| Different jobs need varying skills and qualifications, so | | | | role or in a secretarial or administrative capacity. |
| it's hard to generalise. Every IT job requires a | | | | To become a software quality assurance engineer, |
| different level of technical ability, for example. Equally, | | | | you'll need particularly sharp problem-solving skills, and |
| what two employers want from someone with the | | | | a basic grasp of programming. Indeed, you'll have |
| same job title may not be identical. | | | | some knowledge, however limited, of just about |
| However, there are some things which apply to any | | | | every aspect of computing. |
| job in IT. Each role will require a degree of technical | | | | If you want to be a business analyst, you'll need |
| ability. And though the job may be in computing, you'll | | | | business as well as computing skills. You'll be acting |
| still have to deal with a wide range of people, | | | | mainly as the link between the business and software |
| whether as customers or colleagues. In most | | | | developers. |
| information technology jobs, you'll also need to be a | | | | You could also work as a tester, or test manager, |
| good problem solver, and be able to communicate | | | | and this can lead to a role in management or |
| and work well as part of a team. | | | | compliance, and is often a great way to gain a |
| Indeed, in some project management positions, the | | | | foothold in the industry. |
| ability to communicate, organise and build a team | | | | You may choose to go for an IT job specialising in |
| may be more important than your technical skills. | | | | databases, for which you will not necessarily need a |
| When you're looking for a job, bear in mind that rules | | | | software or computer science background. Jobs in |
| of supply and demand apply to the IT industry as | | | | database administration are potentially well paid, and |
| much as any other. For example, some traditional | | | | can lead to roles involving data architecture or |
| programming work is being outsourced overseas, and | | | | systems analysis. |
| companies are increasingly relying on automated | | | | If you work in MIS (management information |
| testing. | | | | systems), you'll ensure a company's network of |
| But new roles are being devised all the time. | | | | computers is running as it should at all times. This |
| Compliance, for example, is a rapidly expanding area. | | | | takes in everything from showing users how to send |
| It's important to keep abreast of industry news, and | | | | an email, to upgrading or repairing machines, to |
| fresh developments in the IT job market. | | | | managing network resources including file servers, |
| In addition, there are many IT jobs in customer and | | | | network printers, and firewalls. |
| technical support, or you could work in a data entry | | | | |