IT Career Opportunities
Overview of IT Career Opportunities
Information Technology is one of the most competitive professions in the market. Professions like IT Security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybercrime, and software engineering are some of such competitive IT occupations.
Since most companies and organisations have automated their core functions, IT skills have become inevitable in the different dimensions of our life.
Regardless of what industry you anticipate joining, knowledge of information technology can help someone stand out as a competitive candidate.
As information technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, the opportunities available for those with IT skills and competence to operate such IT systems have expanded.
Therefore, studying IT may be an excellent choice if a person is interested in being an IT professional.
Roles of Various IT Career Opportunities
There are several career opportunities in the IT industry. Today, the demand for IT experts is rising because companies, institutions, and governments are revolutionising how they undertake their daily activities.
In that regard, there are many areas where a person can work as an IT professional.
For example, when you anticipate working as a system administrator, there are several roles, that you are required to perform.
The most common career opportunities are such as, Computer operator, Computer technician, computer system analyst (CSA), System administrator, Computer programmer, Network architect/or Network administrator, Cloud computing engineer, Database administrator, IT project manager, Web developer, Information security officer, Business Intelligence Analyst, and Mobile application developer.
Computer Operator
According to standardised operating instructions, the computer operator monitors and manages computers and electronic data-processing equipment. Depending on the employer or employing institutions, key roles of the computer operator might include:
• Managing and improving a company’s network performance by troubleshooting hardware and software problems
• Entering batch data into the computer for processing
• Logging all information processing Activities and exceptions
• Performing backup to reduce the risk of data loss
• Identifying and correcting file and system errors
• Performing data processing operations according to a business production schedule
• Maintaining computer equipment and inventory and organise repairs as needed
• Creating and managing users credentials to ensure the security of the organization.
Computer Technician
A computer technician regularly maintains, upgrades, and repairs computers and their accessories.
The computer technician is on the front lines of IT and performs the following duties:
• Troubleshooting and solving problems related to hardware and software
• Assembling, upgrading computers and installing software patches and upgrades
• Monitoring servers and networks
• Maintaining computers and peripherals, and managing data security
• Ensuring that computer systems are all optimised and run efficiently
• Addressing users’ explanations of computer problems and evaluate their needs
• Guiding users through the steps necessary to resolve their problems and train them to use computer hardware and software properly.
Computer Systems Analyst
A Computer Systems Analyst (CSA) is responsible for analysing and designing hardware and software tools to improve overall IT function in the organisation. The CSA is also responsible for identifying the organization’s needs and problems and then designing a solution for the problem. The roles of CSA include the following:
• Managing the installation, deploying, and testing of new computer systems
• Training end-users and preparing instruction manuals and other essential documentation
• Developing new and upgraded functionality for existing computer systems
• Collaborating with managers and other experts to assess an organisation’s IT needs
• Researching and analysing the possible advantages and drawbacks of emerging technologies
• Selecting and configuring the new hardware and software to meet the organisation’s needs.
System Administrator
A system administrator is essential in organisations that have computerised their organisational functions.
A system administrator is responsible for system maintenance, data management, crisis management, and profile management.
The following are some responsibilities of a system administrator:
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot software and hardware issues and outages
• Manage the network servers and monitor their performance according to requirements
• Set up users’ accounts and ensure security through access controls
• Upgrade the systems with new updates and releases
• Maintain records of organisational IT assets usage
• Train end-users on new emerging technologies
• Build internal technical documentation, manuals, and IT policies
Computer Programmer
A computer programmer, also known as a software engineer, is responsible for designing and creating systems and software programs. Some key responsibilities of a computer programmer include the following:
• Systems integration and software development
• Examine users’ needs and create computer programs that address those needs
• Train end-users on newly deployed software and systems
• Manage database systems
• Analyse algorithms, write computer code, and modify source code
• Design and test computer structures and programs
• Write system instructions, debug, and maintain operating systems
• Planning and modelling software
• Upgrade the existing programs and repair program errors
Network Architect / Network Administrator
A Network administrator is responsible for analysing, defining, designing, building, and maintaining various data communication systems and networks, including LANs, WANs, and the Internet.
The central roles of a Network administrator include the following:
• Analyse the workflow and network security needs and establish the network
• Assess network performance problems and provide solutions
• Network installation and testing of equipment, connections, and firewalls
• Define the policies and procedures related to the network
• Monitor and analyse the network and troubleshoot related problems
• Fine-tune the network to enhance the performance for users
• Implement, monitor, and evaluate security protocols
• Train the end-users on the safe and secure use of the network
• Test, evaluate, install network enhancements periodically and update the network
• Maintain accurate documentation and records of the network
Cloud Computing Engineer
A cloud computing engineer is responsible for defining, designing, implementing, and maintaining systems and solutions that rely on cloud systems, platforms, and infrastructure. The three major types of cloud Engineers are Solutions architects, Cloud developers, and System operations engineers.
