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Topic 5
IT Careers

ITECH 7400 IT SERVICE MANAGEMENT AND

PROFESSIONAL CULTURE

CRICOSCRICOS Provider
Provider No.No. 00103D
00103D
Content of Course ...
Section Topics
Ethics and • Utilitarianism and deontology

Social impact of technology

professionalism • Contract-based and character
based
• Professional ethics
• IT careers
IT Service • Service management
management • Service lifecycle
• Processes and functions
• Measurement, metrics and the
Deming cycle

3
Contents

• IT careers

• Professional bodies

• Certifications

4
Course Objectives

This topic relates to the following course objectives:

• K6. Research and discuss underpinning theories of ethical
philosophy and apply these in to a range of scenarios in IT
workplace and service environments.
• S1. Evaluate cognitive and practical approaches required
to manage IT professionals in collaborative global work
context.
• S4. Utilise professional presentation and communication
approaches in a range of IT workplace and service
settings.
Course Objectives
continued…
• A1. Construct written and verbal arguments in a variety of
formats on the evolving nature of ethical norms relating to
service and implementation of new technologies
• A3. Apply skills frameworks and develop a career plan in
readiness for transition into the IT profession.
IT Careers
List of IT Jobs
Application Support Analyst
Applications Engineer
Associate Developer
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Computer and Information Systems
Manager
Computer Systems Manager
Customer Support Administrator
Customer Support Specialist
Data Center Support Specialist
Data Quality Manager
Database Administrator
Desktop Support Manager
Desktop Support Specialist
Developer
Director of Technology
Front End Developer
Help Desk Specialist
Help Desk Technician
Information Technology Coordinator
Information Technology Director
Information Technology Manager
IT Support Manager
IT Support Specialist
IT Systems Administrator
Java Developer
Junior Software Engineer
Management Information Systems
Director
.NET Developer
Network Architect
Network Engineer
Network Systems Administrator
Programmer
Programmer Analyst
Security Specialist
8
List of IT Jobs
continued …
Senior Applications Engineer Software Developer
Senior Database Administrator Software Engineer
Senior Network Architect Software Quality Assurance Analyst
Senior Network Engineer Support Specialist
Senior Network System Administrator Systems Administrator
Senior Programmer Systems Analyst
Senior Programmer Analyst System Architect
Senior Security Specialist Systems Designer
Senior Software Engineer Systems Software Engineer
Senior Support Specialist Technical Operations Officer
Senior System Administrator Technical Support Engineer
Senior System Analyst Technical Support Specialist
Senior System Architect Technical Specialist
Senior System Designer Telecommunications Specialist
Senior Systems Analyst Web Administrator
Senior Systems Software Engineer Web Developer
Senior Web Administrator Webmaster
Senior Web Developer
Software Architect (Doyle, 2019)

9
Tech Skills Currently in Demand

According to Bradford (2019) these are currently the

most in-demand tech skills
1. Machine learning 9. Data science and
2. Mobile development analytics
3. SEO/SEM marketing 10. Artificial intelligence
4. Data visualisation 11. Virtual reality
5. Data engineering 12. Quantum computing
6. UI/UX design
7. Networking
8. IOT
10
Tech Jobs Currently in Demand

According to Beck (2019) these are the hottest tech

jobs, top salaries, high satisfaction and lots of
opportunities
8. Software developer
1. Data scientist 9. UX designer
2. Software engineer 10. Systems
3. DevOps engineer administrator
4. Security engineer 11. Applications engineer
5. Data analyst 12. Data engineer
6. Solutions architect 13. Product manager
7. Systems engineer 14. Java developer
15. Sales engineer
11
Roles you are prepared for …
Data analysis
• The investigation,
evaluation, interpretation
and classification of data, in
order to define and clarify
information structures which
describe the relationships
between real world entities.
• These facilitate the
development of software
systems, links between
systems or retrieval
activities.
• See: SFIA level 3
Systems software
• The provision of specialist
expertise to facilitate and
execute the installation and
maintenance of system
software such as operating
systems, data management
products, office automation
products and other utility
software.
• See: SFIA level 3
12
SFIA

Skills Framework for the • procurement and

management support
Information Age (SFIA ) • client interface
• System to match the skills
• 7 levels of responsibility
of the workforce to
• 7 set strategy, inspire,
requirements of the
mobilise
business
• 6 initiate/influence
• 90 skills are organised into • 5 ensure/advise
six categories • 4 enable
• strategy and architecture • 3 apply
• business change • 2 assist
• solution development and • 1 follow
implementation
• service management
13
 SFIA Summary Chart
Review SFIA mapping for course outline ITECH
7400
https://www.sfia-online.org/en/sfia-6/framework-summary

14
How to approach your profession?

Jack of all trades?

