Exploring pathways to success in the IT industry
Information technology (IT) is a fast-growing sector that offers numerous employment opportunities. IT roles accounted for more than 200,000 tech jobs in 2022, with a continued trend of growth overserved from 2017 to 2022. IT jobs also offer numerous chances to advance in your career. You can choose from various specialisations such as data analytics and network security.
There are many different types of IT jobs, and it can be hard to choose which one is right for you. This guide will help you understand why working in information technology is a good idea. We'll provide an IT jobs list and outline their primary responsibilities. We'll also answer some FAQs. Here's what we'll cover:
Careers in IT development
Here are some IT careers you can consider:
1. AI specialist
As an AI specialist, your role would include programming, research, and implementation of AI solutions. You'd be working with multiple teams as part of this job. Your goal would be to find areas to use AI to improve decision-making or automate tasks. You'll also be training, testing, and deploying models. While Jobstreet doesn't list salary information for AI specialists, it does have salary information for data specialists, which is between $4,500 and $4,700 per month.
You'd start your career as a junior AI researcher or analyst and assist AI specialists in tasks such as data processing and preparation, algorithm implementation, model evaluation, and deployment support. Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional (CAIP) and TensorFlow Developer Certificate can help you gain in-depth knowledge in this field.
2. Cybersecurity analyst
As a cybersecurity analyst, you'd monitor computer networks and systems for cyber attacks or security breaches. You'll implement systems that intelligently detect the presence of malware or virus. You'll also conduct vulnerability assessments and modify security protocols and procedures if required. In some organisations, you may also develop backup and recovery strategies as part of risk management. Salary data ranges from $4,800 to $5,900 per month.
You'd start your career as a junior security analyst or security intern. As a junior, your tasks revolve around monitoring security systems, analysing security events, and responding to incidents. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and CompTIA Security+ are great certifications to expand your knowledge of the field.
3. Data scientist
As a data scientist, your core responsibilities would be collecting, cleaning, and analysing large datasets to extract actionable insights. You'll train, test, and deploy machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models for specific use cases. These use cases can belong to image processing, natural language processing, reinforcement learning, and other areas. You'll also use data visualisations to communicate your findings to the management. This will help them make informed decisions. As a Data Scientist, you can expect a salary between $6,000 to $6,500 per month.
Data scientists usually start by being data analysts. When starting in this role, you'd be responsible for building a pipeline that handles data collection, cleaning, and transformation to prepare it for modelling. This includes both structured and unstructured data from various sources. You're also responsible for ensuring data integrity.
There are several certifications you can consider for being proficient in the field:
- IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate
These certifications help you improve your statistical analysis skills which is important for beginners in the field.
4. Full-stack developer
As a full-stack developer, you'll be developing both client-side and server-side components of web applications. It'll also require you to focus on other aspects. These include database integration, security, testing, and deployment. After development, you'll also focus on scaling and optimising the solution based on user needs. Salaries range from $4,800 to $7,200 per month.
There are several roles from which you can transition to become a full-stack developer. Some roles include junior web developer, associate software engineer, or frontend/back-end developer. The role requires continuous learning and exploration of new technologies. This is to ensure the applications you build are scalable, perform well, and secure.
Some certifications you can pursue include:
- IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate
- Meta Back-End Developer Professional Certificate
5. DevOps engineer
As a DevOps engineer, you'd work on automating processes for building, deploying, and managing applications and infrastructure. This can either be an on-prem or cloud infrastructure. You'll work with the development team to automate their workflows as part of a CI/CD process. You'll also focus on the infrastructure component of the solutions and work on scaling them. Salaries for operations engineers range from $4,300 to $5,400 per month.
You may start your career as an associate developer and transition to a DevOps engineer with experience. As a junior DevOps engineer, you'll help seniors automate deployment processes and manage infrastructure. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer and Docker Certified Associate (DCA) are popular certifications for this role.
6. Cloud solutions architect
As a cloud solutions architect, you'll design and implement cloud-based solutions that meet business requirements. You'll also be responsible for drafting best practices for cloud migration activities. This will help organisations looking to shift their storage, development, and deployment onto cloud platforms. Another major aspect of your job would involve ensuring compliance with security and regulatory requirements.
While Jobstreet doesn't list specific salary information for cloud solutions architects, it does include information for cloud engineers. Cloud engineers can expect a salary between $4,200 to $5,700 per month.
