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Tell me about the jobs in the tech industry
THE TECH INDUSTRY EXPLAINED
Tell me about jobs in the tech industry
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When you’re settling down on your couch preparing to spend the evening playing video games, your first move before the game even starts is to select an avatar. This is the face you will present to the world within the game and your fellow competitors. Your graduate career can be considered in the same way. Your first foray into this exciting universe will be to select the type of tech professional you’d like to become.
There is a large variety of roles to choose from, but we’ve assembled a list of 13 typical roles that attract graduates in the tech sector. If you’re not sure where to start, look for a job that matches your specific skills, interests and talents and then go from there.
1. Computer support specialist Also known as:
Technical support, helpdesk support, operations analyst, problem manager
Role overview:
When things go wrong in an IT environment, technical support staff are there to patiently troubleshoot the problem. Generally, technical support teams have client-facing roles, helping the customers of software or hardware companies get the most out of their products. While some support roles will require employees with specific knowledge, others are a great match for patient graduates with exemplary communication skills.
Key skills include:
■ wide, ranging tech knowledge ■ problem-solving abilities ■ excellent communication and listening abilities; and ■ patience, patience and more patience
2. Hardware engineer Also known as:
Network engineer, network designer
Role overview:
Hardware engineers design, build, test computer hardware (eg computer chips and circuit boards) and computer systems. They also work with peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, modems, and monitors among others. Generally, hardware engineering roles become more specific as graduates move from entry-level roles into senior positions.
Graduates are likely to be tasked with general duties related to the design, development, and testing of computer systems and components.
Key skills include: ■ analytical thinking ■ logical thinking ■ teamwork; and ■ attention to detail
3. Computer systems analyst Also known as:
Product specialist, systems engineer, solutions specialist, technical designer
Role overview:
Systems analysts identify business challenges and then design information systems that provide a feasible solution. This is typically done in response to a brief from a business or customer. In addition to designing IT solutions, systems analysts are often required to take financial and administrative considerations (eg total costs and implementation times) into account. As a result, the job requires a mix of business and technical knowledge, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
Key skills include:
■ the ability to extract and analyse information ■ good communication ■ strategic thinking; and ■ the ability to deal with multiple stakeholders
4. Software developer Also known as:
Software engineer, application programmer, software architect, system programmer/engineer
Role overview:
Looking for a creative role in tech? Software development could be for you. Software developers design a range of software solutions from operating systems and databases to mobile applications and games. Developers often liaise extensively with customers and colleagues to understand what the software is required to do. You’ll need top programming skills to be a software developer – but the rewards will be worth it because this is typically one of the best-paid graduate roles.
Key skills include:
■ high-level technical knowledge ■ the ability to think in a procedural and strategic manner ■ the ability to work within a team; and ■ attention to detail
5. Programmer Also known as:
Software developer (sometimes)
Role overview:
Are you a coder with a penchant for solving problems? If that’s you, consider a career in programming. It’s lucrative, challenging and offers numerous opportunities for advancements.
Key skills include:
■ analytical thinking ■ logical thinking ■ the ability to work within a team ■ patience; and ■ attention to detail
6. Web developer Also known as:
Web programmers, web designers, internet or intranet developers, webmasters
Role overview:
Talented web developers are always in high demand in a world where people rely on the internet for everything, from paying their bills to finding a date. Web developers are responsible for dayto-day website creation and design. They combine the skills of a computer programmer with those of a graphic designer. Developers work with all of the elements of a website – text, images, graphics, and more – to come up with functional, interesting and user-friendly designs. You’ll find web development particularly rewarding wif you want to balance technical challenges with opportunities for creative work
.
Key skills include:
■ basic understanding of web technologies (client side, ■ server side and databases) ■ ability to keep abreast of latest developments in HTML ■ CSS and other coding languages ■ creative and analytical thinking ■ an eye for design and aesthetic; and ■ problem-solving abilities
7. User experience (UX) designer Also known as:
That’s pretty much it!
Role overview:
Have you ever been frustrated after using a website or app because you couldn’t find something where you expected to see it? A UX designer’s job is to make sure that this never happens. In other words, a UX designer researches, understands and designs processes to create a seamless user experience by focusing on three key areas: look (aesthetics), feel (user engagement) and usability (ease of use). UX designers often work closely with web developers who have the technical knowhow to ensure the UX designer’s feedback and recommendations are implemented correctly. In architectural terms, a UX designer would create the blueprints while the developer builds the house.
