IT job roles

Programmers

·         Assist systems analysts in defining requirements of users of the proposed IT system.

·         Create a detailed design for the proposed system.

·         Translate specifications - for a software product or project - given by the systems analyst into lines of code i.e. programs.

·         Modify code to correct errors or to enhance a program’s capabilities.

·         Test programs already developed.

·         Prepare documentation for the program developed & designed.

·         This is an entry-level IT job. Programmers may also be called software engineers, web developers, etc. depending on the specific job content.

To be successful as a programmer, you need certain professional qualities:

·         Technical aptitude

·         Logical approach to solving problems

·         Ability to work independently as well as be a team player

·         Good communication skills, written as well as oral, are a plus point

·         Willingness to continuously learn since technology keeps changing

Web developers

These are programmers who work on online (web) applications.

·         They create prototypes of the site based on the site’s objectives.

·         Depending on the website, developers may have to develop interactive forms, shopping carts, mailing lists & online programs.

·         They use programming languages (such as Java, VB Script, MS-SQL, MySQL CGI, Perl, Visual C++, C#, SQL, JSP, ASP.NET, PHP, XML & DHTML) to create these programs & applications.

System analysts

·         System analysts study the needs of users of the system & define their requirements through documents/ processes.

·         These documents are then used by the programming team to create a better system.

Software testing & Quality Assurance

Software is tested by 'Software Testers' to confirm if it has been built as planned & is performing well. This includes finding software 'bugs'. Software is put through several types of tests. Various manual methods & automated tools are used for this.

      Software Quality Assurance involves the entire software development process & is oriented towards prevention of problems.

Quality Asssurance (QA) professionals

·         Monitor & improve the processes by which software is created.

·         Make sure that any agreed-upon standards & procedures are followed.

·         Ensure that problems are found & dealt with.

Database analysts, architects & administrators

Data is core to any IT application. Data professionals make sure that users can access & manage data in a flexible, efficient & secure manner.

They:

·         Analyze & design databases.

·         Develop, install & implement databases.

·         Perform database administration & maintainance to ensure data integrity.

·         Perform database testing.

·         Provide data assurance i.e. security of data.

      Software Architects, Solution builders & Consultants

These are senior job roles.

Software Architects have a deep understanding of a single technology area.

Solution builders understand a wide range of technologies & pull them together to create a solution to a customer problem.

Consultants not only have a broad knowledge of technology, they usually have deep knowledge of a particular industry or business.

Project Managers 

·         Programmers/ software engineers usually work in teams. Each project team may consist of 10 to 15 engineers & is headed by a project leader. Two, three or more project teams are together supervised by a project manager. Delivery managers are senior people who supervise several project groups & coordinate with the sales people in the company and with the client.

·         A software engineer can choose to follow the 'management path' & grow into a project leader and then into a project manager. Or he or she can follow the 'technical path' & become a database specialist, software architect or a specialist in a given technology.

Technical writers & Documentation specialists  

·         They create manuals for users to:

·         Develop documents for each project/ application.

·         Maintain copies of all documents developed for future use.

Helpdesk & Technical support

·         Help install, maintain & repair PCs, printers and other devices, LAN, Wide Area Networks (WAN).

·         Ensure Internet connectivity.

·         Are usually available immediately to resolve hardware & connectivity problems. Software or hardware installed at a customer’s premises may require support of the following types: installation, configuration. troubleshooting, customer queries or training.
Management Information Systems (MIS) 

·         To manage any organization, its managers need information about its various activities e.g. sales, finance, purchase, HR. This information is usually got from data & reports from the organization’s computer network/ system.

·         Some of the entry-level MIS jobs are data analysts & data entry operators.

   

Other IT jobs

IT people may also work in sales & marketing or as faculty i.e. in teaching or as trainers. They can also work in hardware & networking jobs such as network administrators or system administrators