IT job roles

The IT industry is huge & growing. As a trained IT professional, you can build a great career
in almost any part of the world.

There are many types of IT jobs, some of which are:



Programmers

  • Assist systems analysts in defining requirements of users of the proposed IT system.
  • Create a detailed design for the proposed system.
  • Translate specifications - for a software product or project - given by the systems analyst into lines of code i.e. programs.
  • Modify code to correct errors or to enhance a program’s capabilities.
  • Test programs already developed.
  • Prepare documentation for the program developed & designed.

This is an entry-level IT job. Programmers may also be called software engineers, web developers, etc. depending on the specific job content.

To be successful as a programmer, you need certain professional qualities:

  • Technical aptitude
  • Logical approach to solving problems
  • Ability to work independently as well as be a team player
  • Good communication skills, written as well as oral, are a plus point
  • Willingness to continuously learn since technology keeps changing

Web developers

These are programmers who work on online (web) applications.

  • They create prototypes of the site based on the site’s objectives.
  • Depending on the website, developers may have to develop interactive forms, shopping carts, mailing lists & online programs.
  • They use programming languages (such as Java, VB Script, MS-SQL, MySQL CGI, Perl, Visual C++, C#, SQL, JSP, ASP.NET, PHP, XML & DHTML) to create these programs & applications.

System analysts

  • System analysts study the needs of users of the system & define their requirements through documents/ processes.
  • These documents are then used by the programming team to create a better system.

Software testing & Quality Assurance

Software is tested by 'Software Testers' to confirm if it has been built as planned & is performing well. This includes finding software 'bugs'. Software is put through several types of tests. Various manual methods & automated tools are used for this.

Software Quality Assurance involves the entire software development process & is oriented towards prevention of problems.

Quality Asssurance (QA) professionals

  • Monitor & improve the processes by which software is created.
  • Make sure that any agreed-upon standards & procedures are followed.
  • Ensure that problems are found & dealt with.

Database analysts, architects & administrators

Data is core to any IT application. Data professionals make sure that users can access & manage data in a flexible, efficient & secure manner.

 

They:

  • Analyze & design databases.
  • Develop, install & implement databases.
  • Perform database administration & maintainance to ensure data integrity.
  • Perform database testing.
  • Provide data assurance i.e. security of data.

Software Architects, Solution builders & Consultants

These are senior job roles.


Software Architects have a deep understanding of a single technology area.

Solution builders understand a wide range of technologies & pull them together to create a solution to a customer problem.

Consultants not only have a broad knowledge of technology, they usually have deep knowledge of a particular industry or business.

Project Managers

Programmers/ software engineers usually work in teams. Each project team may consist of 10 to 15 engineers & is headed by a project leader. Two, three or more project teams are together supervised by a project manager. Delivery managers are senior people who supervise several project groups & coordinate with the sales people in the company and with the client.

A software engineer can choose to follow the 'management path' & grow into a project leader and then into a project manager. Or he or she can follow the 'technical path' & become a database specialist, software architect or a specialist in a given technology.

Technical writers & Documentation specialists

  • They create manuals for users to:
  • Develop documents for each project/ application.
  • Maintain copies of all documents developed for future use.

Helpdesk & Technical support

  • Help install, maintain & repair PCs, printers and other devices, LAN, Wide Area Networks (WAN).
  • Ensure Internet connectivity.
  • Are usually available immediately to resolve hardware & connectivity problems. Software or hardware installed at a customer’s premises may require support of the following types: installation, configuration. troubleshooting, customer queries or training.

Management Information Systems (MIS)

To manage any organization, its managers need information about its various activities e.g. sales, finance, purchase, HR. This information is usually got from data & reports from the organization’s computer network/ system.

Some of the entry-level MIS jobs are data analysts & data entry operators.

Other IT jobs

IT people may also work in sales & marketing or as faculty i.e. in teaching or as trainers.

They can also work in hardware & networking jobs such as network administrators or system administrators. Aptech teaches Hardware & Networking through N-Power.