Information Systems

What is an Information System (IS)? Majority of us know what IT (Information Technology) is, but don't know what an IS is. To briefly describe IS, it is a system composed of hardware, software, data, procedure, and people that produce information. IT is composed of hardware, software, and data, which are raw components of IS.
Here is a picture to explain it even better:


In our everyday lives, we use at least one type of IS. Today, for example, was a busy day for me. I used at least 5 different types of information systems.

First thing I do when I wake up is check my phone. I received emails and a text message, and so I (people) replied (procedure) by sending emails and a text message back (data) on the email/SMS system (software) of my Blackberry (hardware). I also used computers (my own PC and Rogers') to go on Facebook, pay my bill, and even now since I'm posting here in Blogger. I (people) logged in Facebook/paid my bill/posted in my blog (procedure + data) using Mozilla Firefox/Internet Explorer/Rogers' own payment system (software) on mine and Rogers' computer (hardware).

These are example of things we do on an everyday basis, but not realize the process going on. Now, we can take a look on the simplest procedures from a different perspective and break it down to the 5 components of an IS.

Employment History

As I mentioned in my introductory post, I went straight into the workforce after graduating high school. Surprisingly, I was offered a position that I was not expecting at all. For a teenager, this was a huge move for me. At first it was very intimidating, but I received the training and knowledge I needed to be part of the corporate workforce.

Here is a breakdown of my employment history:








Thomas Cook Group plc - Encore CruiseEscapes (Sept. 2007 - Apr. 2008)

This was my first "real" job, where I worked as a Cruise Specialist. Encore CruiseEscapes is a cruise vacation wholesaler located at the heart of downtown Toronto, and we provide cruise packages to travel agencies all over Canada. To briefly describe my responsibilities, I booked cruise packages including hotels, flights, transfers, etc. in behalf of travel agents, for their clients. The reason why I left the company is because an offer came up from a start-up travel (cruise) company, which brings me to my next employer.










Tripharbour (Apr. 2008 - Sept. 2008)

Tripharbour.ca is a new cruise company in the travel industry, and is located in downtown Toronto as well. I worked as a travel consultant in the company, and enjoyed every moment of it. The reason why I took the position was not only because of better salary and benefits, but I also saw the potential in growth within the company. The President and CEO of Tripharbour is Stuart MacDonald. He is the SVP of Marketing & Packages and CMO of Expedia, and also the Founder and Managing Director of Expedia.ca (Expedia Canada). Having such an impressive background, I believed that Tripharbour will be as successful as Expedia, or even more successful.










Flight Network (Sept. 2008 - Feb. 2009)
Some personal issues came up in life, and I can no longer afford commuting to downtown Toronto. It just happened that I also received an offer from Flight Network in Oakville. Long story short, I had to take a job that was closer to home, without having to worry about rush-hour traffic and taking the subway. My responsibilities were almost identical from the previous job at Tripharbour. Unfortunately, the company had to let me go in February of 2009, due to company restructuring caused by the recession.



So there you have it. After being laid off, I decided that maybe it was enough time for me to know what direction I should be taking in life. And so I decided that it was time for me to go back to school and get my degree. Six months later, I got accepted and started attending Sheridan College. It was a very wise choice, and now that I'm getting the education I need, I will be ready for what lies ahead.

Introduction

So, the first question that probably comes to your heads right now is "Who is Jeff Reyes?" Well as my first post, I will gladly introduce myself briefly.

As I mentioned, I am currently enrolled in the Business Administration - Finance program at Sheridan College. At this point in my life, majority of people are expecting me to have already graduated or at least be in the senior year. Well, I took life in a different route.

I took about 2 years off after graduating high school. Reason being is that like most high school seniors, I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. I was just as confused as everybody else (well, not everybody, but you get my drift). One main point I live by is that I'm not going to commit myself in a college program just because my peers are taking it or my parents said so (unless of course, it actually interests me).

Surprisingly, I was offered a position as a travel consultant in a reputable company in downtown Toronto. Now this was a big step for me, considering I was coming from high school. But I took the step, and two years later, I am now back in college on the way to pursuing my career. Within those two years, I met a lot of respectable and valuable people. I earned experience in the corporate world that was more like an "on-the-job training." It also gave me an idea of the industries that I was and was not interested in. This helped me in deciding on which way I should pursuit my career in.

Now that I have experience, and with the knowledge I am currently acquiring in school, I will be ready to face the "real world" with confidence.