What jobs are there in IT ?
Discussion
Hello all,
As i will be finishing school in a matter of month(about 7-8), but haven't decided if i'm staying on or not yet, i was wondering what sort of jobs are avalible in the IT area?
Why do i ask......i would like to work in IT and hopefully do something interesting within it, already considered being a website designer.
Thanks
Big Chris
As i will be finishing school in a matter of month(about 7-8), but haven't decided if i'm staying on or not yet, i was wondering what sort of jobs are avalible in the IT area?
Why do i ask......i would like to work in IT and hopefully do something interesting within it, already considered being a website designer.
Thanks
Big Chris
SpeedyGonzales said:
As i will be finishing school in a matter of month(about 7-8), but haven't decided if i'm staying on or not yet, i was wondering what sort of jobs are avalible in the IT area?
Schoolies tend to do operator type jobs.Low paid and sometimes shift work involved.
They are pretty near the bottom of the food chain.
In 90% of cases, if you want to get anywhere
in IT, a degree in something scientific from a good
university [ not media studies, travel studies, fine art or
similar from Nowhere Uni] is essential.
You get even further with a second degree or PhD.
SpeedyGonzales said:
I thought science had nothing to with IT!
Employers are happy enough to train up graduates. Most sciences include some familiarity with computers to start with. More importantly, they require you to think rationally, which is a considerable part of most IT jobs. Obviously, if you want to be a programmer, CS is your best bet. But for many IT jobs, any decent science/maths degree from a decent Uni proves you are able.Coming straight into IT you'd typically end up either on the UI design side if you're arty, or helpdesk/tech support if you have a home interest in building PC's etc.
You need to decide what type of IT interests you. If its developer/programming (generally better paid) start playing now with developing apps etc but choose a real coding language so you get to grips with logic/structure/coding etc etc.
You need to decide what type of IT interests you. If its developer/programming (generally better paid) start playing now with developing apps etc but choose a real coding language so you get to grips with logic/structure/coding etc etc.
SpeedyGonzales said:
qualificatings
English? (snigger)Hard to say, knowing this little about you. Many web sites have both an arty side, and a fairly hard-core programming side. These are often done by different people with very different skills. In any case, I wouldn't choose a degree based only on wanting to do web design. Try to be more flexible.
What are you good at, and what do you like doing?
grumbledoak said:
SpeedyGonzales said:
qualificatings
English? (snigger)Hard to say, knowing this little about you. Many web sites have both an arty side, and a fairly hard-core programming side. These are often done by different people with very different skills. In any case, I wouldn't choose a degree based only on wanting to do web design. Try to be more flexible.
What are you good at, and what do you like doing?
grumbledoak said:
Many web sites have both an arty side, and a fairly hard-core programming side.
In my experience, the web-site is the chrome, bellsand whistles end of the market.
Many applications are built up of fancy GUI front
ends in Java/C#/VB whatever with million line or more
C/C++/Fortran programs behind them doing the business logic.
The GUI is what the user sees, but it's like an
iceberg, there is *far* more going on underneath.
SpeedyGonzales said:
Well i'm "good" at IT otherwise i wouldn't of mentioned it, currently on a 'C' in Art, 'A' in History and working on the French!!
Don't fail English and Maths, obviously (assuming GCSEs are still to come). Then I would basically go with your strengths. If that means IT, so be it. There are quite a few science/IT mixed degrees if you want a bit more variety than pure CS. I don't think you'll find many Graphic Design/IT mixes, but I've been out of 'edumakation' for a while now, so don't quote me.I wouldn't worry too much about C/C++/Fortran though. By the time you have a degree these will largely be well-paid dead-end maintenance jobs for us old folk.
Spot on advice so far on this thread.
I'll try and be a bit scientific about this...
Decide what you're passionate about and enjoy doing, either
a) Art, Design, Art packages, Websites etc etc etc...or
b) Building PC's at home, installing networks, playing with routers/switches etc etc ...or
c) Writing code level applications, scripting, different programming languages.
a) go do some good design courses (higher ed if needbe), setup some nice looking websites for friends and family, even some basic banner sites for small business if you've got connections (maybe even getting paid beer money for the honour lol). Hopefully you'll end up in a job doing graphic design, websites, User Interfaces etc etc.
b) Go get an entry level job in technical support / helpdesk, but one which has real chances of learning oin the job, and of course promotion. Pay could be low to start with, but do a good job and learn a lot, and you'll climb the ladder through the various network administrator routes.
c) Start writing programs for your own enjoyment, maybe games, or useful little applications for you to use. Become familiar with coding, logic, structure etc etc. Try not to be specific to any one language, however most programmers have a primary language but backed up by a range of secondary languages/tools which they can call on. Also play with the various o/s's out there such as linux etc - cheap way to become familiar with unix/solaris. You'll hopefully got a job as an administrator or entry level programmer.
I did option c) at 17 year old and went from trainee programmer to IT director - took about 15 years hard work tho. ;o)
HTH
I'll try and be a bit scientific about this...