You'll start as a cloud support associate. In this role, you'll support senior architects in designing and implementing cloud solutions. Data scientists, analysts, and software developers can transition to this role. Here are relevant certifications from different cloud providers you can consider:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- Google's Professional Cloud Architect
7. Software developer
As a software developer, your responsibilities will include designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. As part of this role, you'll collaborate with project management professionals and other team members to define requirements and add features based on client needs. You may also work alongside the testing team to ensure the application is free of bugs and functions as intended.
Salaries range between $4,700 to $5,900 per month for software developers. Some relevant certifications for this role include Red Hat Certified Engineer, CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+), and Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, among others.
You'd start your career as an entry-level developer. Then, you'd work up to senior or lead positions. Some areas that you can specialise in:
- mobile app development
- web development
- data management
- project management
8. IT technician
The primary responsibilities of an IT technician include installing, configuring, and maintaining computer hardware, software, and peripherals. In some organisations, you'll need to set up computer networks, including routers, switches, and firewalls. Other duties include routine maintenance. This means taking regular backups, upgrading software, and optimising systems.
While Jspecific IT technician salary information is unavailable, technicians can expect to earn between $2,300 and $2,800 per month. As an IT technician, you'd work in various environments, including:
- offices
- schools
- healthcare facilities
- tech companies
CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+ certifications can help you develop skills in hardware, networking basics, mobile devices, operating systems, and security. You'll also get hands-on experience working with different computer systems.
Conclusion
The tech sector has many career options. This can include software engineering, database administration, data science, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Some jobs cater to different interests and skill sets. Technology is becoming more important in our lives, so there's a growing demand for IT professionals. If you're creative, good at problem-solving, or have strong attention to detail, a job in the IT industry might suit you.
FAQs
Here are some FAQs about IT careers:
- What soft skills are essential for success in IT?
IT professionals must have good communication skills. This helps them explain technical concepts to the management and the client. Problem-solving skills are essential for analysing problems and coming up with practical solutions. Being adaptable and flexible can help IT professionals learn new skills and adapt to different work environments. Collaborating with cross-functional teams is also essential for successful project execution. - What qualifications are most valuable for a job in IT?
You'll need a degree or certification in computer science, information technology, or a relevant field. It's also important to have technical skills. Some important skills include programming languages, data analysis, database management, and system design. You can then further enhance your knowledge of the areas you specialise in. You can do this by going for higher education or taking relevant certifications.
Hands-on experience in the information technology industry is also valuable. It shows you have practical skills and know how to work in real-world situations. You can gain experience through internships or part-time jobs. You can also take up personal projects and maintain a repository. - Is a career in IT promising?
A career in IT can be promising because there are so many jobs available for people skilled in technology. Technology is becoming more important across several industries. This includes finance, healthcare, and retail. An IT career is usually stable and pays well because it requires specialised skills. There's also room for career advancement.
People who work in IT often get to be creative and develop new solutions to existing problems. You may get opportunities to provide solutions that make the world a better place. This can be very rewarding. - How do I get a manager role in IT?
Here are some steps you can follow if you want to become a manager in the information technology field:
Gain hands-on experience.
Focus on understanding the system architecture and design.
Develop leadership skills by taking on responsibilities that show you can lead teams.
Consider higher education or certifications to enhance your IT career. Improve your soft skills such as communication, strategic planning, and decision-making.
Connect with IT experts to seek their advice.
- What areas in IT are in demand in Singapore?
There's an increasing focus on building AI solutions with the help of Large Language Models (LLMs). Companies are also allocating resources towards data privacy and governance. There's also an increase in demand for professionals who excel in cloud computing. Especially skills related to cloud migration, analytics, and deployment. On the networking side, there's a demand for cybersecurity experts who can manage the security of cloud-based systems.
You can research more into your fields of interest. This will help you learn about the ongoing developments. - Do I need a degree to pursue a career in IT?
Employers usually expect job seekers to have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a relevant subject. Here are some degree programmes offered by leading Singapore institutions:
National University of Singapore (NUS): Offers undergraduate and master's degrees in computer science, information systems, and more within its School of Computing.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU): Provides a range of IT-related degrees, such as computer science and data science, through its School of Computer Science and Engineering. This includes undergraduate degrees, master's, and research opportunities.
Employers may also select candidates without degrees. This is if they have hands-on experience with different programming languages and tools. They also need strong analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. If you don't have a degree, you can take certification programmes relevant to your area of interest and apply for jobs. When applying for jobs, have a portfolio of your past projects. These should be well-documented and contain the steps you took to solve the problem.
If you have worked in part-time roles or as a freelancer before, you can choose to include client testimonials, too. This improves your credibility.
