Internet Studies + Computer Information Systems = Data Visualization o.O

            I am majoring in Internet Studies which is a concentration on the Internet as a tool for communication in multiple formats. These formats range from social networking to news sources to entertainment mediums and many more in between. I have been learning about the different methods of communication through both the designer’s and the end user’s perspectives. One of these methods involves learning new software programs such as Adobe Flash and Dreamweaver in order to design websites from scratch. Another is learning about the different types of social networks and how to utilize them. Additionally, this program teaches about the history of the Internet and how technology has made it what it is today.

            I am minoring in Computer Information Systems which is a program training people to be a liaison and/or translator between Information Technology departments and users (both internally and externally). It is quite typical that within companies, most people working for them have a very difficult time talking with their IT people and vice versa. This program teaches people how to communicate with both sides and how to explain one side to the other. Learning what the IT department does such as programming, networking and database management plus business administration enables students to be this translator between departments. Even though it is strictly a business degree, it is rather interdisciplinary in the sense of needing to know so much information from so many different fields to be a proficient manager.

            I have been at ASU for three years now and the five classes that have had the most profound effect on understanding of my concentrations have been Internet Communication, Database Programming, Creativity, Systems Analysis and Design, and Society and Technology. Database Programming and Systems Analysis and Design have helped show me some of the technical components of the field I want to enter into. Society and Technology was important because it gave me a more thorough knowledge into the fields I thought I wanted to work in, such as Appropriate Technology and Sustainable Culturing. In my Creativity class, I had to write a large research paper which turned out to be centered around the subject of Biomimicry (the use of nature as an inspiration in design and science technologies). This was very important because it allowed me to find a niche in the field that I really want to take part as a professional in. And finally, Internet Communication was important because the professor introduced me to a way to integrate my background as a graphics designer with the major and minor of my concentration.

            Data Visualization is what I think I would like to find a new career in when I graduate. It is a very interdisciplinary path to choose as it utilizes my background in graphics and requires the knowledge of Computer Information Systems and Internet Studies. The basic idea of this career is that the designer uses programming to create information or statistics that they then display through designed content which is then displayed over the Internet or possibly on television or film. From what I have discovered, this is somewhat of an untapped field as there are very few people who can cross over and have a working understanding of both fields required. Usually, people can only either design or program, not both.

             Other ideas for research could be the idea of communication via the Internet and whether the amount of communication done online has diminished our social skills outside of the online arena. Another idea is whether or not the development of the Cloud will eliminate the need for purchasing physical software and devices or if will prove to be too unsecure for all uses?