What jobs are in IT

Friday, October 18, 2024 /

IT is a big part of all our lives. Navigating smartphones or menus on smart TV’s, using computers for work in a range of different ways, almost everyone in the developed world interacts with IT. The IT Industry is growing, with more jobs and so many different roles emerging in the industry every day. The role of an AI Prompt Engineer did not exist 2 years ago. Who knows what jobs will emerge in IT in the next 2 years?

South West TAFE can help you get a foothold into this ever-changing IT job landscape.

With this article we’re going to explore what careers are out there for you in IT, and how, thanks to South West TAFE, you can upskill yourself and get a kick start into a career that is rewarding and challenging and never dull.

What is IT?

IT is an abbreviation for Information Technology and was first coined in 1958 by the Harvard Business Review.

Today, IT describes the use of computers, electronic storage, networking infrastructure and other physical media, online infrastructure and processes to create, process, store, secure and exchange information and data in electronic formats.

The umbrella of IT covers:

Internet and web technologies: The tools used to help different parts of the web communicate with each other on different parts of the internet.
Cloud computing: Using remote applications to work, save and store your data. Using Google Drive to save your Google doc is an example of cloud computing.
Databases: A database is a home to information, sorted, stored and secured, accessible online, anywhere in the world, if you have the right security clearance.
AI and machine learning: Similar but different, AI is where machines are given the illusion of thought, the ability to act like they have cognitive abilities. Machine learning is where machines can assess their actions, and improve upon past results through learning.
Cyber security: The securing and protection of data from unethical actors (hackers) who are trying to steal this data.
IT Governance: The overseeing of activities and behaviours online, with the mandate to manage and improve overall performance, safety and security of the internet and online communities.
Data analytics: A role where you source and collate raw data and analyse it to find patterns, predict futures, and collate information for others to understand and help make decisions.

IT is a broad, encompassing term, and what it covers seems to be growing and including more examples every day.

Why a career in IT?

There are many great reasons why a career in IT is a powerful choice. If you were curious growing up, pulling apart the TV remote or cracking your PC case open and installing a new hard drive or video card, then a career in IT could be for you. Whether you’re driven by curiosity, a passion for problem-solving, or a desire for a dynamic career, IT offers a range of benefits that make it an exciting and rewarding field.

Continuous learning: The world of technology is growing incredibly fast. With a career in IT you will need to keep up with changes, improvements and upgrades, all the time. Newer technologies and upgraded hardware, software patches and the growing tsunami of artificial intelligence, all of this is just the tip of the iceberg for all the learning you will need. IT is not a dull career move.
Always in demand: The growing landscape of IT jobs, and the rapid evolution of the industry, you will never be short of a job. The more niche your expertise, the higher your salary demands can be.
Remote working opportunities: The nature of the work lends itself quite well to remote work. Logging in to other systems, programming from home, being a remote help desk, all these things favour the new remote, or hybrid form of working we now experience.
IT work has a real-world impact: What you do will matter. You’ve seen what happened to the world when a simple Windows update failed. What you do in IT supports vital infrastructure of businesses and keeps actual people connected to their lives and their businesses.

What jobs are in IT?

There are many careers available to you in the IT industry. Below we’ve listed some of the more common jobs that can open up for you.

Web Developer: As a web developer it is your task to create functional and user-friendly websites for small businesses, large corporations, e-commerce and everything in between. You will learn to code to support and maintain websites, help with front-end development (what the user sees) and back-end support (the architecture of the website. Salaries start around $50k - $60k, but with experience these salaries can easily soar higher.
Help Desk Officer: This is a front-line support role. You’re helping people who are having difficulty with either general IT problems, or specifically with a product or service you and your company provides. You will enjoy helping people problem-solve and you’ll have a gentle hand with often frustrated people. According to Jora, the average salary for a Help Desk Officer, in Melbourne, is around $70k a year.
Computer Support Specialist: This is a role for those who are hungry to learn and understand things. You’re often in the field, on-site fixing computers, troubleshooting network issues, installing new hardware or software. No single day is the same. The more you know the more you can earn. Starting salary is around $70k, but six figures is easily attainable with experience.
Data Analyst: This is a very technical role where you will collect data from a wide range of sources, analyse it and translate it into something that can be understood by other people. You will use this data to find patterns or predict behaviour, to help guide companies and people forward to success. Data Analysts can find meaningful work in almost any industry the world over. The average salary for a Data Analyst in Melbourne is between $90k and $100k to start.
Computer Programmer: With your mastery of different programming languages, you write, or modify, code on a computer so it can perform any number of tasks. You could be developing apps for mobile phones, working on games, establishing the perfect synchronicity in a set of traffic lights, who knows. The sheer breadth of possibility with this IT job is astounding. The average salary range for a computer programmer sits between $90k and $100k.
Cyber Security Specialist: This is a thrilling IT career trajectory that could have you designing and implementing security measures to protect sensitive data from unethical hacking attacks. The cyber landscape is becoming more threatening with bot networks and bad faith actors from different countries trying to hack and steal data. Cyber security specialists are in almost every industry. Average salaries are in the order of $110k or more.
DevOps Engineer: A Development and Operations Engineer helps to develop tools and methodologies to action the process of software creation and development. From conception through coding and into launch, you would be a cyber project leader, ensuring software goes live without bugs. Salaries for a DevOps Engineer are between $130k and $150k.
Software Architect: As a software architect you take a step back from projects and look at the bigger picture. You determine what are the best software options, the best programming ideals, the best people you need to complete projects and bring about the greatest success for your company. You will oversee programming projects, put out any spot fires that may burst into life, to produce excellent results. A role as a Software Architect can see you earning close to $150k a year.
Data Scientist: A Data Scientist researches, collates and analyses data to provide new insight and information to anyone who would benefit from this information. Using a dataset, you can make predictions on markets or trends and help direct the growth of businesses. You can look at around $120k per year in salary.
Systems Analyst: If you become a Systems Analyst you will be examining a company’s current systems and technology to make sure they’re running at top speed and efficiency. If you find areas where they can improve, you recommend changes and upgrades. This type of work can easily net you $100k or more.
Database Administrator: A DBA is in charge of maintaining and keeping secure the repository of information of a company. You administer who can have access to the database, and at what level. You’ll also work with programmers and designers to upgrade or design better databases. Your earning potential for a Database Administrator is between $90k and $110k on average.
IT Technician: Arguably the handyman of the IT industry, the Jack-of-all-Trades, if you will. Troubleshooting hardware and software issues, installing new software packages, visiting sites to help bugfix or install new hardware. A lot of IT careers start here. It is a great opportunity to learn so much about the IT industry. Being a starting role, salaries are around $75k per year.

Study options at SWTAFE

We can give you your first steps into the fascinating world of IT with a Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120). This course will improve your general knowledge of computers, software applications, web technologies, networking and software support. You will gain knowledge and skills as an excellent foundation for a career in the ICT industry or continue on to further study.

You will gain knowledge in ICT environments, be able to give credible ICT advice, maintain and repair ICT equipment and software, configure networks, build webpages, begin to learn about cybersecurity, and more.

This course will prepare you for a career in IT. There are many directions your career can take, all exciting and new.

It is also a pathway to further education, such as a certificate IV or higher education in the field of information technology.

Current job listings

To view some current job listings in the IT field, click through to the Seek website or the Indeed website. This is often a good way to help you focus on what you need to study and learn to achieve a rewarding career in IT.

A career in IT will mean the world is your digital oyster. South West TAFE can put you on the path to IT knowledge and skills. Where you go from there is a choice we leave to you.