Less geek and more chic

Written by: FDM Group

That’s right – IT has moved to the forefront of business, and information technology consultants are now required to possess excellent business acumen, as well as strong technical skills.

Computing enthusiasts are regularly stereotyped as spectacle wearing, socially-challenged, technology-obsessed nerds – preconceptions reinforced by sitcoms such as ‘The IT Crowd’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’.

Many industry experts claim this image of IT professionals could be the reason why some people are put off pursuing careers in the sector. Bob Clift, head of higher education programmes at e-skills, explains: “The problem the industry still faces is the common perception that IT roles are reserved for ‘geeky’ men, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Despite the ongoing claim from industry experts that a serious IT skills shortage prevails in the UK, only seven per cent of firms currently take on IT graduates directly from university. 

With IT becoming an increasingly integral part of business, industry professionals need to possess a strong understanding of the company’s strategy, goals and operations in order to undertake the responsibilities that firms are now demanding. 

They need to be capable of working across the business, communicating with colleagues at all levels and able to work both with others and autonomously.

However, a report published by the Open University in February 2011 warned that 43 per cent of IT graduate employers highlight a lack of business acumen amongst candidates. 

Unfortunately for graduates, the economy has not yet recovered enough to invest time and money into training new staff, they need employees to be able to hit the ground running from day one, and IT directors are claiming graduates are unable to do so.

Working with more than 200 blue-chip clients worldwide, IT services supplier FDM Group is very aware of the skills and attributes large organisations are looking for. 

As the UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM’s success is attributed to its offering of both IT and business training, combined with full time employment. 

Whilst the training is designed around the IT skills in demand, as well as soft skills and basic business acumen, successful graduates will also spend two years working with FDM’s clients as professional IT consultants. 

Angus Malcolm, head of IT infrastructure at FDM Group explains how the changing face of IT can be a distinct advantage: “With IT professionals coming to the forefront of business, there is now an emphasis on recruiting individuals with strong communication skills and professionalism. The good news is that the IT career path is opening up to accommodate those from other degree types, such as maths, science, business and economics.”

Previously many potential IT students may have been put off by the way computer professionals were pigeonholed, yet the industry is moving forward and IT consultants are at the helm. 

So if you want a career where you are able to embrace your passion for IT and be recognised as a leader in business, find out how at www.fdmacademy.com/graduate-it-careers.

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