• Become competent in a wide range of skills

Specialise?
• Become expert in one particular skill
• A niche area that is highly sought after
• Still need to be competent in other areas

15
 Take this quiz
Which in-demand IT career is right for you?
http://yourfuturein.it/quiz-without-login/
https://www.thebalance.com/quiz-should-i-become-a-comp
uter-programmer-4083253

16
Tech Jobs of the future …

Sartain (2017) • Virtual reality and

augmented reality
• Robotics
• Nano technology and
• Drones
nano science
• 3D printing
• Security
• Self-driving cars
• Holographic and 3-D
• Smart cities and buildings entertainment
• Smart farming and • Holo-phone and wrist
agriculture watch phones
• AI and machine learning

17
How to get that job?

Develop a resume (curriculum vitae)

• What should go on a resume?

Apply for positions that might provide challenges in

the area that you’re interested in
• Where might you look for such positions?

18
Your Resume

Hiner (2012) tips for resume writing

• List accomplishments not responsibilities
• Sharpen job objective statement
• Keep it short
• Proofread
• Remove useless words
• Don’t over format
• Don’t misrepresent your skills

19
 How to make your resume more
effective
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/slideshows/how-to-make-yo
ur-resume-more-effective.html

20
 Skills inventory assessment
Make a list of all your soft skills
http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/08soft.htm

21
 Resume review
Discuss the sample resumes available on
Moodle. What are the strengths and
weaknesses of each?

22
LinkedIn

Wolff (2012) using LinkedIn

• Your LinkedIn profile should complement your resume, not
mirror it
• Create a strong profile that provides more depth about
your unique skills and experiences to reach a broader
audience
• If both of these are the same, you lose your ability to
communicate your unique selling proposition (USP)

23
LinkedIn
continued …
Using Social Networking
• A resume is outbound career marketing, LinkedIn is
inbound marketing—attracting employers to you
• To optimise LinkedIn
• importance of summary section
• emphasise your value add
• include a professional highlights section
• follow companies you’d like to target as employers

24
LinkedIn
continued …
Using Social Networking

• LinkedIn connections (Burnham, 2012)

• Nicole Williams LinkedIn Connection Director says
“LinkedIn is about relationships that reflect who you are as a
professional”
"You have to be discerning about who's in your Rolodex. You
should be able to call any one of them for an opportunity, ask them
legitimate career questions, and have some semblance of a
relationship with them”

25
Linked In profiles

26
Professional bodies
Professional Bodies

• Professions are typically organised into one or

more professional bodies e.g. ACS
• A professional body starts by a group of people
coming together because of a shared interest in a
particular type of activity
• A professional body may also be started by
people engaged in the same type of activity, who
want to protect their business against others who
may be trying to enter it without having the proper
knowledge or who may be practicing it dishonestly
28
Professional Bodies
continued …
• Functions of professional bodies include:
• Establish a code of conduct
• Promote education
• Set standards of education and experience
• Set standards of good practice
• Promote and support standards and codes of practice
• Advise government and regulatory bodies

29
Compile a list of IT professional bodies and
identify their purpose

30
Professional IT Bodies

• Software/system engineers profession: IEEE,

BCS, ACS
• Business analyst profession: IIBA
• Quality assurance engineers profession: ISTQB
• Network engineers profession: ACM
• Project managers profession: PMI
• Software architects profession: IASA

31
Benefits of Professional Membership

• Career development continues with PD programs

• Formally recognised
• Information and advice for new knowledge areas
• Networking opportunities with other professionals in the
same field
• Conferences and seminars to showcase your talents
• Broaden knowledge with knowledge sharing sessions
• Being able to promote your field in society
• Being able to mentor younger members to help them
develop further
Drawback of Professional
Membership
• Annual fees can be expensive
• Additional costs for association breakfasts, lunches and
dinners as well as transportation costs or petrol expenses
• Profession includes people with a wide variety of political
alignments, religious beliefs and personal values. This can
cause stress
• Need at least a degree or an equivalent to qualify
• Higher professional qualification can take a long time
Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE)

• https://www.ieee.org/
• World’s largest technical professional organisation
dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of
humanity
• Goal is to be universally recognised for the contributions of
technology and of technical professionals in improving
global conditions
• Range of memberships, 39 societies most offer – society
member, society student, IEEE member, and IEEE student

34
British Computer Society (BCS)

• https://www.bcs.org/
• Ensures safe and positive digital journey, by raising
standards of competence and conduct in the IT industry
and tackling ethical challenges
• Goal is to provide a forum for members and service
management practitioners to discuss service management
benefits, issues, innovation, best practice, products and
experiences
• Memberships – Student, Associate AMBCS, Professional
MBCS and Fellow FBCS

