In this issue: Defining the Essential Skill and Functional Areas of Study in Information Technology as Measured by a Survey of Field Professionals

Abstract: This paper reports the survey results of a representation of the Southwestern Pennsyl-vania regional technological corporate community. The purpose was to determine what Areas of Study in Information Technology these professionals consider essential, usable, and non-applicable to the current corporate workforce in their respective organizations. Specific skills of a technological nature, as well as general areas of computer-related functional competencies, such as networks and databases, were derived through a questionnaire response. The results were tabulated to identify the key technological skills considered essential to higher education curricular offerings in Informatio