As we enter a growing age of technology, more and more professions seek a career in information technology (IT). These professionals are responsible for helping companies maintain their digital infrastructure and provide troubleshooting assistance to technology users. With a combination of soft skills and hard technical skills, professionals in the IT industry are highly talented problem-solvers with a knack for technology.
As more and more technology becomes integrated into our lives and businesses, IT employees are in high demand. But, IT employee is a general term, and the IT industry is vast and varying. Countless careers fall under the umbrella of IT, each of which requires different skills and levels of expertise. If you are looking for a job in IT or a better understanding of the industry, we will provide you with some examples, broken down into different aspects of a potential IT career path.
IT Programming Jobs
The programming industry creates and maintains computer programs and systems for users to be used both professionally and personally. Programming is the process of writing code that contains instructions, called programs, for computers to follow. Every function that a computer performs is the result of written code, which is a unique language that can only be read and understood by IT-trained experts.
- Perhaps one of the most recognized IT jobs is a computer programmer. A programmer writes and edits code for computer software programs to ensure that a program runs without error. These professionals will also solve any issues that may arise during the coding process, ensuring that the final product will meet a client's needs.
- Similar to a computer programmer is a web developer. Web developers create and design websites and are responsible for how the website looks and functions. The site will be tested and evaluated to ensure that it meets quality standards and functions as desired. Once the site is published, developers will continue to monitor its performance and troubleshoot any technical problems. As websites are typically made for clients with a specific vision in mind, this job often requires developers to meet and communicate with clients on a consistent basis.
- Software developers create and design software programs for various computer systems. As different programs require unique programming languages, many professionals in this career specialize in a specific coding language. The program(s) may be created for a specific and singular purpose or to manage an assortment of devices and networks.
- Software engineers apply their knowledge of computer science to create and improve software. Engineers may work on enterprise applications, operating systems, and network control systems to help businesses scale their IT infrastructure.
IT Consulting Jobs
IT usually does not come to mind when thinking of the consulting industry, but the two can overlap. As IT jobs are generally designed for professionals with experience in the IT industry, most IT experts have years of experience and industry-standard certifications. For this reason, many IT professionals make a great candidate for a sales job in IT where they can help other businesses solve their IT problems, such as a managed service provider does.
- A significant portion of IT sales is ensuring that consumers will be able to use the product. A user experience (UX) designer is involved with all aspects of product development, including purchasing, branding, usability, and functionality. The designer will collect and review user feedback to determine what a product needs in order to be efficient, functional, and successful. Feedback is then applied to the design, and the product is revised until it meets customer satisfaction.
- A data scientist will analyze and organize data to identify trends that will influence business decisions. Using statistics and machine learning, these experts can collect and process a company’s data. Duties in this job vary depending on the industry of each business, but they all use data to enhance business decisions.
- An IT director oversees the execution and strategy of all IT operations for an organization. Their role is to ensure that department tasks align with a company’s overarching goals and development. Directors may collaborate with internal IT experts in addition to executive management to generate budgets, contingency plans, and goals.
IT Support Jobs
IT support jobs are in extremely high demand. While most of the professional world is accustomed to working with advanced computers and technology, not all of us are tech-minded. As a result, companies require the support of IT experts to train employees in new programs and troubleshoot when system issues arise. There are countless roles in which an IT professional can provide support.
- Computer scientists apply their tech skills and resources to solve IT problems for other businesses. Often, they write new software to complete tasks quickly and efficiently and develop new functions to be used by employees or customers. This can overlap with application developers who help program software to serve users.
- Support specialists are in charge of reviewing and solving network and hardware problems. This can either be done to provide general support to a company’s employees or to provide technical support on user experience issues for a SaaS company.
- Quality assurance testers check software products to determine if they meet industry standards. This role is common for mobile applications and gaming systems that require testing and maintenance as recommended.
- An IT technicianwill collaborate with support specialists to identify and diagnose computer issues. They will monitor processing functions, install relevant software, and run tests on equipment as necessary. IT technicians may also train a company’s employees and clients on a new program.
- IT security specialists can work in various industries, as every company needs to protect its data. Their role is to build and maintain digital protective measures on information that belongs to an organization. Cybersecurity specialists will also help companies to create contingency plans in the case that information is hacked or compromised. They will also troubleshoot as security problems arise.
- A systems analyst will review design components and use their IT knowledge to solve business problems. They will identify ways that infrastructure needs to adapt in order to streamline business and IT operations while also assisting technicians in training staff to implement proposed changes.
- A Database administrator’s job is to employ specialized software to organize and keep track of data. This software can be associated with software configuration, performance, and security. Administrators often diagnose and solve complex IT issues relating to data infrastructure, ensuring that an organization's data is safe and accessible.
- Network engineers work on the day-to-day maintenance of a company’s computer network, ensuring that the network is available and efficient for all employees within an organization.
The IT industry is a vast one, consisting of countless expert professionals in a variety of roles. Companies worldwide rely on IT-trained professionals' expertise to support their systems, allowing them to perform the operations needed to maintain a successful business. For professionals interested in computers and technology, becoming experienced in IT will provide you with lucrative and highly sought-after skills. Using this guide, determine which IT job is the best fit for you. As we enter Industry 4.0 and the age of technology, IT skills are a must, and businesses need your knowledge to stay competitive.
