higher than ever, with supply behind by eight years or more. Education is a building block, a stepping stool. If you're doing what you're supposed to do, you should be ahead of your program by third year and flying through courses with eyes half-closed, solving real world problems."

Sara Lugardo is a professional writer out of Chicago, Illinois. She has a Bachelor's in Communication and is currently working on her Master's. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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