This page discusses graduate jobs in IT and Technology. Over one million people are estimated to work in IT in the UK. Despite this, there is a massive skills shortage in qualified IT staff and each year, many roles at companies go unfilled. Some IT roles have a large technical element such as ethical hacking, programming/developing, software testing and systems analysis. Others have a greater business emphasis, are less technical and will not require pure computer science degrees. These areas include IT technical support, technology consultancy, IT project management and other more analytical areass.
Who Works in IT?
[Edit]It is not uncommon for successful graduates working in IT to have come from science and numerical degree backgrounds. For these positions, employers want to see evidence of conventional job requirements, such as a good standard of degree (2:1 or above ideally) drive, ambition and commitment to a career in IT. The focus of these roles is in varying degrees less on using technical know-how and more on strategy, communication, or finance.
Almost all IT roles can be divided in to six main categories:
- Programming
- IT service provision
- Business change and IT Project Management
- IT Strategy and Planning
- IT procurement and management support
- IT Ancillary skills
Graduate Roles in IT
[Edit]Graduate roles in IT are likely to be in a development or IT service provision role. As people become more experienced, they tend to move in to more strategic or managerial positions.
Some typical graduate roles include:
- Programming
- Applications Developer
- IT Consultant
- Software Tester
- IT Analyst
- IT Technical Support
- Systems Administrator
- Database Administrator
- Web Design
- IT Ergonomics
IT Competencies
[Edit]In addition to advanced technical skills, it is vital for modern graduates to have people skills. In the past IT professionals have, on occasion, been viewed as geeks, but in the modern world of IT not only is this a rather stereotypical view but also a rather outdated one. These days, soft skills are as vital as technical ones. Being able to work alone and in a team is a valuable asset and business awareness is also highly desirable.
Employers are increasingly interested in the well-rounded graduate, with understanding of the environment in which a computer system will operate. If you are interested in a job in the client-facing end of IT, a theoretical IT degree is a poorer preparation than one with finance, management, or another engineering subject. With one of these degrees, you will have an understanding of the problems your clients are facing, their attitudes and the language they are using and you will be well placed to act as translator between the client and your in-house team.
Technical Skills
[Edit] The following list indicates the IT skills employers are most interested in graduate level employees possessing:1. SQL
2. Java
3. Unix
4. SQL Server
5. C
6. C#
7. .net
8. Oracle
9. C++
10. MS Office
11. ASP
12. Visual Basic
13. XML
14. SAP
15. HTML
16. TCP/IP
17. Linux
18. J2EE
19. Exchange
20. Javascript
21. Cisco
22. Windows XP
23. Access
24. Focus
25. OOP
26. Sas
Salaries
[Edit]Graduate starting salaries are good for roles in IT. For large graduate employers you should expect to earn more than £25,000 from year one.
International
[Edit]IT skills are highly transferable and are almost always globally recognised. This mean it is easy for people working in IT to work in other countries if this is of interest.
Self-Employment
[Edit]Many IT professionals are contractors. However, before deciding to work for yourself, it is a good idea to have gained some experience and contacts in the industry by working for an employer.
For more information about graduate jobs in IT and Technology see the WikiJob forums.
13 January 2009 - 8:36pm
sirajgb
Anyone please tell me about an occasion when you recognised a potential problem or opportunity, what challenges did you face and what was the outcome?
13 January 2009 - 8:37pm
sirajgb
Anyone please describe an occasion when you had to gain the support of others and how you went about it
13 January 2009 - 8:38pm
sirajgb
Anyone please describe hhen have you contributed successfully in a team situation? What was your role and contribution?
29 July 2009 - 7:50am
Nick1
Just think about the time when you worked in the group wheather it was at universitiy or at some part time job while being at uni. For example you many want to talk about how you completed coursework or some project with your group, which sort of ideas did you have and how it helped to make the corsework or project successful and also describe which role you played in the team and justify it by your behaviour.
9 August 2009 - 10:11am
saracarrol
Thanks a lot for this very informative and inspiring article. My cousin has the science background, after passing the A level he wants to go to UK for higher education. I said him that these days IT sector is evolving very rapidly. I will definitely suggest him to read this article so that he realize the importance. Thanks.
