Careers in the IT Industry - Essay Example

Careers in the IT Industry Name: Course: Tutor: Institution: Date: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Executive Summary 3 1.0 Introduction 4 2.0 Discussion 4 2.1 Software Developers 4 2.2 Web Developers 5 2.3 Data Base Administrators 6 2.4 Network and Systems Administrator 7 2.5 Systems Security Analyst 7 2.6 IT Manager 8 3.0 Conclusion 9 References 10 Executive Summary This report offers a critical analysis of the IT industry. In particular, the report evaluates the different sectors in the industry, with regard to the offered and presented job and career opportunities. First, the report notes that the industry has drastically expanded over the last decade, and is expected to expand into the future. Among the analyzed and identified career opportunities in the industry include software developers, web developers, database administrators, network and system administrators, security systems analysts and IT manager career and jobs respectively. Key to note is that all the careers are complementary to one another and none operates in isolation and independence from the others. 1.0 Introduction The global market is exponentially expanding. In this case, a number of the global industries have emerged and opened up alternative careers and job opportunities. One such industry is the IT industry also known as the Information technology industry. The industry has developed and expanded over the last decade, allowing for the development, emergence and growth of new industry sectors (Jiang, 2010, p.23). As such, this has allowed for the emergence of new career opportunities in the industry. This report offers a strategic analysis of the IT industry sectors and emerging career opportunities both in the present and the foreseeable future. 2.0 Discussion 2.1 Software Developers In order for any IT system to operate and run, there is the need for software engineering and development. In this case, the process of developing relevant software requires specialized job skills. This IT industry sector has allowed for the emergence of new career opportunities. A software developers fall into two main categories. First there are the system-focused developers. These are individuals involved in the development of operating systems, that enable computers and smart phones run and execute functions. Some of the key operating systems developed by systems oriented software developers include the Windows and android operating systems, both for computers and the mobile versions respectively (Fitzpatrick and Collins-Sussman, 2012, p.53). The second job category is the application software developers. This category of software developers are directly involved in the development of other support applications such as the games among others. It is the variance in the development features and application development skills that often create variances in applications such as games, making some IT equipments more appealing and easy to use than others (Sonmez, 2015, p.34). In order to become a software developer, an IT specialist requires skills and knowledge on the IT coding systems and languages to aid in their software development, as it relies on the coding languages such as C++ and Java among others. 2.2 Web Developers The second category and sector in the IT industry is the web development sector. In this case, the rate of websites development and reliance has increased over the last decade. With rising internet connectivity, the reliance on online platforms has simultaneously increased. In this case, many of the organisations are doubling their physical operations with their online operations. Consequently, it has become a business norm, for every business to have an official website, where stakeholders can acquire all the relevant information. Moreover, other new business models have emerged. In this case, there has been the rise of online shops, where customers purchase and pay for goods online (Niederst, 2007, p.62). All these developments are based on the web development and designing. As such, this has heralded the development of the web developers’ career opportunity. As such, the web developers are the personnel responsible for designing a website layout as well as developing its features and unique descriptions. The process and specifications of developing a website is based on the client’s needs and costs willing to incur. The website developers require advanced coding ability to allow for the websites development. As the number of business with websites increase globally, including the SMEs, this career is expected to grow and advance into the future (Zakas, 2012, p.83). 2.3 Data Base Administrators As organisations and corporations intake of IT increases, the need to manage and coordinate such information increases. One of the rising trends in IT application is knowledge management. In this case, the organisations rely on the existing past data to serve as a knowledge base and inform their future development and decisions. In this regard, in order to allow for proper knowledge management strategies application, there is the need to manage an organisational database. An organisational database could be described as the chunk and bulk of information and data that is specific and rational to an organization (Kuhn, 2013, p.15). The role of a database administrator includes he profile and prioritization of such data. In this case, the data base administrator ensures that relevant data is available as and when required. It is the role and the success of a data administrator that organization are able to develop a number of data bases such as the customers database through the customer relationship management systems and the supplies databases among others. In order to execute the duties of a database administrator effectively, one requires knowledge management skills, applications development and management skills, as well as an understanding of the specific organisational needs and functions. The global market reliance of technology is rising. In this case, a majority of the organsiations have resolved and turned to the use of knowledge management systems as a means of eradicating and minimizing operational and strategic decision errors (LaRock, 2010, p.42). As such, this emerging trend illustrates that the global market reliance of well managed databases will rise into the foreseeable future. This makes the data administrators job more appealing and in demand into the future (United States, 2006, p.11). 