The IT crowd

The IT crowd The IT crowdPosted October 13, 2011, by Mike KermodeIts a ridiculous understatement to say that IT industries have blossomed in recent years theyve exploded. Information technology is now the cornerstone of modern economies the world over. IT is big. And its only getting bigger.Today, having at least some skills in IT is par for the course, and certainly an advantage. All geschftliches miteinanderes use and depend on technology their ability to function hangs on their ability to communicate electronically, develop and manage their websites, manage their information and databases and thats for businesses that arent even technological in nature. These days, having the right IT infrastructure is a prerequisite for success.Naturally, this means that countless job opportunities in IT have emerged many of them high-paying, with IT salaries expected to grow by five to 10 per cent in the next half year. Given the growth and the potential pay, theres no better time to get in on where ITs at.In-demand areasAccording to the Robert Half Technology Salary Guide 2011, which looks at yearly technology market trends and salary data, there are a few key skill sets that are gaining more traction now than ever before. So its worth keeping the following in mindProgrammers, business analysts and Java developers are more in-demand than ever and can expect substantial salary rises.Same goes for network specialists, especially in light of the burgeoning implementation of virtualisation and cloud computing technology.The demand for infrastructure support professionals and PC technicians will continue to grow as companies upgrade software and operating systems.Security is paramount. As the number of computer users and IT-dependent businesses grow, so too is the need for security professionals.Major upgrades in the public sector, increased investment in IT by the big four Australian banks and resources sector, the Smart Grid implementation and NBN all mean huge demand fo r qualified IT professionals. With supply unable to meet demand and major shortfalls predicted, thats great news for anyone in the industry.IT rolesThere are almost as many IT roles as there are computer programs, languages, networks and databases. Heres a brief description of some of the key areas that you could work in.DevelopmentDevelopment is a broad term encompassing anything from software design to implementation, project planning, testing and requirements analysis. While a programmer will write the component-level, bare bones code, developers implement and coordinate the creation of software for clients. They still need to be well-versed in programming languages and frameworks such as C, C++, hypertext markup language, Java, J2EE, Microsoft.Net and SQL Server.Software architectureSoftware architects take a big picture view of the software development process. Theyre responsible for making design choices on platforms and coding, and communicating them to the developers. mora s o than developers, theyre a crucial conduit between a client and their business IT requirements, and the whole lifecycle of the software design process.Project managementThese folk organise all the elements necessary to see that lifecycle through. With a combination of technical and managerial skillsets, PMs muster the resources, team members, contractors and consultants to get a project completed in budget and on time. Theyll also develop business relationships and oversee quality assurance throughout a project. With this level of responsibility, project managers and other senior-level IT staff can earn big bucks up to $2500 per day.Network engineering/architectureModern companies would be nowhere without computer networks, and network engineers make sure they work effectively. They take care of planning, architecting, installing and configuring WANs, LANs and other networks. Firewalls, routers, switches these are all the domains of network gurus.Web developmentWith a solid grasp of business strategy, Internet protocols and scripting languages, web developers build and maintain websites, keeping close communication with clients on their requirements. This includes fashioning the site layout in a manner that best presents it to its target market, as well as to search engines. Web developers talk the talk of SOAP, AJAX, ColdFusion, JavaScript, HTML and LAMP.Database development/administrationAny business that depends on the storage of, and easy access to, mass quantities of categorised information will be looking to database developers to design, implement and maintain good database management systems for the efficient organisation and filing of their data. As more info gets stored electronically, these services are increasingly important.SecurityAs we conduct more and more of our business and information storage erreichbar, we also become increasingly vulnerable to security breaches so security has become one of the greatest areas of concern for most busine sses. The never-ending task of the security professional is to ensure that data remains free from corruption and unauthorised access, spam is kept to a minimum, and viruses, malware and other forms of hacking are kept at bay.Technical services and supportTo keep IT-dependent businesses running smoothly, there need to be skilled technicians on hand to solve application and server problems, or to help manage frequent upgrades. As PCs become universally adopted by individuals and businesses alike, the need for good support for software, hardware and network connections has never been stronger.Technical writingThese are the explainers, the ones who make the technical gobbledygook comprehensible (sort of) to us mere mortals. The ones who take what the