There’s an incredible amount of diversity to the IT job market, with roles of every conceivable kind available. That’s great if you love tech and you want to work with it every day, as it means you don’t have to fall into just one category in terms of skill set or personality to get ahead.
The real challenge is narrowing down your choice of career paths to a manageable number, and also deciding which one is a good fit for your unique requirements. To help you do this, we’ve put together a list of jobs in IT which are worth considering, and the kinds of individuals they suit.
Software developer
The tag of ‘developer’ applies to its own cavalcade of sub-categories, covering people who make mobile apps to those who build the backend of websites.
Most who enter this arena have a degree in computer science or software engineering to their name. It’s also perfect for people who are naturally good at working as part of a team, and of solving problems logically and analytically.
Network engineer
Networks hold the entire IT ecosystem together, connecting devices and servers both within businesses, and to remote infrastructures elsewhere.
The role of network engineers is therefore both innately technical and also quite hands-on. Designing and building networks, as well as taking charge of things like security and business continuity, is all part of the day to day life of a pro in this field.
Again, without a relevant degree you won’t be able to get your foot in the door as a network engineer. You’ll also need to be an excellent communicator, and also skilled when it comes to planning, because so much work goes into networks before the first cable is laid.
Project manager
For anyone who wants to work in IT but doesn’t fancy learning to code or getting to grips with networking at a degree level, project management could be ideal.
This is a role which shares traits across other industry contexts, relying primarily on a plethora of soft skills such as impeccable organization and time management, as well as clear communication and problem solving abilities.
You’ll oversee teams with members covering a spectrum of disciplines, and orchestrate entire departments as they work together towards a shared goal.
In-house IT support, through an IT service desk
Organizations of all sizes rely on IT resources to function, and if something goes wrong, swift and effective support is essential to avoid disruption and to keep productivity levels high.
That’s where in-house IT support professionals come into play. With the assistance of platforms like SolarWinds IT service desk software, they’ll respond to requests from employees and help them solve whatever issues they face from moment to moment.
Like project management, you don’t need in-depth knowledge of coding or hardware to thrive as a support team member.
Good communicators, and those with an aptitude for learning quickly and juggling multifaceted workloads effectively, will find this a satisfying sphere to occupy.
Web designer
While web developers are all about getting the technical underpinnings of sites spot-on, designers are more interested in the aesthetics and the user experience.
If you’ve got an eye for good design, and a willingness to refine and iterate on existing creations, working in web design will be satisfying and rewarding.
It’s not essential to have a relevant degree to get into web design, but it definitely helps if you’re gunning to get a good job straight out of university.
Whether you’re formally trained and educated or not, what you will need is proof of your abilities, so putting together your own portfolio of web design projects that you’ve worked on is a priority.
Quality assurance analyst
Whenever a piece of software is developed, quality assurance (QA) is a vital part of the process that’s used to find and fix bugs, as well as dealing with all sorts of other issues covering things like usability, stability and security.
For a lot of people the ideal QA jobs will be those that involve testing video games, but the reality is that no matter which area of the market you focus on, it can be quite repetitive. This is why it is most appropriate for people who have not only the ability to think creatively and analytically, but also the endurance to remain attentive and alert for even the smallest details to emerge.
Security specialist
Should you be attracted by the idea of doing battle against the dark forces of the cyber world, then training as an IT security specialist will float your boat.
You’ll need to assess a business’ IT resources for vulnerabilities, implement measures to minimize the risks of a successful hack, and also plan for how to respond to incidents as and when they do occur.
There are dedicated degrees and certifications for IT security professionals, and there’s demand for experts the world over.
Database administrator
The job of overseeing databases is a unique role all of its own in the overarching IT market. Businesses may run their own databases in-house, or they may outsource this to third parties. In either case, a DBA will be at the helm, ensuring performance is optimized and troubleshooting issues on the fly.
Degree-level experience of computer science or IT management is required, and you’ll need to be an adaptable thinker and a calm presence under pressure.
Final thoughts
Always consider what inspires you when choosing a career, whether in IT or any other area. Find a job that you are good at and that you also enjoy, and you’ll never work a day in your life.
