Computing & IT

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IT is the backbone of most businesses worldwide and a career in this sector is innovative, challenging and exciting. Many graduates are attracted by the variety of work and the constant challenge presented by being in a fast-moving and constantly evolving industry.

Around 860,000 people work in the IT and telecoms industry itself and an additional 663,000 are employed as IT or telecoms professionals in other industries. 

Employing 1.52 million people in the UK (Source: Technology Counts 2010), IT plays a central role in every employment sector, and the IT and telecom sector accounts for 8.4% of the UK economy – a value of £71bn.

Around 860,000 people work in the IT and telecoms industry itself and an additional 663,000 are employed as IT or telecoms professionals in other industries.

Salaries can vary but across the sector IT professionals earn an average of £38,000 with an average starting salary of £23,000.  However, this average is part of a large spectrum – Computer Science students from Oxford graduating over the last two years had starting salaries averaging £29,800 for undergraduates and £35,100 for graduates, with a large number of these students going into the IT sector. Higher salaries mainly attributed to companies in the financial, chemical, oil and manufacturing and retail sectors.

Forecasts suggest that the UK economy will require an average of 110,500 new IT professionals every year for the next four years (Technology Counts UK, 2010).

Although the range of IT companies is vast, there are three main groups of employers:

•    Technology Creators provide hard and software, and range from major corporations, such as IBM and Microsoft, to small software houses specialising in one product.

•    Technology Enhancers include the software houses and consultancies which provide advice to client companies and sometimes, as ‘outsourcers’, take responsibility for a client’s total IT activity.

•    End-users are the organisations which use IT to support their core activities, from John Lewis to the NHS to HSBC, for example. End user organisations employ about 55% of the IT workforce.

What types of jobs are there?

IT professionals do not have to limit their ambitions to a single job but can apply their skills across a range of industries and work areas. Job titles and roles are varied, particularly in smaller organisations, one person may act as a systems analyst, an applications developer and a consultant. A recent survey of 80 recruiters revealed a total of 75 different job titles across firms. Below is a sample of job titles you are likely to come across:
•    Applications developer
•    Database administrator
•    Games developer
•    Information systems manager
•    IT consultant
•    IT technical support officer
•    IT trainer
•    Multimedia programmer
•    Software engineer
•    Systems analyst
•    Systems developer
To find out more about different roles, starting salaries and more see:
The job profiles on the Prospects website: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/industries_it_job_roles.htm
The Careers section of the British Computer Society’s website
The descriptions of different job titles in the Target IT.

While smaller organisations often offer a fairly informal working environment, you will need to take charge of your own career development as it is easy to develop a narrow specialism, which may not benefit you in the long term. Larger organisations may offer more flexibility and more opportunities to move from one work area to another. Many UK-based employers can also offer the chance of international travel, and the IT skills gap creates opportunities for people to live and work across Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the US.

What skills do I need?

There is, at present, a significant IT skills gap in the UK. The British Computer Society states that current graduates do not have the technical skills the industry needs. Skills required by programmers and application developers, such as Java, are particularly lacking.

Many consultancies and end-users recruit graduates from a non-IT background who have the personal skills that they require and then provide technical training as appropriate.

The right combination of technical and business skills will be as important as your qualification. Computer science, electronics, maths or similar graduates are sought after in areas where technical expertise is paramount. The nature of IT work is not always highly technical and 55% of the graduates entering the sector are from non-IT disciplines. You should be aware that many recruiters will expect a 2:1 or better from those studying arts and humanities subjects, alongside a proven interest in computing (perhaps through developing technology such as websites and database solutions to support clubs and societies). Employers are increasingly stressing the importance of ‘soft skills’, particularly for client liaison and team-based work.

The transferable skills most commonly sought by employers include:
•    An enthusiasm for IT and computer systems.
•    A willingness and ability to learn, and keep up-to-date with new technology systems.
•    Communication and interpersonal skills.
•    Team working skills.
•    Problem solving skills.
•    Planning and organisational skills and the ability to self-manage.
•    Commercial awareness.

A second language can be a positive attribute for many international employers. Most employers will look for applicants with some technical aptitude and may rely on psychometric testing to determine your suitability. You can test your own aptitude by taking the tests available online at CareerConnect (log on through our website and go to Subscriptions/Online Aptitude Tests).

