Roles for Technology Students
karen young
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Technology roles – what are the choices?
Technology spans a vast array of various roles and is found in every industry, organisation and government agency. The sort of roles open to technologists include:
Technical Consultant – Generally will be working for external clients developing and implementing IT systems.
Technical Sales – The sale of technical solutions which maybe in hardware or software.
Database administrators – Responsible for computer databases that store important information on customers, clients and projects. These databases hold all of the critical information concerning billing, orders, accounting, production, procurement and all other operational data. This data is essential in operating the business.
Network engineers – Design computer networks. The engineer is also responsible for implementing updates, troubleshooting computer networks and fixing problems when they occur. The engineer is responsible for keeping the network operating and accessible to the organization’s workforce. The engineer usually works on high-end issues concerning network architecture, design and implementation. The engineer is also responsible for choosing all of the equipment to be used on the network.
System administrators – System administrators work in support roles generally supporting the network engineer. The responsibilities and duties of the administrator are numerous. The administrator is generally in charge of supporting and maintaining the company servers. The server holds all of the company data. All desktop systems access the server to retrieve the information and applications used in each individual job. The administrator is responsible for handling and planning for system outages and data back-up procedures. They are the daily operational computer expert.
Software engineers – Software engineers or application programmers are technology professionals who design, develop and test computer software that makes computers or anything containing software work. Software engineers make all sorts of software from accounting software, medical software, video games and software that is used in aircrafts and airports.
Web Developer – Build websites and their infrastructure
Information technology analysts – Responsible for downloading, installing and analysing new software and hardware for all end users. They perform routine testing of system security protocols and functionality. The analyst is present after large system implementations or installations to assist end users with any technical questions or operational problems.
System Analyst – Investigate and analyse business problems and design information systems in line with client requirements. They require both business and technical skills. They work with customers to understand their requirements and are then responsible for creating the plan to design the solution.
Business Analyst – Generally sit between the business and the technology areas and identify ways to improve efficiency ad reduce costs.
Technical Support – Resolve technical problems be they hardware or software related. Normally client facing.
Software Tester – Testing software for bugs before it goes live.
When looking to decide which area of technology to focus on think about the following:
- Do you want to troubleshoot regularly? If so consider IT Service providers (e.g. CGI) that provide ongoing support to clients.
- Are you interested in programming? If so look at technology solutions providers (e.g. Sungard) and non IT companies who need to develop their own software ( e.g. Argos)
- If you want a more business focused role, then look at the technology consultants where you will get a lot of client interaction.
10 Student Jobs in IT You’ve Never Considered
- karen young
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10 Jobs in IT you have probably never considered
Here’s the bad news. Oxford researchers recently predicted that in the next 20 years around 10 million UK jobs could be taken by robots or automatic processes. This is not some Blade Runner/Terminator dystopian nightmare of man being overthrown by cyborgs, these are jobs such as teachers, salesmen and administrators.
Life changes, workplaces changes, and technology changes. It is the reason why libraries are closing and newspapers are dying and shedding jobs. It’s why album sales are falling and why sending letters has become obsolete. It’s why we order food and taxis online and so on.
So when you’re thinking about career choices in technology there may be a plethora of roles and jobs which you’d never even thought of, let alone considered and you might not even have to leave the home to do so.
Online teacher
If you’ve got a little time and a little knowledge that others will want, then this can be a way of cleaning up. Websites such as Udemy have given aspiring lecturers and tutors a platform to make money in their own time. For example, Forbes reports here on Nick Walter, who made $100,000 in a year from a simple course recorded in just four days teaching a new coding language.
Data mining
We live in a world of omnipresent data and the people who know where to find that information and how to use it to discover more about customers, clients and competitors can sometimes name their price. Courses usually teach how to use or build algorithms for harvesting data in the real world and how to visualise the results.
Recruiting
Similarly, companies don’t want to waste time and money employing the wrong person for a role. Recruitment agencies can filter out incompatible applicants before a CV goes anywhere near the company with a vacant role and finding those applicants can be an enjoyable and challenging role.
Video game tester
Developer Bungie said last year that it was not really possible to complete its gigantic multi-world, multi-player epic Destiny, such is the expanse of the 21st century game with levels of testing that take up literally thousands of hours of game time. Willing gamers are needed for such an enterprise and the more skilful ones can soon become a valuable asset.
Blogging
Got something to say and can combine it with an engaging writing style? If you can capture the mood of your target audience, big brands may want to hop on-board and you can not only get paid for something you love doing but also make a very good career – for example, fashion writers might want to examine these 20 blogs.
IT consultant
If you know about IT, then why not show people your skills? An IT consultant needs to harness a wide set of skills working with clients to resolve IT issues and hence streamlining a company’s communication systems, helping its clients, and making it money. There are multiple professional side lines that also might arise, such as writing and training.
Digital marketing
Tablets, mobile devices, social media, and the divergence of paid/organic advertising on search engines could all comprise components of the average digital marketer’s knowledge skillset. And interesting opportunities in marketing, programming and other disciplines at companies such as comparethemarket.com have never been more vibrant.
Social media manager
Too many careers and companies can be derailed by an errant tweet, Facebook status or Instagram picture, hence the rise of the social media manager. Those with such a role aim to regulate the flow of communication via social media, whether it’s positive or negative. Dealing with direct criticism is sometimes an easier task. It is the negative comments that are left hanging unanswered on a website that present more danger, which can at times lead to a brand crisis.
Web developer/designer
These two titles might sound intimidating, but none of the other roles on this list would exist without the input of a web developer and/or designer. The two roles should not be confused. A designer creates what the customer sees and how they interact, while the developer looks at the underlying structure of the site. There are a host of online courses that can at least get a junior web-creator started.
