Career Opportunities with a Computing & IT Degree
If you’re going to be committing to three years, sometimes four, of intensive studying then it’s not surprising that you’re going to want to know what your career prospects will be after graduation.
Luckily, a degree in Computing & IT, or similar subject, will give you many transferrable skills that will make you an appealing candidate to a variety of potential employers.
Of course, the majority of Computing & IT graduates go into a job in the computer industry, but that doesn’t mean you have to limit your options to just this field of work.
The skills that you’ll learn whilst studying for your degree, both technical and non-technical, can be applied to almost any sector. In the digital age almost all companies require that their employees are computer literate and with your extra skills you could become a highly prized employee.
Here’s more about your career opportunities with a Computing & IT degree:
What skills will I gain during my Computing & IT degree?
Regardless of where you study and the exact content of your course there are a number of skills you’ll gain that will be universal.
These non-technical skills include:
- The ability to collate, analyse, and critically evaluate information
- Strong communication skills
- Team working skills
- Time management
- Independent working
- The ability to put together reasoned arguments
There are of course many technical skills you’ll learn including how to design, develop, and test software programmes, and how to cope with the rapid changes in technology.
Most Computing & IT courses will also teach you the ethical, social, and legal issues surrounding software development and use.
First year students will generally start by learning the basic principles, concepts, and techniques involved in computers and digital communication systems.
Jobs directly involving your Computing & IT degree
As we’ve said, you don’t just have to limit yourself to looking for graduate jobs in the computing industry, but if you want a career that uses your degree skills directly – here are some options:
Software Engineer
Typically this job involves designing and programming system-level software such as operating systems, database systems, and embedded systems.
This job may also involve interacting with colleagues and clients so you’ll need strong interpersonal skills as well as the technical knowledge of computers.
The key skills you’ll need for this job include:
- Analytical skills
- Logical thinking
- Team work
- Attention to detail
Technical Support
If you enjoy interacting with others and would like to be the “go-to person” of the IT world then a role in technical support could be the right option for you.
In addition to dealing with customers or clients you’ll usually have to liaise with manufacturers and suppliers to find solutions to problems.
The key skills you’ll need for this job include:
- Interpersonal skills
- Team work
- Customer service
- Wide ranging technical knowledge
Network Engineer
If it’s the technical aspect of working with computers that interests you then a career as a network engineer could be something worth considering as it is one of the more technically demanding roles.
Day to day tasks involve setting up, administering, maintaining, and upgrading communications systems. This could involve both local and national networks. This role also gives plenty of opportunity to gain specialist technical certifications as you progress up the career ranks.
The key skills you’ll need for this job include:
- Specialist network knowledge
- Strong communication skills
- Planning and organisation abilities
- Practical problem solving skills
Job not directly involving your Computing & IT degree
Your non-technical skills will equip you for a number of roles outside of the computer industry and some may not be an obvious career choice for Computing & IT graduates.
Here’s more about some of the roles that aren’t directly related to your degree but could suit your skill set.
Sales roles
Sales roles often have a bad reputation but with your technical knowledge a career in computer sales could turn out to be highly lucrative. The benefits of sales careers of course include commissions and a define career structure.
If you discover that you’re a talented salesperson then the world is your oyster.
Business analysis
This is another role in which your technical know-how could put you head and shoulders above other candidates.
Business analysis companies often choose computing graduates because they can quickly understand specialised business programmes and then advise their clients accordingly.
Teaching
If you’d like a role that inspires the younger generation to be passionate about computers and IT then consider studying for your PGCE after graduation and becoming a teacher.