What are the entry points?

About 45% of the people employed in IT are graduates. Positions are available for all levels of IT experience and skill, with many requiring no technical knowledge or experience. Those with programming abilities (particularly C++ and Java) can apply for most vacancies, and command relatively high salaries, while those whose experience/knowledge is limited can either apply directly to the large number of organisations prepared to offer technical training, or try for a place on one of the many one-year MSc conversion courses. These courses usually combine further academic study with a vocational placement and can be a useful first step for those with an unrelated first degree.

There is no ‘best’ way of getting in to the industry, so you must research the options carefully, bearing in mind your level of existing knowledge and the roles for which you hope to apply – if in doubt, contact the Careers Service for advice, speak to alumni in the field using the Oxford Careers Network on CareerConnect, or contact a preferred employer to ask for advice about what they consider to be a competitive application.

How do I get experience?

Experience is not essential to get a job in IT, but employers are obviously attracted to those who can evidence more than just a personal interest in computers. Experience in any IT field will help you to develop your understanding of commercial awareness, workplace communications, planning and organisational skills, teamworking and more.

Many large organisations offer work experience or internships to students of all disciplines, and these will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and aptitude for work within the IT industry.  These opportunities may be advertised – see CareerConnect for internships as well as job vacancies – but for smaller companies, they may not have a regular advertised programme.  Contact them directly to learn whether or not they might offer work experience, shadowing, internships or similar. You might also want to approach technology and biotechnology firms operating from Oxfordshire’s science and business parks.

There is no requirement to learn particular programming languages in advance of any work experience (although some students choose to do this) but up-to-date knowledge of the sector or the client’s sector and the use of technology within it would be an advantage.

How do I get a job?

Graduate opportunities are available with a range of recruiters, from large multinationals to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and employers in the public sector.

Although some large employers make presentations to finalists in Michaelmas Term each year, the IT industry does not restrict its recruitment activity to this timeframe, and many organisations recruit throughout the year and are flexible about starting dates.  This includes a large number of smaller firms who often advertise well into Trinity Term and the Long Vacation each year.

Some experienced IT professionals work on a contract basis, something to consider when you’ve got some marketable experience behind you, and many consider self-employment or business start-up: for more on this see our briefing on Entrepreneurship.

EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS AND EQUALITY
For information about your employment rights, including the National Minimum Wage, please visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.htm  and http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Yourrightsandresponsibilities/DG_10014458

International students

There are frequent changes to the rules affecting international students and recent graduates wishing to work in the UK. Until April 2012 the Tier 1 Post-Study Work category of the Points-Based System to work in the UK will be in operation. Under this scheme, international students can apply for leave to live and work in the UK for a maximum period of two years, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. In April 2012 this will be replaced with a new route in Tier 2 which will require a job offer, a minimum salary and students will need to apply within the UK. It is recommended that, for the most up-to-date information, you check the UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs website which offers independent information and advice about immigration, finance and working in the UK, and also the UK Border Agency website. Please refer to our Diversity files at the Careers Service for more information, or consult the University's Student Information and Advisory Service.

Relevant events

For full details of events, check the What’s On section of our website and log in to CareerConnect.

Careers in Computing – Monday 30th January, 15.00 – 18.00, Department of Computer Science (Talks and Employer Stands for anyone considering a career in the industry)

Some IT employer recruitment presentations will take place in Michaelmas term. For careers using IT in other sectors you might like to attend a wider range of fairs, such as the Finance Fair (20/21 October) or the Oxford Careers Fair (5 November).

Resources available

OXFORD CAREERS NETWORK (OCN)

The OCN is a database of Oxford alumni who are willing to be contacted about their career. Read their case studies for behind-the-scenes insights into an organisation or occupation, and contact volunteers for more advice and information via CareerConnect.

ONLINE INTERVIEW FEEDBACK

The careers website includes access to online interview feedback forms completed by Oxford students; please see the link below to access.

https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/auth/interview_feedback/

RESOURCE CENTRE
The Careers Service also has an extensive resource centre at 56 Banbury Road, Oxford, where you can drop in to browse during opening hours (visit our website for details).