Decide what you're passionate about and enjoy doing, either
a) Art, Design, Art packages, Websites etc etc etc...or
b) Building PC's at home, installing networks, playing with routers/switches etc etc ...or
c) Writing code level applications, scripting, different programming languages.
a) go do some good design courses (higher ed if needbe), setup some nice looking websites for friends and family, even some basic banner sites for small business if you've got connections (maybe even getting paid beer money for the honour lol). Hopefully you'll end up in a job doing graphic design, websites, User Interfaces etc etc.
b) Go get an entry level job in technical support / helpdesk, but one which has real chances of learning oin the job, and of course promotion. Pay could be low to start with, but do a good job and learn a lot, and you'll climb the ladder through the various network administrator routes.
c) Start writing programs for your own enjoyment, maybe games, or useful little applications for you to use. Become familiar with coding, logic, structure etc etc. Try not to be specific to any one language, however most programmers have a primary language but backed up by a range of secondary languages/tools which they can call on. Also play with the various o/s's out there such as linux etc - cheap way to become familiar with unix/solaris. You'll hopefully got a job as an administrator or entry level programmer.
I did option c) at 17 year old and went from trainee programmer to IT director - took about 15 years hard work tho. ;o)
HTH
Edited by whygee02 on Tuesday 9th October 20:35
Nicely said, but you can always do a course on the side while gaining some work experience. I myself am a second line network support analyst and am doing my MCP, MCSE, MCSA on the side. Mind you it did cost me £4500! Its worth it if you know that the money will come rolling in later on in life.
Degree in chemistry here, presales consultant for a software company now (7 years industry experience). I got in through the starting at the bottom in IT support route!Alright mate, IT Nerd here, I'm going to give you the advice I wish someone had given me years back.
1. Pick an IT job that you think you would like, your ultimate aim for your career. Take wages etc into account and remember one day you might need to support more than just yourself.
2. Now have a browse through the various jobs websites and see what the requirements are for these positions.
3. Write down and I mean write down how you would hope to achieve these requirements so you can have your dream job.
4. Contact several companies (and post on here) who hire people for these positions and ask to be put in contact with a person in that position. You will need to contact several companies because some people are d1cks and others are too busy to talk to someone unless it can make the company money.
5. When you get in contact with this person, tell them your plan, ask them if it sounds achievable, what changes they think you need to make etc... listen to them they will know what they are talking about, they have done what you are setting out to achieve. Ask them what the job is like, best things and worst.
6. Sit back and look at your info, if you still want it, then go do it.
7. I know this seems like a lot to do, but this is your future, and to make the best of it, you need to make a plan and you can achieve anything if your heart is in it.
Most of all mate, make sure you are happy in what you choose and make sure that its not just the easiest thing now.
Best of luck with whatever you choose
1. Pick an IT job that you think you would like, your ultimate aim for your career. Take wages etc into account and remember one day you might need to support more than just yourself.
2. Now have a browse through the various jobs websites and see what the requirements are for these positions.
3. Write down and I mean write down how you would hope to achieve these requirements so you can have your dream job.
4. Contact several companies (and post on here) who hire people for these positions and ask to be put in contact with a person in that position. You will need to contact several companies because some people are d1cks and others are too busy to talk to someone unless it can make the company money.
5. When you get in contact with this person, tell them your plan, ask them if it sounds achievable, what changes they think you need to make etc... listen to them they will know what they are talking about, they have done what you are setting out to achieve. Ask them what the job is like, best things and worst.
6. Sit back and look at your info, if you still want it, then go do it.
7. I know this seems like a lot to do, but this is your future, and to make the best of it, you need to make a plan and you can achieve anything if your heart is in it.
Most of all mate, make sure you are happy in what you choose and make sure that its not just the easiest thing now.
Best of luck with whatever you choose
patmahe said:
Alright mate, IT Nerd here, I'm going to give you the advice I wish someone had given me years back.
1. Pick an IT job that you think you would like, your ultimate aim for your career. Take wages etc into account and remember one day you might need to support more than just yourself.
2. Now have a browse through the various jobs websites and see what the requirements are for these positions.
3. Write down and I mean write down how you would hope to achieve these requirements so you can have your dream job.
4. Contact several companies (and post on here) who hire people for these positions and ask to be put in contact with a person in that position. You will need to contact several companies because some people are d1cks and others are too busy to talk to someone unless it can make the company money.
5. When you get in contact with this person, tell them your plan, ask them if it sounds achievable, what changes they think you need to make etc... listen to them they will know what they are talking about, they have done what you are setting out to achieve. Ask them what the job is like, best things and worst.
6. Sit back and look at your info, if you still want it, then go do it.
7. I know this seems like a lot to do, but this is your future, and to make the best of it, you need to make a plan and you can achieve anything if your heart is in it.
Most of all mate, make sure you are happy in what you choose and make sure that its not just the easiest thing now.
Best of luck with whatever you choose
Thanks for advise!1. Pick an IT job that you think you would like, your ultimate aim for your career. Take wages etc into account and remember one day you might need to support more than just yourself.
2. Now have a browse through the various jobs websites and see what the requirements are for these positions.
3. Write down and I mean write down how you would hope to achieve these requirements so you can have your dream job.
4. Contact several companies (and post on here) who hire people for these positions and ask to be put in contact with a person in that position. You will need to contact several companies because some people are d1cks and others are too busy to talk to someone unless it can make the company money.
5. When you get in contact with this person, tell them your plan, ask them if it sounds achievable, what changes they think you need to make etc... listen to them they will know what they are talking about, they have done what you are setting out to achieve. Ask them what the job is like, best things and worst.
6. Sit back and look at your info, if you still want it, then go do it.
7. I know this seems like a lot to do, but this is your future, and to make the best of it, you need to make a plan and you can achieve anything if your heart is in it.
Most of all mate, make sure you are happy in what you choose and make sure that its not just the easiest thing now.
Best of luck with whatever you choose
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