Technology is the total set of any technical skills, techniques, or methods utilized in the creation of new products or services or in the achievement of specific goals, like scientific research. It may be a branch of science concerned with the application of new knowledge to solve problems and make new developments, or it may be a part of information technology concerned with the creation, access, and use of information and computer systems. The term technology pertains generally to any of these branches. The word technology has other meanings, including applications, apparatus, and method. Other associated terms include computing, computer sciences, software, hardware, networking, and telecommunications.

One example of a tech job, and one that illustrates the broad range of responsibilities that can be fulfilled by this kind of position, is that of an information security specialist. In the IT industry, a security specialist is responsible for protecting information from being tampered with, or in other ways. This can take many forms, including guarding against hackers who try to infiltrate company networks and deleting or destroying digital information that is stolen. An information security specialist can also work in network security, designing protocols that help to secure various networks, like the Internet, in order to prevent unauthorized access to data.

In some cases, an IT job may involve hiring a generalist to perform a range of tasks. For example, in a hospital setting, an IT job might be responsible for the creation of the hospital’s IT infrastructure, implementing software, hardware, and other systems; creating a backup plan for the entire system if disaster strikes; training doctors and other staff in using the technology; and approving security breaches. This is just a small sample of the tasks that might be performed. An individual with an IT degree may choose to become a hospital IT manager, instead of specializing in one particular field. This type of job will provide individuals with not only a wide knowledge of various computer languages but will allow them to develop their own expertise in a specific area of technology.