35
International Institute of Business
(IIBA)

• https://australia.iiba.org/
• Is the world's leading association for Business Analysis
professionals
• Goal is to promote the practice of business analysis. To
raise the profile of the business analyst role, and to
represent the IIBA within Australia
• Memberships – Operates a two tier membership structure
– IIBA global membership and IIBA Chapter (local)
membership

36
International Software Testing
Qualifications Board (ISTQB)

• https://www.istqb.org/
• Has created the world's most successful scheme for
certifying software testers
• Goal is to continually improve and advance the software
testing profession by defining and maintaining a Body of
Knowledge which allows testers to be certified based on
best practices, connecting the international software
testing community, and encouraging research
• Memberships – Member board, training provider, exam
provider 37
Association for Computing Machine
(ACM)

• http://www.acm.org/
• Brings together computing educators, researchers, and
professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and
address the field's challenges
• Strengthens the profession's collective voice through
strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and
recognition of technical excellence
• Memberships – Professional, Professional + Library,
Special Rates for Developing Countries, Joint Society
Membership and Lifetime Membership 38
Project Management Institute (PMI)

• https://www.pmi.org/
• The world's leading association for those who consider
project, program or portfolio management their profession
• Adopted the Playing to Win framework to develop and
communicate strategy. This framework asks several
questions: What is our winning aspiration? Where will we
play? How will we win? What  capabilities must we have?
And, what management systems do we need?
• Memberships – Registered user, PMI membership,
Student, Retiree and Group options

39
International Association of Software
Architects (IASA)

• https://iasaglobal.org/
• First priority is our global community. Provide the right
information to success and hold the highest standards.
Truly care about members work and are here to help and
support members
• Plan is simple, to create an international community of
practicing architects and allow them to drive standards
• Memberships – Profile and Full Individual

40
Certifications
 Certifications

Why get certified?

• Flexibility
• Keep up-to-date
• Encourage professional growth
• Help you get ahead
• World renowned

42
BCS Certifications

• Agile • IT asset management

• Artificial intelligence (AI) • IT service management
• Business analysis • Project & programme
• DevOps management, and
consultancy
• GDPR and data
• Software testing
protection
• Information security and • Solution development
CCP scheme and architecture
• User experience (UX)

43
IIBA Certifications

44
ISTQB Certifications

45
PMI Certifications

46
IASA Certifications

47
ACS Certifications

48
Summary

IT skills currently in demand include machine learning,

mobile development, SEO/SEM marketing, data
visualisation, Data engineering, UI/UX design, network and
IS, cloud computing, blockchain, IOT, data science and
analytics, AI, VR, and quantum computing.
IT jobs and skills for the future lie in robotics, drones, 3D
printing, self-driving cars, smart cities and buildings, smart
farming, AI and machine learning amongst others.
Keep your resume simple and provide a unique review of
you and your accomplishments. Categorise using SFIA. Add
value with your social networking profiles.
49
Summary
continued …
Some professional bodies for IT specialists include IEEE,
BCS, ACS, IIBA, ISTQB, ACM, PMI and IASA.
Benefits of professional membership includes ongoing PD,
formal recognition, information, networking opportunities,
conferences, promote field of IT, mentoring.
Drawbacks of professional membership includes expensive,
additional costs, wide variety of views, need qualification,
takes time.
Certification provides flexibility, up-to-date skills, professional
growth, >$, and world recognised.

50
References
Beck, B. (2019). The 15 best tech jobs boast top salaries, high satisfaction, lots of openings. Retrieved
October 19, from https://www.digitaltrends.com/business/best-tech-jobs/
Bradford, L. (2019). 14 top tech skills in demand in 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019, from
https://learntocodewith.me/posts/tech-skills-in-demand/
Burnham, K. (2012). LinkedIn connections: When to accept or reject. Retrieved March 8, 2015, from
http://blogs.cio.com/linkedin/17323/linkedin-connections-when-accept-or-reject?source=CIONLE_nlt_
blogsd_2012-08-21

Doyle, A. (2019). IT jobs: Career options, job titles and descriptions. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/list-of-information-technology-it-job-titles-2061498
Hiner, J. (2011). IT professional’s resume makeover guide. Retrieved March 8, 2015, from
http://www.techrepublic.com/downloads/it-professionals-resume-makeover-guide/3499799/post?pro
mo=107&tag=nl.e107

Project Management Institute. (2013). Why choose a PMI certification? Retrieved March 8, 2015, from
http://www.pmi.org/Certification/Why-Choose-a-PMI-Certification.aspx
Sartain, J. (2017). Hot jobs of the future. Retrieved October 19, 2019, from
https://www.networkworld.com/article/3193978/hot-jobs-of-the-future.html
Wolff, T. (2012). Your resume vs. your LinkedIn profile. Retrieved March 8, 2015 , from
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/career/your-resume-vs-your-linkedin-profile/4603?tag=nl.e124&s_
cid=e124
51