EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 July Issue | Page 77

If you are still unsure about your choice
in information technology, you can
consider enrolling in an introductory
certi?cate programme in information
technology. It will give you a good
overview of what a career in this ?eld
involves as well as preparing you for an
Associate or Bachelor Degree programme
in information technology if you want to
continue your education.

What Can You Do
• Computer marketing
With your information in computers,
you are able to sell them; knowing the
workings of a quality product, how it
is better than the competitor’s product
enables you to be ef?cient in selling
it – especially in a highly competitive
computer market. The decision of a
computer buyer relies heavily on how
satisfactorily you answer their questions.
They will need to be convinced that the
computer is able to meet their needs
and give them what others cannot.
With an investment in your product, it
is only natural that you need to know
your product and their needs to match
a computer that will be able to perform
whatever is needed by the customer.

• Technical consultant
Technical consultants are needed in
smaller companies which do not have
the means or need to hire a full-time
technical support team. Therefore,
technical consultants working here
are usually independent contractors or
from a consultation ?rm. They charge
a speci?c rate as they aid the company
in setting up a new computer system
or update their current system. After
deciding on the hardware and software
suitable for the system, these consultants
will assist in training the employees and
provide temporary technical support to
the company.

• Computer programmer
Programmers are those responsible
for “conversing” with the computers.
This job is suitable fo r those who are
interested in programming languages.
They take speci?c instructions and design
parameters and translate them into a
language the computer can understand.
This also means that the programmer
needs good communication skills to
understand the wants of the employer
and then instruct the computer on
the exact way to carry out the task.
Programmers are usually knowledgeable
in more than one programming language
such as Visual Basic, JAVA and C++.

• Network analysts
Network engineering is a specialised area
of information technology and network
analysts deal with the core aspects
of a computer network. The job of a

network analyst can be quite tedious as
they are responsible for a wide range of
work; other than network design and
security, they will also be required to
create, con?gure, maintain and monitor
network equipment.

• Designer
You can opt to be a software designer,
graphic designer, as well as a web
designer. Software design is the more
common ?eld where IT degree graduates
head to after their graduation. Software
designers are usually entry-level staff
that are part of a team in developing
new software. Mobile Internet software
and computer security companies are
two of the technology companies that
are always hiring new candidates.
In this tech-savvy world, we are also
concerned with images, printing and
electronic media. Graphic designers are
responsible in assembling appropriate
images, motion graphics and typography
to provide a complete and attractive
graphic design. Additional experience is
needed for advanced level jobs.
Website planning, creating and
assembling are tasks associated with
a web designer. Not only are they
responsible for the aspects of a website,
they are also required to learn the
programming language needed to design
the website. Thus, they should be familiar
with HTML, CSS, XML and Javascript.

• Digital content creation
When digital content enters the picture,
information technology seems a whole
lot better, fun and exciting. Creative IT
graduates might already possess the
skills required to create their own video
games. Although this may be hard work,
it may not be the case for those who are
devoted in creating as well as playing
video games as their lifelong career.

• Computer developers and
researchers
There are also a number of graduates
who ?nd an interest in assisting
in technological research projects
and how they relate to computers,
instead of developing software.
Entry-level positions are constantly
open in such related ?elds, but in
order to go further, a masters degree
in information technology is needed.
With a masters degree, you will be
able to pursue a number of managerial
and administrative positions such as
computer developers and researchers.

• Troubleshooter/ Customer
service/ IT administrator
One of the beauties about obtaining a
degree in IT is the ability to enter any
company they want, no matter the
nature of the company. This is because
all companies nowadays make use of

computers to facilitate business, thus the
need for that one person to troubleshoot
computer systems when problems arise.

Is Information Technology
the Course for You?
Needless to say, you must have an
interest in computers and the ways these
technologies could make communication
more effective. Although computers could
help to make businesses more ef?cient,
it can also slow things down at the same
time if they are not working properly or not
handled correctly. Thus, you should always
be thinking on your feet, being able to
identify, locate and ?x problems in a timely
manner. These qualities are important in the
information technology industry.
People working in the information
technology ?eld often work in an
environment where they are the only ones
who know the workings of a computer
system. So, good people skills and excellent
communication abilities are needed – be it
in person, over the phone or written – to
communicate with their less computer-savvy
colleagues in a clear, patient manner.
Due to the humongous amount of time
devoted in front of the computer screen
and tapping on the keyboard, good
manual dexterity, typing skills and handeye coordination is needed. Students
who pursue a degree in IT tend to already
possess these skills and if they don’t, they
tend to develop then quite rapidly.
Some of the examples of skills and
characteristics of those involved in
an information technology career are
troubleshooting, problem-solving, typing
skills, communication abilities, computer
literacy, patience, manual dexterity, logical
thinking, critical thinking, creative thinking,
technical writing skills and interest in
changing and developing technologies.

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