IT AND TECHNOLOGY | SECTOR ESSENTIALS
Top Five IT and Technology Jobs for Graduates Did you know that network engineers are also known as network designers? Don’t worry if you didn’t – we’ve described and defined five job titles for you!
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onstantly growing and changing, the IT and technology sector has long cemented its place as a secure industry. Not only have new roles been created, some existing ones have also been rebranded with new names. Unfortunately, this also means that there may be times where these unstandardised job titles don’t leave much to the imagination about what they entail, which can be quite the hurdle for fresh graduates looking for jobs. For example, imagine that you applied for a position as a software architect thinking that it’s a novel job, only to find that you’ll actually be working as a software developer – just under a new name. So, we’ve described and defined some of the more common titles that you might encounter while job-hunting, as well as the aliases they might go by.
Software developer Also known as: Application programmer, software architect, software engineer, systems developer
Software developers are the creative force behind the designing, programming and testing of computer programmes. These range from operating systems, database systems and embedded systems, to bespoke systems that meet a particular need. Although work is primarily focused on software systems, knowing how hardware functions and its software compatibility is also essential, as software developers are expected to be able to write a programme from the ground up.
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STEM Career Guide 2022
Graduates will require a background in computing, software development, or other related qualifications. With such highly complex and technical work, you’ll need to be meticulous as well. Moreover, having solid communication skills is a must, since you’ll also be expected to work closely with clients and colleagues (typically system analysts) as you assess systems and propose solutions.
Systems analyst
moves at a fast pace, curiosity and a willingness to learn about new technologies is a must. Additionally, you’ll need basic knowledge of programming languages and hardware, though skills in coding aren’t necessary. As the job scope is close to that of a business analyst, some companies combine the roles to create the business systems analyst role.
Also known as: Systems developer, systems engineer, solutions specialist
Systems analysts can be described as the IT equivalent of auditors – they look into clients’ existing IT systems and evaluate if the hardware and software used are suitable for the company’s unique needs. If these systems are outdated or are no longer effective, it’s their job to propose solutions, whether by designing new keyhole IT solutions, or modifying and enhancing existing systems with new features/improvements. As systems analysis often includes an assessment of the cost and time needed to implement a project, successful systems analysts typically have a good mix of commercial and technical knowledge to propose feasible and relevant IT solutions. As such, work usually involves interacting with clients throughout the development process, so good communication and interpersonal skills are vital. If you want to pursue a career as a systems analyst, you should have the technical skills needed to work on computers – and enjoy it. As technology
Network engineer Also known as: Hardware engineer, network administrator, network designer, network support, network support engineer
Network engineers have a broad range of responsibilities. These involve the installing, setting up, administering, maintaining, troubleshooting and upgrading of systems and network infrastructure, ranging from firewalls and servers, to routers, LAN switches and even backup systems. They also maintain virtual private networks (VPN), and look into network connectivity problems. They can also be found in areas like network protection and disaster recovery strategies. Another area they’re active in is the maintenance and troubleshooting of storage networks. Work is demanding, so you’ll need a good grasp of technical knowledge. To this end, employers usually only take in graduates with telecommunications
