Information Technology

The IT industry is probably the most diverse of the engineering disciplines with most companies, from small independent businesses to leading national organisations, relying on computers for their day-to-day operation. There are a great number of specialist areas including software development, database design and administration, project/programme management and web development but the competitive nature of the industry suggests that your chances of employment are better if you are flexible about which area you wish to work in.

The role of an IT professional

The sheer diversity of the industry means that the role of an IT professional can vary dramatically depending on which area they are working in.  A role in development can entail involvement in the complete project lifecycle from the initial requirements analysis through to programming, testing and implementation. A user-based environment could involve providing support to end users, installing and configuring systems and applications according to business requirements, and ensuring that company information is secure at all times. IT professionals are required to resolve a range of complex technical issues and it is essential to keep up to date with the latest technological developments.

Entry requirements

This is a highly competitive industry sector and it is therefore most common to enter at graduate level.  Specialist IT degrees include Computer Science, Computer Communications, e-Commerce, Business Information Systems and Web Computing. However, it is possible to enter the industry with a non-IT degree due to the diversity of the skills that can be acquired as a result. Many degrees also offer computing modules as an option so that individuals can develop IT skills which are now valued in almost all industry sectors.

There are an increasing number of overseas opportunities available in the IT industry so knowledge of a foreign language is also beneficial. In general, your chances of employment in this industry are better if you not only possess the relevant qualifications but can also demonstrate an understanding of the various environments in which computers are now used. Evidence of work placements, either paid or voluntary, are invaluable as a means of showing that you can actually apply the skills and technologies that you have studied.

Available qualifications

Aside from the degree subjects already mentioned, there are a variety of professional qualifications which can aid progression within the IT industry. Novell, Cisco, Microsoft and Oracle all offer accredited qualifications which can enable specialisation in a particular product range while affiliation with the British Computer Society or the Institute of Electrical Engineers is evidence of much broader industry knowledge. There are also entry-level qualifications, including the European Computer Driving Licence, which are designed to develop basic IT skills and to demonstrate the ability to grasp new technologies.

Skills requirements

The skills required for a career in IT depend ultimately on which area you wish to specialise in although there are some general requirements which are relevant to all fields:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• The ability to learn new technologies
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to work on own initiative and as part of a project team

Future opportunities

The IT industry is one that continues to be popular, relatively well paid and, despite inevitable peaks and troughs in recruitment trends, there are nearly always opportunities available for those with the appropriate skills and experience. Both contract and permanent positions are available and many people choose to set up their own businesses specialising in providing support and technical expertise to a portfolio of clients. Computers are now used in most industry sectors so there is potential for diversity depending on where your interests lie.