IT AND TECHNOLOGY | AREAS OF WORK
IT OUTSOURCING Benefit from exposure to a variety of business-focused technologies.
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rapidly-growing area in the IT sector encouraged by the speed in which technology evolves and changes, it is driven by companies that find it challenging to maintain an inhouse team that keeps them abreast of advancements, and prefer outsourcing instead. Although most service providers cover aspects of technology ranging from hardware such as PCs and mainframes to software much like Microsoft/Apple packages and major Systems, Applications & Product (SAP) implementations, they also bring other supporting technology and training services to complement their offerings.
Career overview Many organisations offer training programmes that allow newcomers to try out a few areas of work and gauge their preference and capability. Following that, graduate hires are typically assigned to a service team working with either a client or on a particular function or area, usually in specific technical roles such as telecommunications support, network support, or programming. In some cases, hopefuls may even find themselves in the customer services department, providing clients and customers with technical assistance as part of a service desk operation. Career progression can take place in two ways: either through specialisation in a particular technology or technical field, or moving into project or service management.
While the former requires as much indepth knowledge as possible, the latter puts graduates in closer contact with clients and customers.
Trends and developments Already a high-powered industry experiencing constant and rampant growth, the Services and Digital Technology Roadmap that pinpointed Services 4.0 as one of the main drivers of Singapore’s digital economy has resulted in even more new opportunities in emerging technologies such as Advanced Interfaces and AI. Moreover, with new trends such as Xaas enabling more seamless services, maturity of cloud deployment into multi-cloud and greater human-machine interactions continuing to sweep through and target more and more high-value areas, growth and development of this ever-changing industry is set to continue its upward trajectory.
Exciting but taxing Rapid technology developments are as exciting as they are taxing. It is not uncommon to finish studying an upcoming trend or update a system to find it already outdated. Skills required in IT outsourcing
• Enthusiasm • Strong interpersonal skills • Patience • Organisational skills • Ability to prioritise work effectively
Pros and cons Growth and opportunities Work in this sector promises a lot of excitement due to its exponential growth and dynamic atmosphere. As clients come from a wide variety of different fields, learning and networking opportunities are plentiful.
STEM Career Guide 2021
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