InfoGuides: IT 104: Introduction to Computing: Learn about the IT Profession

Learn about the IT Profession!

Mason Career Resources

Mason Career Services
Career Services offers Mason students support and guidance in their career exploration and job hunting. Offers workshops on career related topics, organizes job fairs and more.

Internet Career Resources

O*Net Online
Use O*NET to explore different careers, and analyze specific jobs. Find occupations using a keyword search or explore by cluster such as Career Cluster, Industry Cluster, etc. Also search for jobs by the types of skills required.
Computer and IT Careers
This site from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It provides details about career opportunities in IT, employment forecasts, and more.
What Type of Jobs Can You Get With an Information Technology Degree?
Explore some of the tech job types available.
Different Types of Information Technology Careers
Read this Career Trend article to find out more about IT occupations.
Top 10 Tech Job Skills Predicted To Grow The Fastest In 2021 (Forbes)
Discusses the top 10 tech job skills in 2021.
Indeed.com
The #1 Internet job site in 2017! Get job listings from thousands of websites across the country. Set up alerts and get emails about new jobs. FREE
Dice.com Tech Jobs Search
The leading career website for IT professionals, users will find jobs from entry level to senior IT professional. Users can create an account and post their resumes for free!

IT Topics & Resources

The Future of Computing
Fortune Magazine series
By 2030, this is what computers will do
The World Economic Forum forecast for computing tech in the near future.

Computer Basics
Tutorial covering the basics of computers including software and hardware.
Computer Hardware Link
Learn about the hardware that goes into our computers.
Basics of Computer Hardware
Learn the basics of computer hardware.
Building a Linux Computer System
Build your own Linux computer!

Free Apps for Windows to Download
Find free software on this site.
Software News
Stay current on software with this news site.
Software News from Science Daily
Learn about new software innovations and research.
Best Antivirus Software - 2021 Buyer's Guide (7/21)
PC Week Software Reviews

Learn about databases and how they work from the following websites and tutorials. For books and videos on databases and how to create them, check out the following resources:

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda Online Training)
Provides Mason faculty, students and staff with free, unlimited online access to tutorials and courses in hundreds of subject areas, including office productivity; audio, video, and web software; as well as business and job skills. New courses are added every week. Log in with your Mason NetID username and password. LinkedIn Learning is available 24/7 from your computer, tablet or mobile device, and is supported jointly by Mason's ITS Learning Support Services and the University Libraries.
O'Reilly Learning Platform (Safari)
- This link opens in a new window
The new platform (O’Reilly for Higher Education) expands the Safari Tech Books, offering business as well as technology books from industry-leading publishers; and adds videos, learning paths, case studies and exclusive content.
Note: Access to this resource requires registration with a George Mason University email address.

YouTube Videos on Databases
What is a Relational Database, DBMS or RDBMS? (YouTube)
https://youtu.be/8QEC9M5iCOM
My First SQL Course
Use this video to learn about Structured Query Language (SQL).
https://youtu.be/SVV7HjKmFY4
Database Basics
Learn about using MS Access to create databases. (Microsoft)
Database Relationships
Find out about data relationships in databases. (Lifewire)
Database Tutorial
In this tutorial, learn the basics of database management systems. (Quackit)

Learn more about networks, how they are set up, the way they work and the equipment and protocols they use.

The Concepts of Networking
This online encyclopedia defines and explains computer networking concepts.
Routers and IP Addresses
Learn about routers and more in this article series from TechGenix.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Covers the history of LANs and how they work.
The Basic Types of Network Protocols
Defines and explains various protocols including wireless and internet protocols. (Lifewire)

How Computer Viruses Work
Learn about how computer viruses work so you can protect your computer and your identity!
How to prevent and remove viruses and other malware (Microsoft)
Protect your computer and the information stored on it by removing viruses and malware.
Phishing Awareness Course -- NEW
Learn more about phishing and how to recognize it. (US Department of Defense)
What is a digital signature?
Digital signatures are explained on this website.
Add/remove a digital signature in Office Documents (Microsoft Office)
Add your digital signature to Word documents.
Microsoft Office 2010: Adding a digital signature (YouTube Video)
Watch this video about adding digital signatures to Word documents.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/eMFWm6ZeSPE

How to Stay Secure on Facebook
Read this post on the Download Blog (CNET.com), to get tips on enhancing the security of your Facebook account.

System Development Life Cycle (ComputerWorld)
Explains software development.
Waterfall Model: What is it and When Should You Use It?
Learn about the waterfall model used for software development.
Difference between Prototype Model and Waterfall Model
Provides a comparison of these two software development models,

Programming

Functions in Programming
Talks about how functions are used in programming (Math Open Reference).
Interpreter vs. Compiler (Bookrags)
Explains the differences and functions of an interpreter versus a compiler.
Compiler vs. Interpreter (Recomparison)
Defines what interpreters and compilers are and what they do.

Scratch Official Website (MIT Media Lab)
Use Scratch to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art and share them on the Web.
Scratch Programming Tutorials
Learn about data types in Scratch (MIT)
Scratch Tutorials from EXPO Elementary Students
View Scratch tutorials created by students at the EXPO for Excellence Magnet Elementary School in Saint Paul, MN.
Kids Like Info: Scratch Resources
Learn about Scratch, how it is different from Alice, and more.
Scratch Help Page (MIT Media Lab)
This page provides tutorials and other tips for students and teachers using Scratch.

Alice Official Website
Use Alice, a 3-D language to create animations for creating applications, tell a story or program an interactive game (Carnegie Mellon University)
Learn to Program with Alice
A series of tutorials designed to teach aspiring programmers with no experience how to program in the Alice programming environment.
Adventures in Alice Programming (archives)
Alice tutorials, videos and examples developed by Susan Rodger and the Alice Team at Dukie University.
Kids LIke Info: Alice Programming Resources
Alice porgramming resources.