developers have created and translate it into instructions, user manuals, assembly directions, online help systems all so consumers (or workers who utilise the software, like engineers and factory workers) can understand it and put the pro duct to good use. This content needs to be highly comprehensible and easy to follow, so technical writers need to have a knack for simplifying complex information. These days their expertise can extend to other aspects of the publication process, like layout and graphics.It takes more than just a head for codeIn addition to your technical skills, youll need good communication skills. You need these to become a leader in any field, and IT is no exception. That means diplomacy. Listening. Empathy. Building rapport. Good body language. In other words, all the stuff that makes people respect and want to work with you the stuff that helps you work with and lead teams the stuff that basically makes you a well-adjusted and rolleable person. You shouldnt underestimate its importance. Youll also need a head for business. Increasingly, employers dont just seek performers with the right technical skills, but those with an understanding of how IT decisions bolster business outcomes. This is es pecially important for those seeking to reach the upper echelons of the IT hierarchy. Project management skills are also crucial. As businesses become more risk-averse in uncertain economic times, sound planning and rigorous management practices have become dogma and this isnt just in IT. If you have the ability to organise, lead and manage projects and staff effectively while keeping your eye on budgets and timelines, you will definitely be the IT person employers will clamour for and theyll reward you handsomely for your project managing prowess. You should also consider contracting. More and more, contract work is a favoured employment arrangement for many IT specialists, and for IT companies generally. A recent IT Wire article revealed that IT is one of the biggest areas in which so-called independent professionals, or IPros, can exercise the freedom to be more productive working outside a nine-to-five schedule. Currently around 40 per cent of IT professionals are thought t o work on a contract basis, although the number of permanent positions is expected to rise next year. Just a word to those females wanting to get into this notoriously male-dominated industry dont worry, you are not alone Your numbers are increasing, and whats more, you can find support with a group for female students and graduates called Girl Geek Coffees, which meets monthly in different cities to discuss industry and academic issues. Grrl power does exist in the IT worldGet IT happeningGiven the prevalence of IT in virtually every industry, it is going to pay to get some IT skills under your belt. No matter who you are, there are measures you can take that will help you get ahead. This might not mean taking on a strictly IT role, but simply expanding your computer skills. For IT or general office workers, this could involve gaining expertise in Microsoft applications and functions. For small business owners, it could be as little as taking an MYOB course, or perhaps a busine ss admin course specialising in IT to better understand how IT can help your business outcomes. For those already working in IT and looking to progression, you probably already know that professional development in IT just never stops. Your technical knowledge quickly passes its used-by date as technology constantly morphs and evolves. Which brings us toQualificationsThere are many levels of qualification available, depending on what youre after. For instance, you can study information technology as an entry-level certificate, diploma or bachelor degree, and in some cases tailor your studies to something like project management. Consider taking on computer science if youre interested in the theory and mathematical side of computing, or combine IT studies with teaching if you want to help develop bright young minds. On top of this, theres a host of certifications that cater to specific programming languages and developer tools, like, for instance, Cisco, CompTIA, Oracle and Six S igma courses. These are available as online courses, so you can study where you want, when you want. So whether youre wanting to add to your business credentials or youre looking to progress through the IT ranks, there are many options to get qualified, keep up-to-date, and stay ahead of the game by embracing IT. Dont get left behind Develop your IT skills with an online course.IT ResourcesSystems analyst sample resumeSystems analyst sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesBrett Raven - RedBalloon Chief Technology OfficerInterested in becoming a?Management ConsultantMarketing OfficerProject ManagerSystems AdministratorHelp Desk OfficerPopular Career Searchesbasic it coursesit qualificationsfast track career in itgov funded IT courses brisbanegovernment funded IT courses onlineIT CoursesBachelor of Cyber SecurityEnquire Online Enquire OnlineGraduate Diploma of Data ScienceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Applied Information TechnologyEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAssociate Degree of Applied Information TechnologyEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMike KermodeRelated ArticlesBrowse moreInformation TechnologyITIT market hits temporary slumpThe ICT market is in the doldrums, according to the latest report, but it seems the slump will only be temporary.ITWOMENNine reasons to get a job in ITNow has never been a better time to make the jump into the world of coding, hard drives and USB ports. 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