2.4 Network and Systems Administrator Besides the critical role played by the computer and IT systems software elements, the hardware components have a similar role. In this case the computer hardware allows for the compatibility of the system with developed software, as well as its access and link to the internet. In this case, there is a need to ensure that the IT hardware components are developed, installed, and repaired with regard to the existing and changing technological aspects. Moreover, there is the need to develop and operationalises network systems such as the wifi and LAN network systems to connect the systems to the internet (Shinder, 2001, p.36). The need to advance these systems leads to the duties of a network and systems administrator. The responsibilities of these specialists include the development of a network system including the physical connection of the IT devices onto the network. Moreover, the responsibilities include computer and other devices hardware development and repair as well as installation in different systems. The network and systems administrators allow for the development of a hardware system that is compatible with other hardware and software systems, as well as one in line and tandem with technology changes and advancements. With rising technology development, there is a growing need for the development of compatible hardware systems global and within organisations (McMillan, 2007, p.19). Thus, this implies that the network and systems administrator responsibilities will grow and expand into the future. 2.5 Systems Security Analyst Although the adoption and use of IT systems have increased efficiency, they have led to a number of challenges. In this case, a majority of the IT systems operations and functions are doe online. As a result, this has exposed private and confidential data and information to the risk of unauthorized access. For instance, organisations have the details of the product design and research development details online. In the event that the competitors obtain such information through online hacking and unauthorized access, the affected organization risk losing much invested funds as the competition can easily emulate its designs and even improve on them. At this juncture emerges the roles of the systems security analyst (Bayles et al, 2005, p.22). Under this job category, the specialists are charged with the responsibility of developing, evaluating and improving security measures. As such, the duties include securing the system against malicious software access such as virus spread as a means of corrupting and deleting important and crucial systems and files. This is achieved through the use of relevant malware detection and antivirus software, and regularly monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness (Al-Aali and Yousif, 2012, p.204). In addition, the roles of the security analyst includes he development and monitoring of a firewall to insulate the system against unauthorized external access, especially through hacking (Mara, 2013, p.104). The problem of hacking has emerged as a top business and private data risk in the last five years, as a result of increased technology developments and skills advancements. Lastly, the role of the security analyst includes the development of internal control and access systems such as the medium access control (MAC) systems to limit the amount and nature of information database that each of the employees’ access based on heir clearance and management levels. 2.6 IT Manager A majority of the organsiations globally have reckoned the role of IT in creating competitiveness. As a result, most of them have invested largely in the development of IT systems. As a result, they often have the IT functions (WetFeet, 2008, p.32). The IT functions are headed by an IT manager, who serves at the executive management level, and answer directly to the company CEO and board of directors. The IT departments are responsible for a wide range of activities including proposing and implementing organisational IT strategies and practices. Moreover, they support the other departments’ implementation of the IT strategy. Thus, the IT manager is directly involved in the development and overseeing of the day to day IT systems adoption and operations in an organization. In order to become an IT manager, one requires experience in working in a similar IT department, as a means of understanding the job description and expectations. In terms of skills, an understanding of the software, hardware and process operations in IT systems is a basic skills need for any manager. However, there is the need to continuously improve skills and knowledge, as the global IT industry is drastically changing and evolving (Wheatcroft, 2014, p.78). As the global market adoption of IT increases, so will b the role and status of IT departments in organisations. As such, this will allow for the increased development and inclusion of IT departments a well as their budgetary allocations, promoting the influence of the IT managers. 3.0 Conclusion In summary, the report offers a strategic review of the IT industry. The above analysis leads to the conclusion that the industry has a large potential to create employment and career opportunities. Moreover, the reviews evidence that the career opportunities expand and increase with technology advancements. Among the key career paths identified include being a software developer, web developer, database administrator, network and systems design administrator, and a security systems analyst. Moreover, it notes that the specialists can also be employed as IT managers in corporate organisations. References Al-Aali, M., and Yousif, S. 2012, Computer jobs & certifications: Choose & improve your IT career, Lulu Press, New York Bayles, A. W., Brindley, E., Foster, J. C., Hurley, C., and Long, J. 2005, InfoSec career hacking: Sell your skillz, not your soul, Syngress Publishers, Rockland, MA Fitzpatrick, B. W., and Collins-Sussman, B. 2012, Team geek: A software developer's guide to working well with others, O'Reilly, Sebastopol. CA Jiang, Z. 2010, On the development of China's information technology industry, Elsevier/Academic Press. Amsterdam Kuhn, D. 2013, Pro Oracle database 12c administration., A Press, New York LaRock, T. 2010, DBA survivor: Become a rock star DBA, A press, Berkeley, Calif. Mara, W. 2013, Information security analyst, Cherry Lake Publishers, Ann Arbor, Mich McMillan, T. 2007, Change your career, Kaplan Publishers, New York Niederst, R. J. 2007, Learning Web design, O'Reilly Media, Sebastopol, Calif Shinder, D. L. 2001, Computer networking essentials, Cisco Press, Indianapolis, IN Sonmez, J. Z. 2015, Soft skills: The software developer's life manual, Manning Publications, New York. United States. 2006, Occupational outlook handbook 2006-2007, McGraw-Hill, New York WetFeet (Firm).2008, Careers in brand management, WetFeet, San Francisco, CA Wheatcroft, P., 2014, Service desk and incident manager: Careers in IT service management. BCS, London Zakas, N. C. 2012, Professional JavaScript for web developers, John Wiley & Sons, Indianapolis, IN Read More