FILES
•    Occupational Files M: Information Technology
•    Employer Files: IT Consultancy Firms; IT Hardware Firms; IT Software and Services Firms
•    Applications and Interviews, Psychometric tests

BOOKS
•    Careers in Information Technology, WetFeet Press
•    Ace the IT Job Interview, Paula Moreira
•    Ace the IT Resume, Paula Moreira and Robyn Thorpe
•    Careers and Jobs in IT, David Yardley
•    Getting a Top Job in IT, David Yardley
•    Programming Interviews Exposed, John Mongan, Noah Suojanen and Eric Giguere

JOURNALS
•    Computing, weekly

TO TAKE AWAY
•    Inside Careers: Information Technology
•    Target Jobs IT

PODCASTS
The Careers Service has recorded a series of podcasts.  Subscribe in iTunes or find a full list here: http://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/#career-unit

CAREER CAPTURE VIDEO

In Summer 2011, we ran a pilot of a new programme designed to give students experience in film and video, whilst developing an insight into what life is like inside a company. Stella Ramsden (St Annes, 2011) created this 15 minute video on what life is like at Softwire, a softwire development company based in London, UK.

Useful websites

In addition to the websites listed below, all companies and organisations mentioned throughout this Briefing can be found via a web search.

GENERAL VACANCIES AND OCCUPATION INFORMATION
•    www.prospects.ac.uk
•    www.targetjobs.co.uk
•    www.jobs.ac.uk
•    www.economist.com
•    www.jobs.guardian.co.uk
•    www.jobs.telegraph.co.uk
•    www.jobs.thetimes.co.uk
•    http://graduate.monster.co.uk/

SECTOR VACANCIES
•    http://www.bcsrecruit.com/  British Computer Society’s jobs board
•    http://www.technojobs.co.uk/ IT and Technical job site
•    http://www.computing.co.uk/jobs   Powered by CW jobs
•    http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/  IT specialist job search
•    www.itjobsforgraduates.com  Does what it says on the tin
•    www.theitjobboard.co.uk  Not just for graduates, but lots of IT roles
•    http://www.theitjob.com/search/   IT roles
•    www.planetrecruit.com/IT   Again, not graduate specific, but lots of roles
•    http://www.womenintechnology.co.uk/jobs/  Jobs – not just for girls!
•    http://www.efinancialcareers.co.uk/  IT jobs in finance: ‘Change country’ for international roles
•    http://www.itgraduatejobs.co/  From the makers of Technojobs, but purely for grads
•    www.datascope.co.uk  Specialist games industry site
•    http://www.bima.co.uk/jobs/  Jobs in interactive media
•    http://www.creativepool.co.uk/  For IT and design roles in creative industries
•    http://jobs.next-gen.biz/ Games, design and business roles

SECTOR INFORMATION
•    www.bcs.org.uk  British Computer Society
•    www.bima.co.uk  British Interactive Media Association
•    www.iap.org.uk  Institute of Analysts and Programmers
•    www.imis.org.uk  Institute for the Management of IT Systems
•    www.womenintechnology.co.uk  aims to increase diversity of employees in IT.
•    http://www.insidecareers.co.uk/it  From the makers of Inside Careers: Information Technology
•    http://targetjobs.co.uk/it   From the makers of Target Jobs IT

NEWS
•    www.computing.co.uk
•    www.computerweekly.co.uk
•    www.next-gen.biz
•    www.itproportal.com
•    www.e-skills.com  Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology.

Social media

Twitter is a quick way to develop your knowledge about the sector and find opportunities.  You can read and search it without an account.  We’ve made 20 handy lists, so that you can see at a glance information tailored to your interests.

If you’d like to join Twitter, remember to ‘follow’ us (www.twitter.com/OxfordCareers) as well as your chosen lists to keep receiving useful information to help your career.

•    See our Science, Tech, IT list at: http://twitter.com/OxfordCareers/science-tech-it
•    Search on www.linkedin.com under ‘Groups’ for networks like Careers in Games or Women in Technology or  BCS (British Computer Society) Young Professionals Group and many, many more
•    Showcase your online image on your CV with links to LinkedIn, a professionally-minded Twitter account and similar.


Page last edited: 02 October 2011

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