Key skills include:
■ people-oriented ■ curious ■ interested in/good at predicting human behaviour ■ empathetic ■ great verbal and written communication skills; and ■ always interested in the ‘why’ and the ability to problem solve
8. Network engineer Also known as:
Hardware engineer, network designer
Role overview:
Network engineering is one of the more technically demanding tech jobs. Broadly speaking, this job involves setting up, administering, maintaining and upgrading communication systems, local area networks and wide area networks for an organisation. It’s a highly technical role and you’ll likely end up with an impressive collection of specialist technical certifications.
Key skills include:
■ specialist network knowledge ■ excellent communication ■ the ability to develop, follow and adjust a plan of action ■ analytical thinking; and ■ problem-solving abilities
9. Security engineer Also known as:
Security analyst, security engineer, security administrator, security architect, security specialist, security consultant
Role overview:
Security is of increasing concern as businesses become more digitised. Data breaches could spell the end of even the largest and most successful companies if they are not contained properly, or companies don’t have proper processes in place to prevent or address them.
Increasingly, companies want people dedicated to strategising how to protect their information, networks, systems and how to prevent, address and curtail disasters if these should occur. This has resulted in a specialised niche being created for security engineers. Not long ago, this role may have been a part of a network engineer’s task list.
Key skills include:
■ specialist network knowledge ■ specialist knowledge about cyber security protocols ■ attention to detail ■ excellent communication skills; and ■ ability to handle stressful situations
10. Software tester Also known as:
Test analyst, software quality assurance tester, quality assurance engineer
Role overview:
Undetected software bugs can massively affect the productivity and reputation of a technology company, causing all sorts of problems from software crashes to security breaches. Testers try to ‘exterminate’ bugs by anticipating all the ways how n application or system might be used. They test scripts and macros, analyse the results and give them back to a project leader so that any necessary fixes can be made. Testers can also work on the early stages of a project to weed out any predictable vulnerabilities before software development begins in earnest. As testers advance in their careers and gain expertise in this field, they will move into a quality assurance engineer role.
Key skills include:
■ attention to detail ■ creativity ■ organisation ■ analytical and investigative thinking; and ■ excellent communication
11. Technical sales Also known as:
Sales manager, account manager, sales executive. tester, quality assurance engineer
Role overview:
Technical sales might be the least handson role on this list, but it still requires an understanding of how businesses use IT. You may sell hardware, or extol the business benefits of software, network systems or services (like cloud products). Day to day, the job could involve phone calls, meetings and drafting proposals. At the heart of this role is a willingness to understand what customers want and speak to them in a way that conveys your determination to equip them with an appropriate solution. An IT degree isn’t necessarily essential, but you will need to have a thorough technical understanding of the product you sell.
Key skills include:
■ product knowledge ■ persuasion ■ excellent interpersonal skills ■ mobility; and ■ business awareness
12. Business analyst Also known as:
Business architect, enterprise-wide information specialist
Role overview:
As with technical sales, this isn’t necessarily a hands-on IT job. However, the best analysts are those who understand the technologies employed by their clients and employers. Business analysts are responsible for analysing an organisation, documenting its business processes and systems, evaluating its use of technology and identifying ways to improve outcomes related to efficiency, performance, sales and cost-effectiveness. It could be a great fit for a talented graduate who likes to look at the big picture.
Key skills include:
■ analytical thinking ■ excellent communication ■ presentation ■ project management; and ■ problem-solving abilities
13. Data scientist Also known as:
Data architects, data visualisers, data engineers, data ecologists
Role overview:
Data scientists specialise in analysing huge amounts of (often messy) data points and using their arsenal of skills in maths, statistics and programming to clean and organise them into valueadding insights. Straddling the worlds of business and IT, data scientists are being sought after to help businesses make the right decisions and uncover solutions to their challenges.
Key skills include:
■ a solid grasp of statistics, including statistical tests and distributions ■ the ability to work with a variety of programming languages like SAS, R and
Python ■ excellent researching skills ■ the ability to visually present data and insights for easier analysis; and ■ the ability to look for order, patterns and trends in data
