Before I answer the question, let me first define the profession. According to Webster's Dictionary, a "profession is a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation". The United States Code of Federal Regulations [29 CFR Sec. 541.3] defines a person " employed in a professional capacity" as one who meets these four criteria:
- One's primary duties consist of the performance of work requiring knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction and study or work.
- One's instruction, study, or work is original and creative in character in a recognized fields of artistic endeavor and the result of which depends primarily on the invention, imagination, or talent of the employee.
- One's work requires the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment on its performance.
- One's work is predominately intellectual and varied in character and is of such character that the output produced or the result accomplished cannot be standardized in relation to a given period of time.
reference: Ethics in Information Technology Book by George Reynolds
In other words, a professional is someone who requires advanced training and experience, must exercise discretion and judgment in the course of his or her work, and whose work cannot be standardized. Many people would add that they expect a professional to contribute to society, to participate in a life-long training program (both formal and informal), to keep abreast of developments in their field, and to help develop other professionals. In addition, many professional roles carry with them special rights and special responsibilities. Doctors, for example, are allowed to are also expected to help individuals who are hurt in accidents or emergencies. Accountants, lawyers, priests and licensed engineers also have special rights and responsibilities.
Given the definition of "professional," My answer is,YES, I am an IT Professional. There are many business workers whose duties,background and training, and work could qualify them to be classified as professionals. These people include marketing analysts, financial consultants, and IT specialists. A partial list of IT specialists includes programmers, systems analysts, software engineers, database administrators, LAN Administrators and Chief Information Officers (CIOs).
From my own standpoint, I am IT professional in the sense that my duties consist of the performance of work requiring knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science and I also exercise the field. I've worked as an computer technician, IT consultant of one business in our place and I am a Instructor. I've passed some certification in TESDA also. I'll always practicing this field today and forever with ETHICAL WAYS
From a practical standpoint, the IT industry recognizes people from a wide set of backgrounds,education and personal experience in many different roles as IT professionals-provided they can do the job required by such a role.
"I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT I AM AN IT PROFESSIONAL"
