Career in IT?

Energize

Energize

Energize

Caporegime
Joined
12 Mar 2004
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Location
England
So I'm in my 3rd year of a Comp Sci degree but I'm not entirely sure what I want to do, the fields of web development and networking seem interesting, whereas I've been somewhat turned off from software engineering during the course. What are the kind of salary ranges for these fields and how easy is it to find a job/internship in the current UK market?
 
Providing you're technically good at something computer related, I don't think it's ever that hard to get a job, because there's a limited number of people who have the ability. The important thing is to make sure you pursue something that you absolutely love doing, because only then will work be a pleasure and not a chore. I work in internet marketing and enjoy it.

Ta
 
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radderfire said:
because there's a limited number of people who have the ability.
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Thing is there's not, especially at the lower 1st/2nd tiers of IT roles. With countless resources avaliable from east europe and asia making yourself stand out in the UK is extremely hard (unless you are happy to work for pennies).
 
I reckon a lot of people jump on the IT band wagon and then regret it, end up in support for ever etc...

As far as software is concerned you generally won't be paid too badly - you're not going to be earning what a banker earns but you can certainly get a reasonable professional salary. Plenty of firms have a fairly relaxed environment - no/very flexible dress code, flexible hours, able to work from home, pool table/games consoles in the office, free food etc... You don't have to write code on a daily basis either you can get into an analyst role instead.

I don't know enough about networking or web development.
 
IT Security f.t.w :)

Basically if you can find a speciliasion that you enjoy then it can be awesome I think, the niche areas like orcale database design for example, quite random but there are good roles avaliable if you can get your mind set on a path.

Support stuff would be boring very quickly IMO.
 
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Energize said:
IT support is a nightmare I would like to avoid. :p
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It really does depend on what you want to do.

Support is a nightmare -being 3rd line I still have an element in my job but if you are going to be in any way infrastructure related for an SMB this is something you would generally have to accept until you have the skills to demand what you want! :p

Personally I love working in infrastructure, yes it's stressful - being called at 3am because a server has farted becomes tedious, but every day is different and a challenge (oh and 24hrs really isn't a long enough day anymore :().

Whatever happens you will need to get some experience under your belt - I have a first class degree in comp sci, a vcp, and very nearly my mcitp:ea but these don't come close to getting hands on practical skills.

My main enjoyment I guess comes from designing a solution to a business problem, I should probably consider pre-sales myself :p

Considering grab schemes or prefer to make your own way?
 
tntcoder said:
IT Security f.t.w :)
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damn right :)

Energize said:
IT support is a nightmare I would like to avoid. :p
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Unfortunately it's the main entry point for a lot of IT careers, gives people that first bit of experience.

I did support for a good while and technically my job is still kind of support and I like it.

Look around on some of the job websites like cwjobs, check out itjobswatch for a rough idea of salaries.

I'd recommend looking at various career paths and trying to find something you will think you'll enjoy.

And as said, if you can specialise/find a niche you should be alright ;)
 
Rocker said:
I have a specialist honours degree in IT security but still finding it hard to get a job! Especiallyin Scotland anyway! Going to have to do some certifications I think, but they cost a small fortune :(
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Sadly it's an area where experience helps, but I'm sure you'll get there.

The certs can be expensive, start off with something simple like a book on say the CompTIA Sec+, then work up to say an SSCP and beyond.

Things like the CISSP and CISA all want a bit of experience before you can be certified anyway.
 
it really does depend how good you are...

I work as a web developer, there is always plenty of well paid work around assuming you are talented.

There was a time when people tried to outsource to india because it was cheap. luckily those days are long gone because the quality of work was so low.

obviously this doesn't apply to tech support, as most of it can be read off a sheet of simple questions and answer trees
 
IT Support can be interesting and challenging, as long as you are 3rd line or above ... below that it can be soul destroying. How good3rd line is to work for will vary enormously dependent on who you are working for (which will then vary your responsibilities).

I'm always surprised though how poor the output of some so-called architects and consultants are though.

Personally I'm 4th line which means I do very little Support and quite a bit of interesting stuff :)
 
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