IT AND TECHNOLOGY | AREAS OF WORK
IT SERVICES Provide clients with invaluable professional technology support and services to help them achieve their business goals.
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usiness organisations often enlist the help of IT service providers to cut costs, improve service efficiency and gain access to a range of technological expertise. The process generally entails the assessment of clients’ needs, followed by the implementation of a solution before moving on to support and aftersales services. Clients typically expect four things from a good technology partner:
Frequency of travel, hours and pace of work tend to be role-dependent. For instance, those in consultancy positions keep very fast-paced schedules and are often required to travel to meet clients on very short notice. Technical teams, on the other hand, have more stable schedules and are less mobile. However, when things go wrong, all-nighters can be expected.
Pros and cons
Career overview
• Proactive and strategic advice during the implementation process that can help them make better decisions to improve existing IT infrastructure.
Broadly speaking, work in this industry can be divided into client relations; consulting; support; and designing, building, installing and testing technology solutions. Graduates generally start off as junior members of a team, assisting senior colleagues in their work and picking up essential skills over the first few months of employment. In this period of time, they are normally asked to work on one small aspect of a big project, manage a client account, or perform a specific function in one particular technical area. Responsibilities will gradually grow, and progression to becoming a specialist in a specific function or area is common.
The speed at which technology evolves is extremely fast, and while some may see this as a positive lifelong learning opportunity, others may tire of the constantly-rapid pace. Some roles, such as consultancy, even have lifestyles that can overwhelm and burn out individuals.
• Sharing knowledge of new technological upgrades that can benefit them. • An ability to translate technological value of IT additions to economic value, such as shareholder return and revenue growth. • To take charge of, and be involved in, the whole process from purchasing solutions or upgrades to installing them, and includes explaining the products to shareholders, the implementation and post-installation support. In addition, functions of IT services typically overlap with technology consulting to such an extent that IT services providers need to match their services to clients’ needs, rather than just selling them.
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STEM Career Guide 2021
Trends and developments With tech trends such as codeless development tools and more natural technology interfaces on the rise along with widespread adoption of AI and blockchain, the IT services sector is set for even more growth on top of its present rapid expansion.
Diverse opportunities This industry promises not just diversity in terms of job scopes and people met, but also plenty of chances to network and learn as working on different projects translates into meeting various clients. Incredibly fast-paced
Skills required in IT services
• Commercial awareness • Interpersonal skills • Ability to work in a team • Ability to prioritise work effectively • An eye for detail • Patience