1 September 2009 - 6:29pm
SH44F
I have recently graduated, and for various reasons I only managed a 3rd class degree. However I am currently looking for work but have no clue as to where to start and what career path i should take, therefore if anyone has any advise as to what types of jobs are available for 3rd class degrees then this would be appreciated.
27 October 2009 - 5:49pm
suji
hi guys, I have a MBA in finance and BE in computers from India. I have 1.5 yrs experience in a IT MNC ,India and moved to London recently . I hold a HSMP visa valid for next 3 yrs!
Do you think I would be eligible for these graduate roles ?
31 October 2009 - 12:16am
makavelli1988
Please Help with this question
What do you think the major challenges for the business area technology that you’re applying for will be over the next 2-3 years? Please consider our current product offering, competitors and market conditions when you’re answering.
This is for Sky. i have looked, and there doesnt seem to be much thats going to change. anyone with expertise got any suggestions for what i can talk about?
31 August 2010 - 1:19pm
1dweeb
All, you don't need a super degree in IT to get a good job in IT. Having a brain and working/learning what the market needs and of course, experience is what counts. I was an ex-soldier with 3 O'levels. At 30 i decided to go to tech school, after 2 years I qualified as an IT system electronics/communications engineer (fast tracked it). Studied further and achieved MCSEs (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) in Windows 2000, 2003 and Exchange 2000 and 2003. Also achieved various MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist)exams, as well as a few qualifications in Unix and Linux systems. This is what the market needs!
I have only worked for Blue Chip companies, for example BP, Mercedes benz etc and guess what....these companies weren't interested if you have a degree or not. It's practical experience and realtime/real life knowledge that counts (not uni grad degrees). I have been working in IT for 8 years (5 of those with my current employer) now and earn in excess of 55,000 p.a as a Systems Administrator for 8000 clients and 250 Servers. Hope this info helped all you guys that want to get in to IT.
29 September 2010 - 8:19am
gopaldharawoni
Please any one could give me answers for the below question.
Tell us about a time when you questioned or challenged the status quo?
(why did you question it, what alternatives did you suggest, to what extent were your ideas accepted)
6 November 2010 - 12:04am
stheronell
please help me wit the questions
Describe an occasion when you recognised an opportunity to improve something and acted on it. Consider what the impact of the change was. Any potential problems during implementation you identified and how you overcame them
6 November 2010 - 12:04am
stheronell
2. describe a time when you have been part of a new team and had to encourage the group to work towards a shared goal.
Consider
How you intergrated with team
How you ensured that everyone in team contributed
What the benefits of working collectively were
6 November 2010 - 12:05am
stheronell
describe a time that you faced an important task with challenging time constraints. Consider how you approached the task /project
What steps you took to determine the quality and timing of the outcome
What the outcome was
What you leant from this experience
6 November 2010 - 12:06am
stheronell
What interests you about the graduate scheme you have applied for and what do you believe will be expected of your role
24 February 2011 - 12:04pm
thaju
i have a friend attended as a fake experienced and rejected for polaris at 6 months back.now she got experienced in an mnc and tried for hsbc.she got selected for that in the back ground verification she is facing problem.can she consider that she can get offer or not.hr is telling that give me sometime bcz., her name reflecting at his parter polaris database. i think it's happened before 6 months right.what will be the problem inthe verification......
can anybody answer for this..?? please suggest help for her
Thanks....
13 May 2011 - 4:47pm
Vaibhavagar
Hi,
I have a telephonic interview from Freescale Semiconductors for the role of a Graduate systems and application engineer role, a firm based in Glasgow, U.K. This is my first interview ever. Can i expect help from anyone regarding the questions they ask or any website providing frequnt interview questions. Your help would be highly obliged.
thanks
email id - vaibhavagar@gmail.com
2 February 2012 - 7:17am
akon
I eff fresh mark, and for various reasons I only managed , 642-832 people laurels.VCP-510 However I am currently hunting for utilise but somebody no indicant as to where to move and what advance course i should digest, thus if anyone has any discuss as to what types of jobs are accessible for separate degrees then, 350-001 this would be apprehended.
_0.jpg){kind=small}
Anyone please describe an achievement which you are particularly proud of, and how you achieved it