Jobs for Graduates

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!

Constantly 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 Also known as: Systems developer, systems engineer, solutions specialist

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.

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

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 If these systems are outdated or are no longer effective, it’s their job to propose solutions, whether by designing new keyhole IT solutions, or modifying and enhancing existing systems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 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.

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

or computer science-related degrees. However, as you progress in your role, you’ll be expected to pick up specialist technical certifications, and keep up-todate with new technologies.

While a technology-related degree isn’t compulsory, you’ll be expected to keep up with new technologies and techniques, as well as take courses to keep your knowledge fresh.

Technical consultant Web developer

Also known as: IT consultant, information specialist Also known as: Web designer, UX designer, multimedia programmer typically involves specialist knowledge as it involves a lot of programming on the back-end, a good sense of creativity is vital when designing the website’s user interface. Soft skills like interpersonal and communication skills are crucial as well, as web developers need to liaise with clients to help them realise their website. An ability to work efficiently and within occasionally tight timelines is a boon as well.

Technical consultants must have broad technical knowledge and understanding of the whole technical product cycle, from inception to implementation and maintenance. After all, they can be involved in analysing client hardware, software and network, all the way to advising them on how they can improve their IT infrastructure to drive business and overcome obstacles, and even implementing plans to do so.

That said, a consultant’s level of involvement is dependent on the client’s preferences. For instance, a client may only want their consultant to assess their existing IT infrastructure, or procure a contract with a company to upgrade their software. Other times, clients may want them to plan and execute the entire process, from designing and developing systems, all the way to implementing it and taking care of after-sales support and upgrading.

As such, you’ll need a mixed bag of skills, qualifications and competencies. For example, you’ll need to quickly understand client needs and come up with practical solutions that are both financially viable to the company, and implementable within a feasible timeline. As the name suggests, web developers use programming languages and technologies to design, create and maintain an organisation’s website. This includes ensuring the website design and layout is appealing to customers and userfriendly, and making sure the website’s performing well and up to capacity.

There are three types of web developers – back-end web developers are the creators of the website’s structure who write and verify the code. On the other hand, the front-end maintains the user interface, from physical layouts of pages to adding graphics, and may use JavaScript or HTML to aid in the website’s effectiveness. Lastly, full-stack developers do the work of both types of web developers. They are the ones with the knowledge needed to build and maintain a complete website.

However, take note that web developers aren’t webmasters – they manage the website, ensuring that applications and links on the pages work properly, along with updating content.

Aspiring web developers need to earn a degree in computer science, as a strong understanding of coding and programming is essential. Although work