IT & Tech

Jobs within the IT sector have never been more in demand, with computer skills becoming ever more important in the workplace. A career in IT opens up a range of possibilities…

Career prospects

  • Software Architect
  • Programmer
  • Technical Engineer
  • Operations Analyst
  • Technical Consultant
  • Project Manager
  • Web Designer

What do employers look for?

As with most careers, work experience will set you apart from your competitors.

Is it the right career for me?

Some IT-based roles won’t actually require you to have a computer science or IT-based degree, and some companies offer training schemes as part of your job.

You will also need to be an effective communicator, as you may find you are dealing with clients over the phone and so will need to be clear if giving any assistance verbally or written.

  • Analytical
  • Problem solver
  • Organised
  • Investigative thinker
  • Good Communicator
  • Patience

Computer skills are becoming increasingly important in the workplace, especially in offices. It's well worth learning how to use email and the Web, and getting to know your way around a Windows PC. Also, familiarise yourself with popular office software packages such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases and presentations.

Job Prospects

1. Programmers


Alternative names are software engineer or developer. The job involves writing instructions in a computer language to achieve a task. In practice you'll probably work in a team, each responsible for a small part of a bigger program. You'll only get to work on an entire big program if you're a manager supervising other programmers.

Personality: You need to be methodical, comfortable with logic - being good at maths would be handy - and happy to sit in front of a computer screen all day.

Qualifications: Most big firms only recruit IT graduates, or maybe non-IT graduates, for programming jobs. But you can get a programming job in a smaller company with an NVQ. The important thing is to get a work placement afterwards and continue to learn on the job.

Whether you're qualified or not, potential employers will probably give you an aptitude test. This won't expect you to know computer programming languages but you will need to use programming logic to solve problems; for example, using a 'loop' to repeat the same instruction over again.

Website development is a less technical area. It demands fewer programming skills but more of an eye for design and marketing. You can teach yourself the basics or go to evening classes. The downside is that since the 'dot com boom' there are lots of website designers out there.

2. Operators


The job: Operators are responsible for setting up and maintaining computer systems, especially hardware. They may be responsible for a particular area - such as the network that connects computers in an office or the database system that staff use.
Being an operator is more physical and hands-on than being a programmer. If something needs checking on a computer network, for example, you'll be the person under the desk fiddling with cables and using a voltmeter. You'll also use software to monitor the system; for example, checking graphs of the flow of traffic on the network.


Personality: You need to be comfortable getting physical with technology, the sort of person who would consider taking a screwdriver to their personal stereo if it was broken.

Qualifications: You don't have to be a graduate, but any qualifications will help - even GCSEs. Again potential employers might give you an aptitude test. Employers are often willing to train operators on the job - look for a 'trainee operations' position. Or you could start off by working in support and then move over into operations. Once in an operations job, your employer will send you on training courses if you need to know more about a particular system or if they want you to specialise in a particular area.

3. Support staff


The job: You don't need to know much about computers to get a job in support, where you help other people with their computer problems. Companies are happy for you to start at the bottom and learn on the job.
Jobs include help desk support, where you wait for calls to come in from users whose computers have gone wrong, and operator support, where you might keep an eye on programmes running overnight and look out for problems.


Personality: You need to be good at dealing with people, especially when they're upset about their computer going wrong.


Qualifications: No formal qualifications necessary, although again anything helps.

Average 
Salary varies depending on your role but people in IT fare relatively well, with an average salary of £40,000.

 

Key articles for IT and Technology graduates

Recruiters in this sector:

Advanced

Advanced Software Computer Group is a leading provider of software and IT services to the UK public, private and not for profit sectors.

Advanced Remanufacturing Technology Centre, A*Star

The Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre is a new industry-led centre by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

AMAZON.CO.UK

Amazon is made up of builders and innovators, all of whom bring diverse backgrounds, brilliant ideas and varying points of view with them. Our rich tapestry of team members, from all around the world, means that we’re looking for great minds just like yours.

ATOS

Atos powers progress. We're more than just a global information technology services company.

bet365

bet365 is the world’s favourite online sports betting company serving over 80 million customers across the globe and employing over 6,000 people.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg is a leading financial information services, news, and media company, serving customers around the world.

Boss Professional Services

Boss Professional Services Ltd are an established recruitment consultancy based in Oval, London.

BT

Life today is built on connectivity. As a global innovations company, BT use the power of communications to make a better world.

Cerillion Technologies

Are you a final year student looking for a career in the IT sector as a Technology Consultant or Software Developer?

CGP Books

CGP has grown quickly to become the most successful and respected educational publisher in the UK.

COLT

Colt is a global telecommunications company, with offices in 19 countries and staff in Europe, North America and Asia.

Computacenter

Computacenter is a leading independent provider of IT infrastructure services.

Deloitte

Deloitte provide Audit, Tax, Consulting and Corporate Finance services across all major industries.

Deutsche Bank

At Deutsche Bank, we’re changing what it means to be a bank. It’s about making a positive difference and cultivating new perspectives.

DHL Supply Chain

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and "The Logistics Company for the world".

Dixons Carphone

Dixons Carphone is Europe’s number one electrical and telecommunications retailer and services company, with more than 40,000 colleagues across nine countries, including the UK and Ireland.

Dorset Software

Based on the sunny south coast in Poole, Dorset Software is all about employee and customer satisfaction. Benefiting from over 29 years of experience, we are experts in understanding our clients’ needs and always work closely with them to devise and deliver the most appropriate solution for each project.

Dstl - Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) maximises the impact of science and technology on UK defence and security - across government.

EmployAbility

At EmployAbility we work with disabled students and graduates to ease the transition from education to employment.