The key responsibilities of a cloud computing engineer may vary depending upon the vertical position. Cloud computing engineer may have many other subcategories of career, including:
• Cloud security engineer
• Systems engineer
• Cloud developer
• Cloud architect
• Network engineer
A Cloud computing engineer is responsible for the following responsibilities:
• Developing and maintaining cloud solutions following best practices
• Designing and developing modular cloud-based systems
• Ensuring efficient functions of data storage and processing functions in the cloud infrastructure
• Responsible for securing cloud infrastructure and its components
• Conducting and managing data analytics in the cloud environment
• Providing technical support for cloud clients and users in the organizatio
Database Administrator
Nowadays, organisations and businesses produce and collect large amounts of data to run their daily operations. Therefore, the database administrator is needed to store, secure, and organise the company’s or organisation’s massive data.
The roles of a database administrator are as follows:
• To perform administration of systems, databases, server virtualisation and server infrastructure
• To manage security aspects to the assigned systems, database, integrity controls, related records and documents
• To install, upgrade, and maintain software applications and databases
• To undertake daily maintenance, testing, backups, and recovery of systems and databases per the organisation’s policy and standards
• To ensure high availability of systems is working efficiently and services
• To monitor standards, procedures, and access methods for the database management system
IT Project Manager
The IT project manager is responsible for planning, initiating, and executing complex IT projects and initiatives. IT project manager is accountable to:
• meet with the organisations’ stakeholders to help determine the scope and timing of IT projects;
• work with technical teams to identify barriers or issues and determine options for how to address them;
• conduct regular checks to monitor project progress and address unexpected issues;
• create overall IT project work rolling out institutional plans;
• consult technical teams to identify what resources are needed for a project;
• develop and implement the ICT policy of the organisation.
Web Developer
A web developer is responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining web applications. An individual can choose to work as: a back-end developer (working mainly with the technical development of the website), a front-end developer (responsible for the look and design of a website), and a webmaster (maintain and update websites).
It is also possible to perform all these roles depending on the arrangement.
A web developer is responsible for:
• conducting meetings with clients and evaluating their website development needs;
• building and testing the web applications and integration with respective databases;
• code writing for the website;
• cooperating with the website stakeholders’ team;
• creating user-friendly, operational, and accessible layouts;
• cracking and monitoring the site traffic or other key performance measure or analysis.
Information Security Officer
An Information security officer protects and manages the organisation’s network and systems against security vulnerabilities and potential fallout. Information Security Officer manages and creates disaster recovery plans, conducts assessments of security threats, develops procedures for resolving potential threats, and keeps an eye on the new threats in the industry.
The roles of IT security officer include the following:
• Monitor the systems for security risks or possible vulnerabilities
• Supervise the organisation-wide implementation and management of safeguard measures such as firewalls and antivirus software
• Prepare reports related to security risks and guide on the prevention measures
• Ensure timely systems testing to identify potential weaknesses and implement solutions
• Monitor network usage to ensure compliance with security policies
Business Intelligence Analyst
A Business Intelligence (BI) analyst is responsible for retrieving and analysing data within a company or organisation.
The roles of BI Analyst are as follows:
• To make consultations with management and the essential stakeholders to define goals
• To conduct research, develop, and implement data-gathering methods
• To provide analysis/analytics and synthesis of data (descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive data analytics)
• To report on research findings and recommend solutions
• To collaborate with co-workers and management in implementing various strategies
• To evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies
• To develop and manage BI solutions
Mobile Application Developer
A mobile application developer is a software developer specialising in mobile technology, such as developing various applications (or apps) for Google’s Android, Apple’s iOS, and Microsoft’s Windows Phone platforms.
The typical roles of a mobile application developer include the following:
• To prepare the entire application lifecycle (concept, design, test, release, and support)
• To generate fully functional mobile applications by writing clean code (i.e., coding, testing, debugging, documenting, and monitoring)
• To work together with various departments in the organisation regarding new deployments
• To contribute to the development of project schedules and workflows
• To propose changes and enhancements to software applications
• To prepare the unit and user interface (UI) tests for identifying malfunctions
• To conduct research and propose new mobile products, applications, and protocols
• To stay up to date with new technology trends.