The search for the adaptable ICT student

Article


Van Der Vyver, Glen. 2009. "The search for the adaptable ICT student." Journal of Information Technology Education: Research. 8 (1), pp. 19-28.
Article Title

The search for the adaptable ICT student

ERA Journal ID18013
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorVan Der Vyver, Glen
Journal TitleJournal of Information Technology Education: Research
Journal Citation8 (1), pp. 19-28
Number of Pages10
Year2009
Place of PublicationSanta Rosa, California, USA
ISSN1539-3585
1547-9706
1547-9714
Web Address (URL)http://www.jite.org/documents/Vol8/JITEv8p019-028VanDerVyver306.pdf
Abstract

The ‘new’ ICT professional should be an articulate problem-solver who understands business and technology, in particular how technology can solve business problems. Furthermore, the ideal ICT student should be adaptable. The adaptable student embraces change, learns quickly, understands the job market, thrives on variety, is autonomous, predicts change, and acts as a change agent in the organization.
This study examines the adaptability of a sample of second-year Australian ICT students. The evidence suggests that these students are less adaptable than might be expected of people who have chosen to study a subject characterized by change. One reason for this might be the fact that these students have limited knowledge about the realities of work in ICT beyond negative perceptions
about stress and long hours. A small number of more mature students with some work experience appear to be more adaptable.
An interesting paradox emerges. Younger students in particular appear to be highly adaptable in their personal lives and seek careers that maximize personal choice. On the other hand, they still prefer a degree of stability, a relatively defined career path, job security, and a career that is relatively stable.

KeywordsICT career, change, adaptability, ICT profession, student
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390303. Higher education
460999. Information systems not elsewhere classified
390113. Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy
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Byline AffiliationsSchool of Information Systems
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