Engaging tech

We are a London based digital product and service company where engagement and happiness is at the core of all we do. We believe that having a happy and highly engaged team improves our process and results in super engaging products for you and your customers.

ETL Systems

ETL Systems is a global engineering company that design and manufacture Radio Frequency (RF) equipment for the satellite communications industry.

Experian

Experian is the world's leading information services company and we operate the UK's largest credit reference agency.

FDM Group

FDM Group is an award-winning company and the market leader in the Recruit, Train and Deploy industry.

Freshminds

If you’re ready to start your next commercial challenge, then apply to Freshminds today to find analytical or strategic opportunities on a permanent or project basis.

Girls in Tech

We are the London chapter of Girls in Tech, a global organisation focused on empowering, educating and engaging with women interested in technology and entrepreneurship.

GlobalData

We are a world-class data and analytics company, helping our 4,000 strong client base to decode the future to be more successful and innovative.

Houzz

Starting out in Silicone Valley, Houzz has become the leading home renovation and design platform in the world.

Kubrick Group

We founded Kubrick to offer organisations another way to solve their data challenges. We do this by employing the best junior professionals and preparing them in our data labs to become the next generation of data specialists.

Meltwater

Meltwater is the global leading media intelligence platform. Our software combines the power of AI with the largest news and social media database in the industry, to bring our clients advanced Media Monitoring, Social Media Listening, Social Media Management, PR Analytics and Influencer Engagement tools.

Metropolitan Police Service

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement in Greater London.

Mitie

Mitie provides facilities management, consultancy, project management and a range of specialist services

mthree

mthree is an emerging talent partner, delivering technology talent through our sourcing and training services across the globe. We work with a range of clients from global investment banks to up-and-coming FinTech’s.

NHS - The Princess Grace Hospital

A healthcare organisation responsible for the successful management and delivery of healthcare services provided to over two million people living in North West London, ensuring local residents receive high quality, modern and sustainable healthcare services.

Nicoll Curtin

We are Nicoll Curtin, the award winning global Fintech & Change Recruitment agency, with the APSCo 2018 International Recruitment Company of the Year as the latest feather in our cap.

PatSnap

PatSnap is a global, hyper-growth, venture-backed start-up with offices in London, Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Singapore, Toronto and LA. Our cloud-based software enables innovators to be more effective in their research and investment decisions and bring new inventions to market faster.

PwC

One firm - a powerhouse of a commercial enterprise that does the right thing for our clients, our people and our communities.

QA Higher Education

QA is a private UK Higher Education provider offering foundation programmes through to postgraduate degrees, through partnerships with UK-based universities.

Qube Global Software

Qube are looking for skilled graduates interested in a career in IT who want to play a critical part in driving us on to bigger and better things.

Red Academy

RED Academy is a technology & design school with an agency-style environment that focuses on real client projects in UX/UI design, web & app development & digital marketing.

Royal Air Force

Whether in the skies above Britain, or in airspaces around the world, it's our job to protect the United Kingdom against any form of threat.

Rubix

Rubix Technology Solutions provide IT solutions and services to organisations across all verticals globally. ​

Sky

9 years of experience. 23 million customers. Seven countries. Sky, Europe’s leading entertainment and communications business, is more than just television, mobile and broadband. With pioneering technology, innovative minds and forward-thinking teams, they make the future happen.

Softcat

Softcat are a leading provider of IT infrastructure to the corporate and public sectors.

Sopra Steria

Sopra Steria is a European leader in digital transformation, who specialise in innovation and technology.

Sparta Global

Sparta Global is an independent technology services provider to leading Finance, Retail, Media and FTSE 100 clients.

Summit

Summit is a change maker in online retailing, working with some of Europe's most successful retailers and brands, helping them to make more money.

Synergy Networxx Ltd

Synergy Networxx is all about taking graduate talent and opening them up to new possibilities.

Tangible Benefit

We are one of the UK’s leading IT Solutions Providers and Systems Integrators, and our teams work with thousands of customers within the corporate and public workspace across the country.

Telefonica

We're Telefonica, a world leader in global communications and the name behind O2.

Tessella

Tessella is a global software services and IT consultancy company that works with some of the world's biggest and most well-known organisations to solve complex real world problems.

The UK Domain

How can you stand out head and shoulders above the rest? Take control of what potential employers see and read about you on the internet.

TK Maxx / HomeSense, part of TJX Europe

You might not have heard of TJX Europe, but you’ve probably heard of our brands – TK Maxx and Homesense.

uLeague

uLeague is a career service platform that offers professional pathways in Digital Marketing, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Trading, and Banking & Finance, which are accompanied by a suite of tech-enabled tools for professional development.

Veritas Prime

Veritas Prime, based on our core values and principles, means “Truth and Excellence”. We are dedicated to providing clients with top tier consulting services in the Human Capital Management Technology space.

Virtual Internships

Remote internships are available with companies of varying size, sector and industry so that you can gain valuable experience with companies tailored to your choice and so boost your CV.

Vista Entertainment Solutions

At Vista, we’re looking for smart enthusiastic team players to join our UK based, world-leading software team to fulfil our goal of global domination.

Vodafone

We have extensive experience in connectivity, convergence and the Internet of Things, as well as championing mobile financial services and digital transformation in emerging markets.

Writemedia

The Writemedia Partnership is a multi-skilled agency based in Pembrokeshire operating across the UK.

Xchanging

Xchanging is one of the largest and fastest growing business process outsourcing firms in the world.

Yieldify

Yieldify is already being used by some of the largest websites in the UK and is backed by top angel investors.